Regulation: Osteopaths working in the EU will have to have at least a degree in osteopathy if decisions made at an international conference in Vienna, in Austria, at the weekend become EU law.
The Irish Osteopathic Association (IOA), which represents the majority of osteopaths practising in Ireland, welcomed the decision made by representatives from about 30 groups of State regulators and voluntary osteopathy associations.
"This decision to make a degree or its equivalent the minimum educational standard for osteopaths working in the EU is great.
"It means we can further lobby the Irish Government on statutory regulation of osteopathy," said Karl Prendergast, secretary of the association.
The IOA represents about 100 of the 140 osteopaths practising in Ireland.
A self-regulated body, it has already set a degree in osteopathy as its minimum educational requirement for practising osteopaths.
Osteopaths and chiropractors are among a small number of complementary therapists with academic degrees who are seeking statutory regulation for their specialist areas via the Health and Social Care Professionals Act.
Statutory regulation would mean that those who do not comply with minimum training standards, codes of ethics and good practice could face legal action.
"So far, the Government has been quite good regarding the regulation of health professionals within the health service.
"Now, it's important to bring this process further to include osteopaths and chiropractors as well," said Mr Prendergast.
Osteopaths treat musculoskeletal problems of the back, neck, shoulders and hips. The majority of their clients come to them with low back pain.
The number of osteopaths practising in Ireland has doubled in the past five years.
Meanwhile, the Chiropractors Association of Ireland (CAI) has welcomed the Department of Health leaflet encouraging the public to consult a doctor before attending a complementary therapist.
Dr Virginia Cantillon, spokeswoman for the CAI, said, "When reasonable evidence of systemic or underlying disease which is not suitable for chiropractic treatment is found, the patient shall at once be advised to consult his GP."
The Chiropractors Association of Ireland is also lobbying for statutory regulation via the Health and Social Care Professionals Act.
Chiropractors treat patients with neuromusculoloskeletal problems using manual techniques that exclude all use of drugs or surgery in alleviating the pain.
There are 150 members in the CAI, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of chiropractors working in Ireland.
The Health and Social Care Professionals Act was signed into law in November 2005.
The Department of Health and Children is currently setting up a health and social care professionals council which will be responsible for supervising the system of statutory regulation.
