Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Osteopathic Medicine, and how is it different from MD Medicine?
A: In the United States, there are two schools of Medicine that grant the full, unrestricted licensure for the practice of medicine: One is Allopathic Medicine (MD), and the other is Osteopathic (DO). The two schools differ in their orientation to the patient;
Allopathic Medicine has historically been oriented to the disease and a chemical model to limit the effects or symptoms of disease.
Osteopathy has historically been oriented towards the health of the patient, and towards an anatomic model that when freed in its function, naturally brings about Health. Osteopathy, even in its earlier practice, recognized those lifestyle practices that also improved the expressed function of the body, to optimize its expression of Health.
Both Medical and Osteopathic Degree programs have the same Core Basic Science programs (Anatomy, Embryology, Physiology, etc), and the same Core Clinical Science programs (Neurology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Psychiatry, etc). Osteopathic Medical studies have an additional Course that runs through the entire educational program: Osteopathic Principles and Practice, which is an education in and practice of Osteopathic Philosophy and Osteopathic Manipulation. See our page entitled "Osteopathy" for more details.
Q: What is Cranial Manipulation?
A: Cranial manipulation was discovered by William Garner Sutherland DO, who noted that the nervous system, the cranium, as well as the whole body, possesses an intrinsic rhythmic motion in health. Restrictions in motion were noted to have an effect on local or systemic conditions, and restoring normal motion of the cranium and Central Nervous System could improve a wide range of health conditions.
Q: How is CranioSacral Therapy different from Osteopathic Cranial Manipulation?
A: CranioSacral Therapy is practiced by therapists. Osteopathic Cranial Manipulation is performed by osteopathic and some allopathic physicians, and dentists.
Our coursework involves extensive and continued classroom education in anatomy, embryology and the basic core sciences of medicine, as well as a thorough education in clinical medical sciences with practical experience that range from Clinical to Hospital patient care. In addition to the continued development in medical education, the on-going development in the refined sense of touch required to contact the patient's Health is mandatory.
If you're not getting well, seeing an osteopathic physician who is able to not only find and identify Disease, but to find and cultivate Health, makes a critical difference.
Q: Does Dr Gaydos practice Functional Medicine?
A: Yes and No. Functional Medicine is the practice of medicine that is oriented towards the evaluation and treatment of the patient's metabolism in a non-algorithmic way. That is, it is practiced in a manner that is not the same for everyone, but considers each person individually, and looks at each person's metabolism individually. The goal is to "de-stress" the patient by reducing the number of metabolic factors causing stress, and through this, improves the functional state of health in the patient.
Osteopathic Medicine is the practice of medicine that is oriented not only towards the evaluation and treatment of the metabolism, but also of the physical body, and the psycho-spiritual aspects of a person; Osteopathic Medicine approaches each patient individually to "de-stress" the patient by reducing the number of physical factors, the metabolic factors and psycho-spiritual factors and thereby improves the functional state of health in the patient. It is practiced in a manner that is not merely suppressing symptoms, but by seeking the causes of illness, and by removing or reducing them allows health to be restored.
Practicing osteopathic medicine invites the integration of the Body, Metabolism and Spiritual functions, meaning that it looks at the whole person. In treating the whole person, the whole person can become well, as is Nature's dynamic.
Q: How many treatment sessions, are typically required to treat my problem, and what are the typical frequency of visits?
A: It is difficult to determine how many visits are associated with a medical problem.
Over 80% of common chronic medical conditions have roots in often non-recognized, or neglected chronic problems that have developed over many years. Therefore, interventions to help improve them are not generally "one-time fixes".
I recommend that patients have 3-5 visits over several weeks to months to determine how this work will affect their problem.
The typical frequency is one visit weekly to monthly in order to see how you respond to care. Treatment that appears to be effective means longer intervals between visits, and treatment-resistance usually means shorter intervals (weekly or bimonthly).
Q: What is my first appointment like ?
A: For your first visit, it is important to have your intake paperwork completed. Arrive 15-20 minutes early if you want to fill it out in the office.
Have your form of payment ready. Trying to write a check, or search for your wallet, after getting off of the treatment table can be a bit of a trick, especially where most patient are relaxed in the treatment response. It is for this reason that it is easier for you to provide payment up front, and then have as much 'table time' as possible.
Have your Insurance information added to the Portal, or provide immediately to Dr Gaydos upon the visit start. The Office will submit your paid claim to your Insurance company, unless you wish to do it yourself.
Remember more of your visit can be spent in treatment, and less in administrative, by preparing properly.
Dr Gaydos will next take a Health History, perform a general physical including a standing and gait evaluation and make comments on how this affects your medical condition(s).
An Osteopathic treatment then follows.
Dr Gaydos will record all of the salient points of discussion and record them in your note. This will be emailed to you with your agreement.
