FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a D.O?
Both D.O.s and M.D.s are fully qualified physicians licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication in all 50 states. Is there any difference between these two kinds of doctors? Yes. And no.
How are D.O.s and M.D.s alike?
Applicants to both D.O. and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on scientific courses. Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education. After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine -- such as psychiatry, surgery or obstetrics -- after completing a residency program which requires an additional two to six years of training. Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable state licensing examinations. D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed health care facilities. D.O.s comprise a separate, yet equal branch of American medical care. Together, D.O.s and M.D.s enhance the state of care available in America.
What makes D.O's different from M.D's?
Osteopathic medical schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians. D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they assess the overall health of their patients including home and work environments. Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive health care. D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system -- your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. With OMT, osteopathic physicians use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health. By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, D.O.s offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.
What is a N.D?
Naturopathic physicians (N.D.s)trained practitioners in the broadest scope of naturopathic medical modalities. In addition to the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostics, naturopathic education includes therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, classical Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology and minor surgery.
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
The Nature of Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic practice blends centuries-old natural, nontoxic therapies with advances in the science of health and human systems, covering all aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care. Conventional (mainstream) or allopathic medicine, as it is sometimes referred to, generally treats symptoms with drugs. Allopathic medicine attempts to create a force opposite to the symptom. For example, a runny nose might be treated with a drug to dry the sinuses. Natural medicine concentrates on the whole-patient wellness, centers around the patient and emphasizes prevention and self-care. Naturopathic medicine attempts to find the underlying cause of the patient's condition rather than focusing on symptomatic treatment.
What is a O.M.D.?
O.M.D. stands for Oriental Medical Doctor and also refers to a Doctor of Eastern Medicine. It is a recognized academic Degree, and an O.M.D. is also a licensed acupuncturist. A Doctor of Eastern Medicine specializes in the examination, diagnosis and treatment of all general health conditions from an Eastern medical point of view.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a treatment tool within the practice of Traditional Oriental Medicine. It has been used for thousands years in Asian countries with great success and has been gaining popularity worldwide in recent years. Fourteen major channels called "meridians" course through the human body. A subtle energy called Qi (pronounced ?chi') circulates via the meridians to all parts of the body, even the most remote cells. Qi is a vital force, the presence of which separates the living from the dead. Its balanced flow is crucial to maintaining good health. Any misdirection, blockage, or other condition diverting the amount of flow or balance of Qi may result in pain, dysfunction, or ill health. Through the use of acupuncture the practitioner of Traditional Oriental Medicine stimulates certain points along the meridians. This stimulation helps to restore the balance and flow of Qi so that the organs and other bodily systems can work together in harmony. This sets the stage for the body to repair itself and maintain its own health.
How does Acupuncture Work?
There are currently two favored theories to explaining the effectiveness of acupuncture. One is called the "gate control" theory and the other is called "neuro-endocrine" theory. In the gate control theory, thin nerve fibers transmit the sensation of pain while thick nerve fibers carry the sensation of touch. It has been found through experimentation that if impulses in the thick fibers are increased, conduction in the thin fibers are selectively decreased; thus the analogy of opening and closing a gate. By closing certain gates a method of controlling pain is introduced, which is to say that by increasing transmission in the thick fibers it reduces the impulses in the thin fibers thereby relieving pain. Acupuncture has been found to increase transmission in the thick fibers markedly. Neuro- endocrine theory has recently been discovered in which using acupuncture to stimulate certain points along the meridians; the body itself releases its own natural painkiller called endorphins. Endorphins are released by many parts of the nervous system and is related to the glandular or endocrine system, hence the term neuro-endocrine.
Does acupuncture hurt?
There are a variety of sensations you may feel with the needles. Upon insertion, you might feel a light prick as the needle breaks the surface of the skin. Once in, we are looking for the "Qi" sensation, a dull, heavy, deep and distending ache. This reflects the desired arrival of Qi to the acupuncture point. There may be other sensations like slight tingling, warmth, or occasionally an ache that refers along the course of the channel. All the needles that are used for treatment have been thoroughly sterilized and usually come in pre-sealed containers to maintain their sterility. They are used once and then discarded to maintain the safety of the patients as well as the practitioner.
Acupuncture MODERN MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE explanation on how it works?
Biochemical Defense Mechanism: The microscopic prick of an acupuncture needle creates a site of injury at the cellular level. The body's response to injury is a release of chemicals vital to cellular repair. In this way, an acupuncture needle insertion fools the body into thinking it has been invaded by a foreign object and both tissue and cellular biochemical defense mechanisms are initiated. This helps to reduce local inflammation and relieve pain. Endorphins: Acupuncture and stimulate the body to produce its own pain-relieving chemicals called "endorphins", which are also known as "anti-stress hormones". Gate Control Theory: Pain is transmitted from the periphery to the brain via the spinal cord. There is a mechanism (or "gate") at work in the spinal cord, which stops pain messages from reaching the brain. The insertion of the thin needles of acupuncture or the holding pressure of shiatsu can close this gate, thus lessening the sensation of pain. Endorphins (above) can also block pain pathways by acting on these gates. Electrical Conduction: It has been noted that acupuncture points have different electrical potentials than other areas of the body. It is not known exactly why these different electrical potentials exist but research suggests that acupuncture, on one level, works by affecting electrical conduction in the body. Research into this phenomenon continues. Autonomic Nervous System: The autonomic nervous system is responsible for coordinating and conducting all of the body's involuntary functions. Acupuncture and shiatsu "turn on" the conserving, healing function of the autonomic nervous system while overriding the fight-or-flight function which, when overactive, puts a great deal of wear and tear on our bodies and minds. Trigger Point Theory: Through clinical research, western physicians have discovered specific points of tension in the body that, when released, are particularly effective in the alleviation of musculo-skeletal pain. The locations of these points remarkably correlate with the acupuncture points of oriental medicine.
What are the qualifications of an O.M.D.?
Must earn an undergraduate Bachelors Degree. After completing graduation are able to enroll in a four year Master program in Oriental Medicine. After practicing in the field of Eastern Medicine for three years, fulfills the requirements for further studies to receive a Ph.D., a Doctor of Philosophy in Oriental Medicine. Today's Doctor of Eastern Medicine is an active member of the health care team alongside other modern medical systems in the U.S. and around the world.