Foundations of Visceral Osteopathy & the Upper GI Tract: Assessment & Treatment (20 hrs)
self-paced, start anytime
This is a foundational Level 1 course is open to all Manual Therapists.
It is worth 20 hours (15 theory hours and 5 hands-on practice hours) applicable towards your CEU/CPD requirements.
The first few chapters will teach you the foundational principles that govern the movement and function of the digestive organs. You will need this basic knowledge in order to become competent when performing Visceral Osteopathic Assessments and Treatments. You will also understand the unique mechanics of the Upper Digestive Tract according to Osteopathic Mechanical Principles. Then, you will learn how to apply these principles when manually assessing and treating the thoracic area of the upper GI tract.
How this course works:
This is self paced course that you can enroll in and start at anytime and learn from anywhere.
The course contains two quizzes and some hands-on practice assignments that will qualify you for your Certificate of Completion.
To learn more about the course curriculum, scroll down on this page.
Some additional important principles that will help guide you in your treatments is the Functional Anatomy of the of the thoracic viscera and its referred pain pathways and easily identifiable dermatomes.
Next, you will learn about the unique tensions that the esophagus and thoracic cavity are subject to, from an osteopathic viewpoint, and how these tensions contribute to acid reflux.
Then you will learn how to palpate and assess your clients and patients for signs of Upper Gastro Intestinal Dysfunction.
You will learn how to treat the thoracic area of the Upper GI Tract to relieve abnormal tensions in this area using gentle visceral osteopathic techniques to provide immediate symptomatic relief to your clients and patients.
1.1 Introduction
1.2 The Principle of Volume Pressure
1.3 Organ Mobility versus Motility
1.4 Organ Mobility
FREE PREVIEW1.5 Visceral "Motility"
1.6 Physiological Conditions that Lead to Organ Dysfunction
1.7 The Motility Cycle or Phases of Motility
2.1 The Viscero-Somatic / Somato-Visceral Effect
2.2 The Viscero-Somatic / Somato-Visceral Reflex Chart
2.3 How Viscero-Somatic Reflexes creates Facilitated Segments
2.4 Physiological Dermatomes of Visceral Dysfunction
2.5 DOWNLOAD - The Viscero-Somatic / Somato-Visceral Reflex Chart
2.6 DOWNLOAD - Viscero-Somatic / Somato-Visceral Reflexes According to Gastro Intestinal Tract Segments
3.3 Introduction to chapter 3
3.4 Hypotonia - Underfunctioning of the GI Tract
3.5 Hypertonia - Overfunctioning of the GI Tract
3.6 Upper, Midddle and Lower Portions of the GI Tracts
4.1 Introduction to chapter 4
4.2 Acute versus Chronic Visceral States of Dysfunction
4.3 The Emotional & Psychological Component of Visceral & Digestive Dysfunctions
4.4 Other Mechanical Principles that Govern Visceral Mobility and Motility
5.1 Introduction to Chapter 5
5.2 Goal of Visceral Osteopathic Treatment
5.3 Copy of Final Treatment Considerations
5.4 Working in Collaboration with your Client's Physician or Other Primary Care Practitioner
5.5 Contraindications and Precautions
6.1 Information about Quiz #1
Quiz #1
Completing Quiz before Moving on to Next Chapters
7.1 Intro Video with your Instructor: Overview of Visceral Principles that Relate to the Upper GI Tract
FREE PREVIEW7.2 The Upper Gastro Intestinal Track & Pressure Gradients or Variations in Volume Pressure
7.3 Goal of Visceral Osteopathic Treatment of the Upper GI Track
7.4 The Upper Gastro Intestinal Track & the Principle of Organ Mobility
7.5 Summary of Important Osteopathic Principles of the Upper GI Track
8.1 Intro Video with your Instructor: Referred pain pathways
8.2 Typical Referred Pain Pathways – Dermatomes
8.3 Demonstration Video - Locating the Posterior Dermatomes of the Upper GI Tract
8.4 Demonstration Video - Locating the Anterior Dermatomes of the Upper GI Tract
8.5 Video: How to do your Hands-on Practice
8.6 Hands-on Practice Assignment: Locating the Organs of the Upper Gastro Intestinal Tract and their Corresponding Dermatomes
8.7 Download - Practicing Locating the Upper GI Organs & their Dermatomes
8.8 Did you do our Hands-On Practice ?
9.1 Intro Video with your Instructor: Physiologic Motion of the Esophagus & its Sphincters
9.2 Functional Anatomy of the Esophagus & Key Points to Locate
9.3 Video Demonstration - Locating Key Points of the Esophagus
9.4 Hands-On Practice: Learning to locate the Key Points that will help you identify the pathway of the esophagus
9.5 Download - Practicing Locating Key Points of the Esophagus
9.6 Physiologic Motion of the Esophagus and its Sphincter
9.7 Subjective Symptom Evaluation - What your patients tells you
9.8 Did you do our Hands-On Practice ?
10.1 Intro Video with your Instructor: GERD or Acid Reflux Disease
10.2 Overview of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease
10.3 Understanding the Medical Context and Your Role in Treating GERD
10.4 What is our treatment goal in helping GERD & Acid Reflux?
10.5 How Dysfunctions of the Diaphragm contribute to Acid Reflux
10.6 Symptoms of Gastric Reflux due to Pharyngeal or Laryngeal Irritation
10.7 How Visceral Osteopathy positively affects the mechanics AND the biochemistry of the aesophagus and stomach
10.8 Postural Causes of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease
10.9 Reflux and Myofascial Torsions of the Body or Spine
10.10 Cycles of Decompensation of the Body that can cause Reflux
11.1 Intro with Instructor Learning Techniques
11.2 How to listen to the lessons then watch the demonstration videos
11.3 Explanation - Assessing for Myofascial Restrictions in the Gastro- Esophageal Area
11.4 Training Video - Assessing for Myofascial Restrictions in the Gastro-Esophageal Area
11.5 Releasing Myofascial Restrictions in the Gastroesophageal Junction - Explanation
11.6 Training Video - Releasing Myofascial Restrictions in the Gastro-Esophageal Area
11.7 Download for Hands-On Practice - Assessing & Treating Myofascial Restrictions of the Esophagus
11.8 Explanation - Anterior Thoracic Fascia Release Supine Position
5.9 Training Video - Anterior Thoracic Fascia Release Supine Position
11.10 Download for Hands-On Practice - Perform an Anterior Myofascial Stretch
11.11 Explanation - Recoil Technique to Rebalance Intra-Thoracic Volume Pressure & Release Any Adhesions
11.12 Video Demonstration - Recoil Technique to Rebalance Intra-Thoracic Volume Pressure & Release Any Adhesions
11.13 Download for Hands-on Practice - Recoil Technique
11.14 Download - Practicing Assessment & Treatment Techniques
12.1 Introduction to the Quiz with your Instructor
12.2 Quiz #2
13.1 Introduction to the Homework Section with your Instructor
13.2 Introducing the Training Videos of Upper GI Visceral Treatment
13.3 Instructions for your Hands-On Practice Homework Assignments
13.4 Download - Instructions for your Hands-On Practice Homework Assignments
13.5 Homework #1 Download - Practicing Locating the Upper GI Organs & their Dermatomes
13.6 Homework #2 Download - Practicing Locating Key Points of the Esophagus
13.7 Homework #3 Download - Practicing Assessment & Treatment Techniques
13.8 Where & How to Submit your Homework
Maureen Norah Maher, BA, DO(Qc), DOMP Osteopath Practitioner and Educator
How to Contact us
Maureen Hannah Maher