Curriculum
Commitment to WHO Guidelines
World Health Organization’s (WHO) Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy and CSA National Standard of Canada (Osteopathic Healthcare Provision)
At the Toronto School of Osteopathy (TSO), we are proud to deliver an education that meets the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy and CSA National Standard of Canada (Osteopathic Healthcare Provision) Specifically, TSO adheres to the Type I standards, which outline the highest level of training for osteopaths, ensuring a comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-centered approach to osteopathic healthcare.
By following the Type I standards, we ensure our graduates are qualified as primary contact healthcare professionals, equipped to assess, and treat patients independently, in alignment with global osteopathic education benchmarks. Our curriculum is meticulously designed to reflect international standards, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to practice as competent and ethical osteopaths in any global setting.
Principle-Based Educational Approach
Principle-Based Educational Approach
We employ a principle-based approach across all subjects, ensuring that students develop a profound understanding of the fundamental principles of osteopathy, such as:
- The Body as a Unit: Recognizing the interconnection of body, mind, and spirit.
- Self-Regulation and Healing: Emphasizing the body’s innate ability to heal and maintain health.
- Structure and Function: Understanding the interrelationship between anatomical structures and physiological functions.
- Rational Treatment: Basing therapeutic interventions on sound scientific principles and clinical evidence.
Teaching Methods
Problem-Based Learning (PBL): Encouraging students to explore real-world cases, promoting active learning and critical thinking.
Hands-On Training: Extensive practical sessions to hone manual and diagnostic skills.
Supervised Clinical Practice: Provide sufficient supervised clinical hours to meet or exceed WHO’s minimum requirements, ensuring students gain practical experience in real-world settings.
Clinical Rotations: Opportunities to apply knowledge in supervised clinical settings, emphasizing patient-centered care.
Workshops and Seminars: Regular updates on emerging research, techniques, and global osteopathic trends.
Engage with Professional Bodies
- Collaboration: Engage with organizations such as the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA) to stay updated on global standards and best practices.
Continuous Quality Improvement
- Regular Reviews: Implement a system for regular curriculum review and updates to incorporate the latest developments in osteopathic education and practice.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Establish channels for feedback from students, faculty, and industry stakeholders to inform curriculum enhancements.
Commitment to Global Standards
- Anatomy and Physiology: An in-depth exploration of the human body’s structures and functions.
- Osteopathic Principles and Techniques: Training in palpation, diagnosis, and therapeutic techniques rooted in osteopathic philosophy.
- Pathology and Clinical Medicine: Understanding disease processes and integrating this knowledge into osteopathic assessment and treatment.
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Encouraging a critical approach to research and its application in clinical settings.
Our curriculum is fully aligned with the WHO’s International Osteopaths Education Standards, including guidelines for:
- The scope of practice.
- Minimum competencies in clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic skills.
- Ethical practice and professionalism.
- TSO adheres to WHO recommendations for the duration, content, and structure of osteopathic training programs to ensure global recognition of our graduates.
Students gain exposure to a wide range of health sciences, ensuring a well-rounded education that prepares them for collaborative practice in multidisciplinary healthcare settings.
- In Persons/hybrid program
- 1 week per month
- Online lectures in between
- Student clinic
- Capstone project
- 4 year program
- Engage with Professional Bodies
- Collaboration: Engage with organizations such as the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA) to stay updated on global standards and best practices.
- Regular Reviews: Implement a system for regular curriculum review and updates to incorporate the latest developments in osteopathic education and practice.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Establish channels for feedback from students, faculty, and industry stakeholders to inform curriculum enhancements.
Some Techniques Used In Osteopathy
Practitioners of Osteopathy employ a variety of specialized techniques to restore harmony and optimize the overall health and performance. These include:
Gentle, active movements facilitated by the practitioner help restore proper muscle function and joint alignment.
The principles of Osteopathy applied to the craniosacral mechanism to promote rhythmic balanced interchange.
By identifying and releasing areas of tension, this technique promotes relaxation and natural movement.
Targeted stretching techniques are combined with an awareness of the entire body to encourage optimal flexibility and function.
DO Protected term in Canada
Key Points:
Regulation:
The title D.O. is restricted to practitioners who meet specific qualifications, typically those trained in the United States in osteopathic medicine. These individuals must be licensed by the appropriate provincial regulatory body, such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of their province.
Misuse:
In Canada, it is illegal for unlicensed individuals or practitioners with non-equivalent training to use the title D.O. or represent themselves as a physician if they are not registered with the provincial College.
