2018 Workshop Presenters

Full and half day pre-conference workshops are planned for Tuesday, November 13, the day before the main Conference proceedings. A  fascial anatomy workshop is planned for Saturday-Monday, November 10-12, and a one-day prosection workshop on November 13. Learn about workshops.

MOLLY ALLISON, M.S. OTR/L, CHT, SMS

Molly Allison has been practicing in the field of upper extremity orthopedics for 26 years. Her Advanced Master’s Thesis, a 1995 national study, investigated Fascial Restrictions of the Upper Limb. She holds nationally recognized specialty certification in Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy. Molly’s educational background is rooted in both the Western sciences and Complementary Medicine and she endeavors to bring her clinical and research experience forward to the Global Fascial Community. Molly’s curiosity of cultural anthropology lead her to work in a Leprosy Hospital in Pokhara, Nepal. This, combined with a fascination of biomechanics, physics and anatomy of the upper limb, has given her a compelling view of evolution and function of the upper extremity.

WOLFGANG BAUERMEISTER, MD, PhD

Dr. Bauermeister is a Physiatrist specializing in Sports and Pain Medicine. He received a German medical degree and PhD in Germany and a second medical degree in the USA. In the US (1980 -1988) he pioneered the Laser – Therapy for myofascial pain problems in Sports and Pain Medicine. After his return to Germany (1988) he developed the Triggerpoint Shockwave Therapy TST® based on the concepts of Travell and Simons with whom he worked closely together. 1999 started the research with Ultrasound Elastography to make the physical properties of the fascia and the muscles visible. In cooperation with Ultrasound manufacturers he helps to develop suitable Elastography devices. As a university professor he is teaching students and doctors as well as continuing research and development in the field of Myofascial Medicine.

LEONID BLYUM, MSc

Leonid Blyum is a mathematician, specializing in mathematical models of complex systems and the creator of the Advanced Biomechanical Rehabilitation (ABR) method. He studied the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system specifically in spinal disorders and joint deformities. Further, he worked with his father, a professor of physical rehabilitation and physician, who specialized in the manual treatment of these disorders. Leonid developed the belief that musculoskeletal deformities could be better treated using quasi-static manual therapy. Quasi-static means: a long and gentle pressure delivered through the hands and with the use of additional interfaces (as opposed to often powerful manipulations).

BORDONI BRUNO, DO, PhD

Dr. Bordoni Bruno is an osteopath and physiotherapist at the Rehabilitation Cardiology Institute of Hospitalization and Care in Milano, Italy. He is a professor at the University TorVergata, Rome, professor at the University de Valencia, Spain, and teacher and Scientific Director at the School of Osteopathy CRESO – Osteopathic Research and Studies Center, Italy. He is also a researcher registered to the Italian Ministry of Health. Dr. Bruno teaches at several international osteopathic schools and is the author of several osteopathy books and many scientific articles indexed on Pubmed. His research is based on fascia, the respiratory diaphragm, the five diaphragms, and the field of cardiorespiratory.

MORABITO BRUNO, DO, BSc, OT

Dr. Morabito Bruno is an osteopath, and is on the medical faculty at University of the Sacred Heart, Rome. He is a posturologist and researcher at the School of Osteopathy CRESO – Osteopathic Research and Studies Center, Department of Fascial Osteopathic Research, Italy. Dr. Bruno is a consultant at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli – UOC Governo Clinico e Percorsi Clinici Assistenziale. He is an author of many scientific articles indexed on Pubmed. His research focuses on fascia, the respiratory diaphragm, and five diaphragm in the field of neurology with particular interest in movement disorders.

THOMAS FINDLEY, MD, PhD

Dr. Findley has extensive training in complementary medicine, beginning with training in acupuncture and homeopathy while a medical student at Georgetown in 1975. He was an active clinician (Certified Advanced Rolfer™) as well as a researcher at the VA Medical Center East Orange NJ. He is the recipient of the prestigious 2009 Northup Award from the American Osteopathic Association for his paper Three-Dimensional Mathematical Model for Deformation of Human Fasciae in Manual Therapy. He has been a speaker at numerous international conferences. He is the Founder of the Fascia Research Congress, and served as CEO and executive director from its inception in 2007 through 2013.

