Osteopaths Advocate a Simpler, More Natural Lifestyle

Have you ever wondered why you have a rash on your skin? Do you know why some clothes feel great while others are making you feel extremely uncomfortable? Have you wondered if the oral hygiene products you are using may actually be the root cause of several problems you are experiencing? Last but not least, are you wondering if an osteopathic doctor (D.O.) can actually help you with these situations or if these physicians are primarily concerned with the relief of muscle aches and pains? Answers to these questions are actually more revealing than you can imagine!

For example, did you know that the average osteopathic visit not only focuses on musculoskeletal health, but also on the overall health of the body, head to toe? Asthma and arthritis are just as much of a concern as cerebral palsy and sciatica. The same is true for the environmental impact several lifestyle choices will have on you and your health. It could be said that osteopaths advocate a simpler, more natural lifestyle. There are several recommendations they make:

* Stop putting perfume in your mouth. You might wonder who would be foolish enough to do such a thing, but if you take a very close look at mouthwashes, bad breath strips, and various other items designed to do away with bad breath, you will note that they are by and large little more than perfumes. A D.O. is quick to suggest that this approach to dealing with bad breath is counterproductive. After all, the smell of bad breath is indicative of bacterial activity that is going on unchecked, and thus it is in the best interest of the patient to deal with the problem at hand rather than simply masking it.

* Rashes and uncomfortable clothes are often indicative of the use of perfumes ñ once again ñ that are not comfortable for the skin. Evoking allergic reactions, many a D.O. is adamant about using perfume free and hypoallergenic laundry soaps and also body washes. It might be surprising to learn for many patients that perfumes and even dyes in regular daily care products are actually quite detrimental to their health.

* Nutrition is another area where osteopaths are advocating that simpler is better. The highly over processed foods that are so convenient for the average consumer are actually laden with sodium and sugar as well as fats, and thus are part and parcel of the current obesity crisis. Your D.O. may discuss whole foods, minimally processed dishes, and even raw foods as being better options than prepackaged and precooked meals that are waiting in the grocery store.

Granted, you may find it at first hard to follow the advise of your osteopathic specialist. After all, it might require a complete change in the way you live your life and also conduct your profession and even day to day activities. On the other hand, with the help of your D.O. you will have a good chance of staying healthier longer, avoiding the need for costly prescriptions that may have serious side effects, and also protecting your family from the dangers of unhealthy nutrition.

Some Noteworthy Facts about Doctors of Osteopathy

A doctor of osteopathy, or D.O., is a highly qualified medical professional who achieved licensing as an osteopathic physician. This is considered a specialization in the field of medicine and has garnered a distinction from the M.D. designation that is reserved for allopathic medical practitioners. As a matter of fact, you might have been visiting a D.O. and do not even know it ñ unless you take a closer look at the letterhead or prescription pad your doctor uses and instead of the M.D. you suddenly notice a D.O. designation.

Do not panic! Both M.D.s and D.O.s are fully licensed, educated, and permitted by law to prescribe medications, tread ailments, and conduct patient care and treatment in keeping with their stated specialties. Both kinds of physician must possess an undergraduate degree with a heavy course load in scientific classes prior to being admitted to medical school. After graduating from there, both D.O.s and M.D.s complete internships, fulfill residency requirements, and lead quite frequently to a specialization in a certain field of medicine.

Both kinds of medical professionals are licensed by the states in which they practice, but when compared to the medical doctor, the doctor of osteopathy is considered to sit on a parallel track when it comes to patient care. It is noteworthy that unlike their M.D. colleagues, D.O.s work hard to prevent the need for medical attention rather than just specializing on reactively treating symptoms and illnesses. This makes for a unique relationship that develops between a D.O. and the patients under his care, and many patients become so loyal to their D.O. that they are hard pressed to seek out different medical care should the physician retire.

The fact that a D.O. considers the whole of the person as opposed to simply the sick portions has endeared this practice to individuals who are seeking for ways to remain healthy and minimize their healthcare expenditures. In the realm of patient education, the doctor of osteopathy is unrivaled, especially when illuminating how lifestyle choices and changes can affect the health of the patient as a whole. Even as many M.D.s are attempting to also fit portions of this role, it is still considered the primary dominion of the D.O.

The art of prevention has taken on a much publicized role lately, when the skyrocketing cost of healthcare in the United States and ever more expensive medical coverage plans have highlighted the need for adequate prevention and screening procedures. Patients feel that the D.O. approach fits neatly into the picture and therefore they consider their choice of medical professional one that is not only in keeping with the trends of the time, but also a smart choice with respect to their overall general healthfulness.

Some have jokingly suggested that the average D.O. covers about two thirds of the patient's body ñ counting the mass made up of the muscles, skeletons, and related tissues ñ while the average M.D. only deals with the leftover one third. Granted, this is not entirely true at face value, but it does underline the far reaching care a doctor of osteopathy has on a patient's life, health, and overall wellbeing.