Millions of people around the world have turned to osteopathic therapy for treatment that goes beyond conventional medicine. Though osteopathy has become mainstream, many patients still need guidance when it comes to choosing the best osteopathic clinic. As a rule of thumb, you can apply the same screening standards to an osteopathy clinic that you would apply to a primary care medical clinic. The key in both situations is to take a step-by-step approach to finding the right treatment center, starting with referrals from a friend, colleague or physician and then checking into each clinic’s credentials and the background of their osteopathic physicians. A tour of an osteopathy clinic can then provide a glimpse into its day-to-day operations and the osteopathic treatment process.
Reputation and word of mouth are both valuable when it comes to selecting an osteopathy clinic. It is often a recommendation from a trusted acquaintance or a positive review on the Internet that can help patients narrow their options. Visiting an osteopathy clinic can also provide much needed insight into the types of services provided for patients and the overall quality of care. The best clinics have well-maintained offices staffed with experienced, attentive professionals. Any reputable clinic will welcome a tour of the facilities and will have staff members available to answer questions about treatment.
The success of any osteopathy clinic is linked to the expertise and performance of its staff. In most countries, osteopathic physicians and clinics are subject to varying degrees of regulation and certification. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) in some countries, including the United States, are licensed physicians who can perform surgery and prescribe medications. In other countries, osteopathy clinics might provide primary medical care or supplementary healthcare.
When evaluating an osteopathy clinic in any location, one of the most important steps is to verify the licensing, training and certification of the physicians on the staff. To check the background of the physicians at a clinic, it can be helpful to contact the regional professional association for osteopathic physicians. This information might also be available on the osteopathy clinic’s website.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an osteopathy clinic is whether it caters to the treatment of a specific type of injury or illness. Osteopathy is no different from conventional medicine in that a DO, like a medical doctor, can become certified in a specialty or subspecialty. Certification requirements for specialties such as cranial osteopathy and pediatric osteopathy will vary from country to country, but generally, osteopathy specialists will have completed countless hours of additional training to stay up to date on the latest techniques. For many osteopathy patients, the best clinic will be one that provides this type of specialized care.