Initially, there is not a big difference in the way allopathic and osteopathic doctors diagnose a patient. Before a patient is diagnosed, a thorough examination is carried out which covers all the patient's complaints and any treatments they may have undergone. It is a routine between allopathic and osteopathic doctors. The next step is where the two may begin to differ. Depending on the complaint, the osteopathic approach will ask the doctor to perform a standing mechanical examination. This exam will allow the osteopath to assess the quality of a patient's range of motion and determine the functionality of the patient's body mechanics. Allopathic physicians do not use the standing mechanical examination and instead send their patients for x-rays or other outpatient procedures (Handoll DO,