Unfortunately, osteopathy is not a protected profession in Germany. As a result, there is no uniform professional regulation that standardizes osteopathic training. The most important professional association (VOD) only accepts members who have completed at least 1,350 hours of training and passed an examination by the BAO (Federal Association). This exam includes differential diagnosis and all areas of osteopathy.

Unfortunately, there are shortened training programs for alternative practitioners (Heilpraktiker) and physicians, but these in no way cover the full scope of osteopathy. This creates confusion for many patients, as finding a certified and fully recognized osteopath becomes significantly more difficult. It also leads to the risk that each professional group begins to offer its own version of osteopathy — something we frequently observe in physiotherapy. Why these professional groups practice osteopathy without being licensed as a physician or alternative practitioner is unclear to us. In doing so, they violate the Heilpraktiker law and are committing a criminal offense (Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf, judgment of 08.09.2015, Ref. I-20 U 236/13).

For the profession of osteopathy to finally gain the recognition it needs in order to become officially regulated, clear training standards must be established. Therefore, please always check your therapist’s training at:
https://www.osteopathie.de/