Frequently Asked Questions – Delray Beach, FL
Learn from an Expert
in Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic medicine, and many of the services we offer at the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics, have been used successfully for decades. However, most people aren’t too familiar with these treatments. Understandably, new patients typically have several questions for us. Our team members are always willing to provide a patient with the information they need to feel comfortable entrusting their care with us. While you should always feel free to call us and ask us what you would like, you can read the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions on this page.
What is an osteopathic doctor (DO)?
An osteopathic doctor is a licensed medical practitioner who specializes in helping patients recover from various musculoskeletal injuries with hands-on approaches such as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Our physicians combine this traditional method of treatment with the latest technology in the medical field, providing our patients with the best of the old and the new.
How does someone become an osteopathic doctor?
Like any medical doctor, an osteopathic doctor has to first earn an undergraduate degree from a university. Then, they must spend four years attending an accredited program in osteopathic medicine. After graduating, they complete three or four years of residency. Many even do an additional year afterward for fellowship training to specialize in a particular area of interest.
What is the difference between a DO and a chiropractor?
Osteopathic doctors differ from chiropractors in one key aspect: their level of training. While chiropractors do not have any medical or surgical training, a DO does – with a specialty in musculoskeletal treatments. Chiropractors traditionally correct misalignment or dislocation in the spine, though some can also fix issues in the extremities. In contrast, osteopathic physicians tend to take a more holistic approach. They consider other areas of a patient’s body to find the root cause of discomfort. As any medical doctor would, they may even evaluate the internal organs as the culprit of musculoskeletal problems. For example, chest wall pain may originate from issues with the heart or within the gastrointestinal tract.
Which one is best: prolotherapy, prolozone, PRP, or amniotic growth factors?
These injectable treatments each come with their own array of benefits and are better suited for different circumstances. When choosing one to recommend to a patient, we consider factors such as the nature and severity of their injury, their ideal healing timeline, and their budget. For instance, prolozone and prolotherapy tend to deliver results more slowly than amniotic growth factors or PRP, but they also cost less, so a patient with a mild to moderate injury may prefer them.
Are DOs allowed to prescribe medication?
Yes. Osteopathic physicians are licensed doctors who can prescribe medication to patients. That being said, our doctors at the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics share the ultimate goal of getting a patient off of medication so that they don’t experience unpleasant or unhealthy side effects. If a patient needs it, though, we can develop a treatment plan that combines physical therapeutic procedures alongside their medication, eventually weaning them off of the medication.
Do you take insurance?
Yes! Our practice welcomes medical insurance and a number of Medicare plans as well as Worker’s Compensation and PIP. We have dedicated insurance experts on our team who can help you save while making the paperwork as simple as possible. To find out how we can use your plan, call us today!
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