Osteopathic medicine
Osteopathic medicine is a philosophy in treatment that follows a “whole-person” approach to care. When treating symptoms, osteopathic medicine physicians consider how all the body’s interrelated systems work together to achieve optimal wellness.
Osteopathic doctors (also called osteopaths or DOs) are licensed physicians. They have the same type of training and provide the same level of care as medical doctors (MDs). Both DOs and MDs complete a four-year medical school program followed by three years of residency, during which they diagnose and treat patients under the guidance of a supervising physician.
DOs differ from MDs in that they receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine. This is a treatment method in which the DO applies gentle pressure to improve alignment and balance within the patient’s musculoskeletal system (muscles, bones, joints and soft tissue) to promote healing and enable the body to function better overall.
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Osteopathic medicine at Allina Health
At Allina Health, DOs practice in every medical specialty. Using their training and expertise, DOs follow the most recent clinical guidelines to provide care that emphasizes prevention and the overall well-being of the entire person.
Our DOs provide a full range of services related to their individual specialty, such as:
- physical exams
- diagnosis and treatment of illnesses
- testing and health screenings
- prescription management
- surgery
DOs and their specialty health care teams are committed to your well-being, providing you with comprehensive, personalized care that meets your specific needs and supports your overall wellness.
Your Allina Health account
At Allina Health, we want you actively involved in your care. One way you can do that is through the Allina Health account, an online tool that lets you track appointments, review test results, access electronic records, communicate with your team and more.