BO FORBES, PsyD, E-RYT500, C-IAYT

Bo Forbes is a psychologist, scholar, and internationally recognized teacher who integrates the fields of yoga, contemplative science and practice, psychology, somatics, and social justice. She is the founder of Embodied Awareness, LLC, an online education company, and collaborates on research in embodiment, mood, and performance. Her work has been featured in the media, including the front page of CBS News online, Channel 5 News in Boston, and Time Magazine. Bo has consulted to professional sports teams, healthcare agencies, corporations, and schools throughout the United States and worldwide.

ANDREAS HAAS, LMT

Andreas Haas has been a manual therapist since 1990, primarily specializing in fascial approaches. He is the founder and director of the Manus Training Center and the Manus Fascia Center in Austria. With a profound qualification in various fascial treatments, he developed the Integrative Fascia Therapy, a new approach for treating somatical, visceral and neurogenic fascial restrictions. Besides teaching fascial anatomy, physiology and morphology, Andreas Haas is an instructor for several manual techniques such as trigger points, fascia-therapy, visceral treatments, neurogenic mobilization and traditional Chinese manual treatment (Tuina-Anmo). One of his focal points is combining western and eastern medical schemes and incorporating them into the concept of fascial treatment strategies.

CHRISTINA HALASZ, MSc D.O., PT, Dipl. Sptl.

Christina Halasz received her Master of Science in Osteopathy from the Vienna School of Osteopathy, where she currently teaches about Fascia and the Philosophy of Osteopathy. Before getting her degrees in physiotherapy and osteopathy, she started her career as a teacher for the disabled in a rehabilitation center. In addition to teaching, she currently runs a private practice in the heart of the Austrian mountains where she treats all kinds of patients. Her specialty is feet and leg problems; as a result, she has developed her own education course on this subject. Her special interest in fascia brought her in contact with Fascial Manipulation® and she became an assistant teacher in 2017.

JOUKO HEISKANEN, MD, PT

Dr. Jouko Heiskanen is a senior lecturer of ultrasonography medical rehabilitation at Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland. Dr. Heiskanen has 10 years of experience teaching in sports medicine at Jyväskylä and Kuopio Universities, Faculty of Sports Medicine. He has been a lecturer of musculoskeletal problems at Tampere University, Faculty of Medicine since 1994. His main research interest is in ultrasonography of musculoskeletal, fascial biomechanics and motor control of movement. He has used functional ultrasonography in research projects focusing on dancers, musicians and sports myofascial assessment and biofeedback retraining optimal myofascial performance.

SUE HITZMANN, MS, CST, NM

Sue Hitzmann is the creator of the MELT Method, a simple self-treatment technique that has helped hundreds of thousands of people get out and stay out of chronic pain. Hitzmann is the pioneer of applying cutting-edge fascial science to the fitness and therapeutic industries. A nationally recognized educator, manual therapist, exercise physiologist, and founding member of the Fascia Research Society, Sue Hitzmann is the author of the New York Times bestselling book The MELT Method.

LISA HODGE, PhD

Dr. Lisa Hodge is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology and Anatomy and the Basic Science Chair for the Osteopathic Research Center at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Her lab researches the effect of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies on the lymphatic and immune systems. The lymphatic system preserves tissue health, aids in the digestion of food, and stimulates immunity by moving tissue fluid into circulation. Failure of the lymphatic system has been implicated in diseases such as inflammation, autoimmunity, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and edema.

HEIKE JÄGER, PhD

Heike Jäger received her PhD in Sciences from University of Osnabrück and did her post-doc work at University of California Irvine. She is the coordinator of Anatomy in 3D courses as well as ultrasound workshops on Myofascial Pain at Ulm University and has authored many papers and 3 book chapters in the topics of biophysics, microbiology and fascia research.

