osteopath

osteopath

 [os´te-o-path″]

a practitioner of osteopathy.

os·te·o·path·ic phy·si·cian

a practitioner of osteopathy.

Synonym(s): osteopath

osteopath

(ŏs′tē-ə-păth′) also

osteopathist

(ŏs′tē-ŏp′ə-thĭst)

n.

A physician who practices osteopathy.

osteopath

(1) A physician trained in osteopathic medicine. The differences between doctors of medicine (MDs) and doctors of osteopathy (DOs) have been largely erased; the chief distinction between osteopaths and mainstream physicians is that osteopaths rely more on “manipulation” of various body parts, otherwise, DOs prescribe drugs and may train in the same teaching hospitals as MDs. There is a greater tendency for osteopaths to provide primary care as general practitioners (GPs), obstetricians and paediatricians: 6% (47,000) of physicians in the US are DOs, and they treat 10% of the US population; 70% are in private practice.
(2) A non-physician who practices manual medicine. In North America, unlicensed, non-physician osteopaths may not provide diagnosis.

osteopath

A physician trained in osteopathic medicine; the differences between doctors of medicine–MDs and doctors of osteopathy–DOs have been largely erased; the chief distinction between osteopaths and mainstream physicians is that osteopaths rely more on 'manipulation' of various body parts; otherwise, DOs prescribe drugs and may train in the same hospitals as MDs

os·te·o·path·ic phy·si·cian

(os'tē-ō-path'ik fi-zish'ŭn)

A practitioner of osteopathy.
Synonym(s): osteopath.