International Conference 2026 | Deep within innovations and insights in visceral osteopathy

Frank H. Willard, PhD is Professor of Anatomy and Neuroanatomy at the College of the Osteopathic Medicine of the University of New England (US). He also serves as a member of the teaching board at the European School of Osteopathy and the British College of Osteopathic Medicine. Gaining his PhD in Anatomy and Neurobiology from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1981, his research focuses on spinal anatomy and the neurology of spine pain. He is widely published and primary editor of the ‘Basic Sciences’ section in the recently published third edition of Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine.

Recent Research | The use of tranforaminal injections to address chronic pain syndromes has resulted in numerous catastrophic accidents involving iatrogenic paralysis and death following inadvertent injection of the spinal cord blood supply. We have been investigating the size and distribution of spinal medullary arteries to help physicians better protect against injuring their patients.

Philip Van Caille, the Belgium-born osteopath, knows not only the taste of its decadent chocolate and iconic waffles but also something MORE about OSTEOPATHY.

Philip’s journey in the osteopathic world began in the charming alleys of Bruges in 1986. By 2001 he settled in Switzerland, where he continues to osteopathically mend and reset all in need.

But our osteopath isn’t just known for his therapeutic touch. Since the early 90s, he’s been lavishly sharing his knowledge all over Europe. Whether it’s the art of bioregulative life-conforming osteopathy, the ballet of osteopathic functional orthodontics for children, or the meticulous nuances of craniomandibular dysfunctions and the art of resetting the allostatic systems – Philip is your go-to guy.

Philip is also the founder and mastermind behind More Osteopathy, the destination for postgrad osteopath courses. And, for those fixing their patients’ sporty problems, he helms the ship at EASO, the European Academy for Sport Osteopathy.

Philip Van Caille: osteopath, educator, and host of this MOcongress. Let’s embark on a journey towards a MORE OSTEOPATHYcally-enriched future!

Nathalie Camirand, PT, D.O., N.D.,is a physiotherapist an, osteopath and naturopath based in Montreal, Canada, who has been teaching postgraduate courses for over 25 years in the fields of gynecology, urology, and neuroendocrine dysfunctions. She is the author of the book Dysfonctions glandulaires et nerveuses : diagnostics et traitements ostéopathiques, published by Maloine (Paris, 2009), which has since been translated into German and Polish. She also authored Brain–Gut–Pelvis Axis in Osteopathy – An Integrative Approach to Stress, Anxiety and Depression: Encephalic Brain (Elsevier, 2020), translated into German, as well as Abdominal Brain and Osteopathy (Elsevier). Her most recent work, Cerveau pelvien – Axe cerveau–intestin–pelvis et ostéopathie : approche intégrative des troubles urogynécologiques et de la fertilité, further expands her integrative approach, focusing on pelvic health, urogynaecological disorders, and fertility. She was the initiator and coordinator of a postgraduate specialty program (30 ECTS credits) in Gynecology and Obstetrics at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, developed in collaboration with IASO. This program is currently offered in Germany (Berlin and Hamburg) and in France (Bordeaux). In 2019, she was awarded the Prix Reconnaissance Ostéopathie Québec in recognition of her significant contribution to the advancement of osteopathy and the development of the profession. Her courses are widely appreciated for the depth of clinical expertise she shares, as well as for the practical and effective therapeutic tools she provides, developed through more than 30 years of clinical experience.

I am Thomas Verlinden, anatomist at Maastricht University, the Netherlands. I teach anatomy, embryology and histology to both under- and post-graduate (bio)medical students.  Most of my time is dedicated to the (surgical) anatomy of the abdomen. Maastricht University is known for its Problem-Based learning system. Together we have the philosophy that students need to develop an intrinsic motivation at the heart of their learning process.

Besides teaching, I occupy a research position. My investigations focus mainly on the anatomy of the sympathetic limb of the peripheral autonomic nervous system.

Colette Peeters (DO-MSc. Ost.) is an international authority on the osteopathic treatment of obstetrics, gynecology and infertility. She has over 30 years of experience in treating patients, first as a physiotherapist (1991) and later as an osteopath (1996).

