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Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine

Body, mind & spirit

Explore the philosophy behind the practice of osteopathic medicine

DOs are trained to promote the body's natural tendency toward self-healing and health.

The Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine express the underlying philosophy of osteopathic medicine and were approved by the AOA House of Delegates as policy.

  1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.

  2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.

  3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.

  4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.

Read more about DOs' unique approach to patient care

OMT: The military pilot’s drug-free treatment option

Learn how OMT is putting pilots who would otherwise be unable to fly back to work.

A hip-hop doc who gets young patients moving

One doctor’s battle with childhood obesity and diabetes leads to dance classes for kids.

Medical students trade white coats for aprons

A new culinary medicine curriculum at PCOM is providing extra nutrition education.

Empowering women one patient at a time

Shayna Mancuso, DO, advocates for women’s health and healing from the inside out.

A Detroit DO’s advice for treating homeless patients

Richard Bryce, DO, teaches medical students how to connect with homeless patients.

DO helps expectant moms find relief with OMT

Fredrick Wilson, DO, teaches pregnant patient’s partners to use OMT techniques.
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