Both Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Medical Doctors (MD) require rigorous study in the field of medicine. Most people go to medical schools that offer MDs, but DO degrees are growing in popularity.
An MD is a traditional medicine degree, whereas a DO takes a holistic, mind-body-spirit approach to care. In the U.S., the same licensing boards give licenses to both types of doctors, and they must meet the same standards for practicing medicine.
The main difference between DOs and MDs comes down to the philosophy of care. DOs practice an osteopathic approach to care, while MDs practice an allopathic approach to care.
An allopathic approach focuses on contemporary, research-based medicine, and it often uses medications or surgery to treat and manage different conditions. An osteopathic approach to care focuses on the whole body. DOs often focus on preventative care.
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), a person pursuing a DO degree should expect to participate in an additional 200 hours or more of hands-on training on the musculoskeletal system. On the other hand, the allopathic focus of an MD means that they take a scientific approach to diagnose and treat individual medical conditions.