What is Osteopathy?
Allopath
An Allopath or Doctor of Medicine (MD) practices mainstream/conventional medicine focusing on diagnosing and treating medical conditions. Training is slightly less than that of a DO.
Osteopath
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) views medicine from a holistic approach, focusing on the musculoskeletal system and its influence on health. They also are trained to view the whole person as Mind-Body-Spirit. Training includes undergraduate degree, medical school and for most providers, a minimum of 3 years of residency and board certifications.
Naturopath
A Naturopath (NP) focuses on natural therapies and prevention. They similarly attend medical school but not residency. The scope of practice varies by state/country.
Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is Registered Nurse (RN) with an advanced degree/masters (2 year) degree. They may specialize or practice primary care. They are a critical team member keeping our healthcare system running. They are not an independent provider in Indiana. Rather, they collaborate with a DO or MD.
Physician Assistant
A Physician Assistant (PA) also has an undergraduate (nearly any subject) and masters degree. They are critical team members keeping our healthcare system running. They are not an independent provider in Indiana. Rather, they collaborate with an DO or MD.
Chiropractor
A Chiropractor or Dr of Chiropractic (DC) primarily focuses on alignment and its impact on the nervous system. Unlike the above, they can not prescribe and are not board certified doctors.
Osteopath
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) views medicine from a holistic approach, focusing on the musculoskeletal system and its influence on health. They also are trained to view the whole person as Mind-Body-Spirit. Training includes undergraduate degree, medical school and for most providers, a minimum of 3 years of residency and board certifications.
Allopath
An Allopath or Doctor of Medicine (MD) practices mainstream/conventional medicine focusing on diagnosing and treating medical conditions. Training is slightly less than that of a DO.
Naturopath
A Naturopath (NP) focuses on natural therapies and prevention. They similarly attend medical school but not residency. The scope of practice varies by state/country.
Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is Registered Nurse (RN) with an advanced degree/masters (2 year) degree. They may specialize or practice primary care. They are a critical team member keeping our healthcare system running. They are not an independent provider in Indiana. Rather, they collaborate with a DO or MD.
Physician Assistant
A Physician Assistant (PA) also has an undergraduate (nearly any subject) and masters degree. They are critical team members keeping our healthcare system running. They are not an independent provider in Indiana. Rather, they collaborate with an DO or MD.
Chiropractor
A Chiropractor or Dr of Chiropractic (DC) primarily focuses on alignment and its impact on the nervous system. Unlike the above, they can not prescribe and are not board certified doctors.