Structural osteopathy courses

“To find health should be the object of the doctor. Anyone can find disease.”
Andrew Taylor Still

What is Structural Osteopathy?

Structural osteopathy is one of the main branches of osteopathy, based on Andrew Taylor Still’s holistic concept of human treatment. In his belief, true healing power lies within the person themselves – not in external preparations or interventions. Osteopathy relies on the body’s natural abilities to adapt, compensate and restore balance. Its goal is not only to diagnose or eliminate disease, but primarily to restore the flow of vital forces and support the body’s healing as a whole.

In these four intensive seminars, each lasting 4-5 days, participants will systematically delve into the principles and application of structural osteopathy in clinical practice. The courses are based on classical osteopathic philosophy and methods – from assessing mechanical dysfunctions to targeted treatment using various manual techniques.

Participants will become familiar with:

Recognizing structural changes – dysfunctions and lesions – and their biomechanical and energetic interpretation;
Phenomena of life flow (fluidity) in blood vessels, lymph, tissues and nervous system;
Methods such as positioning techniques (Still, Sutherland, Jones), rhythmic mobilizations (Littlejohn), muscle energy and myofascial release techniques, as well as high-velocity low-amplitude joint corrections.

Each seminar is prepared as a separate module, allowing participants to systematically deepen their knowledge and skills, guided by osteopathic principles: gentleness, precision, listening to the body and respect for life’s harmony.

Gert Groot Landeweer talks about structural osteopathy

Basic information at a glance

ℹ️ What: Structural osteopathy training – a cycle of four module seminars based on Andrew Taylor Still’s osteopathic philosophy. This training program introduces classical structural osteopathy: from body biomechanics and dysfunction analysis to application of manual techniques. The courses are designed for practitioners seeking to deepen their clinical perspective and manual skills, guided by osteopathic principles.

ℹ️ Where: Training takes place at the Integrative Therapy Center, Vytenio st. 4, Vilnius. More practical information about the location, access, accommodation options etc. can be found here.

ℹ️ When: Seminars are organized according to a pre-announced schedule, each module lasts 4-5 days. Participation in the entire sequence is recommended, but you can also choose individual seminars without following the sequence.

ℹ️ How: Training is conducted in English, but participants who don’t speak English can also attend – all courses provide consistent translation into Lithuanian. This allows full engagement in the learning process regardless of language skills.

ℹ️ Price and discounts: We offer various discounts for early registration, repeating the course. For exact prices and payment plans, please check the schedule for specific courses or contact us – we’ll provide detailed information.

Students, lecturers and patients speak

Ebba Boyesen

Daughter of Gerda Boyesen, creator of Biodynamic Body Psychotherapy, method developer and co-creator, institute lecturer, therapist

Rita Guginė

Graduate of Biodynamic Body Psychotherapy, practicing biodynamic biorelease massage specialist

Rasa Skrabutėnas

Graduate of Biodynamic Body Psychotherapy, practicing body therapist, ITC co-founder

5 seminars

🔹 INTRO: Introductory module (online) introduces the origins of osteopathy, philosophy and basic principles from A.T. Still to modern practice. Discusses osteopathy’s place in medicine, concepts of health and disease, and historical development of methods.

🔹 LESION: Learn to recognize and treat structural lesions and their aspects, applying gentle, indirect positioning techniques according to Sutherland and Strain-Counterstrain methods. The course focuses on the body’s ability to restore balance independently.

🔹 RHYTHM: Main focus is on restoring body rhythms and whole-body harmonization using general osteopathic treatment (GOT). Work includes rhythmic mobilizations, tissue tone and joint mobility.

🔹 MUSCULAR: Deepen knowledge about muscle and fascia influence on structural dysfunctions. Apply MET and MFR techniques to reduce tissue tension, restore mobility and improve stability.

🔹 MANIPULATION: Learn to correct joint dysfunctions using classic HVLA techniques. Focus on safely and precisely mobilizing joints and restoring their physiological glide.

Seminar details

INTRO: Introduction to osteopathic philosophy and principles

Course objective

The goal of this introductory course is to familiarize participants with the origins of osteopathy, its philosophical foundations and principles that this discipline still relies on today. Participants will get acquainted with the main creators of osteopathy – Andrew Taylor Still, William Garner Sutherland and John Martin Littlejohn – and their influence on methodology formation. The course helps better understand osteopathy’s perspective on health, disease and treatment, preparing participants to delve into structural osteopathy in practical modules.

Course content

History of osteopathy: A.T. Still and his first followers
Osteopathic principles: life force, body unity, self-regulation
Concepts of health, disease and “unwellness” in osteopathy
Influence of mechanical trauma, lifestyle and emotional factors on human health
Types of osteopathic phenomena: lesions, dysfunctions, fluid aspects
Development of osteopathic methods: from classical to modern practices
Osteopathy’s place in modern medicine and healthcare system
Importance of connection between philosophy and clinical decision in practice

Duration and format:

1 day/ 8 hours
Online

Dates

LESION: Correction of structural injuries and dysfunctions

Course objective

The goal of this module is to teach participants to recognize and treat structural tissue and joint injuries and dysfunctions using gentle, indirect techniques. In osteopathic context, such injuries are often called osteopathic “lesions” – subtle changes in body tissue function or structure that can disrupt health balance, though not necessarily manifesting as obvious trauma or disease.