NOTE: If you are choosing the New Patient Adult or Child Simple visits, an appended history will be taken, along with a physical examination, and we will proceed to treatment. This type of visit is shorter and is recommended for those patients who, in essence, just want an osteopathic treatment.
We also have New Patient Visits which are simply Consultation. I have patients who are referred to compatibility test their medications, supplements, arch supports, electric devices or dental appliances. Please be aware that we are limited to one-half hour, so the more your are prepared when you arrive, the more that we can generally test. Because some items require more time to test, or determine how to mitigate their effects upon you body, I cannot guarantee that I can evaluate everything that you bring in.
Q: Does Dr Gaydos Have night or weekend hours?
A: Currently, Dr Gaydos is in the office from 8:30 AM until 6:30 pm on M, T, Th and Fridays. Established patients having urgencies can be seen on his day off (Wednesdays) or on Weekend mornings. Some established patients who travel from afar or who have school or work restricting their free times during the week can arrange for Saturday morning hours.
Q: What is your Cancellation Policy?
A: The office policy is "2 Business Days by Noon". So a Monday appointment requires cancellation by Noon on Thursday, a Friday Appointment requires cancellation by Noon on Wednesday , etc.
On the occasion that you cancel your appointment without the "2 Business Day by Noon", I will dutifully attempt to fill your visit time. If I cannot fill your appointment, then you are responsible for the price of that visit.
This policy does not apply to family-health urgencies.
Q: How can I best prepare for an appointment?
A: Self-balance is key to many aspects of life, and healing visits require the same.
Preparing by being fed, hydrated and relaxed is a great start !
Q: Does Insurance reimburse for Dr Gaydos' services?
A: The answer depends upon your insurance policy. Managed (HMO) care does not typically reimburse for out-of-network services, unless the policy holder can prove that the insurer does not provide the same coverage in-network as out-of-network (Osteopathic Cranial Manipulation). it is worth a try. I have several patients who have their visits paid for by this means.
Medicare and MediCal do not reimburse for Out of Network (OON) Care.
PPO plans generally offer reimbursement that depends upon the patient's policy.
Health-Sharing Plans will generally reimburse the patient 100% for services rendered.
Motor Vehicle Accidents generally reimburse 100% of your out-of-pocket expenses plus mileage, depending upon the Medical Terms and Limits of the Policy used (your own Insurance or another's).
© James Edward Gaydos DO. All Rights Reserved.
Q: What is Osteopathic Medicine, and how is it different from MD Medicine?
A: In the United States, there are two schools of Medicine that grant the full, unrestricted licensure for the practice of medicine: One is Allopathic Medicine (MD), and the other is Osteopathic (DO). The two schools differ in their orientation to the patient;
Allopathic Medicine has historically been oriented to the disease and a chemical model to limit the effects or symptoms of disease.
Osteopathy has historically been oriented towards the health of the patient, and towards an anatomic model that when freed in its function, naturally brings about Health. Osteopathy, even in its earlier practice, recognized those lifestyle practices that also improved the expressed function of the body, to optimize its expression of Health.
Both Medical and Osteopathic Degree programs have the same Core Basic Science programs (Anatomy, Embryology, Physiology, etc), and the same Core Clinical Science programs (Neurology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Psychiatry, etc). Osteopathic Medical studies have an additional Course that runs through the entire educational program: Osteopathic Principles and Practice, which is an education in and practice of Osteopathic Philosophy and Osteopathic Manipulation. See our page entitled "Osteopathy" for more details.
Q: What is Cranial Manipulation?
A: Cranial manipulation was discovered by William Garner Sutherland DO, who noted that the nervous system, the cranium, as well as the whole body, possesses an intrinsic rhythmic motion in health. Restrictions in motion were noted to have an effect on local or systemic conditions, and restoring normal motion of the cranium and Central Nervous System could improve a wide range of health conditions.
Q: How is CranioSacral Therapy different from Osteopathic Cranial Manipulation?
A: CranioSacral Therapy is practiced by therapists. Osteopathic Cranial Manipulation is performed by osteopathic and some allopathic physicians, and dentists.
Our coursework involves extensive and continued classroom education in anatomy, embryology and the basic core sciences of medicine, as well as a thorough education in clinical medical sciences with practical experience that range from Clinical to Hospital patient care. In addition to the continued development in medical education, the on-going development in the refined sense of touch required to contact the patient's Health is mandatory.
If you're not getting well, seeing an osteopathic physician who is able to not only find and identify Disease, but to find and cultivate Health, makes a critical difference.
Q: Does Dr Gaydos practice Functional Medicine?
A: Yes and No. Functional Medicine is the practice of medicine that is oriented towards the evaluation and treatment of the patient's metabolism in a non-algorithmic way. That is, it is practiced in a manner that is not the same for everyone, but considers each person individually, and looks at each person's metabolism individually. The goal is to "de-stress" the patient by reducing the number of metabolic factors causing stress, and through this, improves the functional state of health in the patient.
Osteopathic Medicine is the practice of medicine that is oriented not only towards the evaluation and treatment of the metabolism, but also of the physical body, and the psycho-spiritual aspects of a person; Osteopathic Medicine approaches each patient individually to "de-stress" the patient by reducing the number of physical factors, the metabolic factors and psycho-spiritual factors and thereby improves the functional state of health in the patient. It is practiced in a manner that is not merely suppressing symptoms, but by seeking the causes of illness, and by removing or reducing them allows health to be restored.
Practicing osteopathic medicine invites the integration of the Body, Metabolism and Spiritual functions, meaning that it looks at the whole person. In treating the whole person, the whole person can become well, as is Nature's dynamic.
Q: How many treatment sessions, are typically required to treat my problem, and what are the typical frequency of visits?
A: It is difficult to determine how many visits are associated with a medical problem.
Over 80% of common chronic medical conditions have roots in often non-recognized, or neglected chronic problems that have developed over many years. Therefore, interventions to help improve them are not generally "one-time fixes".
I recommend that patients have 3-5 visits over several weeks to months to determine how this work will affect their problem.
The typical frequency is one visit weekly to monthly in order to see how you respond to care. Treatment that appears to be effective means longer intervals between visits, and treatment-resistance usually means shorter intervals (weekly or bimonthly).
Q: What is my first appointment like ?
A: For your first visit, it is important to have your intake paperwork completed. Arrive 15-20 minutes early if you want to fill it out in the office.
Have your form of payment ready. Trying to write a check, or search for your wallet, after getting off of the treatment table can be a bit of a trick, especially where most patient are relaxed in the treatment response. It is for this reason that it is easier for you to provide payment up front, and then have as much 'table time' as possible.
Have your Insurance information added to the Portal, or provide immediately to Dr Gaydos upon the visit start. The Office will submit your paid claim to your Insurance company, unless you wish to do it yourself.
Remember more of your visit can be spent in treatment, and less in administrative, by preparing properly.
Dr Gaydos will next take a Health History, perform a general physical including a standing and gait evaluation and make comments on how this affects your medical condition(s).
An Osteopathic treatment then follows.
Dr Gaydos will record all of the salient points of discussion and record them in your note. This will be emailed to you with your agreement.
NOTE: If you are choosing the New Patient Adult or Child Simple visits, an appended history will be taken, along with a physical examination, and we will proceed to treatment. This type of visit is shorter and is recommended for those patients who, in essence, just want an osteopathic treatment.
We also have New Patient Visits which are simply Consultation. I have patients who are referred to compatibility test their medications, supplements, arch supports, electric devices or dental appliances. Please be aware that we are limited to one-half hour, so the more your are prepared when you arrive, the more that we can generally test. Because some items require more time to test, or determine how to mitigate their effects upon you body, I cannot guarantee that I can evaluate everything that you bring in.
Q: Does Dr Gaydos Have night or weekend hours?
A: Currently, Dr Gaydos is in the office from 8:30 AM until 6:30 pm on M, T, Th and Fridays. Established patients having urgencies can be seen on his day off (Wednesdays) or on Weekend mornings. Some established patients who travel from afar or who have school or work restricting their free times during the week can arrange for Saturday morning hours.
Q: What is your Cancellation Policy?
A: The office policy is "2 Business Days by Noon". So a Monday appointment requires cancellation by Noon on Thursday, a Friday Appointment requires cancellation by Noon on Wednesday , etc.
On the occasion that you cancel your appointment without the "2 Business Day by Noon", I will dutifully attempt to fill your visit time. If I cannot fill your appointment, then you are responsible for the price of that visit.
This policy does not apply to family-health urgencies.
Q: How can I best prepare for an appointment?
A: Self-balance is key to many aspects of life, and healing visits require the same.
Preparing by being fed, hydrated and relaxed is a great start !
Q: Does Insurance reimburse for Dr Gaydos' services?
A: The answer depends upon your insurance policy. Managed (HMO) care does not typically reimburse for out-of-network services, unless the policy holder can prove that the insurer does not provide the same coverage in-network as out-of-network (Osteopathic Cranial Manipulation). it is worth a try. I have several patients who have their visits paid for by this means.
Medicare and MediCal do not reimburse for Out of Network (OON) Care.
PPO plans generally offer reimbursement that depends upon the patient's policy.
Health-Sharing Plans will generally reimburse the patient 100% for services rendered.
Motor Vehicle Accidents generally reimburse 100% of your out-of-pocket expenses plus mileage, depending upon the Medical Terms and Limits of the Policy used (your own Insurance or another's).
© James Edward Gaydos DO. All Rights Reserved.