Q: How do D.O.s differ from M.D.s?
The only things distinguishing DO's from MD's are the underlying philosophy of osteopathy, and the refined use of touch in manual medicine.
Allopathic Medicine has no underlying philosophy. Osteopathy is based on the principles of healing outlined on the History page.
More MD's are becoming interested in learning osteopathic techniques. They are welcome in our post graduate trainings.
Both of these 2 separate licensure types of physicians have a full scope of practice to perform surgery, deliver babies, and prescribe medicine in hospitals and clinics across the nation.
Q: How do Osteopaths differ from Chiropractors?
A: Chiropractors graduate from a four-year chiropractic program and are not required to have a post graduate residency. They are licensed to manipulate the spine and connective tissues. Osteopaths complete a four-year medical training before embarking on an internship and residency of at least three years, in hospitals training in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Psychiatry, Ob/Gyn, and other specialties. An osteopathic medical license allows an unlimited scope of practice.
Q: How often do I need a session?
A: Moderate to severe problems may require weekly visits for about four weeks, then every other week to monthly, and eventually as needed. Some moderate to severe cases clear up in one to just a few treatments. Others take longer.
Q: How long does a session last?
A: The initial visit is getting to know each other. If you fill out the health summary ahead of time there is usually 30 minutes of treatment time of the hour and during the follow-up is about 40 minutes depending on what's needed. The body and mind can only absorb so much at a time. Seeds are sown during the session. The treatment continues for about 2 weeks after the session, which is a good time to evaluate results. Each treatment we take up where we left off unless there is something new. As we get to know each other better, duration and depth of effectiveness increases.
Q: What insurance do you accept?
A: Dr. Friedman is a participating provider for HMSA but no longer accepts Medicare or QUEST.
If you have a PPO plan of another insurance in Hawaii, you may be covered, but will need to submit your superbill yourself.
To learn if you qualify, please contact your insurance company, tell them my physician license # is 1399 and ask them:
1. Do I have out of network benefits?
2. What’s my deductible? How much have I met?
3. What percent do you cover?
This will give you an idea of what your out of pocket cost will be.
Q: How long does it take to get better?
A: This depends on the nature of the problem, degree of the involvement, and how long it’s been there. This will be addressed in your first office visit.
Q: What are the risks?
A: Although very rare, there is a chance of exacerbating an underlying condition, like arthritis, that is self-limiting. Also, occasionally a symptom may worsen for a day before improving significantly.
Q: How safe is Osteopathy?
A: Osteopathy is a very conservative treatment without the side effects of drugs, or the risks inherent in surgery. It is more conservative than epidurals or PRP, regenerative medicine, though those are considered conservative and very safe as well.
Q: Does osteopathic treatment hurt?
A: Osteopathic treatment by Jackson Friedman, D.O. is gentle and sensitively applied. In this paradigm, any pain reduces gain.
Q: Is Osteopathy only for treating pain and disease?
A: Dr. Friedman treats athletes, dancers, and other healthy people looking to improve their athletic and proprioceptive capabilities and prevent injuries. Writers, artists, actors, and musicians may also benefit from treatments to enhance their craft.
It is beneficial to pregnant mothers before and after delivery.
Newborns, whether vaginal or C-section births may benefit from treatments. In my residency we treated newborns right after birth and in the NICU.
Q: Who benefits from Osteopathic Manual Medicine, (OMM)?
A: Anyone who wants his or her body and mind to feel and function better will find it useful. It may relieve acute or chronic pain, stress, anxiety, poor postural habits, migraines, traumatic brain injuries, musculoskeletal and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or post Lyme syndrome.
Healthy people may receive tune-ups as preventive care.
Pregnant women benefit well from it, especially in the third trimester when the hormone relaxin is released to allow fascia to stretch and bones to glide. It is wise to be treated after delivery too, to be sure that these structures return to their normal relationships, to prevent problems later on.
Newborns are good candidates for OMM. During the birth process they are exposed to stresses which can often be relieved in one or two treatments, preventing serious conditions arising such as torticollis, plageocaephally, and colic.
Children with learning differences or movement dysfunctions respond well to OMM. It is a safe way to treat scoliosis, pectus excavatum, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, ADHD, OCD, and autism.