The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy (CAO) is a leader in osteopathy education in Canada. It was founded in 2003 by Robert Johnston in Hamilton, Ontario. Johnston wanted to bring back the true principles of classical bone disease. He believes that true bone therapy is more than just technology. It’s about teaching students how to think critically and solve problems.
CAO is known for its high standards. It trains over 500 students on campuses in Hamilton and Calgary each year. Students receive a diploma in orthopaedic science, and many continue to work in private practice or start their own businesses.
One of the school’s most unique features is its proprietary method, called Collective Mechanics™. The system provides graduates with precise methods to evaluate and treat patients. Many patients say they feel the difference after treatment with a CAO trained practitioner.
Johnston also believes in giving back. CAO operates a free student clinic that serves the community while providing students with real-world experience, a commitment that has provided more than 200,000 free treatments to local communities since its inception. This represents more than $17 million in free bone therapy care to the CAO community.
CAO has always been loyal to its roots, providing flexible programs for students from all backgrounds. It teaches original concepts of osteotherapy while also preparing students for a successful career.
Johnston’s vision is simple. “We are here to teach people how to help others recover,” he said. Today, CAO is a respected name in osteotherapy education and continues to strengthen its influence globally.
Inside the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy: Interview with Robert Johnston
The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy (CAO) has become a leading institution for osteotherapy in Canada. Founded in 2003 by Robert Johnston, CAO trains hundreds of students with principle-based bone disease. In this candid interview, Johnston shares the story behind the school, its unique approach, and his future of bone disease.
Q: How did the idea for the current course at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy was first born?
Robert Johnston:
It does start with depression. I think bone disease is breaking away from its original principles. People focus too much on technology rather than understanding why the body works the way it is. I want to bring back a more in-depth and thoughtful approach. So, a few years after the school was established in 2003 and taught our early courses, we began to raise the standards of osteotherapy education and shift to the principles of building the industry.
Q: What was the biggest challenge in the early stage?
Honestly, this helps people understand that we are more than just another training program. We focus on different things – teaching students how to think critically. We are not a simple step-by-step method of distributing. We want students to learn basic principles and apply them to any situation they face. It took time to build this trust.
Q: CAO now trains more than 500 students every year. How do you think attract students to your school?
A large part of this is our commitment to these principles. We also provide flexibility. Many of our students are working while studying and we have designed our plans to adapt to this.
But what really sets us apart is our proprietary system – Collective Mechanics™. Over the years, this is a method we have developed ourselves. It enables our graduates to evaluate and treat patients with precision and efficiency that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Q: Can you give more explanations about Collective Mechanics™? Why is it important?
Think of it as a structured way to understand human movement and connection. It’s not just about solving one problem, it’s about seeing how everything works together. This model provides our graduates with a treatment roadmap.
Patients often tell us that they can sense the difference. They say that the treatments for practitioners trained by CAO feel more complete and targeted.
Q: You also run a free student clinic. Why is this important to you?
From the beginning, I wanted to make sure that students have real clinical experience before graduation. But it’s not just training, it’s about giving back. Our student clinics provide free care to the communities around Hamilton and Calgary campuses. Watching it grows very beneficial. Students can accept hands-on learning and the community benefits from accessing bone disease care.
Q: CAO also has a strong international business. How did this develop?
As time goes by, this comes naturally. We have always believed in learning from others. I have been teaching internationally for many years and have written books on classical bone diseases. These experiences allow us to bring a broader perspective to Hamilton students.
Q: How do you view the future of bone disease and its role in it?
If well-trained, there is a growing demand for osteopathic manual practitioners. People want non-toxic treatments and focus on helping the body repair itself.
In CAO, we are loyal to the root causes of osteopathy, but we are constantly evolving. Our focus remains on teaching principles and critical thinking. That’s what sets our graduates apart.
We also encourage students to take charge of their careers. Many of them continue to open their own clinics or work in an interdisciplinary setting (from sports clinics, women’s clinics to professional sports organizations).
Q: What advice would you have for people considering a career in bone disease?
curious. Don’t just look for quick solutions or checklists. Bone disease requires deep thinking and patience. You are working with the human body’s natural systems, which requires respect and understanding.
I always tell students: This is not about memory technology. It’s about learning how to think like a bone-bone.
Q: Finally, what motivated you over the years?
Very simple. Seeing students grow, watching them become confident practitioners, and hearing stories about how to help people keep me moving forward.
And knowing we are training practitioners who will advance these principles! That’s something I’ll never take for granted.
