Visceral Therapy builds on the general principles of osteopathy to include a special understanding of the organs (viscera), blood vessels and nerves of the body. Visceral Techniques can help relieve imbalances and restrictions in the interconnections between the movements of all the organs and structures of the body.

Organs/internal tissues impact afferent (sensory) nerve flow of the autonomic nervous system. These changes in afferent nerve flow can lead to specific patterns of hypertonia and referred pain which can result in immobility in the spine, pelvis and shoulder region. Many of the musculoskeletal restrictions may be coming from a root visceral cause. To achieve and maintain long term healthy movement in the body, allowing for optimal performance, visceral causes of spinal and pelvic restrictions need to be addressed.

This advanced class has been created by Kris De Ceulaer, DVM, Ph.D for veterinarians and manual therapists/practitioners with a strong background in anatomy.The outline of the class is:

Visceral Therapy in Osteopathy

1. Why do we use Visceral Therapy?

• General
• How can we describe visceral movement?
• How can we treat visceral movement limitations?
• When can skeletal problems be of visceral origin?
• Neuro-anatomy and vascularization

2. Anatomy and osteopathy of the thoracic organs

3. Anatomy and osteopathy of the abdominal cavity

4. Anatomy and osteopathy of the pelvic organs

Kris De Ceulaer, DVM, Ph.D is a veterinarian in Belgium who specializes in osteopathy, acupuncture and Chinese Food Therapy. Additionally she holds a Ph.D in Veterinary anatomy. Information in the class is presented by Power Points slides with accompanying lecture by Kris. Additionally she provides hands on videos illustrating how to assess as well as treat restrictions of the viscera.

This online class is a prerequisite for a one-day hands-on class to be offered on Vashon Island, WA. Next hands-on class will be in May 2023.

The equine fascial lines provide a way of understanding functional anatomy in relation to equine locomotion. Rather than looking at individual muscles, the fascial lines connect muscles, tendons and ligaments to form continuous lines within the horse’s body.

Danish veterinarians Rikke Schultz and Vibeke Elbrond set out to see if the Fascial Lines discussed by Thomas Myers in his book, Anatomy Trains, also existed in horses. In 2015 they published a paper with their findings.

This course covers the 13 equine fascial lines as documented in dissections by Drs Schultz and Elbrond with anatomical drawings and explanations of the locations of each line. Movement or behavior issues that a horse might show when a line or lines are under tension are listed. Suggested techniques to test and isolate which line(s) are under the most tension are explained and suggestions of how to release the lines are provided.

Interested in learning more about Horse Temperament Typing? Then we have a class for you!

Enroll here: http://horsetemperament.com/class.html

There are many approaches to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), but the Five-Element approach is unique in that it includes the idea that each of us, animal or human, represents a “constitutional type,” exhibiting certain physical and emotional traits that are specific to that type. Viewing the individual from this perspective can also be applied to horses, thus facilitating a better understanding of any given horse’s nature and needs. Madalyn Ward, DVM has created a variety of resources to help horse owners understand these personality types and provide for their individual needs.

This online course has been created to share information with you about the eleven Horse Temperament Types as explained by Madalyn Ward, DVM. Dr. Ward has been a pioneering voice in the field of holistic horse care for over two decades and she breaks new ground with the Horse Temperament Typing system. Her cutting edge casework now extends to helping horse lovers find their perfect equine match or better understand their current equine partner.

This online class is self-paced (you have 4 months to complete it) and it is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Horse Temperament Types. While NWSAM is the host for this class, enrollment must be completed through Dr. Ward’s site at Horse Temperament Typing

This class has been NBCAAM approved for 15 hours of continuing education credit.