BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Neuromuscular Diseases osteopathic medicine and OMT?

I am interested in hearing about any experiences with osteopathic physicians (DOs). I do a lot of editing work for the major professional organization of osteopathic physicians (the AOA), and I know that the profession is currently engaged in a big debate over the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for neuromuscular disorders, as well as the distinctiveness of the profession vs MDs.

In my personal experience as a patient, I noticed nothing special in the treatment from the DO whom I visited for arm fractures. He might as well have been an MD.

Has anyone experienced any particular benefits from OMT as applied by a DO?

Great question, Alicia!

My physicians are MD's so I have no personal experience with a DO. I'll be interested to hear what peple have to say on the subject.

well, DOs are trained in OMT and the profession prides itself on this distinctive form of treatment. However, in actual practice, few DOs perform OMT because they do not have the time in the typical 10-minute office visit. Plus, many DOs don't believe in the efficacy of OMT.
I had multiple arm and rib fractures a couple years ago and I went to a DO... he did not even touch me! He just wrote me a prescription for pain meds and referred me to a physical therapist.... same as the typical MD would do.