Curriculum: 40 modules in 4 years

Fascia is the network of connective tissue that envelops the muscles, organs, vessels and nerves and links them to one another. The modules cover:

• the anatomy and layers of fascia and the fascial connections between the structures of the body;
• current understanding of the effects of physical load and tension on fascial tissue;
• palpation and the development of tissue sensitivity;
• fascial approaches, from gentle adjustments to movement-based techniques;
• in Fascia 2: the deep layers of fascia, clinical analysis of the structure–function balance, and a model of reasoning from symptom to cause.

Teacher: Beate Siemers (Germany). Dates: 6–8 December 2024; 13–15 February 2026.

Video recordings of the “Fascia 1” module · Fascia: what does modern science say?

Visceral osteopathy is the branch of osteopathy concerned with the mobility of the internal organs and their ligamentous and fascial connections. The modules cover:

• the topographic anatomy of the abdominal and pelvic organs and the movement of the organs with respiration;
• the principles of manual assessment of the organs;
• gentle visceral techniques, their indications and contraindications;
• the functional relationships between the visceral system and the musculoskeletal system;
• which complaints require urgent medical examination (red flags).

Teachers and dates: Michel Puylaert — Visceral 1 (10–12 January 2025) and Visceral 2 (21–23 November 2025); Hilal Boşnak Özcan — Visceral 3 (5–6 December 2026); Aycan Güçlü Sözmen — Visceral 4 (9–10 January 2027).

Visceral osteopathy: history, techniques and the limits of the evidence

Cranial osteopathy is an osteopathic approach that works with a very light touch on the skull, the membranes of the brain and their connections with the rest of the body. The modules cover:

• the anatomy of the cranial bones, the sutures, the dura mater and the venous sinuses;
• the history and theoretical foundations of the cranial concept put forward by William Garner Sutherland;
• light-pressure palpation skills;
• the relationship of the cranial region to the structures of the neck, face and jaw and to the body as a whole;
• the safe application of the techniques and critical appraisal of the available scientific evidence.

Teachers and dates: Rabia Tuğba Tekin (Kılıç) — Cranial 1 (8–9 February 2025); Hüseyin Başaran — Cranial 2 (20–21 December 2025); Metin Aydın — Cranial 3 (31 October – 1 November 2026).

Cranial osteopathy: from Sutherland to the present day

• the anatomy and physiology of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems;
• the stress response, breathing and the role of the diaphragm;
• the relationship between autonomic regulation, the internal organs and the musculoskeletal system;
• the place of the autonomic nervous system in the osteopathic approach; practical sessions.

Teacher: Aycan Güçlü Sözmen. Date: 1–2 March 2025.

• the anatomy and biomechanics of the pelvic girdle and the movements of the sacrum;
• clinical assessment of the sacroiliac and hip joints;
• practical sessions with osteopathic tests and techniques;
• the relationship of the pelvis to the lumbar region, the lower limbs and the internal organs.

Teacher: İrfan Abdurrahman. Date: 12–13 April 2025.

• structural and functional relationships in the foot, ankle and knee joints;
• the biomechanics of the foot and its role in the body's movement chain;
• the osteopathic approach to disorders encountered in athletes;
• practical protocols and techniques.

Teacher: Erkan Özyılmaz. Date: 3–4 May 2025.

General osteopathic treatment is a classical osteopathic approach in which the whole body is worked through in a set sequence with rhythmic articulatory movements. The module covers:

• the philosophy and historical roots of the approach;
• sequential, systematic assessment of the body;
• manual techniques aimed at restoring posture and freedom of movement.

Teacher: Oliver Hintz (Germany). Date: 13–15 June 2025.

General osteopathic treatment (GOT): the legacy of classical osteopathy

• the basics of X-ray, MRI, CT and ultrasound images and the principles of reading them;
• correlating images of the knee, shoulder and lumbar region with clinical signs;
• the place of radiological findings in osteopathic examination;
• cooperation with the physician and the medical team; cases in which the patient should be referred to a physician.

