Introductory Lectures

An introduction into the Osteopathic Fascial Concept


1. Philosophy in CAM Healthcare

Philosophy in Complementary and Alternative Medicine; this lecture is about the types of philosophies that can be applied in CAM care. Every profession in CAM uses principles which can be investigated through their implicit use of body mind philosophies. The implicit body mind philosophies are important to make explicit to be able to come to an integral approach of the scientific and the phenomenological aspects of daily functioning.


2. Osteopathic Principles, Models and Process

Osteopathic principles, models and process; the osteopathic principles are not so much a philosophy, it is a part of complementary and alternative healthcare. The basic principles of applying both form (anatomy) and function (physiology), of looking at dis-ease and not illness and of taking an integral approach (global, regional and local functioning) can be applied to most professions in CAM healthcare. This is necessary because of the functional complaints (pain, tiredness, etc.: dis-ease) for which there is not an illness as an explanation.

3. Midline and Rotation

Midline and rotations: In this lecture the osteopathic concepts of midline and rotations are explained. The midline can be seen as a physical structure (for instance the spinal column) around which the body is organized. It is also a functional structure (for instance the gravity line) around which our functioning is organized. This functioning on a basic level implies a front and back comparison, a left right comparison, which can then be applied to a 3D model where the general systems also rotate.

4. Fascia Chains

Fascial chains: In this lecture the concept of fascial chains is explained. Fascial chains are an important concept in Osteopathy because of its connective function (connective tissue). The chains are formally described as myofascial chains. Here the connection of the myofascial chains to the visceral and neuronal fascia is elaborated on the explain the osteopathic approach towards an integrated systems approach.

5. Fascia Histocytology

Fascia histocytology: The cell level of fascia and its influences. In the zooming in sequence it is of importance to understand the human body on all of its existential levels. On a cellular level (which has been the foundation for the regular medical development) the function of fascia is discussed through its current state of knowledge and future research directions.

6. UroGynaecal Fascia

Urogynaecological fascia: an introduction to the connection of the visceral, parietal and neurological fascia in the urological, gynaecological and nephrological systems. Here both the systems approach, the functions of the different systems is connected to the connective tissue (morphological) condition which is investigated by the osteopath.

7. GastroEnterological Fascia

Gastroenterological fascia: an introduction to the connection of the visceral, parietal and neurological fascia in the gastrological, enterological and hepatological systems. Here both the systems approach, the functions of the different systems is connected to the connective tissue (morphological) condition which is investigated by the osteopath through the neck, thorax, lumbar fascia and lower-, upper extremity functions.

8. Cardiopulmonary Fascia

Cardiopulmonary fascia: an introduction to the connection of the visceral, parietal and neurological fascia in the cardiological, pulmonological and vascular systems. Here both the systems approach, the functions of the different systems is connected to the connective tissue (morphological) condition which is investigated by the osteopath through the thorax, throat, neck and lumbar fascia functions.

9. Cranial Fascia 

Cranial fascia: In this lecture the cranial fascia is assessed in a functional extra cranial assessment and a structural skeletal assessment. Old osteopathic nomenclature and models are updated. This update is necessary to be able to support osteopathy in the cranial field which has seen its merits slowly been taken over by other professions.

10. Neuronal Fascia

Neuronal fascia: This lecture is about the nervous system functions and its surrounding fascia from a phylontologenetic point of view. Here the nervous system is looked at from the basic functions of the cranial nerves, the cytological level of the neuronal fascia and the importance of the autonomous nervous system in the osteopathic concept.