Osteopathic Medicine

Comparison Chart

Type of PractitionerPhilosophyEducational RequirementsAccreditationTreatment MethodsSpecialtiesContinuing Medical Education
DO*



Scientific-based holistic treatment with additional training in the musculoskeletal system 4-yr. College degree
4-yr. Medical school
1-yr. Internship
2-7 yrs. Residency for specialists
Must pass national board examination to obtain a license Standard medical therapies plus osteopathic manipulation 49 accredited specialties and subspecialties, including osteopathic manipulation Arizona requires 40 CME credits per two-year cycle
MD*

Scientific-based treatment focusing on disease 4-yr. college degree
4-yr. Medical school
1-yr. Internship
2-7 yrs. Residency for specialists
Must pass national board examination to obtain a license Standard medical therapies for acute and chronic diseases 90 accredited specialties and subspecialties Arizona requires 20 CME credits per year

*Only DOs and MDs are full service physicians licensed to prescribe medicine and perform surgery.

Homeopath

Believes a substance can cure the same problems it causes; uses dilute forms of medicines to stimulate the body to heal itself Must be licensed healthcare provider; training depends on specific profession Certification depends on type of provider (DO, MD, ND, other); licensed in AZ, CT, NV Treats a wide range of maladies through specially formulated homeopathic medicines Homeopaths do not focus on the disease process, rather they treat individuals to restore vitality and mind/body health N/A
Naturopath

Treats patients without prescription drugs or major surgery through a variety of alternative therapies 4-yr. Naturopathic college, 1-yr. Internship in natural medicine; some practitioners may only have 3 mths. Training by correspondence course Licensed in 11 states (including Arizona) through state licensing board examination Methods include nutrition, herbal medicines, homeopathy, exercise, biofeedback, counseling, acupuncture, hydrotherapy Nutrition, botanical medicine, manipulative therapies, natural childbirth, oriental medicine, counseling, stress management, minor surgery Required to renew license in states that require board exam
Chiropractor

Focuses on spinal manipulation, believes imbalances in spine can lead to musculoskeletal and neurological problems Associate degree plus 4-yr. Chiropractic college; additional training for physiotherapy and acupuncture Must pass a national board examination to obtain a license Adjusts spine and extremities; can order x-rays, lab work and diagnostic imaging; cannot prescribe drugs or perform surgery Most treatment involves back and spine, also physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional counseling N/A