Introductory 40-hour Basic Course: Osteopathy in the Cranial Field

The SCTF basic introductory course was first established to teach the principles of osteopathy in the cranial field as conceived and developed by William Garner Sutherland, student of Andrew Taylor Still. This special course was developed and passed on with reverence to disseminate a general knowledge of these principles and the therapeutic indications for this approach to treatment. The legacy of our teachers is preserved by those dedicated to “digging on”, those who have made it their life’s passion to share this gift with students and patients of osteopathy, in search of health. The SCTF endeavors to encourage and assist students, dentists and physicians – to stimulate continued study and greater proficiency on the part of those practicing osteopathy in the cranial field. Our intimate 1:4 table trainer-to-student ratio allows for close study and observation of real disarticulated crania and hand-over-hand experiential training, setting the gold standard for teaching osteopathy in the cranial field to interested students from around the world. We offer this course at least annually.

Continuing Studies Courses:

Continuing study courses are available to graduates of 2 approved basic courses, at least one of which must be an SCTF basic course. Introductory courses offered by the Osteopathic Cranial Academy and/or Osteopathy’s Promise to Children are also approved basic courses. Specific courses may have other prerequisites at the discretion of the course director. We offer these courses at least annually.

The Nose and Throat

This Continuing Studies Course will explore the anatomy and physiology of the nose, mouth and throat. We will share effective osteopathic hands-on approaches to this region from a clinical perspective. This course will be supported by the UNECOM anatomy department with specially prepared dissections in the anatomy lab and lectures from their renowned faculty. Osteopathic physicians will share pearls and practical experience to bring to your patients by way of enriching lecture and table sessions.

October 4-6, 2019 Course Director: Goldman

The Face

This popular intermediate level course is an intensive exploration of the face which fills up fast. Highly experienced faculty in a 1:4 student-to-teacher ratio allows for hands-over-hands experiential kinesthetic understanding of these delicate facial structures. Course material is highly clinically relevant and applicable to day-to-day osteopathic practice. From H.E.E.N.T. considerations: airway to sinus, vestibular and hearing to ophthalmic and vision to dental, temporomandibular dysfunction and oromaxillofacial trauma, nerve entrapments and autonomic considerations impacting the whole patient, the list goes on. This course is offered every 2-4 years and is available to graduates of 2 approved basic courses, at least one of which must be an SCTF Basic course.

2018 Course Director: Vick

The Ear and Vestibular System

This course is an extensive exploration of the anatomy and physiology of the ear. The course covers osteopathic hands-on approaches to this region from an osteopathic clinical perspective. UNECOM has supported this course with detailed anatomy lectures and specially prepared otic prosections in the anatomy lab by their excellent faculty. Senior SCTF Faculty, practicing osteopathic physicians lecture and lead table sessions for the participants, to widen their scope of understanding, by way of experiential engagement with the anatomy. Participants come away with valuable pearls and enhanced clinical understanding of treatment of dysfunctions involving the ear to bring home to their patients. (revisit Jealous 1993)

2017 Course Director: Goldman

The Eye

This course is an extensive exploration of the anatomy and physiology of the eye. An architectural wonder, encased within the seven bones that comprise the orbit, with tracts and radiations within the cranium and interacting with postural signals within the spinal cord, this course covers osteopathic hands-on approaches to this region from an osteopathic clinical perspective. UNECOM has supported this course with detailed anatomy lectures and specially prepared opthalmic prosections in the anatomy lab by their esteemed faculty. Senior SCTF Faculty join with experts in the field of optometry to offer lectures and lead table sessions for participants, to heighten their appreciation of the understanding by way of experiential engagement and time dedicated to exploration of the anatomy. Participants come away with valuable pearls and enhanced clinical understanding of treatment of dysfunctions involving the optic and ophthalmic mechanism and its adnexa, to bring home to their patients. (Revisit Jealous 1991)

2016 Course Director: Burruano

Traumatic Brain Injury

An exploration into the ever important field of traumatic brain injury and the potential for benefit with further study in osteopathy in the cranial field. With reference to the neuroendocrine immune hypothalamic-pituitary axis, this course shines a light on structural-functional relationship between the sutures when there is trauma impacting freedom of motion. Considering the adage: “We suffer from two things: a want of supply and the burden of dead deposits” by Dr Still, we explore ways to recognize dysfunction from trauma and ways to allow inherent motion express optimal health within the tissues.

