Unfamiliar with what an Osteopathic Physician does? The easiest way to explain Osteopathy is to start at the beginning. The practice of Osteopathy began in the United States in 1874. It is well documented the founder of osteopathy, A.T. Still M.D. didn't like the way medicine was progressing with the overuse of morphine and surgery, he decided there had to be a better way. He developed ways of treating ailments through adjustments to the body to enable natural healing. Today, there are 37 Osteopathic Medical schools in United States and students receive a doctorate degree in medicine and D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) after their names. M.D.'s (Medical Doctors) are trained at Allopathic medical schools while D.O.'s are trained at Osteopathic medical schools. Both hold medical degrees and practice medicine. Osteopathic medical students are trained in general medicine as well as Osteopathy and have continued their careers into many specialized fields such as surgery, pediatrics, neurology, family medicine and cardiology to name a few. The practice of manual medicine and Osteopathy is only practiced by approximately 6% of D.O.'s. in the United States.
Dr. Taber is board certified in family medicine and is one of the 6% who practices Osteopathy. Although she maintains her board certifications and multiple state licensing, she now exclusively practices Osteopathy.