Distinction:
The practice of osteopathy in Canada also includes osteopathic manual practitioners who are not physicians. These individuals practice a manual therapy-based approach, which is distinct from the scope of practice of a U.S.-trained osteopathic physician. Upon completion of the program you will receive a diploma as a Diplomate of Osteopathic Manual Practice DO(MP)
Discover Your Future in Osteopathy via Complete Courses
Ontario School of Osteopathy! Do you have a strong enthusiasm for wellness and general health? Our Osteopathy Courses Toronto are meant to provide you with the tools and information needed to succeed in this fulfilling career.
Your curriculum will combine theory with practical experience, thus learning from seasoned experts in a conducive setting. Travel with us to help change people’s lives. Look over our course right now and start along the road to a rewarding osteopathic profession! See our page on the curriculum for more information.
What is the diploma I will receive after 4 years
At the Toronto School of Osteopathy, students embark on a transformative 4-year journey to master the art and science of manual osteopathy. The program culminates in an intensive final 4th year, where students apply their knowledge and skills to a capstone thesis project. This comprehensive project not only showcases their expertise but also prepares them for real-world applications in osteopathic care.
Graduates who successfully complete the program, including the thesis, are awarded the Diploma as a Diplomate of Osteopathic Manual Practice DO(MP). This achievement marks a significant milestone and opens doors to a fulfilling career dedicated to holistic health and wellness.
Whether you’re passionate about promoting health, restoring mobility, or improving quality of life, the Toronto School of Osteopathy provides the foundation and support to help you succeed.
Start your journey to becoming a leader in manual osteopathy today!
ARE OSTEOPATHIC SCHOOLS IN ONTARIO ACCREDITED
Osteopathic Schools in Ontario: Lack of Accreditation
1
No Government Accreditation
- Osteopathic schools in Ontario that train individuals in osteopathic manual practice or similar disciplines are not accredited by any government-recognized regulatory body.
- Accreditation typically involves oversight by a recognized authority that ensures a program meets specific standards of education, training, and professionalism. Such a process does not exist for manual osteopathy in Ontario.
2
Unregulated Profession in Ontario
- In Ontario, osteopathy (as practiced by manual practitioners) is unregulated, meaning there is no government oversight, licensing body, or recognized accreditation process. This makes the use of terms like “licensed,” “recognized,” or “accredited” by institutions or practitioners in this context misleading.
3
Misleading Use of Accreditation Claims
- Some schools in Ontario may claim to be “accredited” by self-regulated organizations or associations. However, these organizations are not recognized by the provincial or federal government.
- Potential students should be aware that claims of accreditation can be misleading, as they may not indicate legitimacy or adherence to standardized education protocols.
- The use of terms such as “licensed osteopath” or “accredited osteopathy program” in Ontario should be treated with skepticism, as these terms imply a level of government-recognized regulation or oversight that does not currently exist.
4
Regulation and Oversight
- Unlike fields such as medicine, nursing, or physiotherapy, manual osteopathy is unregulated in Ontario. This means there is no governing body to establish or enforce educational and practice standards.
- As a result, the quality of education and training in osteopathic manual therapy programs can vary widely between schools, leading to inconsistent practices and qualifications among graduates.
5
Comparison to Osteopathic Medicine
- Osteopathic physicians (DOs) are fully licensed medical doctors who have completed their education at accredited osteopathic medical schools in the United States. These schools are accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and adhere to strict educational and professional standards.
- In contrast, osteopathic manual practitioners in Ontario are not medical doctors, and the schools that train them are not held to equivalent standards.
6
Advice for Students and the Public
- Anyone interested in pursuing a career in osteopathy or seeking osteopathic services in Ontario should research thoroughly to avoid institutions or practitioners making unsubstantiated claims.
Verify the legitimacy of any organization or practitioner and be aware that manual osteopathy in Ontario is entirely self-regulated, with no government-recognized oversight.
Post Graduate Equine and Animal Osteopathy Program
What is Equine and Animal Osteopathy?
Equine osteopathy is a gentle and holistic form of manual therapy designed to foster balance and fluidity within the body. This practice focuses on harmonizing the musculoskeletal system, vascular and lymphatic systems, nervous system, and organ fields. By addressing these interconnected systems, equine osteopathy aims to uncover and treat the root causes of physical or emotional imbalances, rather than merely alleviating symptoms.
The fundamental principle of equine osteopathy is the belief in the horse’s innate ability to heal itself. Through skilled and precise techniques, practitioners help release restrictions and compensations that disrupt the natural flow and communication between the body’s systems. These restrictions can arise from a variety of sources, including injury, stress, poor posture, or improper biomechanics, and may manifest as pain, stiffness, or behavioral changes.
Benefits of Equine Osteopathy
- Enhanced mobility and flexibility
- Relief from pain and discomfort
- Improved performance and athletic ability
- Reduced stress and emotional tension
- Prevention of future injuries by addressing compensatory patterns