Teacher: Uzm. Dr. Savaş Kudaş, specialist physician in sports medicine. Date: 5–6 July 2025.

Why is radiology important for an osteopath?

• the functional (clinical) anatomy of the locomotor system;
• muscle chains, movement patterns and their functional relationships;
• the body's compensation mechanisms;
• palpation techniques, clinical analysis and assessment methods.

Teacher: Ömer Osman Pala. Dates: 26–27 July 2025 (1–2); 9–10 May 2026 (3).

• the anatomy and functional relationships of the upper extremity;
• osteopathic assessment of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints;
• manual and functional techniques.

Teacher: Hasan Genç. Date: 25–26 October 2025.

SCS is a gentle technique developed by the American osteopath Lawrence Jones, based on passively placing the body in a position of ease. The module covers:

• locating and assessing tender points (painful, tense points);
• the principle of finding and holding the position of ease;
• the indications and limitations of the technique.

Teacher: Michel Puylaert. Date: 16–18 January 2026.

The SCS technique: working with the position of ease

• the biomechanics of the lumbar spine;
• the clinical approach to disc and sacroiliac dysfunctions, chronic low back pain and sciatica;
• assessment and treatment planning; exercises based on real clinical scenarios.

Teacher: İrfan Abdurrahman. Date: 7–8 March 2026.

Manual therapy for low back pain: evidence and clinical guidelines

• the anatomy of the thoracic spine and ribs; the mechanics of breathing;
• assessment of the thorax and manual techniques.

Teacher: Erdem Yörükoğlu. Date: 11–12 April 2026 (according to the schedule).

• the anatomy and biomechanics of the cervical region, including the first and second cervical vertebrae;
• osteopathic tests used in clinical practice;
• the approach to neck pain and cervical dysfunctions;
• safety rules and risk screening when working on the cervical region.

Teachers and dates: Cervical 1 — according to the schedule, Erdem Yörükoğlu, 6–7 June 2026; Cervical 2 — İrfan Abdurrahman, 19–20 September 2026.

• Andrew Taylor Still and the origins of osteopathy;
• the historical and modern interpretation of the core principles of osteopathy;
• the development of osteopathy in Europe and around the world.

Teacher: Aycan Güçlü Sözmen. Date: 9–10 January 2027.

A brief history of osteopathy

BLT is a gentle, indirect technique performed at the point where the tension of the joint and its ligaments is balanced. Its historical roots go back to the work of W. G. Sutherland. The module covers:

• the concept of the ligamentous articular mechanism;
• finding and holding the point of balance;
• practical application in different regions of the body.

Teacher: Orhan Öztürk. Date: 6–7 February 2027.

BLT: balancing ligamentous and articular tension

• recognising conditions that are not suited to the osteopathic approach — the signs of serious disease (red flags);
• history-taking and the structure of the clinical examination;
• criteria for referring the patient to a physician.

Differential diagnosis is assessed as a separate component of the OSD final examination (see: Diploma and certificate).

Teacher: Mehmet Ünal. Date: 6–7 March 2027.

Safety in osteopathy: red flags and differential diagnosis

• the links between emotional stress, the nervous system and bodily symptoms;
• the biopsychosocial approach to health;
• communication with the patient, professional boundaries and referral for psychological support.

Teacher: Oğuz Gücin. Date: 10–11 April 2027.

Psychosomatics and the biopsychosocial model

Combining the structural, visceral and cranial approaches into a single treatment plan, working on clinical cases.

Teacher: İrfan Abdurrahman. Date: 8–9 May 2027.

• the role of nutrition in tissue repair and general health;
• the limits of nutritional advice in osteopathic practice; cooperation with the physician and the dietitian.

Teacher: Hakan Kaygusuz. Date: 19–20 June 2027.

The last module of each academic year brings together all the year's topics — the structural, visceral and cranial approaches — in a single clinical way of thinking and concludes with the annual examination.

Teachers and dates: Oktay Çağlar — 22–24 August 2025 and 11–12 July 2026; Hasan Genç and Elfanə Süleymanova — 16–18 July 2027.