result in health improvements. However, the scien-
tific connections between nutrition and health or
disease are not entirely clear and sometimes appear
even conflicting. As yet, there are very few circum-
stances (other than those that are the direct result
of nutritional deficiencies) in which consuming or
not consuming certain foods can prevent health
conditions. Foods, and the nutrients they contain,
certainly can support wellness or contribute to dis-
ease. But nutritional therapy that restricts or
emphasizes certain nutrients may create nutritional
deficiencies and imbalances.
See also ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY REME-
DIES FOR CANCER;DRUG INTERACTIONS; LIFESTYLE AND
HEALTH; MALNUTRITION; NUTRITIONAL NEEDS; NUTRI-
TIONAL SUPPLEMENTS.
osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) A
touch therapy that uses pressure, stretching, and
manipulation of the muscles and joints to relieve
musculoskeletal discomfort. The goal of OMT is to
release restrictions within musculoskeletal struc-
tures to restore FLEXIBILITYand mobility. OMT may
improve chronic BACK PAIN, FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC
FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS), and REPETITIVE MOTION
INJURIESsuch as CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME, and ROTA-
TOR CUFF IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME. OMT represents
one of the founding principles of OSTEOPATHY, that
the structure of the body supports the body’s
health. Often, a doctor of osteopathy (DO) has the
training and expertise to perform OMT.
See also ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR PAIN RELIEF;
CHIROPRACTIC; JOINT; MASSAGE THERAPY; MUSCLE;
REFLEXOLOGY.osteopathy A philosophy of health care that
emphasizes preventive approaches and self-care to
manage lifestyle choices in ways that encourage
wellness. Osteopathy strives to support the struc-
tures of the body to maintain health. In the
United States, a doctor of osteopathy (DO) has the
same practicing privileges and licensing require-
ments as a medical doctor (MD) and is considered
a conventional physician. The osteopathic medi-
cine curriculum is comparable to the curriculum
at a conventional medical school, typically a four-
year graduate program with a subsequent intern-
ship and residency though with more opportunity
to learn manipulations such as OSTEOPATHIC MANIPU-
LATIVE TREATMENT(OMT) and craniosacral massage.
Though many osteopathic physicians choose to
practice in primary care, they may become spe-
cialists in any area of medicine.
See also AYURVEDA; HOMEOPATHY; NATUROPATHY;
OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT; REFLEXOLOGY;
TRADITIONALCHINESE MEDICINE(TCM).osteopathy 93