M.D. and D.O.?

[Nancy]

Please, can someone explain the difference between an MD and a DO?
And, please, speak clearly, carefully ~blush~blush~ use small words and don't forget who you're talking to.
Thanks.

[RobinN]

MD = Medical Doctor or allopathic physician
DO = Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or Osteopathic physician

The existence of this distinction and of D.O.s as licensed physicians is not widely known. In the United States, the D.O. and the M.D. are the only two degrees permitting licensure as medical physicians.

Osteopathy is an approach to healthcare that emphasizes the role of the musculoskeletal system in health and disease. In most countries osteopathy is a form of complementary medicine, emphasizing a holistic approach and the skilled use of a range of manual and physical treatment interventions (osteopathic manipulative medicine, or OMM in the United States) in the prevention and treatment of disease. In practice, this most commonly relates to musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain.

In the United States, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) are fully licensed medical physicians and surgeons, practicing in all clinical specialties along with their M.D. colleagues. Just like M.D.s, D.O.s practice the full scope of medicine. The practice rights of U.S.-trained Doctors of Osteopathic medicine varies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteopathy

[Nancy]

Thank you, Robin .... I went all over google and I still don't have a clear understanding of why/what this could have to do with epilepsy.

[Bernard]

Cool. I learned something new today.

[epileric]

I saw an osteopath instead of my chiropractor & was very impressed. He used various stretches & movements to use my muscles to re-align my back instead of "cracking" my back. As well he gave me more stretches to help prevent my back from going out.

[brain]

M.D., D.O.

Merely means that they have EXTENDED
their education or rather EXPANDED their
knowledge beyond just being a Medical
Doctor.

I prefer my Doctors being M.D., D.O.
(in fact - all my Physicians are that and
then some additional letters trailing).

The Additional Letters that trails after
the M.D., typically means they've
obtained further education, more
training, more education, knowledge,
skills, and so on. Not necessarily can
perform Surgeries - but some can, as
in simple "in-office" procedures, while
others can do major surgeries in
Hospitals.

I also prefer my Doctors who are also
Professors or former Professors as well,
because of their expansive knowledge,
they aren't too quick to jump the gun
on everything in sight, and often are
more wiser in their ways.

These such Doctors are less likely to
have malpractice lawsuits and less
likely to make mistakes and errors.

I must also add, these Doctors are
hard to come by; but they ARE out
there, especially when they're retired
from being Professors / Intern
Instructors and have moved on to their
own Private Practice. They're worth
their weight in GOLD and DIAMONDS.

Additional plus is - They don't run up
a whole bunch of unnecessary tests,
and they are also very upfront with
the patients as well - and can expound
things more clearly in layman's terms,
and plus are more patient with patients.

And many times, you often will see their
STAFF HAPPY as well as their Patients!
They are NOT afraid to chide, rebuke,
correct, or scold you if the need be;
and they will explain why upfront. That
is BECAUSE THEY CARE!

SUCH DOCTORS LOVE THEIR WORK!

If you ever come across such Medical
Doctor like this; and they are accepting
Patients - SNATCH HIM/HER!

You might not get a chance if you
turned your back for a split second!
They get filled up pretty quickly!