History of Osteopathy
Osteopathic Medicine was developed in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, M.D. Dr. Still was dissatisfied with the effectiveness of the 19th Century medicine. He realized that many of the medications of his day were useless or even harmful. Dr. Still was a pioneer in the study of good health so that he could better understand the disease process. The outcome of these studies led Dr. Still to found a philosophy of medicine based on ideas that date back to Hippocrates, the Father of Medicines. The philosophy focuses on the unity and interaction of all body parts. He identified the musculoskeletal system as a key element of health. He recognized the body’s ability to heal itself and stressed preventive medicines, eating properly and keeping fit.
Although Dr. Still expounded some ideas and philosophy that sound rather bizarre in light of what we now know, he delineated the concept of “wellness” over 100 years ago. His teachings also have to be evaluated in light of what was “conventional” medical care in the last two decades of the 19th century. The 1892 edition of The Principles and Practice of Medicine by William Osler, M.D. has advice and teachings that are every bit as outlandish. As time went by surgical techniques were perfected and pharmaceuticals improved, and D.O.s reincorporated the use of more surgery and medication in the treatment of illness.
D.O.s and M.D.s are alike in many ways: Applicants to both D.O and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses. Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education. After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine — such as psychiatry, surgery, or obstetrics- after completing a residency program (typically two to six years of additional training). Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable (often identical) state licensing examinations. D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.
D.O.s Approach to Medicine
Osteopathic medical schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians D.O.s practice a “whole person” approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illness, they regard your body as an integrated whole. Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive healthcare. D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system – your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles, and bones. This training reinforces a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another. It tends to give D.O.s a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage over those who do not receive specialized training. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, D.O.s can offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today. There are many good practitioners in both camps and, in general, it is more important to find a physician who will talk to you, listen to you, and who you can trust. Even though it is emphasized in Osteopathic school, empathy and communication are things that cannot be easily taught. It takes a person who truly wants to help people solve their problems and live healthier lives.
Today, to be perfectly honest, M.D.s and D.O.s can practice medicine in very similar styles, differing only in the D.O.s use of some musculoskeletal manipulation techniques and, perhaps a subtle philosophy of caring. The AMA has a list of all physicians in the US, including both M.D.s and D.O.s where you might find a doctor in your particular location.
We believe it’s very important to get our sick patients in to see a provider as soon as possible. Toward that goal, we’re able to get you a same-day appointment in most cases with one of our providers. We have extended hours and welcome walk-in patients during all hours with walk-in only care in the evenings from 5-8 pm Monday through Thursday and on Saturday from 9-5.
Your provider will give you enough medication and refills to last until it’s time to come back for a recheck. Many chronic medications require lab tests for refills, so an office visit is necessary in order to refill a chronic medication. The nursing staff will be glad to assist you with refills to both local and mail-order pharmacies. We ask that you leave a refill request only once to avoid duplication. We ask that you be responsible for anticipating prescription needs and allow adequate time for mail-in and local pharmacy communication. Medication for pain and emotional or nerve issues will not be refilled without re-evaluation. These medical concerns must be closely monitored. Under no circumstances will they be refilled after hours.
All of our employees sign a confidentiality agreement regarding the use and care of your medical information. This is a requirement for our practice. We understand our legal obligations to protect your privacy according to the Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which is federal law. Ask us at any time about any of your concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality. Please also see our confidentiality statement on this website.
As a walk-in patient, we’re not able to specify which provider you might see, since all providers don’t see walk-in patients at all times. We ask that you be flexible enough to see the next available provider, as this will get you cared for in the most expedient manner possible.
We treat patients from six months up to any age.
We don’t typically invite patients to come for an introductory visit only, since this uses an appointment slot that an ill patient might need. As a new patient you will get an appointment quickly and easily. If you would like to be a patient of our practice please come in when you need a refill or require a sick or well visit.
Physician assistants are healthcare professionals licensed, or in the case of those employed by the federal government they are credentialed, to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA’s practice may also include education, research, and administrative services.
PAs are trained in intensive education programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Because of the close working relationship the PAs have with physicians, PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners. To maintain their national certification, PAs must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and sit for a recertification every six years. Graduation from an accredited physician assistant program and passage of the national certifying exam are required for state licensure. In the mid-1960s, physicians and educators recognized there was a shortage and uneven distribution of primary care physicians.
To expand the delivery of quality medical care, Dr. Eugene Stead of the Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina put together the first class of PAs in 1965. He selected Navy corpsmen who received considerable medical training during their military service and during the war in Vietnam but who had no comparable civilian employment. He based the curriculum of the PA program in part on his knowledge of the fast-track training of doctors during World War II.
Physician assistant-certified. It means that the person who holds the title has met the defined course of study and has undergone testing by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The NCCPA is an independent organization, and the commissioners represent a number of different medical professions as well as PAs. The NCCPA is not a part of the PA professional organization, the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). To maintain that “C” after “PA”, a physician assistant must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and take the recertification exam every six years.
In general, you should have a physical yearly. If you have ongoing medical problems a more frequent schedule may apply. Your provider will make you aware of it. As for children, newborns are seen frequently and children 2-18 should be evaluated annually to assess growth and development as well as age-related issues.
In general, you should have a physical yearly. If you have ongoing medical problems a more frequent schedule may apply. Your provider will make you aware of it. As for children, newborns are seen frequently and children 2-18 should be evaluated annually to assess growth and development as well as age related issues.
Old records are useful to have for patients with complicated health histories, but for the most part, old records are not necessary for the first visit. Please bring all current medications and any immunization records with you.
Commercial insurance and managed care plan benefits for routine and preventative care vary with the plan. You should verify your benefits prior to services being rendered. Remember that having an insurance card may not mean that you automatically have coverage for routine or preventative care. Medicare doesn’t cover any services at this time for routine physicals, and Medicare coverage for preventative care is limited to specific tests and exams that can be given only according to certain guidelines for how frequently these can be provided.