The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy (CAO) is a leader in osteopathic education in Canada. It was founded in 2003 by Robert Johnston in Hamilton, Ontario. Johnston wanted to bring back the true principles of classical osteopathy. He believed that real osteopathy was about more than just techniques. It was about teaching students how to think critically and solve problems.
The CAO is known for its high standards. It trains over 500 students each year at its Hamilton and Calgary campuses. Students earn a diploma in Osteopathic Manipulative Science and many go on to work in private clinics or start their own businesses.
One of the school’s most unique features is its proprietary method, called Collective Mechanics. This system gives graduates a precise way to assess and treat patients. Many patients say they feel the difference after being treated by CAO-trained practitioners.
Johnston also believes in giving back. The CAO operates a free student clinic to serve the community while giving students real-world experience, a commitment that has resulted in over 200,000 free treatments delivered to local communities since the clinic’s inception. This represents more than $17 million in free osteopathic care to CAO communities.
The CAO stays true to its roots, offering flexible programmes for students from all backgrounds. It teaches original osteopathic concepts while also preparing students for successful careers.
Johnston’s vision is simple. “We are here to teach people how to help others heal,” he says. Today, the CAO stands as a respected name in osteopathy education and continues to grow its influence worldwide.
Inside The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy: An Interview with Robert Johnston
The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy (CAO) has become Canada’s leading institution for osteopathic manual practice. Founded in 2003 by Robert Johnston, the CAO has trained hundreds of students in classical, principles-based osteopathy. In this candid interview, Johnston shares the story behind the school, its unique approach, and where he sees the future of osteopathy heading.
Q: How did the idea for The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy’s current curriculum first come about?
Robert Johnston:
It really started with a frustration. I felt that osteopathy was drifting away from its original principles. People were focusing too much on techniques, rather than on understanding why the body works the way it does. I wanted to bring back a deeper, more thoughtful approach. So after founding the school in 2003, and teaching our early curriculum for a few years, we started to raise the bar for osteopathic education and pivot toward the founding principles of the profession.
Q: What was the biggest challenge in those early days?
Honestly, it was helping people understand that we weren’t just another training programme. We were focused on something different—teaching students how to think critically. We weren’t handing out simple step-by-step methods. We wanted students to learn the foundational principles and apply them to any situation they faced. It took time to build that trust.
Q: The CAO now trains over 500 students every year. What do you think attracts students to your school?
A big part of it is our commitment to those principles. We also offer flexibility. Many of our students are working while they study, and we’ve designed our programme to accommodate that.
But what really makes us different is our proprietary system—Collective Mechanics. It’s a method we developed by myself over the years. It allows our graduates to assess and treat patients with a level of precision and efficiency that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Q: Can you explain more about Collective Mechanics and why it matters?
Think of it as a structured way of understanding the body’s movements and connections. It’s not about just fixing one problem—it’s about seeing how everything works together. This model gives our graduates a kind of roadmap for treatment.
Patients often tell us they can feel the difference. They say that treatment from a CAO-trained practitioner feels more complete, more targeted.
Q: You also run a free student clinic. Why was that important to you?
From the start, I wanted to make sure students had real clinical experience before they graduated. But it wasn’t just about training—it was about giving back. Our student clinic provides free care to the communities around both our campuses in Hamilton and Calgary. It’s been very rewarding to watch it grow. Students get hands-on learning, and the community benefits from access to osteopathic care.
Q: The CAO has a strong international presence, too. How did that develop?
That came naturally over time. We’ve always believed in learning from others. For years, I have lectured internationally and have written books on classical osteopathy. These experiences allow us to bring a broader perspective to our students here in Hamilton.
Q: How do you see the future of osteopathy and the CAO’s role in it?
There’s a growing demand for osteopathic manual practitioners, if they are well trained. People want treatments that are drug-free and focus on helping the body heal itself.
At the CAO, we’re staying true to osteopathy’s roots, but we’re always evolving. Our focus remains on teaching principles and critical thinking. That’s what sets our graduates apart.
We also encourage our students to take charge of their careers. Many of them go on to open their own clinics or work in multidisciplinary settings—from athletic clinics, to women’s clinics to professional sports organisations.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a career in osteopathy?
Be curious. Don’t just look for a quick solution or a checklist. Osteopathy requires deep thinking and patience. You’re working with the body’s natural systems, and that takes respect and understanding.
I always tell students: it’s not about memorising techniques. It’s about learning how to think like an osteopath.
Q: Finally, what keeps you motivated after all these years?
It’s simple. Seeing students grow, watching them become confident practitioners, and hearing stories of how they’ve helped people—that keeps me going.
And knowing that we’re training practitioners who will carry these principles forward! That’s something I’ll never take for granted.
Read more:
How The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy Is Reshaping Osteopathic Education