There are two types of medical schools in the United States, Medical Doctor, or MD, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or DO. Different accreditation Boards grant these degrees, and they are two different, but interconnected, branches of medical practice. The founder of DO accreditation, Andrew Taylor Still, began this branch of medicine in 1874. His mission was based on the idea that medical treatments of the time were often more dangerous than the disease itself. Still recognized a number of ‘tenets’ that formed the theme of this new branch of medicine:
The body is a unit;
Structure and function are interrelated; and
The body has an inherent capacity to defend and repair.
As a sports medicine physician, these tenets are the foundation for how I make decisions to treat patients. While modern medical research advances each and every day, sometimes remembering and using the fundamentals of treatment can be more beneficial to the patient. My choice in family medicine was largely based on the concept of preventive medicine. I strongly believe that many medical conditions and injuries can be prevented before they happen. Often, this has to do with a focus on body, mind, and spirit. Fundamentals, such as nutrition, hydration, sleep, and stress management are basics that get overlooked in today’s fast-paced world.