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CANADIAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION

Welcome to the official website of the Canadian Osteopathic Association

The COA represents graduates from colleges of osteopathic medicine accredited by the Canadian and American Osteopathic Associations.  Osteopathic physicians have been providing comprehensive medical care in Canada since the early 1900s.  The COA was established in 1926 and continues to represent the osteopathic medical profession in all provincial and federal matters regarding legislation and licensure.

An Osteopathic Physician or DO (D.O. = Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or previously Doctor of Osteopathy) must complete the same comprehensive medical education as their MD colleague as well as comprehensive training in biomechanical assessment of the musculoskeletal system and treatment including osteopathic manipulative therapy.

Following graduation from 4 years of intensive medical education, osteopathic physicians must further complete residency training in a specialty field of their choosing.  They must then complete specialty certification examinations as well as medical licensure examinations required for registration with a provincial college of physicians and surgeons.   

Notice:  NEW THIS YEAR - THE CANADIAN OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION (COMSA)

Osteopathy originated in the USA

The osteopathic profession was founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in the United States in the late 1800s.  Osteopathic medicine, or osteopathy, is a complete system of health care emphasizing a whole person approach to medicine. There are currently 29 colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States producing physicians with comprehensive medical and surgical training, and with special skills in musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment, who make use of all modern diagnostic and treatment modalities, including unique manual treatment principles known as ‘osteopathic manipulative medicine’.  It is these American colleges of osteopathic medicine that provide the advanced medical and surgical training required for licensure in Canada.  These US colleges are also responsible for the development of the advanced osteopathic manual treatment techniques used by specialists in osteopathic manipulative medicine worldwide.  The American Osteopathic Association and American Academy of Osteopathy continue to be the international leaders in advanced manual therapy techniques.  Please note that since its inception, osteopathic education has always included comprehensive medical and surgical training, and it is this traditional model of osteopathy that continues to be taught at US colleges of osteopathic medicine and is recognized for licensure in Canada, the United States, and over 45 countries worldwide for full osteopathic medical practice.

The COA represents only qualified and licensed practitioners

Be advised that currently there are various practitioners presenting themselves as Osteopaths or 'Osteopathic Practitioners', practicing outside of legislation in Canada, who do not hold the comprehensive medical, surgical, and musculoskeletal training required for registration with a provincial medical authority in Canada.

Explore this website and visit the comprehensive website for the AOA

To learn more about osteopathic education, licensure, and history of the profession, please explore this website further, and also visit the website for the American Osteopathic Association at www.osteopathic.org , home for the Osteopathic Profession.  

Also visit the new website for the British Columbia Osteopathic Association at: www.osteopathic.bc.ca

Notice:  COA RELEASE REJECTS WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION "BENCHMARKS FOR TRAINING IN OSTEOPATHY"

Important Notice:  FOR CANADIAN STUDENTS APPLYING TO AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOLS

Class of 2016 - MSU-COM Canadian Students.

Class of 2015 - MSU-COM Canadian Students.

April 8, 2013