Q. What is the difference between a "DO" and an "MD"?

DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic medicine. MD is the abbreviation for Doctor of Medicine. MDs are also called doctors of allopathic medicine.

Here are a couple of brief dictionary definitions:

os·te·op·a·thy - n. A system of medicine based on the theory that disturbances in the musculoskeletal system affect other bodily parts, causing many disorders.

al·lop·a·thy - n. A method of treating disease with remedies that produce effects different from those caused by the disease itself.

Osteopathic medicine is a safe, established practice. Like MDs, DOs must pass a state medical board examination to obtain a license to practice. There are about 15 MDs for every DO in the United States.

DOs and MDs are qualified to prescribe medication and perform surgery.

As with a medical doctor, an osteopathic physician completes four years of medical school and can choose to practice in any medical specialty.

Osteopaths receive an additional 300 to 500 hours in the study of manual medicine and the body's musculoskeletal system.

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