Ze heeft de afgelopen jaren een groot osteopathisch onderzoek gedaan met 254 endometriose patiënten.

During her career, Colette has focused on an innovative branch of osteopathy: internal vaginal and anal osteopathic treatments. The focus of her practice is on specific structural and “functional” pathologies and problems such as:

• gynaecology problems
• infertility
• endometriosis
• coccygodynia (tailbone)
• postnatal recovery
• adhesions and scar tissue

In addition, Colette teaches at The International Academy of Osteopathy (IAO), she teaches future generations of osteopaths on an international scale. Colette teaches in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Denmark & Switzerland, among others.

Colette always makes time to discuss the history and problems with each patient in detail. She also works closely with other health care providers, physicians, and even surgeons to map out the patient’s overall clinical picture.

René Zweedijk, BSc(Hons) Ost Med

René Zweedijk studeerde in 1983 cum laude af als fysiotherapeut aan de Opleiding Fysiotherapie in Vlissingen. In 1984 startte hij met de opleiding Osteopathie in België, die hij in 1989 eveneens cum laude afrondde.

Gedurende zijn gehele loopbaan heeft René een bijzondere interesse gehad in de neurofysiologie. Zijn afstudeerscriptie voor de opleiding Fysiotherapie richtte zich op de rol van het autonome zenuwstelsel bij pijnklachten. Voor zijn opleiding Osteopathie schreef hij een scriptie over de neurofysiologie van het spijsverteringsstelsel. Direct na zijn afstuderen als fysiotherapeut trad René toe tot het docententeam van de opleiding Fysiotherapie in Vlissingen. Na het behalen van zijn diploma Osteopathie werd hij gevraagd om les te geven binnen de basisopleiding Osteopathie. Naast praktische vakken verzorgde hij onderwijs op het gebied van fysiologie en neurofysiologie.

Na elf jaar les te hebben gegeven binnen de basisopleiding Osteopathie, startte René in 2000 met het organiseren van postacademische en postgraduate opleidingen. Inmiddels is hij een veelgevraagd internationaal spreker en docent. Hij treedt regelmatig op als spreker tijdens congressen en verzorgt cursussen, workshops en seminars voor osteopaten en andere zorgprofessionals over de hele wereld.

 

English

René Zweedijk, BSc(Hons) Ost Med
René Zweedijk graduated laude in 1983 as a physiotherapist at the school of physiotherapy in Vlissingen. In 1984 he started training for osteopathy in Belgium and in 1989 he graduated laude. René’s interest has always been in the field of neurophysiology. His graduation thesis at the physiotherapy school focused on the role of the autonomic nervous system in pain complaints. His thesis for the osteopathy program was about the neurophysiology of the digestive system.

René started teaching at the physiotherapy course in Vlissingen immediately after graduating and also after obtaining the osteopathy diploma he was asked to teach at the basic osteopathy training. In addition to practical subjects, the teaching themes were physiology and neurophysiology. After 11 years of teaching at the basic osteopathy course, René started organizing postgraduate courses in 2000. René is a much sought-after international lecturer. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and gives courses and workshops.

Dr Jorge Esteves, PhD, MA, BSc, DO: Academic and Professional Profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jorge-esteves-phd-27371522/

Summary: Dr Jorge Esteves is a distinguished osteopath and cognitive scientist, with extensive experience in osteopathic education, research, and clinical practice. He currently holds key academic and clinical positions across Europe and is actively involved in advancing the field through research, teaching, and professional development. His work focuses on innovative approaches to osteopathic care, integrating theoretical and practical perspectives to enhance patient outcomes and educational standards.

Current Positions:

• Professor and Programme Leader Osteopathy, Escola Superior de Saúde Atlântica, Atlântica University, Portugal
• Visiting Honorary Professor, Health Sciences University, UK.

Jason Haxton, MA, DO (h.c.) has been the director of the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine since January 2001. Besides managing the Museum that was created in 1934, he makes multiple international trips each year and during COVID he visits by ZOOM as an addition to many osteopathic online curriculums. He is active with Continuing Medical Education credits (CME) for physicians too. He provides lectures, historic research materials and promotes the principles of osteopathic medicine through exhibits in the USA and abroad. At A.T. Still University in Kirksville he keeps a busy as Advisor to SAHOPs (Society for the Advancement of Historical Osteopathy and Philosophy Organization), along with teaching medical students and welcoming guests from around the world to the museum.

