RITMA osteopathy
RITMA osteopathy association
RITMA Osteopaths Association was established in 2007 and is open to all osteopathic graduates and candidates to osteopathic diploma.
In 2022, it represents nearly 900 osteopaths out of a community of approximately 3000 osteopaths in Quebec.
The association's primary mission is to certify the training of its member osteopaths in collaboration with quality teaching centers whose curriculum meets the WHO's criteria.
The promotion of osteopathy, governmental representations as well as support to members are part of our daily work. For several years, we have been working hard to support our members in the creation of a professional order.
RITMA Osteopaths Association has very rigorous eligibility criteria and advocates the supervision of practices and the establishment of high training standards.
It is governed by a code of ethics and regulations that members are required to respect.
It also advocates that all its members hold Errors and Omissions insurance. For the protection of its members and the public.
RITMA Osteopaths Association is a member of the Groupe RITMA.
Osteopathy In Quebec
As of June 2022, there is no Order of Osteopaths in Quebec and this discipline is not regulated. Therefore, no association or group has legal authority in osteopathy in Quebec.
Osteopathy in Canada
As of June 2022, there are no regulations in Canada and this discipline is not regulated. Only a few provinces, including Quebec, offer legal status to osteopathic physicians trained in the United States. They will be recognized by the Collège des médecins in Quebec or by the regulatory body for physicians in the other provinces, namely New Brunswick, British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta.
Definition of osteopathy
Osteopathy is a method that aims to restore and maintain the structural-functional balance of the systems that make up the human body.
It defines its specificity by its global approach allowing the evaluation of the client from a mechanical, functional and postural point of view. The osteopathic treatment uses manual techniques, appropriate to the results of the evaluation made beforehand.
Osteopathy is a non-conventional therapeutic approach based on the idea that manual manipulation of the musculoskeletal and myofascial system can relieve certain functional disorders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines osteopathy as follows
Osteopathy is based on the use of manual contact (to relieve various discomforts) (...) Osteopaths use their knowledge of the relationship between structure and function to optimize the body's ability to self-regulate and self-heal. This holistic approach to patient care is based on the concept that the human being is a dynamic functional unit, in which all parts are interrelated.
Osteopathy, in Quebec, falls into the category of complementary health interventions. It does not aim to diagnose, nor to replace a regular medical follow-up.
Osteopathy Schools recognized by RITMA association
To meet RITMA's eligibility criteria, each osteopathic school or teaching institute must offer a complete training program.
Several osteopathic courses are offered in Quebec. The college or academy that offers osteopathic training must integrate hours of practical and theoretical training as well as administrative knowledge such as professional ethics, deontology and management.
In order to prepare for the eventual supervision of the profession by a professional order, the vast majority of schools in the province have complied with the standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO)
The osteopathic study includes a component of touch techniques, but also a thorough study of the anatomy and functioning of the entire human body.
Before making your choice, we invite you to have a long discussion with the people in charge before choosing your training center.
The curriculum is important, but so is the school of thought, the philosophy and the vision.
RITMA's references are based on those of the World Health Organization.
How to become an osteopath?
The public network, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sport (MELS) in Quebec, does not offer training in osteopathy, so there is no public program for the training of this profession. The programs to become an osteopath are offered by private schools, colleges or professional training centers in osteopathy.
Vigilance is required for online osteopathy courses, distance training or correspondence, given the type of skills to be developed in manual technique maneuvers. The osteopathy courses include a theoretical training component and a practical or clinical training component by skills.
It will be possible for the qualified person to practice their profession of osteopath across Quebec, because osteopathy is more and more in demand.
Once graduated, the osteopath will become an independent professional and will be able to practice his profession in an already established private clinic, often multidisciplinary, or even open their own office.
It is common for the osteopath to join a clinic to work collegially with other health professionals.
The osteopath's salary may vary depending on the clinics where they practice their profession.
Osteopathy training
The public network, under the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education of Quebec, does not offer training in osteopathy. There is no state program for training in this profession. The studies to become an osteopath are conducted by private schools, private colleges or training centers in osteopathy.
The professional school that provides training in osteopathy will teach the techniques, touches, manipulations and movements as well as the skills inherent to the profession. The osteopath will have a thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. The complete osteopathic curriculum is normally between 4 and 6 years depending on the school (+ - 4200 hours).
The second course is intended for professionals who are already working in the health field. The duration of the training may vary depending on the content of the initial training of each professional concerned.
Some schools require the submission of a thesis. A variation of these courses is observed at the provincial, national and international levels.
As in universities, some theoretical courses could be given but vigilance is required for online osteopathy courses, distance learning or correspondence courses, considering the type of skills to be developed in manual techniques. At the end, the curriculum taught must comply with the World Health Organization's references.
Upon graduation, the osteopath will become an autonomous professional and may practice in an established private clinic, often multidisciplinary, or open their own office. It is increasingly common for the osteopath to join a clinic to work in collegiality with other health professionals.
It will be possible for the qualified person to practice osteopathy throughout Canada, as osteopathy is increasingly in demand.
-2022-
