Philippe Sterlingot

Biography and Expertise of Philippe Sterlingot

Philippe Sterlingot began his career in healthcare as a physical therapist before completing his training as an osteopath in 1996. He has maintained a self-employed clinical practice since that time, which provides him with a grounded perspective on the day-to-day realities of patient care. In addition, his professional path quickly evolved toward leadership and advocacy, starting with his election in 2002 as president of France’s foremost professional osteopathic organization, a role he continues to hold.

To enhance his work in professional governance, he earned a Master’s degree in health law in 2007. This legal qualification has been instrumental in his extensive involvement with regulatory bodies. Therefore, his contributions are highly relevant to the 3rd WCTCIM’s thematic axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems,” as his career exemplifies the development of robust regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, his long-standing commitment to the accreditation of osteopathic colleges directly aligns with the axis of “TCIM Education and Training,” highlighting his focus on ensuring high-quality professional preparation.

His leadership expanded to the international stage when he joined the board of the Osteopathic International Alliance in 2017, becoming its Chair in 2024. Through the OIA, Philippe Sterlingot works to advance the osteopathic profession globally, promoting uniform standards and facilitating collaboration among practitioners and regulators worldwide. This work supports the congress motto pillar of “Knowledge Diversity” by ensuring that osteopathy is practiced with consistent quality across different cultural and legal contexts.

The Professional Career of Philippe Sterlingot

The professional trajectory of Philippe Sterlingot demonstrates a commitment to clinical practice and developing the osteopathic profession. His career began with patient care before expanding to leadership roles at national, European, and global levels. This dual focus allows him to advocate for effective and practical policies and standards.

His long tenure in leadership positions reflects a dedication to advancing osteopathy through regulation, educational oversight, and professional unity. Each role has built upon the last, culminating in his current position leading the principal international organization for osteopathy.

• 2024 – Present: Chair of the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA), leading the global organization for the osteopathic profession.
• 2017 – Present: Member of the board of directors of the OIA, contributing to its strategic direction before assuming the chairmanship.
• 2002 – Present: Chair of the Syndicat français des ostéopathes, France’s leading professional organization for osteopaths.
• 2007 – Present: Member of the French committee for osteopathic colleges accreditation, under the authority of the Minister of Health.
• 2017 – 2024: Chair of the Unité pour l’ostéopathie, an organization focused on unifying the profession in France.
• 2015 – 2018: Vice-chair of the Forum for osteopathic regulation in Europe (FORE), working to harmonize regulatory standards in Europe.
• 1996 – Present: Self-employed osteopath, maintaining his connection to clinical work.

Academic Qualifications

The academic background of Philippe Sterlingot provides a unique and powerful combination of scientific, clinical, and legal expertise. His education created a solid foundation for a career that bridges hands-on healthcare with the complexities of policy and regulation. This interdisciplinary training has been a key factor in his effectiveness as a leader in the osteopathic field.

His journey began with a grounding in the life sciences, progressed through comprehensive clinical training in both physiotherapy and osteopathy, and was later supplemented with advanced legal studies. This educational path equipped him with the diverse skill set necessary to navigate and shape the professional landscape of integrative medicine.

• 2007: Masters in Laws: This degree provided him with specialized knowledge in health law, empowering his work in professional regulation, accreditation, and governance.
• 1996: Diploma in Osteopathy: This qualification marked his transition into osteopathic practice and laid the groundwork for his future specialization and leadership within the profession.
• 1989: Diploma in Physiotherapy: His initial clinical training as a physical therapist gave him a broad understanding of musculoskeletal health and rehabilitation.
• 1986: Bachelor in Biology: This foundational science degree provided the essential scientific principles that underpin his subsequent medical and therapeutic training.

Contributions to Osteopathic Standards and Regulation by Philippe Sterlingot

While not focused on academic research, the career of Philippe Sterlingot is defined by significant contributions to the development and implementation of professional standards in osteopathy. His primary focus has been on creating robust systems for quality assurance in both education and clinical practice. This work is critical for the safe integration of osteopathy into broader healthcare systems.

A cornerstone of his regulatory work is his long-term involvement with the French Ministry of Health. Since 2007, he has been a member of the national committee responsible for the accreditation of osteopathic colleges. In this capacity, he helps ensure that educational institutions meet rigorous standards, thereby guaranteeing that graduates are competent and well-prepared for clinical practice. This role directly impacts the quality and safety of patient care across France.

Beyond his national contributions, Philippe Sterlingot has also influenced standards at a European level. His tenure as Vice-chair of the Forum for osteopathic regulation in Europe involved collaboration with regulatory bodies across the continent to promote best practices and work towards greater harmonization. This experience provided him with a broad perspective on different regulatory models, which now informs his global leadership at the Osteopathic International Alliance.

Leadership in National and International Organizations

Philippe Sterlingot has dedicated a significant portion of his career to service on boards and committees, where he has been instrumental in shaping the direction of the osteopathic profession. His active participation in these organizations reflects a commitment to collective advancement, professional unity, and the establishment of high ethical and practical standards. These roles have positioned him as a central figure in osteopathic governance.

His leadership spans from the foremost professional body in his home country of France to key regulatory forums in Europe and, ultimately, to the premier global organization for osteopathy. This extensive network of activity demonstrates his ability to foster collaboration and drive progress across diverse institutional contexts.

• Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA): He serves as the current Chair (2024-Present) after being a board member since 2017. The OIA is the leading global organization for the osteopathic profession.
• Syndicat français des ostéopathes (SFDO): As Chair since 2002, he has led France’s primary professional association for osteopaths for over two decades.
• French committee for osteopathic colleges accreditation: A member since 2007, he contributes to the official accreditation process under the French Minister of Health.
• Unité pour l’ostéopathie: He chaired this French unification body from 2017 to 2024, working to consolidate the profession nationally.
• Forum for osteopathic regulation in Europe (FORE): He held the position of Vice-chair from 2015 to 2018, contributing to the dialogue on regulatory standards across Europe.