Osteopathy
Osteopathic Treatment in Maple Valley, WA
Osteopathic medicine offers a comprehensive approach to healthcare that focuses on understanding the body as an integrated system rather than treating isolated symptoms. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) receive the same medical education and training as MDs while also completing additional training in osteopathic philosophy and hands-on diagnostic and treatment techniques.
At Richard W. Koss D.O. PLLC, osteopathic treatment focuses on identifying restrictions within the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, joints, muscles, nerves, and connective tissues that influence movement, posture, and overall function.
Through careful examination and hands-on evaluation, Dr. Koss works to identify areas where structural imbalances may be affecting the body’s ability to function efficiently.
This hands-on approach, known as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), is designed to restore motion, reduce tension within the body’s structure, and support the body’s natural ability to regulate and heal itself.
Patients from Maple Valley, Black Diamond, Covington, Renton, and surrounding communities in the greater Seattle area often seek osteopathic care when they feel their health concerns have not been fully addressed through conventional treatment alone. Many individuals come to the practice after experiencing ongoing discomfort, chronic conditions, or frustration with treatments that focus primarily on symptom management rather than identifying underlying causes.
Osteopathic care provides an opportunity for a more detailed evaluation of the body’s structure, overall health history, and contributing lifestyle factors. By understanding how different systems of the body interact, treatment can be directed toward improving function, restoring balance, and supporting long-term health.
Osteopathic medicine seeks to remove barriers to health so the body can function the way it was designed to.
Richard Koss was awarded a BS in Physical Education Summa Cum Laude from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1976. He continued a Fellowship and Teaching Assistant position in Anatomy & Physiology for 2 years at Springfield. Dr. Koss received his D.O. degree at AT Still University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri in 1982 and subsequently performed a rotating internship at Normandy Osteopathic Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He joined the US Air Force in 1983 and served in Family Practice as a Flight Surgeon, Chief of Air Transport, Chief of Emergency Services, and Chief of Family Practice. He returned to Kirksville in 1987 to pursue a residency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. He joined the faculty at AT Still University in 1990 as Osteopathic Principles and Practice Assistant Professor. He then joined the faculty in the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Department at the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center in Fort Worth, Texas as Department Vice Chair. He has passed Specialty Board Exams for both the ACOFP in Family Practice and also the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine exam, and is double Board Certified. Since 1999, Dr. Koss has been in private practice, specializing in Osteopathic Manipulation.
He presented a paper on the Bioelectric Properties of Fascia at the 1990 AAO Convocation in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was deemed Educator of the Year in 1997 at the University of North Texas. He was named one of “Seattle’s Best Doctors” in the 2002 issue of Seattle Magazine.
In his years of experience, Dr. Koss has seen amazing results achieved from his treatments but understands that Osteopathy isn’t the answer for everyone. He works closely with other medical professionals in the area and is more than happy to discuss and refer patients to alternative practices.
The first step to Osteopathy is the careful examination of the patient with the hands, along with any other standard medical examinations. Once the causes of ill health, and or disease have been identified, and the areas of restrictions located, then careful manipulation of the region will help the body recover and restore a healthier situation.
An initial Osteopathic treatment usually lasts about 90 minutes and includes a full history and review of all the systems and conditions, a physical exam, and an Osteopathic structural exam. Dr. Koss will typically offer some very specific, yet simple exercises to do. These exercises are more important than the treatment because they are designed to keep the treatment process going for as long as possible.
Follow-up visits are typically every two to three weeks and last about 45 to 60 minutes. They are timed to be when the benefits of the treatment and exercises slows or ends. As things improve the treatments will be scheduled farther apart hopefully to a time where you no longer need treatments.
Functional Medicine and Whole-Person Care
Functional medicine and osteopathic medicine share a common philosophy: understanding how the body’s systems work together to create and maintain health. Rather than focusing only on the presence of symptoms, this approach begins by evaluating the patient’s overall health and identifying factors that may be interfering with the body’s ability to function optimally.
In osteopathic philosophy, the goal is not simply to treat disease, but to understand what may be preventing the body from maintaining health.
Osteopathic and functional medicine care focuses on identifying and addressing impediments to health within the whole person. These may include structural imbalances within the neuromusculoskeletal system, lifestyle factors, past injuries, chronic stress, or other influences that affect how the body regulates and maintains balance.
By carefully evaluating these factors, treatment can be directed toward improving the body’s ability to function efficiently and restore normal physiological balance.
Dr. Koss integrates osteopathic principles with functional medicine concepts to help patients better understand how their body is functioning and what factors may be contributing to their current condition.
Through hands-on treatment, thoughtful evaluation, and guidance for ongoing lifestyle support, patients are encouraged to actively participate in restoring and maintaining their health.
This whole-person approach can be particularly valuable for individuals experiencing chronic conditions or ongoing health concerns that have not fully improved through conventional treatment alone.
Conditions Osteopathic Treatment May Help Address
Osteopathic treatment can participate in many aspects of the healing process and may support overall health across a wide range of conditions. Rather than replacing specialized medical care, osteopathic medicine often works alongside traditional medical treatment to help the body function more efficiently and support recovery.
