At Luna Health, our approach to care is guided by the principles of Osteopathic Medicine — a philosophy that views the body as an integrated system, where the mind, body, and spirit all work together to create balance and health.
Osteopathic medicine was founded in the late 1800s by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who believed that when the body’s systems are properly aligned and supported, it has an incredible ability to heal itself. His revolutionary ideas became the foundation for the modern Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree — physicians trained to care for the whole person, not just their symptoms.
Today, DOs are fully licensed physicians who complete four years of medical school, residencies in every specialty, and can prescribe medications and perform procedures — just like MDs. What sets them apart is additional training in anatomy, movement, and the relationship between structure and function — all key to helping the body heal and stay well.
One of the core principles of osteopathic medicine is that health is more than the absence of disease. It’s a state of harmony among the body, mind, and spirit. For example, stress at work (spirit) can lead to anxiety (mind) and eventually cause headaches or stomach upset (body). Osteopathic care looks at all of these layers together — addressing root causes, not just symptoms.
Osteopathic physicians are also trained in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) — a gentle, hands-on form of care that helps restore motion, relieve tension, and support the body’s natural healing ability. OMT can help with back and neck pain, muscle tightness, headaches, and more. It’s a highly individualized treatment that blends medical knowledge with mindful, physical care.
Luna Health’s founder, Dr. Laurie Garabedian, is a board-certified family physician and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Her vision for Luna grew out of this philosophy — that the best care happens when a doctor can treat the whole person and truly take the time to understand their health, lifestyle, and goals. That belief continues to shape every aspect of Luna’s practice and the way we care for our patients today.
Whether through preventive care, chronic condition management, or hands-on treatment, osteopathic principles are woven into the fabric of how Luna Health operates. By combining modern medicine with the timeless wisdom of osteopathy, we help patients achieve lasting wellness — not just temporary relief.
Dr. Andrew Taylor Still establishes the foundation of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the body’s innate ability to heal itself through proper alignment, movement, and care for the whole person.
The American School of Osteopathy opens in Kirksville, Missouri, training the first generation of physicians to practice this holistic form of medicine.
DOs gain full medical licensure in all 50 U.S. states, cementing osteopathic medicine as a core part of the American healthcare system alongside MDs.
Osteopathic physicians now practice in every specialty of medicine, combining advanced medical knowledge with whole-person care. At Luna Health, those same principles guide our mission to deliver accessible, compassionate primary care rooted in osteopathic philosophy.
Both MDs and DOs are fully qualified physicians who can provide outstanding care. What makes osteopathic medicine special — and central to Luna Health’s philosophy — is its complete, patient-centered approach. By integrating hands-on treatment and whole-body thinking, we help patients achieve health that lasts, not just quick fixes.
At Luna, we believe in treating the whole person — because health is more than the absence of illness; it’s the presence of balance.
Our waitlist is open — and that doesn’t happen often! Because Luna keeps our patient panel small to provide truly personal, relationship-based care, openings are limited. We’re so excited to welcome new members as our family continues to grow.
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