Osteopathic Medicine

What is Osteopathic Medicine?

Osteopathic medicine is focused on providing patients with care for the “whole person.” There are now about 100,000 doctors practicing osteopathy in the US according to the American Osteopathic Association, which makes them a relatively rare find. At the same time, this approach to medicine is growing in popularity with patients. Learn more about osteopathic medicine, which was pioneered by a 19th-century physician named Andrew Taylor Still, who understood how important a patient’s overall health is to treating specific ailments.

About Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine puts a focus on how all body parts and organs work together and considers the nervous and musculoskeletal system when diagnosing and treating disorders. This type of medicine is administered by a DO—a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Doctors who practice this type of medicine can provide all the services of an MD, including prescribing medications, making medical diagnoses, and performing surgeries. They just have different philosophies about how to heal common conditions, like asthma, allergies, and chronic migraine headaches.

Osteopathic Care

With osteopathic care, there's a focus on the body's ability to heal itself through holistic techniques. When there's a problem in one part of the body, it could be the cause of symptoms in another. One goal is to correct issues with the structure and function of the body so that it can heal as quickly and thoroughly as possible. At a consultation, your doctor will ask about your medical history, discuss lifestyle factors, and diagnose symptoms using a “hands-on” structural exam.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment

One of the specialties of an osteopathic doctor is a therapy called osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). It’s the process of manipulating the body to diagnose conditions and relieve muscular pains. Body aches could be related to a number of acute and chronic diseases ranging from arthritis to cardiovascular issues. OMT helps your doctor diagnose common ailments, as well as treat and prevent them from reoccurring.

Take Care of Your Whole Body

If you want to talk to a doctor who can treat your whole body instead of just specific symptoms, consult a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Call (813) 655-4646 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Joel Biggers or Dr. Elizabeth Biggers at their office in Brandon, FL.

Are you interested in learning more about our osteopathic medicine services?
Call Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL at (813) 655-4646 for more information!