The module examines two main positioning techniques – Sutherland and Strain-Counterstrain (Jones) – which help reduce tissue tension and encourage body self-regulation.

Course content

Concept of osteopathic injuries (so-called “lesions”) and their differences from simple dysfunctions
Principles of indirect positioning techniques:
- Sutherland method – joint and surrounding tissue position towards freedom direction, aiming for autoreposition
- Strain-Counterstrain (Jones) – work with Tender points (painful fascial nodes), directing the body into pain-free position
Body palpation, sensitivity development and observation of tissue behavior
Balanced Tension concept – search for tissue tension balance point
Recognition and accompaniment of repositioning impulse
Application of techniques to the whole body – limbs, spine, pelvis, thorax
Differences between Sutherland and Jones methods in clinical practice
Indications and contraindications

Duration and format:

6 days
In-person

Dates

RHYTHM: Restoration of body rhythms and general osteopathic mobilization

Course objective

The goal of this module is to introduce participants to the principle of general osteopathic treatment (GOT), whose essence is harmonization of body tissue rhythms, joint mobility and functional connections. Based on methodology created by J. M. Littlejohn, participants learn to apply rhythmic manual techniques to the whole body, aiming to improve blood flow, lymph flow, tissue elasticity and overall body balance.

Course content

Origin and philosophy of General Osteopathic Treatment (GOT)
Role of rhythm, amplitude and frequency in osteopathic techniques
Integrated assessment of joints, muscles and fascia in GOT context
Importance of Endfeel (final resistance) in diagnosis and treatment
Whole body structural treatment in various positions: lying on back, stomach, side and sitting
Application of GOT principles for visceral mobilization
Restoration of body activity, tone and mobility through rhythmic interventions
Indications and contraindications when applying GOT methodology

Duration and format:

6 days
In-person

Dates

MUSCULAR: Correction of muscle and fascia tension and dysfunctions

Course objective

The goal of this module is to provide participants with knowledge and practical skills on how to recognize and treat structural dysfunctions arising from muscle and fascia tension, shortening or adhesions. Main focus is on two osteopathic methodologies – Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) and Myofascial Release (MFR), which allow direct work with movement limitations and tissue elasticity.

Course content

Causes of muscle and fascia tension, shortening and restrictions in osteopathic context
Whole body assessment to identify myofascial restrictions
MFR techniques: gentle, gradual fascia decompression and stretching methods, responding to tissue response
MET techniques: isometric, isotonic and isolytic muscle contractions within movement limits
Compensation of muscle weakness or joint instability through MET
Assessment and correction of spine, pelvis and thorax joint dysfunctions
Work with regional, local and focal tensions
Indications and contraindications when working with muscle-fascia system

Duration and format:

6 days
In-person

Dates

MANIPULATION: Correction of joint dysfunctions using HVLA techniques

Course objective

The goal of this module is to teach participants to safely and precisely apply high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) techniques designed to treat intra-articular (joint) dysfunctions. These osteoarticular techniques are one of the most recognizable osteopathic methods, helping restore joint mobility, biomechanical balance and physiological position.

Course content

Philosophy and clinical logic of HVLA / osteoarticulation techniques
Concept of intra-articular dysfunctions: glide disorders and their biomechanical impact
Whole body assessment to determine joint mobility limitations
Determination of joint position and trigger points using palpation
Precise body positioning for manipulation: direction, line, lever length
Ruck- and Stoß-techniken: HVLA mechanism of action, impulse control
Safety principles: testing before technique application, indications and contraindications
Practical application to all body regions – limbs, spine, pelvis

Duration and format:

6 days
In-person

Dates

Frequently asked questions

Are studies conducted only in-person, or is there an option to participate in some seminars remotely?

Studies take place in-person, only a few theoretical modules are planned online.

Is it possible to get a discount?

Each seminar has a different price so please check by dates. When registering in advance (>1 month) we have a discount code EARLY, with which a discount is given. We also offer up to 50% discount for those repeating the same course.

What is included in the price, and what is not?

Seminars take place in Vilnius, in our premises and participants don’t need to pay anything extra, – there is a lecturer, assistants, translators, free coffee, tea, fruits and small snacks and sweets, all equipment needed for training. In the premises we walk without shoes, – if someone forgets slippers, we gift socks. Those arriving by car may need to pay for parking (if not an electric vehicle), – yellow zone around. For those wanting to have lunch in cafes, there is a large selection of daily lunches around, from simple and quick for 5 eur to tasty and luxurious for 35. Our small kitchen has a microwave, so those bringing their own food have the opportunity to heat it up.

In later stages, during individual consultations or supervisions, if translation from English/German is needed (usually lecturers speak both English and German) – this costs additional 25-30 eur for 5 hours, depending on language and translators.

Can I study if I don't speak English?

You definitely can! All seminars are translated literally into Lithuanian, live. Only printed seminar materials are in English, – there are many illustrations, Latin terms are used, but basic English knowledge would be helpful.