Osteopathy Globally

2004 saw the establishment of the first global osteopathic organisation. WOHO has been embraced by osteopaths and osteopathic institutions from around the world and carries a mission statement which includes:

• to promote, develop, protect and establish throughout the world, the study, knowledge, philosophy and practice of osteopathy, its application and research for the benefit of the peoples of all nations; to ensure the world-wide availability of the practice of osteopathy at the highest possible standards.

For further information on the World Osteopathic Health Organisation visit the website at www.woho.org

Europe and the United Kingdom

Osteopathy in Europe and the United Kingdom has been well established since the formation of the first school in the early 1900’s by students of Dr Still. The General Osteopathic Council regulates the profession in the United Kingdom. http://www.osteopathy.org.uk/

Osteopathy is a well-accepted and intrinsic part of the health care services of the United Kingdom. Further information can be obtained at the Osteopathic Information Service.

United States of America

The USA, the birthplace of Osteopathy, is unique in that Osteopath's have full spectrum practice rights. Osteopaths have full medical rights as well as the interest in the structural and manipulative management.

Like their medical colleagues, they have full hospital and prescribing rights and may practice as GP's or specialise in other medical disciplines as well. American Academy of Osteopathy: http://www.academyofosteopathy.org

New Zealand

The New Zealand Register of Osteopaths regulates standards of practice and education there is no link to a website for the NZRO at present but information on Osteopathy in New Zealand can be sourced via the Internet.…and an exhaustive list of Osteopathic sites worldwide is also available at the Osteopathic Web Ring at: http://www.osteopathicmedicine.org

The Purpose of the Australian Osteopathic Association

The AOA maintains close relationships with the American Academy of Osteopathy, the UK General Osteopathic Council, and the New Zealand Register of Osteopaths. As a professional body, promulgating the results of ongoing research and promoting the highest levels of practice to our members is our primary purpose. We represent the interests of our members in discussions with Government and other statutory bodies. We also serve as a source of information for both the general public and other medical professionals.

The Association provides a wide range of services to the members who are osteopathic practitioners, predominantly, but not restricted to Australia. These services include evening seminar programs at a state level, publications, continuing professional development, annual conference, locum register, professional literature, group professional indemnity insurance.