Traditionally, doctors of osteopathic medicine have pursued careers in family medicine. In recent years that has changed, with graduates now pursuing a wider range of medical and surgical specialties.

Gevitz N. From “Doctor of Osteopathy” to “Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine”: A title change in the push for equality. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2014;114(6):486–497. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2014.099

While this was considered a major difference in the past, MD programs now actively embrace the approach, educating doctors to look beyond the symptoms and to integrate mind and body in a more holistic and thoughtful way.

UK policing is a major user of Taser weapons, which are  central to police use of force options. The UK is one of AXON’s key customers and AXON is the sole supplier of ‘conducted energy devices’ (Taser is a type of projectile electric shock weapon) to the UK police. This  monopoly position means UK police have no choice but to adopt new Taser weapons, as previous models are removed from sale and support due to AXON’s business cycle of introducing new devices. The UK has started a process of assessing and testing Taser 10 for eventual deployment by UK police.

Doctors who have an MD degree practice allopathic medicine, a term coined during the early 19th century to differentiate homeopathy (which uses natural substances to stimulate the immune system) from science-based medicine.

Osteopathic doctors (DOs) and medical doctors (MDs) both receive rigorous, traditional medical training. DO education strongly emphasizes the "whole person" approach, taking into consideration the environmental and spiritual factors that shape a person. DOs also receive extra training in a hands-on manipulation technique to help diagnose and treat certain ailments.

By contrast, doctors with a DO designation practice osteopathic medicine, a medical discipline that emphasizes the treatment of illnesses through the manipulation and massage of the bones, joints, and muscles. While some people will describe it as "alternative medicine," a physician with a DO degree is held to the same standards as an MD.

The need for skin penetration to achieve incapacitation, and the necessity to drive through clothing, results in Taser 10 having a longer probe barb than any previous Taser weapon probes. This raises the risk that ‘full depth penetration’ of the barb may impact internal organs. This risk would be increased in small or slightly built individuals, with an even greater risk in children. The longer barb may also lead to greater injury when it is removed, especially if done by unqualified persons.

Taser 10 is the same size and profile as the Taser 7 (T7), but instead of the T7’s two cartridges (each with two probes), Taser 10 has 10 cartridges, with single probes, each of which can be individually aimed and fired sequentially. This means if a probe misses the target, or fails to penetrate skin, a second, third or more probe can be fired without reloading. Reloading a new magazine would give an additional 10 probes. A single trigger pull fires a single probe, with the first probe fired without any electrical output. To achieve incapacitation of the targeted person, a minimum of 2 probes must be fired to complete the electrical circuit. The ability to aim individual probes could assist in probe placement and probe spread, possibly increasing the chance of incapacitating the target. Each probe is uniquely marked with a serial number, which could assist in accountability measures.

There is a lot of overlap in the training involved in becoming an osteopathic doctor and a medical doctor, but there are some differences as well.

The philosophy behind osteopathic medicine is centered around a "whole person" approach to care, emphasizing wellness and prevention as opposed to just treating an illness.

OMT is a hands-on technique that involves moving a person's muscles and joints to help diagnose, treat, and prevent certain common conditions, usually musculoskeletal. Patients can often leave the visit with symptom relief after having OMT performed.

Osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions in the country. DOs account for approximately 11% of doctors in the United States.

Association of American Medical Colleges. Active physicians with a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree by specialty, 2015.

DOs and MDs both often attain board certification through the American Osteopathic Association or the American Board of Medical Specialties (only for MDs). Board certification typically involves a combination of written, practical, and simulator-based tests. Boards also require continuous lifelong learning competencies.

In January 2023, AXON Inc (maker of the Taser© range of projectile electric shock weapons) announced the Taser 10, a new 10 shot Taser. In a fanfare of publicity, AXON claimed this weapon was going to  be a ‘game changer’.

Ahmed AH, Schnatz PF, Adashi EY. Allopathic and osteopathic medicine unify GME accreditation: A historic convergence. Fam Med. 2019;49(5):374-7.

Medical doctors (MDs) and osteopathic doctors (DOs) are two types of physicians who can practice in all medical specialties. Both use modern and scientifically proven medical treatments, including medication and other interventions, to treat illness.

UK police expect to complete technical testing and medical safety assessment of Taser 10 by early 2025, and then seek ministerial approval for deployment of Taser 10 to UK police from April 2025.

Side by side, MD and DO degrees are virtually identical, allowing those carrying the distinction to practice the full scope of medicine in the United States and 64 other countries. The same does not apply to physicians who have attained their DO degrees abroad. These degrees are not recognized in the United States.

Both attend four years of medical school and complete their training in the same residency programs. Doctors who want to be board-certified in a specialty will take similar tests for certification, regardless of their designation as an MD or DO.

Taser 10 delivers  a maximum voltage of 1,000 volts (previous models were 50,000v). This means that the charge will not jump an air gap, or penetrate clothing, and thus the probe must penetrate the skin for the weapon to work. One positive result of this design change is that, unlike earlier models, Taser 10 cannot act as a direct contact electric shock weapon – a mode of use (drive stun) that has previously raised serious concerns.

Taser 10 is capable of firing all 10 probes (requiring 10 trigger pulls), although only a maximum of 4 probes will be charged. The weapon automatically selects which 2,3 or 4 probes have the best connection, charges them and changes their polarity with up to 44 pulses per second – designed to attain ‘neuro muscular incapacitation’ more effectively. The weapon delivers a default 5 second electric shock, the user can then choose to deliver an additional 5 second shock or, by holding up the ‘selector switch’, can prolong the charge as long as the switch is held up, or the batteries last. Repeated and extended shocking of persons with previous models has led to deaths and been heavily criticised by human rights and medical organisations.

Stark JE. A historical perspective on principles of osteopathy. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2013;16(1):3-10. doi:10.1016/j.ijosm.2012.10.001

The nature of the Taser 10 weapon with its 10 shot capability, longer barbs, and need to penetrate the skin, raises some serious concerns. No independent testing data has been released, and, as it is not yet in in widespread operational use, there is little ‘real world’ data available.

Osteopathic doctors are specially trained in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMM). "Manipulation" in this case is a general term used to refer to several different techniques in which the DO uses their hands to apply pressure or force to the body. OMM is one way that DOs treat structural and functional issues in the bones, joints, tissues, and muscles of the body.

The main difference is that osteopathic doctors also receive extra training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), a hands-on method for diagnosing and treating patients. Osteopathic doctors have additional training to perform osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) during the visit.

Taser 10 is a new weapon, with new modes of use and tactical scenarios. There will need to be updated and enhanced training curricula and courses, alongside stricter policy and oversight mechanisms in place, to hold police to account for their use of Taser weapons.

By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine.

Physicians with DO degrees should not be confused with non-medical osteopaths, who have no medical background and are trained solely in body manipulation. They not only lack the skills to treat medical conditions, but they are also barred from using the DO designation in the United States.

Taser 10’s reduced voltage allows for thinner and lighter wires, and a smaller probe. Probes are launched by activation of a pyrotechnic charge (not nitrogen as in previous models), and at a higher velocity, resulting in increased accuracy, better probe placement (and incapacitation), and a maximum range of 45ft/13.71m (though whether this is achieved in use remains to be seen in testing and trialing). This range is almost double that of any previous model, and means that police should be able to have more time to assess and de-escalate the situation, and possibly avoid using the weapon at all.