By addressing structural restrictions within the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system, osteopathic care may help improve circulation, nerve communication, mobility, and overall physiological balance.
Patients often seek osteopathic treatment for conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, chronic pain, or ongoing health concerns that have not fully improved through conventional treatment alone.
These may include:
- Neck and back pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Postural imbalances
- Persistent discomfort without a clear diagnosis
- Chronic illness or disease affecting overall health and function
Every patient receives a detailed evaluation to determine whether osteopathic treatment may be appropriate as part of their overall care plan.
FAQs
Q: What does an osteopathic physician (DO) do?
A: An osteopathic physician, or DO, is a fully licensed medical doctor who practices a whole-person approach to healthcare. In addition to standard medical training, osteopathic physicians receive specialized training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on technique used to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the body’s muscles, joints, and connective tissues.
Q: What is osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT)?
A: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on medical approach used by osteopathic physicians to diagnose and treat restrictions within the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system. Through careful examination and palpation, the physician identifies areas where the body’s structure may be limiting normal function.
Using specific manual techniques applied to muscles, joints, and soft tissues, OMT is designed to improve motion, reduce structural tension, and support the body’s natural healing processes.
Unlike many forms of manual therapy, osteopathic treatment is physician-directed medical care rather than a standardized therapy approach. Each visit includes an ongoing evaluation of the patient’s condition, allowing the physician to assess progress, identify new findings, and adjust treatment as needed.
The goal of treatment is to address the underlying structural factors contributing to a patient’s condition while supporting the body’s ability to restore balance and function.
Q: What conditions can osteopathic treatment help with?
A: Osteopathic treatment may support patients experiencing a wide range of health concerns, particularly those involving the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system. By improving structural balance and supporting the body’s natural healing processes, osteopathic care may help address conditions that affect mobility, comfort, and overall function.
Patients often seek osteopathic care for concerns such as:
- Neck and back pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Postural imbalances
- Persistent discomfort without a clear diagnosis
- Chronic illness or disease affecting overall function
Osteopathic care may also support the body during recovery from injury or illness and may complement other medical treatments as part of a comprehensive approach to health.
Each patient receives an individualized evaluation to determine whether osteopathic treatment may be beneficial for their specific condition.
Q: What is the difference between a DO and an MD?
A: Both DOs (osteopathic physicians) and MDs (allopathic physicians) are fully licensed medical doctors who can diagnose illness, prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice medicine. The education and core medical training for both degrees are very similar.
The primary difference is that osteopathic physicians receive additional training in osteopathic philosophy and hands-on diagnostic and treatment techniques known as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). This training emphasizes the relationship between the body’s structure and its function, and how the neuromusculoskeletal system influences overall health.
These osteopathic principles are applied in all areas of medical care, not only for musculoskeletal conditions. Osteopathic physicians are trained to consider how the body’s systems interact in the development of illness and recovery from disease, and to support the body’s natural ability to maintain balance and heal.
Q: Is osteopathic treatment safe?
A: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on medical treatment performed by a fully licensed osteopathic physician. Because treatment is provided by a physician with comprehensive medical training, each visit includes an evaluation of the patient’s current condition, medical history, and overall health before treatment is applied.
Osteopathic physicians use their diagnostic training to determine whether osteopathic treatment is appropriate and to identify the specific structural restrictions contributing to a patient’s symptoms. Treatment techniques are then carefully selected and tailored to the individual patient’s condition and comfort level.
Unlike standardized manual therapy approaches, osteopathic treatment is physician-directed medical care. At each visit, the patient is evaluated and treatment is adjusted based on clinical findings, ensuring that care remains focused, precise, and appropriate for the patient’s needs.
The goal of osteopathic care is to restore balance within the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system while supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
Q: What should I expect during an osteopathic treatment appointment?
A: Your first appointment typically lasts about 90 minutes and includes a comprehensive evaluation of your health history and current concerns. Dr. Koss reviews your medical history in detail, often discussing your health throughout your life in order to better understand factors that may be influencing your current condition.
The visit usually includes:
- A detailed medical history review
- A physical examination
- An osteopathic structural evaluation
- Hands-on treatment when appropriate based on the findings of the examination
Osteopathic treatment focuses on identifying restrictions within the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system and restoring balance through carefully applied hands-on techniques.
Patients are often given simple exercises or lifestyle guidance to support continued improvement between visits. Follow-up appointments typically include additional treatment and guidance designed to help maintain progress and support long-term healing.
Richard W. Koss, D.O. PLLC is a cash-check-debit card-credit card only business. He does not participate in any insurance or network, Medicaid, Medicare, Workers’ Comp, or motor vehicle accidents. He can provide a superbill if needed for patients to submit for themselves.
To make an appointment with Dr. Koss, contact his practice today by calling (425) 433-6073
Richard W. Koss D.O., PLLC
Contact
Phone: 425-433-6073
Fax: 425-433-6074
Email: rwkossdo@comcast.net
Hours
Monday - Friday: 10 AM - 6 PM