Osteopathy and Physical Therapy, completely different

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We would like to draw the attention of physical therapists to the fact that osteopathy is not a specialisation in physical therapy.

The acts performed by osteopaths make in no way part of the domain of physical therapy. The training in osteopathy is not a specialisation exclusively followed by physical therapists. The law of 10 March 1995 amending Royal Decree no. 78 of 10 November 1967, regulating the practice of physical therapy does not cover under any circumstances the art of osteopathy.
The Cabinet of the Minister of Public Health, Magda Aelvoet, specified in a Royal Decree about the statutes regulating health professionals’ specific competences that the title of osteopath can only be given to members of professional Unions. Physical therapists performing osteopathic techniques without renouncing the profession of physical therapist can continue manual therapy but they can no longer pretend to practice osteopathy.

Osteopathy and physical therapy, without being opposites, are resolutely different. It is thus with full knowledge of the facts and after mature consideration that one must decide to begin studies of osteopathy and choose the path of a new profession.