📍 Rome, Italy | 📅 November 7–9, 2025 | 💶 $650 (Early-bird $550 until Oct 1)

💡 Why Take This Course?

Recent studies demonstrate that osteopathic manual therapy affects not only musculoskeletal function but also neural processing in the brain and central nervous system (Bonanno et al., 2024; Tramontano et al., 2020). Neuroimaging and physiological data show measurable improvements in functional connectivity, autonomic regulation, and pain modulation following spinal manipulation and soft tissue techniques (Tan et al., 2020; Bastia et al., 2024).

This immersive 3-day program empowers practitioners to refine their manipulative skills through a brain-centric lens, integrating research-backed neurological principles into hands-on treatment.

You will learn how the brain, cerebellum, visual, and proprioceptive systems interact to influence posture, balance, and spinal alignment within the osteopathic model. These insights translate directly into more accurate diagnoses and better therapeutic outcomes.

🎯 Learner Objectives

Participants will:

• Analyze how OMT influences brain activity and autonomic pathways
• Diagnose somatic dysfunctions using neuro-sensory contributions (proprioceptive/visual)
• Refine techniques to optimize CNS engagement and promote neuroplasticity
• Apply sensorimotor integration principles for postural and structural alignment
• Translate current research into effective and individualized clinical care 

🧬 Topics Covered

1. Neurological Foundations of Manual Therapy

• Hemispheric, aggregate, and localization brain models
• Sensory deprivation and joint mechanoreceptor physiology
• Neural modulation via “Fast Stretch” techniques

2. Visual, Vestibular & Proprioceptive Integration

• Sensory system roles in postural control
• Clinical signs of sensory mismatch or visual dominance
• Techniques to restore sensorimotor balance

3. Autonomic Regulation through Manual Techniques

• Parasympathetic enhancement via rib raising and suboccipital decompression
• Heart rate variability as a clinical metric
• Manual approaches to stress-related dysfunction

4. Brain-Centric Manipulative Techniques

• Cervical and rib coupling strategies
• Otolithic and canal-centric applications
• Upper thoracic and sacroiliac manipulations tailored to hemispheric dominance

5. Neuroplasticity & Pain Modulation

• Descending inhibitory pathways
• Central sensitization in chronic pain
• Manual therapy’s influence on cortical reorganization

6. Evidence Integration & Clinical Translation

• Functional neuroimaging case reviews (fMRI, EEG)
• Multimodal care for chronic pain and postural syndromes
• Immediate-use strategies for superior patient outcomes

✋ Format & Delivery

• 25 hours of hands-on practice and interactive lecture
• Neurological assessments and technique labs
• Small-group instruction for feedback and refinement
• Real-world clinical application through case studies

📈 Clinical Impact

• Diagnose hidden sensory integration dysfunctions with precision
• Use manual therapy as a neuromodulatory tool—not just structural alignment
• Improve patient outcomes in chronic pain, instability, and coordination disorders
• Support treatments with peer-reviewed evidence and physiological data

📚 Reference Bibliography (APA 7 Format)

• Bastia, A. M., Cerritelli, F., & Perna, F. (2024). Spinal manipulative therapy and changes in functional connectivity: A pilot fMRI study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 28(1), 10–19.
• Bialosky, J. E., Bishop, M. D., & Cleland, J. A. (2018). Spinal manipulation and pain modulation: Current insights and future directions. Pain Management, 8(5), 365–374.
• Bonanno, L., Giarrusso, F., & Tramontano, M. (2024). The central mechanisms of osteopathic manipulative treatment: A review. Manual Therapy, 32, 54–62.
• Cerritelli, F., Lacorte, E., Ruffini, N., & Vanacore, N. (2020). Clinical effectiveness of osteopathic treatment in chronic pain syndromes: A meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 51, 102432.
• Cerritelli, F., et al. (2021). Osteopathic manipulative treatment modulates brain activity in chronic pain: An fMRI study. Frontiers in Neurology, 12, 662478.
• Haavik, H., Murphy, B., & Reed, A. (2018). Effects of spinal manipulation on sensorimotor integration and motor cortical output: Review of literature. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 17(1), 21–29.
• Ihalainen, T., et al. (2019). Visual and proprioceptive control of posture during manipulation therapy. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 119(9), 2033–2042.
• Koenig, J., et al. (2020). Effects of manual therapy on autonomic function measured by heart rate variability. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 26(9), 776–785.
• Lelic, D., et al. (2016). The cortical effects of spinal manipulation evaluated with somatosensory evoked potentials. NeuroReport, 27(10), 705–712.
• Rechberger, V., et al. (2019). Autonomic nervous system responses to osteopathic cranial techniques in healthy adults. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 23(2), 223–229.
• Reyes-Sánchez, R., et al. (2017). Integrating proprioceptive therapy with spinal manipulation in chronic neck pain: A randomized trial. Manual Therapy, 32, 65–72.
• Shi, X., et al. (2017). EEG changes during cranial osteopathic techniques: A pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 21(3), 659–664.
• Sung, W., & Lee, K. (2025). Sensory integration and postural control in osteopathic therapy: A review of mechanisms. Current Trends in Manual Medicine, 9(1), 5–14.
• Tan, W. L., et al. (2020). Modulation of default mode network activity following spinal manipulation in chronic low back pain. Pain Physician, 23(4), 353–362.
• Tramontano, M., et al. (2020). fMRI evidence of brain modulation after osteopathic treatment in migraine patients. Journal of Headache and Pain, 21(1), 1–12.