Aren Chiropractors (D.C.s) and Osteopaths (D.O.s) the same thing?
No. Osteopaths (also known as D.O.’s, or Doctors of Osteopathy) are a medical profession that is essentially the same of Medical Doctors or M.D.’s. Over 100 years ago, osteopaths were very similar to chiropractors and they practiced a more complete, or “holistic” approach to health care. However, the M.D.’s pressured the osteopaths and chiropractors to conform to their “health care approach” by prescribing medicine and performing surgery. The osteopaths conformed, and now prescribe medication and perform surgery, and are nearly identical to M.D.’s. While some D.O.’s may still perform manipulation, it is not the focus of their curriculum and is only an elective in the a lot of osteopathic colleges. Most D.O.’s perform manipulation only occasionally, and it is not the focus of their practice. Osteopathic manipulation is usually associated with “gross manipulation”, tends to be more aggressive, and moves all areas of the spine or body, instead of only moving the areas that need to be move
