Osteopathic Manual Therapy Course

Lesson 1 • History and Philosophy of Osteopathy

Traces osteopathy's origins and core tenets as they apply to physiotherapy practice. Provides the conceptual lens used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 2 • Biomechanics and Body Mechanics

Introduces force transmission, lever systems, and postural mechanics. Builds the mechanical reasoning needed for safe and effective manual techniques.

Lesson 3 • Functional Anatomy Review

Reviews musculoskeletal and fascial anatomy essential for manual assessment. Connects anatomical knowledge directly to palpation and movement analysis.

Lesson 4 • Evidence Base and Scope of Practice

Surveys current research supporting osteopathic physiotherapy interventions. Clarifies professional boundaries and ethical responsibilities for practitioners.

Lesson 1 • Reliability and Calibration of Findings

Addresses inter- and intra-rater reliability challenges in palpatory assessment. Introduces calibration exercises to improve consistency across clinical encounters.

Lesson 2 • Palpating Soft Tissue Quality

Trains identification of muscle tone, oedema, fibrosis, and fascial tension. Links tissue findings to underlying somatic dysfunction patterns.

Lesson 3 • Fascial and Visceral Palpation Basics

Introduces palpation of fascial layers and visceral mobility as distinct tissue systems. Expands assessment repertoire beyond musculoskeletal structures.

Lesson 4 • Joint Motion Palpation

Teaches assessment of physiological and accessory joint motion through palpation. Prepares students for segmental spinal and peripheral joint evaluation.

Lesson 1 • Neurological Screening

Integrates sensory, motor, and reflex testing to identify neurological involvement. Ensures safe differentiation of musculoskeletal from neurological pathology.

Lesson 2 • Clinical Reasoning and Problem Formulation

Synthesises subjective and objective findings into a structured clinical hypothesis. Introduces osteopathic diagnostic models for treatment planning.

Lesson 3 • Subjective History Taking

Structures the patient interview to capture pain, function, and relevant history. Establishes the clinical narrative that guides physical examination priorities.

Lesson 4 • Active and Passive Range of Motion

Measures and interprets joint range of motion using standardised methods. Differentiates contractile from non-contractile tissue involvement.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Soft Tissue Manipulation

Explains neurophysiological and mechanical effects of soft tissue techniques. Provides the rationale for technique selection based on tissue findings.

Lesson 2 • Trigger Point Therapy

Identifies and treats myofascial trigger points using ischaemic compression and dry needling concepts. Addresses referred pain patterns relevant to osteopathic diagnosis.

Lesson 3 • Visceral Soft Tissue Techniques

Applies gentle soft tissue methods to abdominal and thoracic visceral regions. Extends osteopathic soft tissue principles beyond the musculoskeletal system.

Lesson 4 • Classic Soft Tissue Techniques

Teaches effleurage, petrissage, inhibition, and stretching applied to major muscle groups. Builds foundational manual competency for all subsequent technique chapters.

Lesson 1 • Peripheral Joint Mobilisation

Applies graded mobilisation to shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle joints. Addresses common peripheral joint restrictions encountered in clinical practice.

Lesson 2 • Muscle Energy Technique Foundations

Introduces muscle energy technique as an active articulatory method using patient effort. Prepares students for advanced MET application in the next chapter.

Lesson 3 • Joint Mobilisation Principles

Establishes biomechanical and neurophysiological rationale for joint mobilisation. Introduces grading systems used to guide clinical technique selection.

Lesson 4 • Progression and Reassessment

Guides clinical decision-making for advancing or modifying mobilisation treatment. Reinforces the assessment-treatment-reassessment cycle central to osteopathic practice.

Lesson 1 • Peripheral HVLA Techniques

Applies thrust techniques to rib, sacroiliac, and selected peripheral joints. Expands HVLA competency beyond the spine to common peripheral restrictions.

Lesson 2 • Functional and Balanced Ligamentous Tension

Introduces functional technique and balanced ligamentous tension as indirect methods. Completes the spectrum of osteopathic techniques from direct to indirect approaches.

Lesson 3 • Spinal HVLA Techniques

Teaches specific HVLA procedures for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine regions. Emphasises precise patient and practitioner positioning for effective thrust delivery.

Lesson 4 • Counterstrain Technique

Teaches positional release through counterstrain to address tender points indirectly. Provides a low-force alternative for patients who cannot tolerate direct techniques.

Lesson 1 • Visceral Mobility Assessment

Evaluates mobility and motility of abdominal and thoracic organs using osteopathic methods. Builds on visceral palpation basics introduced in Chapter 2.

Lesson 2 • Cranial Bone Assessment and Technique

Teaches palpation and gentle mobilisation of cranial sutures and bones. Develops the refined touch required for safe cranial osteopathic work.

Lesson 3 • Visceral Manipulation Techniques

Applies direct and indirect visceral manipulation to restore organ mobility. Integrates visceral findings into the overall osteopathic treatment plan.

Lesson 4 • Craniosacral Rhythm and Theory

Presents the theoretical basis of primary respiratory mechanism and craniosacral rhythm. Contextualises craniosacral work within current evidence and osteopathic tradition.

Lesson 1 • Special Populations and Adaptations

Modifies osteopathic assessment and treatment for paediatric, geriatric, and pregnant patients. Ensures safe and appropriate care across the full patient lifespan.

Lesson 2 • Technique Selection and Sequencing

Guides rational selection and ordering of techniques within a single treatment session. Balances direct and indirect, local and global approaches for optimal outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Managing Complex and Chronic Cases

Addresses multifactorial presentations including chronic pain, comorbidities, and psychosocial factors. Applies biopsychosocial reasoning within the osteopathic framework.

Lesson 4 • Outcome Monitoring and Discharge Planning

Applies validated outcome tools to track progress and guide discharge decisions. Establishes self-management strategies to sustain treatment gains long-term.