Osteopathic skills lab

WHAT IS OMM?

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) is a hands-on treatment DOs use to diagnose illness and injury and encourage the body’s natural tendency toward self-healing. Using Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), an osteopathic physician will move muscles and joints using techniques that may incorporate stretching, gentle pressure, and light resistance. OMT can ease pain, promote healing, and increase overall mobility without the use of medications.

As part of their education, CHSU-COM student doctors receive special training in the musculoskeletal system — the body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones. These hands-on OMT skills may be utilized in all specialties of medicine. Residencies with the designation of “Osteopathic Recognition” incorporate OPP/OMT into the residency programs. (ie. Family Medicine with Osteopathic Recognition, Emergency Medicine with Osteopathic Recognition, etc).

Some students will choose to specialize solely in osteopathic manipulative medicine and will enter an Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (ONMM)/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) residency. Others may choose to enter an Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine residency after their primary residency, thus become dually specialty board eligible. All DOs, no matter their specialty, may continue their OMT training by obtaining continuing medical education in OMT. 

By combining the latest advances in medical technology with OMT, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today. 

CHSU Osteopathic principles and practiceS (OPP) Curriculum

Starting in their first year, CHSU-COM students take Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OPP) courses to learn the basics of the OPP philosophy, further development of their OMM knowledge and skills, and learn OMT techniques. In their second year, students learn the clinical relevance of these techniques and how it applies to the treatment and prevention of many diseases. Once students are on their rotations in their third and fourth years, they will have the opportunity to practice under a licensed physician and will come back to campus for periodic workshops to further develop their OMT skills.

OPP I – First Year Course

This course series will introduce the foundational concepts of osteopathic medicine and develop diagnosis and palpatory skills as part of a longitudinal OPP curriculum. Additionally, these courses will teach the Osteopathic Structural Examination (OSE) of different body regions combined with the introduction of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) technique modalities. The Osteopathic Principles and Practices I course is designed to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of the principles, philosophies, and practice of osteopathic medicine. This builds a foundation of osteopathic knowledge and prepares the student to provide patients an integrated approach to medical care.

OPP II – Second Year Course

This series is a continuation of the first year OPP I courses in extending the concepts of osteopathic medicine and in advancing the diagnosis and palpatory skills as part of a longitudinal OPP curriculum. Additionally, these courses will continue teaching the Osteopathic Structural Examination (OSE) of different body regions combined with the advanced Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) technique modalities. The Osteopathic Principles and Practices II courses are designed to provide the student with advanced understanding of the principles, philosophies, and practice of osteopathic medicine.

Third and Fourth Years

Osteopathic Medical Students have required osteopathic activities embedded into clinical clerkships that include hands-on workshops, simulation-based activities, small group discussions, and online modules.

Osteopathic principles and practices (opp) faculty

The CHSU Osteopathic Principles and Practices curriculum is team-taught, lead primarily by the OPP department, however faculty from multiple specialties assist with one-on-one teaching and small group sessions during the Osteopathic Skills Lab. These faculty members also assist with curriculum development and are considered part of the OPP teaching faculty. 

Jan Pryor, DO, MPH, C-NNM/OMM

Chair and Professor
Osteopathic Principles and Practices
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Peter Botros, DO

Assistant Professor, Osteopathic Principles and Practices

Jeremy C. Brown, DO

Instructor, Osteopathic Principles and Practices

Alexander Frantzis, DO

Assistant Professor, Osteopathic Principles & Practices
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Jared Ham-Ying, DO

Assistant Professor, Osteopathic Principles and Practices
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Ying Wang, DO

Assistant Professor, Osteopathic Principles and Practices
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