WERNER KLINGLER, MD, PhD

Dr. Werner Klingler studied medicine at Ulm University (Germany) and King’s College (London). He completed his training in Applied Physiology at Ulm University under the guidance of Frank Lehmann-Horn, MD, PhD, a pioneer in muscle research and one of the world leading experts in myofascial disorders. While there he also completed his specialization as clinical Anesthesiologist including training in complex pain medicine. Dr. Klingler is an active clinician and directs the neurophysiological muscle laboratory and is co-founder of the fascia research group Ulm. He was a founding committee member of the first Fascia Research Conference in 2007 and host of an ongoing series of fascia research summer schools.

ROBERT LIBBEY, RMT

Robert Libbey is a Canadian Registered Massage Therapist. He graduated in 1994 from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy. He is a member in good standing with the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia, Canada and a member in good standing with the Registered Massage Therapist Association of British Columbia, Canada. From 2001 to 2008, he was a faculty member at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT), instructing in their Orthopedic and Neurological Examination departments. He was also a Senior Clinical Supervisor examining students preparing for their Provincial Regulatory Board examinations.

TUULIA LUOMALA, PT

Tuulia Luomala is a physiotherapist from Finland who is experienced with human and animal fascial manipulation. She has studied many manual approaches from osteopathic tehcniques to Maitland concept, acupuncture and various fascial techniques. She has authored articles and books about human and animal myofascial systems

DIVO MUELLER, HP


Divo Mueller is co-director of the Somatics Academy GbR in Munich, Germany. She is founder and executive director of the Bodybliss Method in movement therapy and the related Bodybliss Studio in Munich.  She is one of the leading co-founders of Fascial Fitness, an innovative movement training, created by an international core group of sport scientists and somatic oriented therapists in collaboration with the fascia research group University Ulm, supervised by her husband Dr. Robert Schleip.  Divo is the CEO of the Fascial Fitness Association (FFA), an international network fostering the further development of science-informed training methods for muscular connective tissues.

TOM MYERS, LMT, BCSI

Thomas Myers studied with Drs. Ida Rolf, Moshe Feldenkrais, and Buckminster Fuller, and has practiced integrative bodywork for over 30 years in Europe, the UK, and the USA. He incorporates many movement and manual disciplines into his training programs. He is the author of Anatomy Trains, Fascial Release for Structural Balance, and numerous peer-reviewed articles for Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies.

MIKA PIHLMAN, PT


Mika Pihlman, a physiotherapist from Finland, has studied many manual approaches from from osteopathic techniques to Maitland concept, acupuncture, and various fascial techniques. He has written articles and books about human and animal myofascial systems.

CATHERINE RYAN, RMT


Catherine Ryan is a Canadian trained and CMTBC Reg. Massage Therapist with a strong interest in patient-centered care, evidence informed practices and life-long learning. Over her diverse, decades-long career, Cathy has engaged in the profession in a variety of clinical, educational and leadership capacities. Cathy has been a long standing and active member of professional Massage Therapy (MT) associations and has worked extensively with Canadian MT regulators; as a subject matter expert (provincial exams and national competency standards development) and as a Board and Committee member.

CORNELIA SACHS


Cornelia Sachs is a Certified Eutony Gerda Alexander Practitioner. She has been studying and working with movement modalities for over 40 years. Losing a leg due to bone cancer turned Cornelia’s focus on well-being as an independent above-knee amputee with no pain. Her studies included yoga, naturopathy, Feldenkrais, and Eutony and led her around the world, living in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and the United States. Over a period of 15 years, Cornelia maintained her own Feldenkrais practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico and experienced how a wide-range of patients improved their personal well-being.

MATTHAIS SCHMIDT, MD
Matthais Schmidt is a physcial medicine and rehabilitation doctor, Fascial Manipulation therapist and Fascia Distortion Model therapist.

PETER SCHWIND, PhD


Peter Schwind is the Director of the Munich Group for interdisciplinary manual treatments and has worked in private practice since 1980. He was trained at the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in the United States as a practitioner and as an instructor. For more than twenty years he has been teaching for the Rolf Institute and the European Rolfing Association internationally as an Advanced Instructor. Based on the Rolf method and based on longterm studies with Jean-Pierre Barral D.O. he developed the concept of Fascial and Membrane technique. He has been table assistant with courses of Jean-Pierre Barral over a period of twenty years within the field of visceral manipulation and treatment of fascial crossroads.

