Osteopathic Manual Practice (OMP)—also known as osteopathy, manual osteopathy, or European-style osteopathy outside the United States—is a hands-on, patient-centered health profession focused on improving function and relieving pain through a whole-body approach. OMP is grounded in the principle that the body’s structure and function are closely interconnected. Practitioners consider the health of the muscles, joints, spine, nerves, circulation, connective tissues, and internal organs as part of a unified system working in harmony.
The profession has roots in Cherokee Healing Arts and Bodywork and as such is considered a heritage of Indigenous People.
In the United States, the term osteopathy refers to osteopathic medicine, also known as American-style osteopathy, founded in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Today, American Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs) are fully licensed physicians with the same scope of practice as MDs, including the ability to prescribe medication, perform surgery, interpret imaging, and diagnose medical conditions. The U.S. is home to over 200,000 osteopathic physicians and students, and the profession is fully regulated across all states.
However, the story of osteopathic manual practice—the form we practice in the United States—is quite different.
In the early 20th century, a British student of Dr. Still opened an osteopathy school in the United Kingdom, intending to teach a curriculum similar to that of a medical school, including surgery and pharmacology. However, strong opposition from the medical establishment led the British government to revoke the school's license to teach medicine. The school adapted by removing surgery and pharmacology from its curriculum, and its graduates—still highly trained in osteopathic manual therapy—began practicing under the name “osteopaths.”
This gave birth to a new, distinct profession that focused on non-invasive, osteopathic manual techniques to treat pain and dysfunction. As these graduates traveled and opened new schools abroad, the profession spread internationally under the term osteopathy, now practiced widely in Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, and other countries.
In short, osteopathy refers to two distinct professions depending on the region:
In the USA and Canada, it refers to osteopathic medicine (DOs), with a full medical scope.
Outside North America, it refers to manual osteopathy, a hands-on approach without drugs or surgery.
In 2016, Dr. Shawn Pourgol—founder of World Osteopathy Day—established the National University of Medical Sciences (USA) in Florida as the first ever university offering degree programs in osteopathic manual practice in the United States. He introduced the term “Osteopathic Manual Practice” in place of “manual osteopathy” to clearly distinguish the profession from osteopathic medicine and avoid public confusion.
Osteopathic Manual Practice (OMP) in the U.S. is now growing as a separate health profession offering effective, non-invasive care for those seeking a natural approach to health and pain relief.
There are approximately 2,000 osteopathic manual practitioners, most of whom are graduates of National Academy of Osteopathy and National University of Medical Sciences.
In the United States, Registered Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (ROMPs) provide hands-on, non-invasive care using a wide range of gentle manual therapy techniques. Unlike osteopathic physicians (DOs), OMPs do not perform spinal or joint manipulations involving high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrusts. Instead, their treatments focus on gentle, low-force, rhythmic, precise, hands-on care to decrease pain inflammation & muscle spasm, improve flexibility and range of motion, support healing and improve function.
American OMPs are trained in a variety of gentle osteopathic manual therapy approaches, including:
Therapeutic joint specific exercisesThese techniques are often complemented by exercise programs, nutritional guidance, and lifestyle or occupational advice to support a patient’s recovery from pain, injury, or dysfunction.
It is important to note that OMPs are not medical doctors, osteopathic physicians (DOs), or licensed osteopaths. They:
Do not prescribe medication
Do not perform surgery
Do not offer medical diagnoses & medical care
Do not take or read X-rays
Do not offer electrotherapy & other physiotherapy modalities
Do not provide HVLA (manipulation) technique
Do not offer or perform any other restricted medical acts
ROMPs focus on the whole body, aiming to decrease pain, restore flexibility & balance and improve mobility and function through natural, hands-on care. They commonly help clients manage both acute and chronic conditions such as:
Back and neck pain
Joint pain in arms or legs
Muscle tension
Headaches and migraines
Postural imbalances
Their goal is to promote the body’s natural ability to heal by improving circulation, reducing pain, and enhancing physical well-being—without the use of drugs or surgery.
While there are 33 accredited schools in the United States offering the Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree in American-style osteopathic medicine, only one institution currently offers degree programs in Osteopathic Manual Practice (OMP).
Since March 2016, the National University of Medical Sciences – USA (NUMSS-USA), based in Florida, has been the sole provider of higher education in this field. NUMSS-USA offers:
A 3-year Bachelor of Science in Osteopathic Manual Practice (BSc-OMP)
A 1-year Master of Science in Osteopathic Manual Practice (MSc-OMP)
A 4-year Doctor of Philosophy in Osteopathic Clinical Sciences (PhD-OCS)
NUMSS-USA is accredited by the U.S. Council on Osteopathic Manual Practice Education (UCOMPE) – www.ucompe.org.
Graduates of NUMSS-USA are eligible to take the board examinations administered by the American Osteopathic Manual Practice Examining Board (AOMPEB) – www.aompeb.org.
Those who successfully pass the AOMPEB exams may apply to become full members of the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (AAOMP) and earn the professional title of Registered Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (ROMP).
For those interested in a diploma-level education in osteopathic manual practice, the National Academy of Osteopathy (NAO)—with campuses in Canada and the USA—offers a 1-year Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice (DOMP) program.
This program is available:
Fully online throughout the United States, or
On-site at NAO’s York University Heights campus in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
In addition, NAO holds in-person, week-long practical technique classes in Florida for its American students, providing hands-on experience to complement the online training.
Currently, there are approximately 2,000 osteopathic manual practitioners across the United States—and the majority are graduates of the National Academy of Osteopathy and the National University of Medical Sciences, including our president Dr. Daniel Nuzum who is a NUMSS graduate.