In the Holy Book it is written that, in the beginning, there was “the Word.” Before anything else existed, there was word. This reminds us of the immense power words carry—something that is deeply understood in the United States, where a single word used incorrectly can have serious consequences.
I was the first to introduce manual osteopathy to the United States. Prior to 2016, there was no educational institution dedicated to this profession until I established the National University of Medical Sciences (USA). In 2025, a historic milestone was achieved: the professional title ROMP – Registered Osteopathic Manual Practitioner became mandatory for all osteopathic manual practitioners who seek a GEHA license to practice in all 50 states.
However, holding a GEHA license comes with responsibility. Practitioners must comply with strict codes of ethics and practice guidelines, including clear boundaries of scope. These rules exist to protect the public, ensuring that no client is misled into believing they are receiving medical care from an osteopathic physician.
To support this, the American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (AAOMP)—which I founded in 2018 and through which the ROMP title is exclusively issued—has asked me to develop a specialized course on Ethics and Scope of Practice. This program will cover:
- Correct terminology for websites, advertising, and social media
- Proper use of consent forms (a mandatory requirement)
- Clear understanding of what osteopathic manual practitioners can and cannot do within their scope
The online course will be completed by the end of 2025. Beginning in 2026, all AAOMP members will be required to complete this course. This is a mandatory requirement to ensure consistency, professionalism, and protection for both practitioners and the public. This course will be offered as a continuing education program which you can also use to fulfill AAOMP continuing education requirement.