Headquartered in Chicago, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is a member association representing more than 67,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs). The AOA works to promote public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical colleges; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities.

What is a DO?
Osteopathic physicians (DOs) are fully licensed to prescribe medicine, perform surgery, and practice in any of the medical specialty areas. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, DOs treat the body as a whole and help their patients develop attitudes and lifestyles that help prevent illness. DOs also receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system to gain a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another. Furthermore, with osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), DOs use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage the body's natural tendency toward good health.