100 Years of Unique Care

Osteopathic medicine is a unique form of American medical care that was developed in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, M.D. Dr. Still was dissatisfied with the effectiveness of 19th Century medicine. He believed that many of the medications of his day were useless or even harmful. Dr. Still was one of the first in his time to study the attributes of good health so that he could better understand the process of disease.

In response Dr. Still founded a philosophy of medicine based on ideas that date back to Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine. The philosophy focuses on the unity of all body parts. He identified the musculoskeletal system as a key element of health. He recognizes the body's ability to heal itself and stressed preventive medicine, eating properly and keeping fit.

Sports medicine is also a natural outgrowth of osteopathic practice, because of its focus on the musculoskeletal system, osteopathic manipulative treatment, diet, exercise and fitness. Many professional sports team physicians and Olympic physicians are D.O.s.

21st Century, Frontier Medicine

Just as Dr. Still pioneered osteopathic medicine on the Missouri frontier in 1874, today osteopathic physicians serve as modern day medical pioneers.

They continue the tradition of bringing healthcare to areas of greatest need:
" Over half of all osteopathic physicians practice in primary care areas, such as pediatrics, general practice obstetrics/gynecology and internal medicine.
" Many D.O.s fill a critical need for family doctors by practicing in small towns and rural areas.

Today osteopathic physicians continue to be on the cutting edge of modern medicine. D.O.s are able to combine today's awesome medical technology with the tools of their ears, to listen caringly to their patients; their eyes, to see their patients as whole persons; and their hands, to diagnose and treat injury and illness.

Additional information may be found in the American Osteopathic Association's brochures "Osteopathic Medicine" and "Osteopathic Medical Education"

Annual Conference

Join us in Lexington, June 24-27, 2010 for the KOMA Annual Conference. Program and registration information will be posted soon.

Kentucky Osteopathic Medical Association
2810 Crossroads Drive Ste 3800
Madison, WI 53718

Phone: 608.441.1060
Fax: 608.443.2474
info@koma.org