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This new course launches on Monday February 6th, 2023!  


Part 2 of our Visceral Osteopathy Series where you will understand and learn to treat one of the most common dysfunctions of the Upper Gastro-Intestinal Tract & Esophagus :


Acid Reflux


GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease) 





How this course works:

This is a three week course with a total of ten hour, five chapters , worth 10 CPD/CEU hours towards a Certificate of Completion.

In chapters 1, 2, 3, you will learn about the Functional Anatomy of the Esophagus, how to identify the Referred and Dermatome Patterns of the Upper GI tract.  In chapter 4 you will learn all about the mechanics of Acid Reflux and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Diseaseand how it relates to Osteopathic Treatment.  In chapter 5 you will learn both gentle myofascial treatment techniques as well as more structural recoil techniques to relieve symptoms of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease. The course finishes with a Quiz and some hands-on practice assignments that will qualify you for your Certificate of Completion (6 theory hours + 4 hands-on practice hours)

Pre-Requisite:

The short course Foundations of Visceral Osteopathy is a pre-requisite before enrolling in this full length course.   It 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 fully benefit from any further courses in the Visceral Osteopathy series.


Click here to go to the Foundations of Visceral Osteopathy course page

What will I learn in this course?

  First, you will learn the Functional Anatomy of the Esophagus, including 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.

Using demonstration videos of techniques to treat one of the most common Upper GI conditions, Acid Reflux, in both seated and supine positions that you can watch over and over for up to one year.

You will learn how to assess and treat Acid Reflux to provide immediate symptomatic relief to your clients and patients. 

Click here to watch your Instructor talk about how Osteopaths & Manual Practitioners can Treat Acid Reflux Naturally and Offer an Alternative to Pharmaceutical Products

Learn how to eliminate Acid Reflux, a condition for which most doctors and pharmacists only know how to temporarily mask the symptoms.


Acid reflux is one of the most common conditions that cause your patients and clients to seek medical advise or purchase antacids that only temporarily mask the symptoms.  What if you could learn to actually eliminate the problem?


 The mechanics of the Upper GI System become easy to understanding thanks to Your Instructor's unique gift of being able to explain complex concepts is easy to understand ways. 


The Upper GI Tract is an area where many conflicting forces, including mechanical traction, meet. The esopha­gus is affected by the  negative pressure within the thorax and the positive pressure within the  abdomen, leading to a variety of mechanical pathol­ogies in this region. 


In this course you will learn how the Esophagus is affected by these opposing forces that leads to Acid Reflux.  


You will then learn to master the evaluation and treatment of Acid Reflux successfully to provide your patients with much needed relief.  

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    INTRO Welcome from author

    • Video Welcome from author & what we hope you will take away from this online course

    • Goal of Visceral Osteopathic Treatment of the Upper GI Track

    • Chapter Release Schedule

    • Download & Print Chapter Release Schedule Here
  • 2

    Chapter 1. Functional Anatomy & Visceral Osteopathy Principles

  • 3

    Chapter 2. Referred Pain Pathways & Dermatomes of the Upper GI Tract

    • 2.1 Intro Video with your Instructor: Referred pain pathways

    • 2.2 Typical Referred Pain Pathways – Dermatomes

    • 2.3 Demonstration Video - Locating the Posterior Dermatomes of the Upper GI Tract

    • 2.4 Demonstration Video - Locating the Anterior Dermatomes of the Upper GI Tract

    • 2.5 Video: How to do your Hands-on Practice

    • 2.6 Hands-on Practice Assignment: Locating the Organs of the Upper Gastro Intestinal Tract and their Corresponding Dermatomes

    • 2.7 Download - Practicing Locating the Upper GI Organs & their Dermatomes

    • 2.8 Did you do our Hands-On Practice ?
  • 4

    Chapter 3. Physiologic Motion of the Esophagus & its Sphincters

    • 3.1 Intro Video with your Instructor: Physiologic Motion of the Esophagus & its Sphincters

    • 3.2 Functional Anatomy of the Esophagus & Key Points to Locate

    • 3.3 Video Demonstration - Locating Key Points of the Esophagus

    • 3.4 Hands-On Practice: Learning to locate the Key Points that will help you identify the pathway of the esophagus

    • 3.5 Download - Practicing Locating Key Points of the Esophagus

    • 3.6 Physiologic Motion of the Esophagus and its Sphincter

    • 3.7 Subjective Symptom Evaluation - What your patients tells you

    • 3.8 Did you do our Hands-On Practice ?
  • 5

    Chapter 4. Gastro- Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Acid Reflux by another name

    • 4.1 Intro Video with your Instructor: GERD or Acid Reflux Disease

    • 4.2 Overview of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease

    • 4.3 Understanding the Medical Context and Your Role in Treating GERD

    • 4.4 What is our treatment goal in helping GERD & Acid Reflux?

