Iowa Academy of Osteopathy
MISSION
The mission of the Iowa Academy of Osteopathy (IAO) is to teach, advocate, advance, explore and research the science and art of osteopathic manipulative medicine, emphasizing the integration of osteopathic principles, practice and manipulative treatment in patient care.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a patient-focused approach to health care that takes into account every aspect of the patient, including his or her physical, personal, and spiritual well-being. Developed more than 140 years ago by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, osteopathic medicine brings a unique philosophy to traditional patient care. Understanding that the body is more than just a sum of its parts, osteopathic physicians (DOs) assist the patient’s innate capacity to heal by addressing the interrelationship of the body’s nerves, muscles, bones and organs. Osteopathic physicians are licensed to prescribe medicine and practice in all medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties.