Osteopathy has become a very popular word in the last few years. I am constantly hearing about people seeing their osteopaths. Part of me wants to be ecstatic about that, it is a beautiful art and it is growing, both are wonderful. The other part of me is frustrated. I know most of the therapists these people are seeing and most are not osteopaths. I, like most of my colleagues, are students of osteopathy. Not graduated Osteopaths. Some of us are in classes, some of us are writing protocols or theses. Only a few (literally, 3) in Manitoba have finished their thesis, defended it and received that hard earned piece of paper stating they are an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. You will know your therapist is a graduated practitioner by the DOMP behind their name. If there is no DOMP behind their name they have not graduated from the CCO or the CEO and do not meet the high expectations of these schools. Some may say "Thesis Writer", "Protocol Writer" or "Student of Osteopathy", all of which are student designations.
I am a massage therapist. I am proud of my foundation. Massage therapy taught me so much, how one can stretch a hamstring to change pelvic movement, how to see where a body gets stuck, how appropriate touch can reduce stress and provide a connection that all humans need. It taught me to care and to show people how to take care. Massage therapy types and styles are diverse and vast, therapists can take extra training and courses in any area they feel weak in, are curious about, or they feel will benefit their patients. Fascia work, joint mobility, somatic work and hydrotherapy are all pieces of the massage therapy toolbox.
Please don't mis-represent us. That paper is hard to earn and throwing around phrases like "I see an osteo" or "my osteopath said" misrepresents the profession, your therapists background profession and the reward at the end of the process. Once we've presented the thesis and received our final paperworks we will be more than happy to be called Osteopathic Manual Practitioners but until then, please let us be students.