VCOM Virginia Yearbook 2021

What is Osteopathic Medicine? O steopathic medicine is a distinct branch of medicine emphasizing the interrelated unity of all systems in the body, each working with the other to heal in times of illness. Osteopathic physicians are licensed the same as MDs to practice the full scope of medicine in every state. They prescribe medications, perform surgery and use osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) as a tool to diagnose and treat patients. Osteopathic physicians use the most current scienti c knowledge to promote health and prevention, and diagnose and treat patients. The philosophy of osteopathic medicine is based on the beliefs that, given the optimum conditions: • the human body has the amazing ability to heal • the structure of the human body is directly related to the function • the health of the individual is related to the body , mind and spirit