Optimize Your Osteopathic Practice!
Make your practice simpler and more efficient while giving longer-lasting results for your patients.
A Series of Four Courses Offered by Robert Morelli, D.O.M.P
Endorsed 24 CEUs (OAO)
Optimize! Part 1
Friday October 21st – Monday October 24th, 2022
Vancouver College of Massage Therapy
Vancouver, BC
Dear Osteopathic Practitioner,
Manual osteopathy is potentially the most powerful medicine on the planet. Over the past 15 years I have developed a system of palpation and treatment that unleashes that potential in order to drive the body towards optimal health.
Osteopathic practitioners often question whether their treatment is as efficient, potent, and long-lasting as it can be.
Perhaps the more important question is, “How efficient, potent and long-lasting can any osteopathic treatment be made to be?”
Working with scores of extremely complex patients with chronic health concerns has made me optimistic that even the most complex of these patients can usually be helped with osteopathy.
In this course I intend to put that optimism into your hands!
The introduction to this course will provide a context to answer the above questions. We will look at why the thousands of tests and techniques learned at osteopathic schools can result in a “…cannot see the forest for the trees” conundrum.
The aim of the course is to explore the philosophy of the founder of Osteopathy – as compared to your own – and then relate them to how you have been trained in light of the evolving concept of the osteopathic lesion. The course will then provide key ways to change – practically – your treatment by providing a practical palpatory protocol of assessment with an overview of the key anatomical structures of the body.
There are important variables for optimal osteopathic treatment. In this course we will turn our hands to identifying, clarifying, and learning to control these variables.
Come learn how to boost the potency of your work.
I look forward to meeting you,
Robert Morelli is a full-time Manual Osteopathic Practitioner in Toronto with over 20,000 clinic hours of experience.
He has served as Faculty Member and Head Clinic Supervisor at the Canadian College of Osteopathy, Toronto, as well as on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners.
Robert Morelli has a B.Sc. from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut and a D.O.M.P from the Canadian College of Osteopathy.
Robert Morelli presented “Equipoise: Placing the Hand Between Body, Mind and Spirit” at the Osteopathic European Academic Network (OsEAN) Open Forum on Palpation in Potsdam, Germany (2011).
Robert Morelli currently teaches Palpable Osteopathy: Optimize Your Osteopathic Practice! Parts 1—4.
Optimize Your Osteopathic Practice! Part 1
In Part 1 You Will Learn:
- How the evolving concept of the osteopathic lesion has affected your training and practice
- How the patient’s body reacts when palpated and how to control that reaction for optimal palpation and treatment using the “Lockdown System”
- A clear palpatory protocol for assessing the lesional information found in the patient’s entire body
- About the hierarchy—there is always a primary lesion—within the patient’s “Adapted Mechanism” of lesions, and how to use the “Inhibition” system to find it
- How to improve your palpation of lesions in the different tissues of the body by learning how to search for the lesions that you have been missing
- How to refine palpation of the patient’s vitality using a system called “Equipoise” designed to facilitate palpation in the body’s most difficult regions
- How to palpate the motility and mobility of the visceral and supporting fascial system given their integral importance to the structure and function of the whole body
- Ultimately, how to make your treatment simpler, more efficient and longer-lasting
Optimize Your Osteopathic Practice! Part 2
In Part 2 We Will:
- Review and deepen our understanding and use of the key elements presented in Part 1
- Deepen our practice of Equipoise
- Deepen our understanding of each part of our palpatory protocol by strengthening our palpation of the key anatomical structures everywhere in the body
- Deepen our understanding of birth and cranial buttress lesions
- Deepen our understanding of the concept of the “Anchor” in our palpatory protocol
- Explore and add to our palpatory protocol: Traumatic and Chronic Strains and of their role in the “Adapted Mechanism” of Lesions
- Explore the vital role of the “Rhythmical Interstitium” of the visceral system in mobility and motility
- All participants will palpate / assess all other class members and, finally, treat each other
Optimize Your Osteopathic Practice! Part 3
In Part 3 We Will:
- Review and deepen our understanding and use of the key elements presented in Parts 1 & 2, based on questions from participants
- Examine the question “In Osteopathic Practice, Who Does the Work and How?” by exploring the evolving concepts of ‘Presence’ ‘Intention’ and of the ‘Inner Physician’ and their practical imperatives
- Review and deepen our understanding of Cranial Osteopathy and Review the Sutures and Facial Bones
- In Part 3 the participants will be asked to bring along a patient of their own to palpate / assess and treat. Participants will also palpate / assess and treat a new patient
Here’s what people are saying
”Thanks again for such an amazing course! Hands down: the best one I've done to date since graduating 3 years ago. I thought you should know that I've used what you taught us the past 2 days after being back at work, & the results are incredible! A first time patient today who hasn't been able to move her arms above 90° abduction and forward flexion was able to fully reach overhead after the session ended. She was literally jumping for joy! Thank you for sharing what you've learned through your own practice. I look forward to the follow up next year sometime.
