Which physician is fully licensed and trained in holistic care and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)?

• A. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• B. Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• C. Anesthesiologist
• D. CRNA

Answer: (A)

Osteopathic medicine centers on treating the whole person and using hands-on techniques as part of standard medical care. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a fully licensed physician trained in this holistic approach and in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, which uses skilled manual techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness by influencing the body’s structure and function. DOs can practice in any medical specialty, prescribe medications, and perform procedures just like other physicians.

MDs are also fully licensed physicians but follow allopathic training and don’t emphasize OMT as part of their core curriculum. Anesthesiologists are physicians who specialize in anesthesia, focusing on perioperative care. CRNAs are nurse anesthetists, not physicians, and they aren’t trained in OMT as part of their scope. Therefore, the physician best aligned with holistic care and OMT is the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.