Chiropractic, Osteopathy

[Kimberly Friedman <kimber@telis.org>]

I've been lurking on this list since Feb., but am finally out of hiding to
(hopefully) clarify one small part of the Chiropractic debate that's been
going on.  I'm warning right now that this is not directly related to
riding, so feel free to [delete].

According to my sister, a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy), chiropractic was an
offshoot of osteopathy.  Osteopaths are (or can be) board certified
physicians, specializing in any type of medicine an MD can specialize in.
In addition to the basic medical training they get, DO's are taught a
holistic approach to medicine (treat the whole patient).  Part of what
they're taught is osteopathic manipulation.  This is not a cure-all, nor is
it a cure in and of itself.

However, while a patient going to an MD complaining of back/neck pain might
walk out with a prescription for 800 of Motrin, the same patient going to a
DO might receive in-office manipulation (if indicated), along with a set of
stretches to do at home when soreness begins, suggestions for minor
lifestyle changes to relieve the _cause_ of the pain (changing posture when
at the computer, for example), and might still be told to take some Advil
initially to break the pain cycle.  The patient leaves the DO's office with
a better understanding of their ailment, and a strategy for eliminating the
problem, not just managing it.

I'm sure there are some MD's who take this approach to the medicine they
practice, as I'm sure there are some DO's who don't take their training to
heart.  Also, in recent years, MD schools have begun to introduce
manipulation into their curriculum, so the ground between them is closing.
However, given a choice, I'm going to the physician with the broadest base
of knowledge, and the most resources to pull from in the diagnosis -- whose
most basic training ingrains the concept that treating the syptoms isn't
the same as treating the problem.

I realize this is not strictly on the subject of chiropractic, but as
osteopathy was being mentioned in the context of "alternative therapies", I
wanted to clarify that DO's are, in fact, well trained medical
professionals who, in my opinion, are using their knowledge in perhaps a
less traditional, but more effective way.

For anyone who is interested in more details about osteopathy, or the
clinical reasoning behind their use of manipulation, I invite you to
contact my sister, Kelly, at drspisak@gateway.net.  She is not only an
excellent physician (and I'm not just saying that b/c we're related!) but
is also very generous with her time and knowledge.  She'd be happy to
answer questions, or clarify anything that my layerson's knowledge has left
fuzzy.

Happy riding,
Kimberly

kimber@telis.org