Candace Kakowchyk, D.O.M.P., D.Sc.O.
”I have always had the feeling that in order to teach and learn the science of Osteopathy, we have ended up compartmentalizing and dissecting it to the detriment of it’s principles. The many post graduate trainings offering different approaches have complicated the simplicity of Osteopathy’s foundation.
How many times have I wondered what the point was of knowing so much anatomic detail if in the end I was always treating the same structures more or less.
In Robert’s courses I found again the essence of Osteopathy! By feeling first, thinking second, and allowing the body to reveal the nature of it’s suffering, palpatory perception becomes the cornerstone of our practice. By applying his thoughtful, respectful, reproducible protocol we are able to reach every corner of the anatomy of our patient.
Thanks Robert for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm, and being one of the few Osteopaths out there who keep pulling on Andrew Taylor Still’s squirrel’s tail.
Sebastien Papailhau, S.P.M.P.O. (D.O.M.P. in France)
”Robert’s courses in Palpable Osteopathy is the best series I have found to propel my practice from classroom learning and into my hands.
Scott Fisher, D.O.M.P.
“Feel first and think second” is a key take-away, where we have not only addressed the primary osteopathic lesion but also assessed and treated the whole body of the patient in a time efficient manner. These courses are based on the original thinking of the founders of Osteopathy and are delivered in a format that fits with today’s realities and challenges. The courses have been a leap forward for my clinic with measurable results. Thank you Robert!
”I just wanted to send you a big hug and thank you again for the course weekend. I found the course very insightful…and really liked having…a better handle on the confidence in assessing. You were tremendous with your encouragements to all of us!
I've been more confident with my assessments and treatments the last two weeks and getting good feedback as well.
Deanna Brenneman, BSc (Hons) Osteopathy, Osteopathic Practitioner
”I've had the privilege of working with Robert in Optimize Part 1 and 2. The courses have fundamentally changed how I assess and treat my patients. The efficiency of his osteopathic approach has really fine tuned my treatments and I am getting more done in less time. I really enjoyed his precision when treating the viscera, especially the mesentery. I would highly recommend taking his courses and picking his very knowledgeable and experienced mind!
Zoe, McDermott, DOMP, CAT(C), BSc Kin
”“Optimizing Your Osteopathic Practice” has been one of the best courses I have taken in my post graduate journey of continued learning. It has really helped me re-connect with the true essence of osteopathy that somehow got lost in the hundreds and hundreds of techniques we have learnt over the years. It has helped me quickly find the primary osteopathic lesion, address it and the whole body in an elegant, compassionate, respectful and timely manner. His protocol can be applied to everyone. It’s easy, straight forward and efficient. His course has really made me think about how the human body has evolved with today’s new realties and challenges. It has reminded me that palpation is fundamental in our practice and is the key to really “listening” to the body. His knowledge, precise palpation and visualization of anatomy is like no other teacher I have had before! A true master of his craft!
Tanya Dei Tigli, B.Sc., DOMP, CAT(C), R.Kin
”This now was my third course with Robert and the “Palpable Osteopathy: Optimize Your Osteopathic Practice!” program. The vast field of Osteopathy can leave students of the science confused and looking for direction as it did with me. Robert takes us back to the philosophies and original thinking of of Andrew Taylor Still to simplify the practice and not add to a techniques-based approach. The “Palpable Osteopathy” program through demonstration and hands on practice allowed me to refine my skills, my clinic is more time efficient and now based on a clearer more concise approach while engaging the patient’s inherent capacities to heal and release. The program has moved my practice to be in closer alignment with the thinking of “Still” and the powerful “present way” that he engaged with his patients.
