Introductory Course: Osteopathy in the Cranial Field
PREREQUISITES FOR ENROLLMENT
The Cranial Academy supports and encourages educating the health care community about the principles and practices of osteopathic medicine. In order for our students to learn the scope of practice of cranial osteopathy in a comprehensive fashion and in order for them to apply this form of practice in a manner that is both safe and appropriate, it is crucial that they meet the necessary prerequisites for the Introductory Course.
I. MEDICAL PHYSICIANS
Osteopathy and cranial osteopathy are part of the practice of medicine. The Cranial Academy's Introductory Course is designed to teach the integration of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field (OCF) into the practice of medicine. This course assumes a strong background of training both in the biomedical sciences and in the clinical observation and treatment of pathology in patients.
In order for students to learn this scope of practice in a comprehensive fashion and in order for them to apply this form of practice in a manner that is both safe and appropriate, it is crucial that they have received or be in the process of acquiring a broad and comprehensive level of medical educational training. Such training should include two years of didactic training in the basic and clinical biomedical sciences as taught in this country's medical and dental schools. Such training should also include three years of intensive training in clinical teaching settings, including extensive training in hospital settings where students are exposed to addressing the diagnosis and treatment of patients who manifest a broad range both in type and severity of clinical pathology. This is the level of training which leads to a license for the unlimited scope and practice of medicine, as defined by state medical licensing boards.
II. DENTAL PHYSICIANS
Our organization has a long-standing professional relationship with members of the dental profession. Dentists are licensed to treat dental and dental occlusal problems and temporomandibular joint dysfunction; using dental, orthopedic, orthodontic, and surgical treatments. The application of these forms of treatment have a direct and immediate impact upon the relationships between the cranial bones and, in younger individuals, can have a dramatic and long term impact upon craniofacial and postural development.
It is essential for the well-being of our patients that we continue to maintain communication and develop mutual understanding with members of the dental profession. We have encouraged dentists to attend our courses so that they can understand the effects of dental treatments on the cranial mechanisms of our mutual patients, and so that they can learn to recognize how cranial somatic dysfunction can effect both the development and treatment of dental orthopedic and orthodontic pathology. This learning process involves training in osteopathic concepts. It also requires hands on training in the palpatory skills which are required both to diagnose cranial somatic dysfunction and to recognize the effects of appropriate treatment upon the cranial mechanism.
By encouraging dental participation in our courses, the Academy hopes to encourage the ongoing development of dental practice that recognizes and works in harmony with the Primary Respiratory Mechanism. While dentists are not fully licensed for the unlimited scope and practice of medicine, they are the most fully trained and fully licensed practitioners who treat dental, dental orthopedic, and dental orthodontic problems. For these reasons, The Cranial Academy allows and encourages licensed dentists to attend our Introductory Course.
III. INTERNATIONAL OSTEOPATHS
While osteopath's trained in countries other than the United States may not receive the same level of clinical training that physicians do in the United States, their training does represent the highest level of clinical training in osteopathic principles and practice that is available in their respective countries. The Cranial Academy is interested in advancing the teaching of cranial osteopathy throughout the world, and we therefore welcome Doctors of Osteopathy or Registered Practitioners of Osteopathy practicing in countries other than the United States into our Introductory Course, provided that they are members in good standing of an Affiliate Society (as defined in the Bylaws of The Cranial Academy) in the country or province in which they practice osteopathy.