Osteopathy is a field of medical practice. The Osteopathic physician undergoes the same education as any physician who prescribes medication and performs surgery. The only difference in designation for an Osteopathic Physician from and Allopathic Physician is the insignia of DO instead of and MD. The Osteopathic philosophy believes in treating a patient as a whole person, and is open to alternate forms of treatment. Although it was not always so, the total patient view has gained prominence in the allopathic world.

Andrew Taylor Still was the founder of the term Osteopathy, and built the first school in Kirksville, MO just before the turn of the 20th Century. In his teachings, he advocated the use of manipulation. The act of "bone setting" is one of many forms of manipulation that Osteopaths are trained in. Dr. Still also devised the Osteopathic Oath. It is a combination of the Hippocratic oath and the Oath of Maimonides.