2014 Course Director: Burruano

Beyond the Basics

This is a course designed to cover subject matter that is important for practice but could not logistically fit into a 40 hour basic course. More of Sutherland’s techniques for the cranium as well as techniques for the rest of the body are taught with a teacher to student ratio of 1:4. More advanced clinical information is also presented.

2013 Course Director: Lay

The Pelvis

Revisiting this significant subject after enlightening study with Dr. Herb Miller in 1989 to enhance our appreciation for this central region of the body. Consideration of its prime location poised between the lower extremities and the seat of the spine with it strong ligamentous sling and sturdy dural attachments and connections with the cranium. Involved in the five phenomena of the cranial mechanism, this puts osteopathic physicians at an advantage when considering the problems that arise within the abdominopelvic cavity or as such reflected in the nearby musculoskeletal areas of common complaint. Special attention is paid in the pelvis’s structural role in gestation, genitourinary, reproductive, and gastrointestinal function from newborn to the aged. Prosections by the Department of Anatomy Faculty at UNECOM add depth of three dimensional knowledge to the experience shared by senior faculty lecturers and table trainers.

2012 Course Director: Goldman

Beyond the Basics

This is a course designed to cover subject matter that is important for practice but could not logistically fit into a 40 hour basic course. More of Sutherland’s techniques for the cranium as well as techniques for the rest of the body are taught with a teacher to student ratio of 1:4. More advanced clinical information is also presented.

2011 Course Director: Lay

Neuroendocrine immune II: Chronic Pain

Doctor Still often alluded to the lymphatics “drinking” from the waters of the brain. Chronic pain can influence the body’s response and perception to injury in any patient population. This course offers a scientific study of the relationship of the cranial mechanism and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The pituitary sits within the sella turcica of the sphenoid. The hypothalamus is in proximity to ventricular system. Cranial strain can influence proper function of this endocrine gland which situated for global hormonal influence and its relations with overall immune function.

2010 Course Director: Ettlinger

Osteopathic Approach to the First Two Months of Life

Booked to maximum capacity, people signed up to hear pediatric osteopathic specialists Dr. Viola Frymann, Dr Edna Lay, Dr. Jane Carriero and Dr Mary Anne Morelli-Haskell and Dr. Miriam Mills share pearls of wisdom regarding their experience treating this very special population of patients. Frank Willard gave in depth anatomic descriptions with visual aids expressing the uniqueness of newborn anatomy. Osteopathic considerations were made regarding gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurologic and musculoskeletal problems in the first two months of life.

2009 Course Director: Graham

Additional Courses:

  • Considerations of Sleep
  • Teaching the Teachers
  • Children with Learning Disabilities
  • SCTF continuing Studies /OCA PRM Research Symposium Present Primary Respiratory Mechanism Burruano/ Chila 2003
  • Pathways to Diagnosis
  • NeuroEndocrine Immune
  • Motility, Fluctuation and Potency
  • Inside the Neck
  • The Three Diaphragms
  • Cranial Base Revisited
  • Lower Extremity
  • Upper Extremity
  • Digging On: The Embryologic Development of the Reciprocal Tension Membrane
  • The Ear and Vestibular System
  • Fluids
  • SCTF Cranial Anatomy in the Term Fetus
  • The Eye
  • The Higher Human Triangles
  • Applications of Sutherland Principles to the Post Traumatic, Post-Surgical
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