Osteopathic medicine is one of those terms that patients often hear but may not fully understand. A doctor of osteopathy, or DO, is a fully licensed physician who completed medical school and residency training, just like an MD. What distinguishes osteopathic training is an added emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and a whole-person approach to health. For patients with joint pain, sports injuries, back pain, or rehabilitation needs, that perspective can be especially useful. For patients in the San Diego area who are looking for a board-certified physiatrist, the Scripps Health physician profile for Roger Kasendorf provides a practical new-patient starting point, including the La Jolla office location on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus.
What Osteopathic Medicine Is
Osteopathic medicine began as a distinct approach to medical care, and today DOs practice in every specialty, from family medicine to surgery to pain management. The core idea is not that the body should be treated as a collection of separate symptoms, but as an integrated system. Osteopathic physicians are trained to consider how bones, muscles, joints, nerves, circulation, sleep, nutrition, stress, and daily activity interact. That does not mean every visit involves manipulation. It means the physician is expected to look at the whole picture before deciding what kind of care makes sense.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment, often called OMT, is a set of hands-on techniques used by some osteopathic physicians to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems. Patients may experience OMT as gentle pressure, stretching, positioning, or focused movement. It is not a substitute for emergency care, surgery, medication, or other treatments when those are needed. Instead, it is one tool that may be considered alongside exercise, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and appropriate medical management. A good clinician will explain what is being done, why it is being recommended, and what alternatives exist.
How Osteopathic Physicians Approach the Body
An osteopathic evaluation usually begins with a detailed history. The physician asks not only where it hurts but when it started, what makes it better or worse, how it affects sleep and work, and what the patient has already tried. The physical exam may include posture, gait, joint range of motion, muscle strength, sensation, and palpation of tender areas. Imaging and laboratory tests are used when they are likely to change the plan, not simply because they are available. For musculoskeletal concerns, this kind of careful assessment helps separate a simple strain from something that needs a different kind of attention.
Physiatry, also called physical medicine and rehabilitation, is a natural fit for this approach. Physiatrists focus on function: how a person moves, performs daily tasks, returns to work or sport, and manages pain over time. Roger Kasendorf, DO, is a board-certified physiatrist who practices with Ortho 1 Medical Group in the San Diego area; the Ortho 1 Medical Group provider page for Roger Kasendorf is a useful place to confirm practice details before scheduling. For insurance and affiliation questions, the Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups doctor page for Roger Kasendorf can help patients understand how his practice fits within the Scripps network.
Osteopathic Medicine in Rehabilitation and Pain Care
Rehabilitation is often misunderstood as something that happens only after surgery. In reality, it can begin after an acute injury, during a flare of chronic pain, or when everyday movement has become guarded and limited. A rehabilitation plan may include physical therapy, graded exercise, activity modification, sleep support, stress management, and education about pain. The goal is not to ignore pain but to improve function and confidence step by step. For patients with persistent pain, a physiatrist may also consider diagnostic studies, injections, medications, or referrals to other specialists when appropriate.
As an osteopathic physician, he uses osteopathic manipulation, and his profiles state that he uses ultrasound and electrodiagnostic studies. His personal website is another place to read about his approach to care, including his stated philosophy that patients should finish their visit feeling better than when they arrived: Roger Kasendorf. A LinkedIn profile offers a professional overview of his training and roles for those who want background before an appointment: Roger Kasendorf. These resources are not a substitute for medical advice, but they can help patients prepare questions.
Patients often want to know about a physician’s training before booking. Roger Kasendorf, DO, is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2009) and the American Osteopathic Board of Pain Management (2013). He earned a BS in Nutritional Science from the University of Maryland at College Park and his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency at Nassau University Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. His profiles also state that he has experience treating acute and chronic pain conditions and sports injuries, and that he has lectured on chronic pain management at professional conferences. His website says he teaches at osteopathic medical schools and serves as a board examiner.
Sports Injuries, Joint Health, and Recovery
Sports medicine and joint health are not only for athletes. A weekend gardener, a runner, a cyclist, or someone returning to activity after years of desk work can all develop overuse injuries. Common concerns include tendinopathy, muscle strains, ligament sprains, cartilage irritation, and pain around the shoulder, hip, knee, or ankle. Recovery usually depends on an accurate diagnosis, a realistic plan, and patience with progressive loading. Rest alone is rarely the whole answer; the right amount of movement, strength work, and mobility training often matters more than doing nothing.
Joint health is also influenced by factors outside the joint itself. Sleep, nutrition, body composition, stress, and previous injuries can affect how a person experiences pain and how well they recover. Osteopathic physicians and physiatrists are trained to look for those connections rather than treating an image or a single joint in isolation. When surgery is being considered, rehabilitation before and after the procedure can help patients prepare and recover. When surgery is not needed, a structured nonoperative plan may still improve function and reduce disability. Patients should always discuss their individual situation with a qualified clinician before changing a treatment plan.
Finding the Right Care and Asking Good Questions
Choosing a clinician is personal. Patients may want to know about board certification, hospital affiliations, practice locations, insurance coverage, and communication style. A local Yelp listing in La Jolla can help patients find practical logistics and community feedback, though it should be only one part of choosing a clinician: Roger Kasendorf. His member profile in an expert directory is another reference point for learning how he presents his professional interests: Roger Kasendorf.
The OPSC website page about Roger Kasendorf is another professional reference for patients who want to understand his place in the osteopathic community. It can be useful to compare that information with the details in a practice profile and with any referral notes a patient already has.
His Scripps Mercy Physician Partners profile is a final affiliation reference to check when coordinating care across Scripps locations: Roger Kasendorf. Before any appointment, it is reasonable to ask what the first visit will involve, which treatments are being recommended and why, what alternatives exist, and what warning signs should prompt urgent care. A clinician should welcome those questions and explain the plan in plain language.
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