NANCY KEENY SMITH, LMT, MLD

Nancy Keeney-Smith is a Board Certified Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Lymph Drainage Therapist, and a Florida and NCBTMB provider of Scar Management Workshops. Nancy teaches Scar Management Workshops internationally to massage school students, LMT’s, PT’s and OT’s. Nancy is co-author of Traumatic Scar Tissue Management – Massage Therapy Principles, Practice and Protocols, contributing author to several publications, published researcher on pediatric burn scars, a member of the Associate Research Team at the Florida School of Massage in Gainesville, Florida, founder and Director of The Happy Plus Foundation, former 1st VP of the AMTA Florida Chapter, member of the American Burn Association, and the National Lymphedema Association.

ANTONIO STECCO, MD, PhD

Dr. Antonio Stecco is a physiatrist, and a graduate in Medicine and Surgery. He specialized in Physics Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Padua, Italy. His areas of prevalent scientific and clinical interest are anatomy of the fascia corporis via dissections and histological studies, including immunohistochemical and molecular biology; study and clinical application of hyaluronic acid; and myofascial syndrome. Since 2000, Dr. Stecco has collaborated with the Descartes University, Paris, to study the macroscopic anatomy of fasciae through cadaver dissection.

CARLA STECCO, MD


Dr. Carla Stecco is Professor of Human Anatomy at the University of Padova, Department of Neuroscience, Italy. She is a founding member of both the Fascia Research Society and of the the Fascial Manipulation Association. She is a member of the Italian Society of Anatomy and Histology and of the Association Française des Morphologistes. Dr. Stecco’s scientific activity is devoted to the study of the anatomy of the human fasciae from a macroscopical, histological and physiopathological point of view. She personally made over 200 dissections of fresh cadavers for research.

TIINA LAHTINEN-SUOPANKI, BSc, PT, OMT


Tiina Lahtinen-Suopanki has been a physiotherapist since 1979 and received her diploma in Orthopedic Manual Therapy in Oslo, Norway 1987. She received her Health Sciences Bachelor degree in exercise medicine at the University of Eastern Finland 2014. Tiina has been co-writer in research articles about physiotherapy/manual therapy in the management of chronic low back pain. She was involved with clinical studies that examined the role of fascia in musicians with non-specific upper extremity pain. She is currently involved in a study project on the effect of Fascial Manipulation on chronic low back pain.

PHILLIP VARDIMAN, BS, MS, PhD

Dr. Phillip Vardiman is the Program director of the Athletic Training Program at Kansas State University (KSU), in Manhattan, KS. He has been an Athletic Trainer since 1996 and continues his clinical work with the United States Track and Field team traveling with the national teams internationally. Vardiman’s research focus is the immune and inflammatory response to exercise and therapeutic modality clinical interventions. Recently, he has focused on the effects of manual therapy, such as Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) techniques on human skeletal muscle. He has been researching this technique and instructing IASTM courses for almost 8 years.

ANDRY VLEEMING, PhD

Dr. Vleeming is a professor in the Rehabilitation and Kinesiotherapy Department of the Ghent Medical University, Belgium, a professor working in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience of the University of New England, Maine, USA, and visiting professor in the Medical Charite University, Berlin, Germany. He received his Ph.D. at the Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, specializing in the anatomy, biomechanics and radiology of the human pelvis and spine. He founded the research group musculoskeletal system in 1990 at the same University to improve the diagnostic understanding of patients with chronic lumbar and pelvic pain.

ARIC J. WARREN, EdD, ATC, CES, CSCS


Dr. Aric Warren joined the faculty at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 2005 and is an Associate Professor of Athletic Training in the School of Allied Health at the OSU Center for Health Sciences.  He has held several administrative positions in his tenure, serving as the Head of the School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology; Associate School Head; Coordinator of Health and Human Performance;  and the Director of the Athletic Training program.  He earned his Doctorate in Education from DePaul University, and holds a Master of Science degree from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Nebraska-Kearney.