    • 4.5 How Dysfunctions of the Diaphragm contribute to Acid Reflux

    • 4.6 Symptoms of Gastric Reflux due to Pharyngeal or Laryngeal Irritation

    • 4.7 How Visceral Osteopathy positively affects the mechanics AND the biochemistry of the aesophagus and stomach

    • 4.8 Postural Causes of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease

    • 4.9 Reflux and Myofascial Torsions of the Body or Spine

    • 4.10 Cycles of Decompensation of the Body that can cause Reflux
  • 6

    Chapter 5. Esophageal Reflux Treatment Techniques

    • 5.1 Intro with Instructor Learning Techniques

    • 5.2 How to listen to the lessons then watch the demonstration videos

    • 5.3 Explanation - Assessing for Myofascial Restrictions in the Gastro- Esophageal Area

    • 5.4 Training Video - Assessing for Myofascial Restrictions in the Gastro-Esophageal Area

    • 5.5 Releasing Myofascial Restrictions in the Gastroesophageal Junction - Explanation

    • 5.6 Training Video - Releasing Myofascial Restrictions in the Gastro-Esophageal Area

    • Download for Hands-On Practice - Assessing & Treating Myofascial Restrictions of the Esophagus

    • 5.7 Explanation - Anterior Thoracic Fascia Release Supine Position

    • 5.8 Training Video - Anterior Thoracic Fascia Release Supine Position

    • Download for Hands-On Practice - Perform an Anterior Myofascial Stretch

    • Explanation - Recoil Technique to Rebalance Intra-Thoracic Volume Pressure & Release Any Adhesions

    • 5.10 Video Demonstration - Recoil Technique to Rebalance Intra-Thoracic Volume Pressure & Release Any Adhesions

    • Download for Hands-on Practice - Recoil Technique

    • Changes to Homework Chapter Release Date

    • Download - Practicing Assessment & Treatment Techniques
  • 7

    Quiz

    • Introduction to the Quiz with your Instructor

    • Quiz
  • 8

    Homework Assignments

    • Introduction to the Homework Section with your Instructor

    • Checklist before submitting your Homework

    • Download - Practicing Locating the Upper GI Organs & their Dermatomes

    • Download - Practicing Locating Key Points of the Esophagus

    • Homework - Assessing & Treating Myofascial Restrictions of the Esophagus

    • Download for Hands-On Practice - Anterior Release

    • Download for Hands-on Practice - Recoil Technique

    • Download for Hands-On Practice - Perform an Anterior Myofascial Stretch

    • Where & How to Submit your Homework
  • 9

    About your Instructor

    • Maureen Norah Maher, BA, DO(Qc), DOMP Osteopath Practitioner and Educator

    • How to Contact us

About the instructor

Educational Director & Instructor

Maureen Hannah Maher

Since Maureen began teaching, she found that not only does she have a natural gift for it (her parents were both teachers, so let hear it for genetics!), she found that she also holds a great desire to give back to the community and a profession that has been so fulfilling to her, and share over fifteen years of acquired experience and knowledge.   Maureen brings extensive knowledge in Osteopathy  to her educational seminars.  Throughout her career, Maureen has been an accredited member in good standing in several provinces across Canada, as well as overseas, including being an Associate Overseas member of the Australian Osteopathic Association (AOA) since 2008.  After undergoing accreditation evaluation for foreign trained Osteopaths in Perth, WA, Maureen was offered a practice in one of Singapore's leading Osteopathic Clinics, giving her the distinction of having been the first Canadian trained Osteopath to be approved to practice  in South East Asia.   Right before the worldwide economic collapse, Maureen was offered a position in Shanghai China, which required accreditation with the GOSC, UK, which she underwent, but as prevailing economic conditions worsened, the position was put on hold, and Maureen then settled in Toronto, Canada, where after reluctantly accepting a poorly paid teaching contract, her students began asking her to design courses in more specialized subjects within Osteopathy.  It was not long after that Maureen founded the Center for Continuing Education where she continued to innovate every day!Maureen has collaborated in the curriculum design with various new Osteopathic schools, and teaches continuing education seminars across Canada and Europe.  Her students say that Maureen's teaching style is animated, engaging, but most importantly, informative.  Her gift lies in communicating complex theories in simple terms and analogies.  Her students come away with a clear grasp of Osteopathic concepts for treatment, and practical knowledge of how to apply them.  Students who enroll in any of our continuing education seminars can contact Maureen at any future date with clinical questions.  As a result, many Osteopaths worldwide still consult with her today regarding challenging Osteopathy cases.  

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