Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and Doctors of Medicine (M.D.) are both full-fledged physicians trained in the United States who attend four years of medical school and are eligible to specialize in any field of medicine after residency training. To answer your initial question, yes and no. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine can specialize in any field of medicine they wish and that includes specializing in pain medicine if that's what they choose.
Additionally, both DOs and MDs may sit for board certification examinations and each type of physician has the same legal and medical responsibilities such as prescribing medications, performing surgery, working in the hospital, medical diagnosis, etc. The difference between a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Medicine is a slight one-Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, in addition to the standard medical curriculum, receive 300-500 hours of instruction in a form of manual therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). This form of therapy is another approach sometimes used by DOs to address a patient's musculoskeletal issues.
Doctor of Osteopathic (medicine)
Their qualifications are equal. Both Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and Doctors of Medicine (M.D.) who have specialized in orthopedics or physical medicine & rehabilitation would be appropriate for a problem with knee pain. Make sure you find a board-certified specialist in orthopedics or physical medicine & rehabilitation.
Harry D. Friedman has written: 'Cranial rhythmic impulse approaches in osteopathic manipulative medicine' -- subject(s): Cranial manipulation, Craniosacral therapy, Osteopathic author, Osteopathic medicine, Skull 'Counterstrain approaches in osteopathic manipulative medicine' -- subject(s): Manipulation (Therapeutics), Orthopedic Manipulation, Osteopathic author, Osteopathic medicine 'Myofascial and fascial-ligamentous approaches in osteopathic manipulative medicine' -- subject(s): Manipulation (Therapeutics), Orthopedic Manipulation, Osteopathic author, Osteopathic medicine
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is abbreviated D.O.
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine have the initials D.O. after their name.
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine was created in 2007.
Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine was created in 2002.
Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine was created in 2004.
British College of Osteopathic Medicine was created in 1936.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine was created in 1899.
College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific was created in 1977.
Michigan College of Osteopathic Medicine was created in 1964.