I was going to say "how appropriate, I had a session with my Osteopath today." In Australia to be an Osteopath you have to complete an approved qualification and be registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency so I assume he is the equivalent of the American Osteopathic Doctor. Oh and, I actually did have a session with my Osteopath.

Osteopathy is listed a medical practice that focuses on the body's structure and function.  It uses a holistic approach to treat the whole person.   

Most people who see an osteopath do so for help with conditions that affect the muscles, bones and joints, such as: lower back pain. uncomplicated neck pain (as opposed to neck pain after an injury such as whiplash) shoulder pain and elbow pain (for example, tennis elbow). 

1 hour ago, Bill W said:

Most people who see an osteopath do so for help with conditions that affect the muscles, bones and joints, such as: lower back pain. uncomplicated neck pain (as opposed to neck pain after an injury such as whiplash) shoulder pain and elbow pain (for example, tennis elbow). 

Physical Therapy treats those injuries and more with evidence based techniques. 

I must admit that our word of yesterday was a bit dull compared to any of the words I'd seen here before. Today, back to student mode. New word for me, what is it, what is the treatment, who gives it? All totally new(to me) and for any of you in the same boat, I offer the following.

Osteopathy: Everything you need to know

DO vs MD - Is M.D. better than D.O. ? - Differences between an MD and a DO

I prefer my chiropractor to osteopathy. It may sound like a bowl of rice crispies, but I feel better afterward.

You are totally correct @drpaladin and I was wrong in suggesting that an Osteopath in Australia is equivalent to an OD in US. Osteopaths in Australia are not registered as medical practitioners and cannot prescribe medication. Nor are they permitted to perform surgery.

I do think that in Australia they are more qualified than your four points suggest. The qualification is either a double bachelor degree (health science and applied science) or a bachelor degree followed by a masters degree. These are all university courses which include supervised practice. These courses are shorter than an Australian medical degree (usually bachelor degree followed by a doctorate) of 6 or 7 years followed by supervised practice.

I am not an osteopath but my personal experience with AHPRA is that registration and the requirements for maintaining registration each year are not a simple processes.