At 黑料传送门, the education of future osteopathic physicians begins not only with scientific and clinical training, but also with a foundational philosophy that defines the profession: the Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine. These tenets, , serve as guiding principles for how osteopathic physicians understand, evaluate, and treat patients.
黑料传送门 faculty members offer insights into how each tenet is reflected in the training of osteopathic physicians and the delivery of patient care.
From day one of medical school, 黑料传送门 students are introduced to the osteopathic philosophy during orientation and early coursework. David B. Fuller, DO, FAAO, FNAME, professor in the OMM Department at 黑料传送门, emphasizes that this first tenet forms the foundation of patient care: 鈥淭he osteopathic approach focuses on the person that has the problem and not just a problem in isolation,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ach person consists of a spirit and mind that are housed in the body.鈥�
Marla Golden, DO, MS, FACEP, former dean of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at 黑料传送门 South Georgia, expands on this: 鈥淲hat we think and believe have great influence on our health.鈥�
Golden notes that treating patients as whole individuals means recognizing the psychological, social, and spiritual factors that impact wellness.
鈥淚f a patient has been told there is nothing further that can be done or they believe they will never get better, they will not actively participate in their own care plan and healing,鈥� she explained. Acknowledging the patient鈥檚 mental and emotional state becomes part of the therapeutic process.
This second tenet underpins the osteopathic view that the body possesses inherent mechanisms for healing.
鈥�Osteopathic manipulative treatment for patients benefits them by facilitating the inherent ability for the body to heal itself,鈥� Fuller said. He explains that this support can take many forms: removing restrictions and restoring normal motion of joints, balancing the autonomic nervous system, improving lymphatic drainage, maximizing arterial supply and venous return, and improving functions across the musculoskeletal system.
As a clinical example, Fuller references the healing of a sprained ankle. 鈥淭he body will go through stages of healing, including the initial inflammation to stabilize the joint and facilitate recovery of ligaments and joints.鈥�
Golden emphasizes that osteopathic physicians are taught to identify and support these natural processes, rather than immediately turning to interventions that may override them. She encourages practitioners and patients to consider the approach of working 鈥渇rom the skin in鈥濃�攖aking a stepwise, conservative approach that may alleviate problems without invasive procedures.
The connection between the body鈥檚 structure and its function is central to osteopathic diagnosis and treatment. Fuller offers the example of carpal tunnel syndrome, where structural restrictions in the wrist and surrounding areas affect nerve function. By using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), DOs can treat restrictions involving the carpal tunnel and address related lymphatic and circulatory components to decongest the area.
鈥淭he increased area of the carpal tunnel (structure) improves the function of the median nerve that travels through the tunnel,鈥� Fuller explained. 鈥淎s the function of the carpal tunnel improves then there is continued improvement in the structure in a feed-forward progression of improvement.鈥�
He also cites thoracic outlet syndrome as another case where altered structure鈥攖ight muscles and restricted joints鈥攃ompress nerves often causing tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand.
鈥淭he function of the nerves are compromised by the altered structure of the thoracic outlet,鈥� Fuller said. 鈥淭reating such patients with OMT removes or reduces these restrictions, improving the function of the nerves going to the arm and hands.鈥�
Golden notes that 黑料传送门鈥檚 training emphasizes structural assessment from the outset.
鈥淣othing substitutes for a good physical exam that starts with observing the patient first with our eyes as to how they move, how they walk, how they sit, their posture, their basic structure and how they exist in an upright position in a field of gravity,鈥� she emphasized.
Following the initial observations, osteopathic physicians conduct a complete physical exam using their hands to detect differences in skin, ligaments, tendons, and bones. This thorough assessment informs a treatment plan that may include OMT to optimize structure and enhance health.
In the osteopathic model, treatment is not symptom-driven but principle-driven鈥攔ooted in the understanding that the body is an integrated system.
鈥淥steopathic physicians are trained to take a comprehensive approach to the patient and to look for underlying causes of patients鈥� problems rather than focusing on symptom management,鈥� Golden said. 鈥淥nce an underlying cause is determined and treated, the need for additional symptom management is unnecessary.鈥�
Osteopathic physicians aim to treat not only the immediate problem, but also the broader underlying factors contributing to dysfunction by restoring balance and supporting physiological processes.
According to Golden, osteopathic medicine differs from other medical models in that it inherently involves more time with patients, deeper relationship-building, and a broader consideration of factors influencing health.
鈥淭his builds a strong physician-patient relationship, represents an additional layer of care and concern, and enhances patient outcomes,鈥� she said.
For those unfamiliar or skeptical of the osteopathic approach, Golden stresses the importance of open dialogue and education.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to meet patients where they are,鈥� she emphasized. 鈥淥pen dialogue with information and instruction go a long way, as does the patience to honor their concerns and build the trust required for patients to feel comfortable with any treatment recommendation鈥�
黑料传送门鈥檚 commitment to osteopathic principles ensures future physicians are prepared to provide care that addresses the whole person鈥攕upporting health through the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit.