[1] Physicians trained in the specialty focus on the clinical evaluation and management of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and its related visceral and somatic structures.
They have specialized expertise in the indications, risks, benefits, and application of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) for treatment of patients with neuromusculoskeletal and visceral disorders.
Somatic dysfunction manifests as tenderness, asymmetry, restricted range of motion, or tissue texture abnormalities and indicates impaired or altered functioning of the body's framework.
After graduation, osteopathic physicians may continue to use OMM as part of patient management in a variety of specialty disciplines.
ONMM specialists utilize their advanced training to integrate osteopathic principles into patient management and personally provide OMM when clinically indicated.
When the American Osteopathic Organization first developed the ONMM specialty, it was known as the Certification of Special Proficiency of OMM (C-SPOMM).