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September 6, 2007
Canadian Osteopathy
Following the conversation I shared with fellow massage therapist Matvey Kipershtein BA, RMT, I was impressed with the extent of his knowledge about the potential causes of low back pain. I responded with:
Wow, now I can see the difference in training between American and Canadian massage therapists!!
However, he was quick to correct me in my thinking that the extent of his knowledge comes solely from his massage training. Massage therapist Matvey Kipershtein BA, RMT responds:
This way of thinking is from going to Osteopathy school. I haven't graduated the Osteopathy school yet. The one I go to is 5 year part time program, plus 2 years to finish the thesis. It is Canadian College of Osteopathy.
Now, Osteopathy in US and Canada is very different. In US Osteopaths are called Osteopathic physicians and their education is almost exactly like any other MD. After graduation they specialize in all the same fields like any other MD, and only few of them practice traditional osteopathy which is drug free.
In Canada, Osteopaths are not doctors, and can only practice manual therapy. Osteopathy is not yet recognized by the Canadian government as a registered health profession. To find an Osteopathic physician who doesn’t prescribe drugs or surgery but practices Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), you can go to: http://www.osteopathic.org/directory.cfm to do a search.
Matvey Kipershtein BA, RMT is a practicing massage therapist in Ontario, Canada.
Posted by linda at September 6, 2007 7:12 AM
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