Jason worked on a variety of documentaries which includes the Historical Emmy award PBS 2017: The Feminine Touch Spanish 2019: The Science of Osteopathy and German 2020: Osteopathie Heilen mit den Handen.

He authored Andrew Taylor Still – Father of Osteopathic Medicine a biography for young readers (10-12 years). This is the first book of its kind approved for school curriculum in social studies.

He contributed the opening history chapter on osteopathy for an Osteopathic text book – English and German Language Elsevier: Lehrbuch Osteopathische Medzin – Johannes Mayer & Clive Standen – published in British English in 2019.

Jason received several Library and Museum grants all totaling half a million dollars to process and put online the Museum’s 100,000 artifacts and to create K-8th grade health curriculum. The Museum just received a $50,000 grant to organize and preserve the textiles in the collection. His leadership at the Museum was recognized as an American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Shining STAR organization for its work promoting the osteopathic profession worldwide. The Museum was recognized this July with National American Alliance of Museums Accreditation the highest standard in the Museum profession.

Dr. Mariane has been familiar with plastic surgery since childhood, as her mother was a surgical instrument technician at the Ivo Pitanguy clinic. In 1994, Dr. Enzo Rivera invited her to assist his postoperative patients. At that time, with only training in massage therapy and under his guidance, she treated patients using massage techniques.

Caring for patients and witnessing their daily improvements was highly rewarding. However, fibrosis remained a persistent issue. This led her to seek a deeper understanding of these common yet challenging complications. The following year, she enrolled in a physiotherapy degree program and began searching for specific treatments to address the complications she found difficult to resolve. Throughout her studies, she applied various physiotherapeutic techniques to patients as she learned new methods and tools. Simultaneously, she collaborated with multiple plastic surgeons, including Dr. Bárbara Machado, who was one of her greatest supporters in research and treatment development—someone she continues to work with today.

During her studies, she met Professor Vera Borsato, who, with her expertise in manual therapies, guided her on how to study and apply techniques to patients in the healing phase. By the time Dr. Mariane graduated as a physiotherapist, she had already established an effective treatment for the feared fibroses. Through clinical practice, she adapted her techniques to the needs of patients, who often exhibited similar characteristics, such as fibrosis, adhesions, and edema. This led to the creation of the manual treatment strategy developed by Dr. Mariane, which later became the foundation for Functional Tissue Release (LTF®), encapsulating her entire treatment concept.

Dr. Mariane completed her physiotherapy degree in 2000, already highly experienced in treating these patients and deeply passionate about her work. She continued her studies, pursuing a postgraduate specialization in Dermatofunctional Physiotherapy in 2001, which eventually led her to teaching.

In 2004, she began her scientific career as an intern at the Tissue Repair Laboratory at UERJ. By 2006, she had enrolled in a master’s program in Human and Experimental Biology, under the supervision of Professor Andréa Monte Alto Costa. This opportunity introduced her to the world of research, significantly enhancing her expertise.

As she delved deeper into wound healing and mechanical tension research, she had to modify her treatment strategy again, considering that structural changes in healing tissues are influenced by the type of treatment applied. During her master’s program, she acquired a solid experimental scientific foundation that shaped her future work.

By 2015, feeling stagnant and unfulfilled with only an experimental scientific background, she decided to immerse herself in orthopedic manual physiotherapy training. This allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of neuromyoarticular dysfunctions resulting from tissue damage caused by various surgeries, including obstetric, orthognathic, orthopedic, oncological, and plastic surgeries. This knowledge led to a complete restructuring of her previous therapeutic strategies, ultimately resulting in the development of Physiotherapy for Scar Tissues.

With the mission of sharing this knowledge with as many physiotherapists as possible, she founded the Instituto Mariane Altomare in 2019. Today, the institute has a faculty of eight professors and operates in major capitals across Brazil and Europe.

Dr. Mariane is a passionate and fulfilled professional. One of her main goals is to dispel the misconception that fibrosis has no treatment—it does, and it is quite simple once the physiological mechanisms behind its formation are understood.

