MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both the degrees are related to the medical line but are essentially distinct from each other. It is significant that you understand the differences while selecting a specialist physician or primary care or as a matter of fact, pursue a career in one of them.

• MDs practise the conventional form of medicine, allopathic medicine that focuses on diagnosing and then treating various types of illnesses or diseases in human beings.
• DOs have a holistic approach while diagnosing their patients. They practice osteopathic medicine and focus on prevention of disease. They emphasize a musculoskeletal system involving the muscles, nerves and brain, as the foundation of human health.

Difference between osteopathic and allopathic medicine

Osteopathy – Osteopathy is all about treating a human body as a whole instead of focusing on just one symptom. DOs are taught to evaluate people through the same tools and processes that are used by allopathic doctors. But they also learn about OMM or Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. Here the DO uses using hands to diagnose, treat and even prevent injuries or illnesses/diseases.

Some physical examinations are done by DOs include:

• Limb stretching or unfolding an arm
• Applying moderate pressure on areas that are painful to learn the sensitivity of the area or cause of pain
• feeling or examining the joints, bones, organs, or other structures over the skin

Allopathy – Allopathy is all about conventional medicine; some may also refer to it as quite the opposite; addressing it as modern medicine. Allopathy treats diseases and illnesses with allopathic medicines after they have been diagnosed through symptoms, tests (blood, urine, etc.), x-ray, or other ways as prescribed by an MD. Most medical schools teach allopathic medicine.

Training Process of DOs and MDs

Both MDs and DOs are taught how to diagnose, treat and prevent injuries and diseases or illnesses. To an extent, most of their training is similar which includes

• 4 years of medical school after a Bachelor’s The initial 2 years are spent on studies and the remaining 2 years are spent on clinical rotations. The MDs attend different medical schools and the DOs attend different medical schools.
• Residency program between 1 and 7 years once medical school is complete

The difference is that a DO has to undergo an additional course or 200 hours. This training concentrates on muscles, bones and nerves and their effect on the health of the human body. Along with this, DOs can also undergo additional classes that cover alternative therapies or holistic treatments.

Which Doctor Should You Approach?

MDs and DOs may have different approaches, but the level of their knowledge is the same. It may all depend on an individual’s choice on how he or she may like to be treated. One should be comfortable while speaking to their doctor about the nature of problems.

An individual should be able to trust the doctor with their illnesses. Of course, in the end, experience and knowledge definitely matter.