What does the abbreviation 'do' for a doctor mean? Understanding Osteopathic Medicine

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), osteopathic physicians, or DOs, constitute approximately 11% of all physicians in the United States, and that number continues to grow. This article explains what does the abbreviation 'do' for a doctor mean, clarifying the key distinctions in philosophy and training compared to a traditional MD.

Quick Summary

The abbreviation 'DO' stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, a fully licensed physician who emphasizes a holistic, whole-person approach to healthcare. DOs receive additional training in manual techniques to diagnose and treat illnesses alongside conventional medical methods, with equivalent licensing and practice rights to an MD.

Key Points

DO Meaning: 'DO' stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, a fully licensed physician in the U.S. who practices with a holistic, patient-centered philosophy.
Holistic Approach: Unlike the allopathic (MD) model, osteopathic medicine focuses on treating the entire person, considering lifestyle and environmental factors, not just the disease or symptoms.
OMT Training: A key differentiator is the additional training DOs receive in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), which uses hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat illnesses.
Equivalent Practice Rights: Both DOs and MDs have equivalent rights to prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice in all medical specialties throughout the U.S..
Primary Care Focus: A higher percentage of DOs tend to enter primary care specialties like family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics compared to MDs.
Full Medical Training: The educational path for a DO is equally rigorous as an MD's, including four years of medical school and extensive residency training.

The Meaning of the DO Abbreviation

When you see a physician with "DO" after their name, it signifies that they are a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. In the United States, there are two types of fully licensed physicians: Medical Doctors (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). Both are qualified to diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and perform surgery, but their educational paths and philosophical approaches have some unique differences.

Unlike an MD, who attends an allopathic medical school, a DO attends a college of osteopathic medicine. These programs are structured similarly, with both requiring a four-year medical school curriculum followed by internships, residencies, and potential fellowships. However, the core of osteopathic training is its holistic philosophy, focusing on the interconnectedness of all the body's systems.

Core Principles of Osteopathic Medicine

The practice of osteopathic medicine is based on several core principles that guide a DO's approach to patient care.

The body is a unit: All body systems—musculoskeletal, nervous, circulatory—are interconnected. An issue in one system can affect the entire body, and a DO is trained to recognize this.
The body is capable of self-regulation and healing: The human body has a natural ability to heal and regulate itself. A DO's role is to support and facilitate this innate process.
Structure and function are interrelated: The structure of the body, particularly the musculoskeletal system, directly affects its overall function. By treating structural problems, a DO can help restore normal bodily function and health.
Rational treatment is based on these principles: The holistic, patient-centered approach is integrated with the latest medical science and technology to provide comprehensive care.

This philosophy leads DOs to not only treat the symptoms of a disease but also to look for underlying causes by considering lifestyle, environment, and physical structure.

The Practice of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

One of the most distinctive features of osteopathic medicine is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). All DOs receive extensive training in OMT, which is a set of hands-on techniques used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. A DO uses their hands to move a patient's muscles and joints with gentle pressure and resistance, helping to alleviate pain, reduce stiffness, and restore proper body movement.

OMT is often used to treat conditions related to the musculoskeletal system, but it can also be used as a complementary therapy for a wide range of other health issues, such as headaches, sinus infections, and asthma.

DO vs. MD: Comparing Approaches and Training

While DOs and MDs have equivalent legal rights and responsibilities in all 50 states, there are some key differences rooted in their core philosophies. The table below highlights some of the main contrasts and similarities.


Feature	MD (Doctor of Medicine)	DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
Core Philosophy	Primarily allopathic, focusing on disease-specific diagnosis and treatment.	Emphasizes a holistic, whole-person approach and preventive care.
Manual Medicine Training	Not part of standard curriculum.	Includes approximately 200 extra hours of training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).
Licensing Exam	United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).	Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX).
Residency & Specialization	Graduates can enter residency programs in all specialties.	Graduates can enter residency programs in all specialties, often favoring primary care.
Scope of Practice	Fully licensed to practice medicine, prescribe drugs, and perform surgery.	Fully licensed to practice medicine, prescribe drugs, and perform surgery, same as an MD.

It is important to note that many MDs also practice a holistic or preventive approach to care, just as not all DOs regularly use OMT in their practice. The choice between an MD and a DO is often a matter of philosophical alignment and the specific expertise of the individual physician.

How to Choose the Right Physician for You

When deciding between an MD and a DO, consider what matters most for your healthcare. Both are highly competent medical professionals who undergo rigorous training. The decision should ultimately depend on which approach you feel most comfortable with.

Here are some factors to consider:

Medical Philosophy: If you are drawn to a hands-on, holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of your body's systems, a DO might be a good fit.
Primary Care vs. Specialist: While both can specialize, DOs tend to enter primary care fields at a higher rate. If you're seeking a specialist, you may find both MDs and DOs in your desired field.
Comfort and Trust: The most important factor is finding a knowledgeable, compassionate doctor you can communicate with effectively and trust.
OMT: If you are interested in non-invasive, medication-free options for pain management, a DO trained in OMT could provide an additional tool for treatment.

Conclusion

To answer the question, what does the abbreviation 'do' for a doctor mean, it signifies a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. DOs are fully licensed physicians who, like MDs, provide comprehensive medical care, but they do so through a unique, whole-person philosophical lens. This approach includes specialized training in manual techniques known as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), which can be used to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. For a patient, the choice between a DO and an MD comes down to personal preference for their healthcare philosophy and approach.

American Osteopathic Association: What is a DO?

Examples of Conditions Treated with OMT

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment can be used to address a variety of health issues, often in conjunction with other treatments.

Chronic and acute back pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Headaches and migraines
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Sinus problems
Menstrual pain
Sports injuries
Asthma
Certain pediatric issues like colic and earaches

Ultimately, both DOs and MDs are committed to providing the highest quality of care for their patients, and the distinction is often subtle from the patient's perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a DO, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, is a fully licensed physician who has completed a rigorous medical education and can diagnose, treat, prescribe medicine, and perform surgery, just like an MD.

The main difference lies in their philosophical approach to patient care. DOs are trained with a holistic, whole-person perspective, whereas MDs typically follow a more conventional allopathic approach. Additionally, DOs receive specialized training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).

All DOs receive training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), but not all use it regularly in their practice. The use of OMT often depends on their specialty and personal preference.

Yes, DOs can pursue any medical specialty, just like MDs. They work in all fields, including surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.

No, osteopathic medicine is not the same as chiropractic care. While both use manual manipulation, DOs are fully licensed physicians who can prescribe medication and perform surgery, unlike chiropractors.

The choice depends on your preference for a healthcare philosophy. Both are qualified doctors. If you prefer a hands-on, holistic approach that considers the body as an interconnected system, a DO may be a better fit.

No, while both must be licensed by state medical boards, MDs and DOs take different national licensing exams (USMLE for MDs, COMLEX for DOs). Some DOs may also take the USMLE.

OMT is a set of hands-on techniques used by DOs to diagnose and treat illnesses. It involves gentle pressure and resistance applied to a patient's muscles and joints to promote healing and restore proper function.