What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a manual therapy that approaches the body as one integrated system. It focuses on identifying and resolving restrictions in mobility and works with three interconnected systems: the parietal, visceral and craniosacral systems. The parietal system encompasses the musculoskeletal system itself — such as muscles, joints and ligaments — and examines how these structures work together for optimal mobility and function; the visceral system concerns the internal organs, including their mobility and their connections via fascia, and how they influence the body as a whole; the craniosacral system includes, among other structures, the skull, spine, sacrum and cerebrospinal fluid, which protect and support the central nervous system.
By restoring the function of each system and promoting their mutual interaction, osteopathy supports the animal’s natural self-healing capacity. This allows the body to move more freely and function more effectively, contributing to the optimisation of health, wellbeing and performance, in both acute and chronic conditions.
The Osteopathy Programme
The Veterinary Osteopathy programme at Supple Spine Institute is exclusively accessible to veterinarians, veterinary physiotherapists and paraveterinary professionals. Clinical reasoning is central to the programme, and participants learn to identify and treat restrictions in the parietal, visceral and craniosacral systems using manual techniques.
In addition, participants gain practical insights into related areas such as nutrition, supplementation, behaviour and relevant medical foundational knowledge. The programme is practice-oriented and prepares participants to support the self-healing capacity of animals and to contribute to their health and wellbeing.
At SSI, osteopathy is an independent, fully developed programme that provides participants with a broad and in-depth foundation in the professional treatment of animals.
Would you like to learn more about the background of veterinary osteopathy?
Read our in-depth background article: What is Osteopathy? – in-depth reading for those truly interested
Would you like to know more about the Basic Programme in Veterinary Osteopathy?
View the programme here