She advocates for evidence-based, updated physiotherapy and is dedicated to spreading awareness of specialized physiotherapy among plastic surgeons and patients. She envisions a future where everyone can benefit from the proposed physiotherapeutic treatment.

Robert Muts, has more than 35 years of experience in the teaching and practice of osteopathy, in addition to the experience in research and in various other disciplines in complementary healthcare. At the Integrative Medical Centre in Amsterdam, he still treats patients with complex conditions on a daily basis. Education in osteopathy is taught at College Sutherland, part of the institute Academic Integrative Centre.Mankind is a wonderful link in nature, which is basically healthy. Freedom from this health is the basis of osteopathic practice.

Judith Kocken is initiatiefnemer medisch specialistische praktijk Stichting Kinderbuikenco, voor kinderen , jongeren en volwassenen met langdurige klachten. Holistische medische behandeling, met aandacht voor de vier dimensies van het mens zijn: fysiek, spiritueel, mentaal en emotioneel.
Holistic approach of chronic problems : body, soul, emotional and mental.

Samen leren hoe je verantwoordelijkheid kunt nemen voor je eigen gezondheid door het zelfhelend vermogen van het lichaam te gebruiken.

Georg Harrer was born and raised in Vienna/Austria. After graduation, he obtained a certification and subsequently registered his own business as a massage therapist. He then attended university and graduated with an M.D. from the University of Vienna. He completed practical training to become a general practitioner at the Medical University of Vienna and at Halifax General Hospital in Yorkshire/UK.

Returning to Vienna Medical University, he specialized in anesthesiology and intensive care medicine and, at the same time, successfully completed his training in osteopathy with the Vienna School of Osteopathy (WSO). Here in 1997, Georg Harrer first came into contact with FDM and Stephen Typaldos, D.O. In 1998, he spent a considerable amount of time in Bangor, Maine/US on an on-site visit with Typaldos which led to a long, close collaboration between the two physicians.

In 2001, Georg Harrer started teaching FDM seminars across Europe. He was, until 2007, the only instructor authorized to teach FDM by Typaldos. After Typaldos’ death, invitations to teach in the US followed and Georg Harrer contributed to several books on the subject of the Fascial Distortion Model.

Georg Harrer, M.D. runs his own practice specialized in the Fascial Distortion Model in Vienna, Austria. He is one of the founding members of the European FDM Association (EFDMA), was elected its president in 2006 and held this function until 2010.

In August of 2011, Harrer was the chief organizer of the 5th FDM World Congress in Vienna.

Degrees

1989: M.D. Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan

2001: Ph.D. Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Thesis: Characterization of expression of estrogen

receptors alpha and beta in endometriosis

2006 : H.D.R. (Habilitation à diriger des recherches : Competence to conduct research)

University of Auvergne- Clermont-Ferrand I, France

Diplomas

1996: European diploma of Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery, University of Auvergne-

Clermont–Ferrand I, France

1997: Board Certified, Japanese Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japan

2005: Diploma of animal experimentation, level I, University of Blaise-Pascal, France

Professional experiences

1989-1992: Resident in Department of general surgery in Tohoku University Hospital, Japan,

Additional trainings for cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, pediatric surgery, anaesthesiology

1992-1998: Resident in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Tohoku University Hospital,

Japan

1995-1996: Clinical fellow for laparoscopic surgery, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Polyclinique- Hôtel-

Dieu, Gynécologie Obstétrique et Médecine de la Reproduction, Clermont-Ferrand, France

1998-2004: Assistant professor in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Tohoku University

Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.

2001-2004: Research mobility: CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France

2004-present: Clinical researcher, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France

2010-present : Maitre de Conférence, Université Clermont Auvergne – Clermont-Ferrand, France

Editorial boards

2012-2015, 2018-2021: Associate Editor, Human Reproduction

2022-present: Associate Editor, Human Reproduction Update

2015-present Academic Editor, PLOS ONE

Principal scientific activities

1. Pathophysiology of endometriosis: since 1996-present:

2. Pathophysiology of surgical peritoneal environment during laparoscopy: since 2005-present