Hey there! I’m Dr. Eli Wercberger, your friendly DO. “Wait, what’s a DO?” you might be thinking. Is it a new type of yoga instructor? A life coach? Maybe a robot designed to fix your back pain? Nope—we are the real deal, fully licensed, trained physicians who just have a little different twist on how we approach healthcare. Picture us as the fun, cool siblings of traditional MDs (Medical Doctors)—we both have the same qualifications, but our approach is slightly differently.

Think of it this way: MDs (Medical Doctors) and DOs (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) are basically two sides of the same very important, very well-educated coin. We both go through medical school, internship and residency. We both can specialize in anything from cardiology to, well, ahem, bariatrics (more on that in a bit). We both diagnose, treat, and manage all sorts of medical conditions. We both prescribe medication, perform surgery, and generally work to improve and maintain people's health and well-being.

Let’s rewind a bit and take a quick trip back in time. Imagine it’s 1874. No smartwatches, no TikTok, and definitely no apps to track your steps. Enters Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, a frontier doctor who was a forward thinker and visionary. After experiencing the loss of his family to disease, he became determined to find a better way to treat people. Dr. Still thought, "Why not give the body a little more credit? Maybe it can heal itself if we treat it right." And voilà— osteopathic medicine was born! Fast forward to today, and here we are, still sticking to the idea that when the body is in balance, it’s in better shape to heal itself.

Okay, here’s the million-dollar question: What’s the difference between a DO and an MD? It’s not a rivalry, people. It’s more like choosing between a classic car and a futuristic Tesla. Both get you where you need to go, but one might have a few extra features. Let’s break it down:

Education: DOs and MDs both go through the same grueling medical education—think sleepless nights, countless exams, and enough coffee to keep Starbucks in business for the next decade. They both go to medical school, earn degrees, and can treat, prescribe, and perform surgery. Basically, if you’re in a medical emergency, either will come to your rescue with a solid understanding of your needs.

Philosophy: This is where things get spicy. MDs are like the straight-A student who solves problems with textbooks and tests. They’ll prescribe medications, run tests, and treat the symptoms—basically playing the role of the body’s highly intelligent mechanic. DOs, however, are the free-spirited cousins who believe that the human body is a holistic masterpiece. While they can do the same things listed above as an MD, a DO prefers a hands-on, whole-body approach. In fact, they’re so into that philosophy, they’ve even learned special osteopathic techniques to treat issues with their hands (fancy, right?). They’ll look at your muscles, bones, and even your stress levels to get your whole body back in balance.

MDs and DOs can specialize in the same areas—pediatrics, cardiology, surgery, dermatology, bariatrics (weight management) you name it. In the end, whether you see a DO or an MD, you’re still getting top-notch care. Both are fully trained, both can treat you for pretty much anything under the sun, and both can perform surgeries and prescribe medications. So, don’t get too caught up in the letters—what really matters is how they treat you.

Ah, bariatrics! You might think of bariatrics and immediately picture weight loss surgery. But hold your horses—I’m not here to talk about surgery. As a DO, my focus in bariatrics is more on preventative care. We look at your entire lifestyle—your diet, exercise habits, mental health, and yes, those tricky little stressors in your life.

I believe that in order to support healthy weight management, we need to understand the whole person. It’s about helping you make small, sustainable changes that feels right for your body, not just focusing on the number on the scale. It’s also about balancing your mind, body, and spirit (I know, sounds like the intro to a yoga class, but stick with me here!).

I'm passionate about helping people understand the complex relationship they have with food, movement, and their bodies. I want to help you optimize your health and well-being, whatever that looks like for you. Because let's face it, we all have that one friend who can eat a whole pizza and not gain an ounce, while I look at a breadstick and my jeans get tighter. Life's not fair, but we can work with it!

So, there you have it. DOs and MDs, working together to keep you healthy and happy. And me? I'm here to help you navigate the world of health and wellness, with a special emphasis on helping you live your best life, whatever your size. Now, if you'll excuse me, I hear a pizza calling my name... (Just kidding! Mostly.)