Osteopathic medicine is a form of treatment for illness and injury that involves both internal medicine and physical or manual medicine in an effort to treat the individual as a whole so as not to miss potential contributing factors to illness. Osteopathic physicians receive similar training to that of the traditional medical doctors, along with specific education in soft tissue and joint therapeutics, making the osteopath a powerful asset to the athlete. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of treatment.
Training
Osteopathy has been around since the late 1800s, and osteopathic physicians are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine in all 50 US states. Osteopathic physicians, called DOs, attend medical school for periods identical to those seeking the medical-doctor credentials, and receive additional comprehensive training in like specific massage and joint-manipulation techniques. Upon completing coursework and internships, the osteopathic physician may choose to enter a fellowship to pursue a specialty such as surgery or begin private practice.
Injury Rehabilitation
The physical medicine portion of the osteopath's training makes her a keen asset to the athlete's medical team. Athletes expose themselves to long hours of arduous training and many injuries result from either acute strain or from overuse; both are conditions which can be handled by the osteopathic physician, according to osteopathic doctor, Robert Greenman, of Michigan State University. Following injury, the osteopath uses a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan to expedite the athlete's recovery process.
Risk Identification
Not only are osteopaths trained in rehabilitation, but they are skilled in comprehensive assessment that may set off figurative red flags prior to beginning a training regimen, such as joint restrictions or instability. By identifying weak links in the athlete's body, the osteopathic physician can assist in developing a program to rectify the issues and improve athletic success, says Leon Chaitow, DO, of the University of Westminster.
Internal Medicine
Athletes pushing themselves to the brink of exhaustion in training are more likely to become ill, says Karim Khan, physician and author of "Clinical Sports Medicine." The osteopath's extensive training in internal medicine and prescriptive abilities allow him to effectively diagnose and treat many forms of illness common to the hard-training athlete, such as viruses and bacterial infections.
Surgical Needs
Osteopathic physicians specializing in surgery can assist in orthopedic assessment and necessary surgical interventions associated with sports injuries like anterior cruciate ligament injuries or rotator cuff tendon ruptures. Osteopathic physicians are of additional benefit to the athlete in this case, as often the assessment can identify predisposing factors that additionally need to be mitigated beyond repairing the injured area.
References
- "Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques"; Leon Chaitow, DO and Judith DeLany; 2010
- "Clinical Sports Medicine"; Peter Brukner, OAC and Karim Khan, MD; 2001
- "Principles of Manual Medicine"; Robert Greenman, DO, PhD; 1989
- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: What Is Osteopathic Medicine?
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