Scott Fisher, D.O.M.P
”I've truly enjoyed the Palpable Osteopathy courses as they've allowed me to fine tune my assessment, & treatment, skills. My most difficult patients have responded immediately, with significant results, to what I have learned from Robert in these courses. The information is broken down into an easy to understand methodology that doesn't require reinventing the wheel. Or memorizing. Robert has the ability to teach & pass along knowledge through not only an in depth hands on approach by treating real patients throughout the course, but he also somehow transmits the information on an intrinsic level. I didn't realize how much I actually understood, until working with my patients directly after the courses. It was pretty amazing to realize how much I learned! It was totally different than going to other courses where I'm struggling to keep up with the information only to leave & find out I didn't retain a whole lot, even when looking back at my notes. Thanks Robert! I always enjoy your teaching, & learning more about Osteopathy.
Candace Kakowchyk, D.O.M.P., D.Sc.O.
”If you are looking for a formation anchored in the Osteopathic principles and philosophy, what Robert is offering is by far the most amazing frame work I have been taught in my 12 years of post graduate Osteopathic formations. Palpable Osteopathy has honed my Osteopathic assessment to be more logical, complete, precise and simple. I just completed the level 3 and I hope there will be a part 4! Thanks again Robert for generously sharing your vision with us, and thanks for your patience with my millions of questions.
Sebastien Papailhau, S.P.M.P.O. (D.O.M.P. in France)
”I have attended Optimize 1, 2 and 3. I have thoroughly enjoyed attending these courses. Robert brings a vast practical and anatomical knowledge that he translates into a unique assessment and treatment strategy that I am now consistently using in my practice. His practical gems around treating difficult patients are invaluable and have given me more confidence. I have enjoyed the continuity of working with Robert to deepen my understanding of his various strategies and I look forward to working with him in the future.
Zoe, McDermott, DOMP, CAT(C), BSc Kin
”Robert's course has been revolutionary to me and has reignited the flame inside me as an osteopath. He has taken me outside of my comfort zone, and then instilled in me a sense of curiosity and grace in my practice. I see where he is going with this, and I like it. Maybe a way to simplify things in the big scheme. It has brought a whole new importance to treating the visceral system primarily and I have seen first hand that the results are much more sustainable and effective. Thank you Robert for shining a new light on my practice!
Tasha Palov DOMP
”
Optimize Part 1! Course Schedule (2022)
Friday
October 21st
5:00pm – 9:00pm
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5:00pm — Guided Meditation Practice
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INTRODUCTION – Introduction to Optimal Osteopathic treatment—Why Do We Treat the Way We Do?
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Explore the Context of Your Osteopathic Practice: Your Religious, Cultural and Philosophical Construct, Your Osteopathic Training and the Evolution of the Osteopathic Lesion
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Understand the Exigencies of Optimal Osteopathic Practice
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Demonstration & Practice: Equipoise— Intraosseous Pelvis, Legs and Interosseous Membrane of the Lower Extremity
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Demonstration & Practice: First Steps of Assessment: 1) Visual Assessment of Patient in Standing (2) Use of the Lockdown and Inhibition Systems with Rotation of Pelvis and the Intraosseous Pelvis and Lower Extremities
Satellite 1: Breath and the Cough
Saturday
October 22nd
8:15am – 6:00pm
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8:15am — Guided Meditation Practice
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Q&A and Review
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Demonstration and Practice: Elements of the Palpatory Protocol
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Logical Organization of a Palpatory Assessment Protocol—Osteopathic and
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Mechanical
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Cranium: Equipoise at the Cranium
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Core Link: Equipoise at the Dural Pelvis and Spine
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Breathing Mechanism: T-Vertebrae, Ribs, Endothoracic Fascia and Thoracic Viscera and Diaphragm. Demonstration and Practice: Equipoise and the Thorax
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Abdominal and Pelvic Viscera and Structure, and the “Rhythmical Interstitium”
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Hands-On Practice: Assessment of each of the components of the Palpatory Protocol of all participants
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Demonstration: Visual and Palpatory Assessment with an RM Patient
Sunday
October 23rd
8:15am – 6:00pm
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8:15am — Guided Meditation Practice
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Q&A and Review
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Demonstration and Practice of Remaining Elements of the Palpatory Protocol…(continued)
Monday
October 24th
5:00pm – 9:00pm
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5:00pm — Guided Meditation Practice
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Q&A and Review
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Hands-On Practice: Course participants treat each other
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Demonstration of Practice: Robert Morelli Treats New Patient
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Invited ‘complex’ patients are treated by participants using the new concepts
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Q&A
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Final Remarks
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Q&A and Review Final Remarks