An Osteopath provides osteopathic care to patients dealing with accurate or long-term physical ailments. This involves meeting with patients to understand their problems and devising custom treatment plans utilizing the latest techniques and practices, Each person will be different, and an Osteopath must be patient and willing to meet their unique care needs. As Osteopaths primarily work in private clinics, there will also be administrative tasks needed to keep their records up to date. Typical duties of an Osteopath include:

• Meet with new patients and diagnose problems and ailments
• Design custom treatment plans to relieve pain and improve functionality
• Implement different techniques depending on how a patient reacts to treatment
• Revise and update treatment plans for patients with chronic ailments
• Use manual adjustment techniques to restore muscle and skeletal systems to their optimal mobility
• Process insurance claims and update patient records
• Perform additional administrative tasks to as required

Becoming an osteopath requires specific learning and training. An aspiring osteopath needs to graduate with a certificate or degree from an accredited training institution in osteopathic medicine, the length of which can vary. After successfully graduating, osteopaths may be required to complete an apprenticeship with an experienced osteopath. Finally, they need to apply and gain membership in their provincial or territorial association, such as the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners.

Osteopaths provide healthcare services in a private environment. They can be recruited by private companies and clincies operating in the healthcare sector. Osteopaths can also be self-employed, create their own businesses and work with individual clients of their choosing.

The long-term employment outlook for osteopaths is considered fair to good depending on the location. Overall, there is predicted to be a labour shortage among osteopathic medicine practitioners, with the demand outpacing the number of osteopaths. This means that there is an opportunity for career growth for those entering the profession.

An osteopath typically works in a private office or clinic. These clinics can be part of a larger practice featuring related practitioners, such as chiropractors and acupuncturists. Self-employed osteopaths can also offer treatment services in private homes and residents for individual clients.

According to the CNP code (national classification of occupations), here are additional titles for osteopaths:

• doctor / doctor in podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)
• naturopathic doctor (D.N.)
• doctor of osteopathy
• osteopathic doctor
• naturopath
• orthoptist
• naturopath