Standards of Practice

1. Members of the NMOS have read and agree with the code of ethics and will uphold said code.
2. NMOS does not condone the usage of protected titles. Members must refrain from calling them selves Doctors of Osteopathy. They are Manual Osteopaths, unless they are also a Physician or surgeon and registered as such.
3. NMOS members believe in the code that states “First of all, do no harm”, and will strive to treat in such a way that ultimately the client has a beneficial and healing experience.
4. Members understand that their behavior represents the National Manual Osteopathic Society, and the entire manual osteopathic industry, and will strive to be professional and uphold the highest principles.
5. Members understand there are situations when Manual Osteopaths refer to a more appropriate health care provider.
6. Members of the NMOS respect the client’s physical, mental and emotional boundaries, and will not engage in communication or activities that cross those boundaries.
7. Members of the NMOS will always get informed consent when treating any area – including but not limited to the upper adductor region, the gluteal region or the chest – that may be considered sensitive for any reason to the client. NMOS members also understand the client may withdraw consent at any time.
8. Draping techniques will always be respectful and professional, always covering areas that are not presently being treated.
9. NMOS members understand that drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs can impair my ability to provide competent treatment and will refrain from the use of alcohol and illicit drugs while working.

NMOS does not recognize internal pelvic work.

NMOS believes treatments are be provided with the therapists’ hands only. The use of tools or instrument assisted techniques, including but not limited to Kinesiology tape, low intensity light laser, and tools that puncture the dermis are out of standard of practice for manual osteopathy.

Complaint Process

NMOS is committed in helping our members provide the highest quality of treatment to the public in the safest manner possible by requiring our members to abide by the NMOS Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. If a member of the public feels that this has not been the case, then we offer the opportunity to file a complaint and initiate an investigation.

If you feel that that you have been treated in an unskilled or unprofessional manner, your first step is always to discuss it with the therapist involved. If that does not bring about a satisfactory solution, you may wish to pursue the issue with the clinic owner. If you still feel that your concern has not been adequately addressed, please forward your complaint to NMOS.

It is important to note Manual Osteopathy is not currently a regulated health profession in any province in Canada, so any and all disciplinary actions made by NMOS can only be enforced within our membership. Meaning, if NMOS has made a disciplinary decision to put limitations on one of our members, or remove them from our membership, the therapist could legally choose to continue working within Canada without affiliation to a manual osteopathic association or society. We cannot stop a person from practicing, only from practicing as an NMOS member.

If you feel your interaction with a therapist was in violation of the law (e.g. theft, fraud, sexual abuse, physical abuse or emotional abuse) please contact police in your area.

To submit a complaint, please download the Complaint Submission Form, complete and return to [email protected].