Minister Lydia Mutsch;

As more and more patients are using osteopathy, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health has established the legal modalities for the recognition and regulation of the osteopathic profession.

Following the introduction of the profession of podiatrist in 2017, osteopaths are now included in the list of regulated health professions, set by the amended law of 26 March 1992 concerning certain health professions.

While the legal modalities were already adopted through the law of 21 August 2018, the regulations entered into force today set the terms and conditions for studies necessary to obtain the osteopath diploma, the recognition of diplomas of foreign nationals, as well as the exercise and attributions of the profession of osteopath.

Osteopaths must now have prior authorisation from the Ministry of Health to practice the profession and will appear in the professional register kept by the Ministry. They have 6 months after the entry into force of the regulations to comply with the new terms and must therefore have a license to practice by 31 March 2019 at the latest.

"The regulation of the osteopathic profession first and foremost provides the patient with greater security. The absolute priority of the regulation of this health profession is thus the access to the patient to an osteopath who has followed a rigorous and serious training, since in the absence of such a regulation, anyone could declare him/herself an osteopath" said Health Minister Lydia Mutsch.

Key points of the regulation

Through the regulations published today, the practice of the osteopathic profession is now subject to the acquisition of a master's degree in osteopathy or a higher education qualification equivalent to a master's degree.

Regarding transitional provisions, osteopaths who do not have a master's degree in osteopathy, must have, at the time of their application, a license to practice medicine, or the profession of masseur-physiotherapist, nurse or midwives and at least 8 years of osteopathic practice over the period from 1 October 2008 to 1 October 2018. In addition to this, there is the obligation to demonstrate a specific training osteopathy of at least 2,000 hours, respectively 800 hours for doctors, more than 8 years old.

The regulation also stipulates the techniques to which the osteopath is authorised (manipulations remedying functional disorders of the human body, in particular manipulations of musculoskeletal and myo-fascial nature) as well as the acts of intervention which require a preliminary medical diagnosis (manipulations of the skull, face and spine in infants less than six months, cervical spine manipulation).

In addition, the osteopath will be obliged to refer the patient to a physician when the symptoms require diagnosis or medical treatment, when it is found that these symptoms persist or worsen, or that the disorders presented exceed his or her field of competence.

"Thanks to the new methods, the quality and safety criteria for osteopathic services are further strengthened, since access to an osteopath who has undergone rigorous and serious training can now be guaranteed. The well-being and safety of the patient is the overriding goal of recognition and regulation of the osteopathic profession," concluded Minister Mutsch.

For further information, contact the Health Professions Division of the Ministry of Health at tel: 247-85525 or www.sante.lu