About Us
Osteopathy Canada (OSTCAN) is a national association that represents members across Canada. OSTCAN adheres to the highest international standards in education and professionalism, including those in the United Kingdom and Australia. All of our members must complete 4200 hours of education, and a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice and training. As a national council, OSTCAN ensures that patients are guaranteed a standard of practice regardless of the province in which they seek care.
Did you know A. T. Still, the founder of osteopathy, was an honorary member of the Ontario Osteopathic Association (OSTCAN’s predecessor association)?
OSTCAN Mission
OSTCAN seeks to uphold the highest standards of education and practice in Osteopathic Manual Therapy in Canada. In doing so, we aim to provide knowledge of the profession and access to care for all Canadians seeking safe and effective treatment.
OSTCAN Mandate
This mandate serves as an agreement between OSTCAN, its members.
OSTCAN is committed to preserving the osteopathic profession in keeping with the founding concepts and original principles first enunciated by Dr. A.T. Still and the early American osteopaths. This mandate has been implemented to promote osteopathy as a distinct profession unto its own and to promote our members as a unified voice, unyielding in our commitment to the highest professional standards. OSTCAN is a not-for-profit association where membership is a voluntary action. In taking the osteopathic oath and choosing to join this association, members agree to support and practice the classical approach of osteopathy as defined by its founder, Dr. A.T. Still.
It is understood that entry into this profession should require training that is complete and in keeping with the highest international standards possible. Members agree that one’s professional practice must be held to an equally high standards of conduct at all times. OSTCAN members are exemplary in the quality of their treatment and lead principles-based practices which focus on the osteopathic lesion and the correction of its deviance. The purpose of this is to improve structural and functional relationships with the intention of enriching the health and well being of those in our care. Further, our members will endeavor to work alongside their colleagues in the spirit of progressive cooperation while addressing them with dignity and support. They will be respectful to those who helped them along the way, humble in their daily undertakings and present themselves in an honourable fashion while being charitable and kind to those in need.
The association agrees to provide clear and concise communication to its membership. Information of importance that is vetted by the Board of Directors will be communicated to the membership in a timely and respectful manner. Any developments that may affect their professional life or clinical practice will be provided to members by way of digital communication or written correspondence. The Board of Directors will represent and guide the membership to the best of their ability with clarity and transparency. Your association will continue to lobby and inform entities in government and private insurance about what makes OSTCAN and its members unique and exceptional. Members of the association agree to uphold our professional standards, code of ethics and by-laws by being an example of the highest professional standards and following the laws and requirements put forth by our municipal, provincial or federal authorities.
OSTCAN will remain committed to the preservation of Stillian osteopathy in its classical sense which was founded on the principles of natural law; while holding itself out as the single voice for those who are like-minded in pursuing osteopathic manual practice. The incredible success of our membership will serve as a reminder of the importance of superior education and training, the importance of unity in the face of a burgeoning profession and the importance of constant dedication to the communities we serve. As a united voice, the association with its dedicated members, agree to support and promote the potency of true osteopathic reasoning in treatment. Our dedication to the members of our association and the communities we support is unquestionable, and the future of OSTCAN is stronger than ever.