Course curriculum: 2025

The Application of Osteopathic Medicine in the management of Muscle Tension Dysphonia and associated Symptoms

Jacob Lieberman DO MA Reg Osteopath and Psychotherapist

Specialist Management Vocal Crisis

Prof Markus Hess Otolaryngologist

Phonosurgeon and Specialist office-based procedures Medical Voice Centre Hamburg Germany

1. The course curriculum includes introduction to:

1.1 The rationale behind Osteopathic manual therapy.

1.2 Vocal folds and Vocal tract functional examination for MTD

1.3 Bed-side diagnosis things to listen to in the absence of camera

1.4 Management of Special symptoms

The subjects which are covered include detailed review of the functional anatomy of the Larynx, breathing apparatus (not as a landmarks),

referral criteria to Otolaryngologist, important points in history taking and more.

Diagnosis and treatment techniques for MTD

Hands on practice closely supervised to develop palpation skills.

The course demonstrates how “touch” therapy can be used for: examination, diagnosis, treatment and an additional tool to gather insights

and better understanding of the patient’s emotional states of mind

The course is based on frontal lectures and good deal of practice of Laryngeal examination and introduction to techniques.

2. The course combines theory, years of clinical experience in practice, and lots of hands on,

The aim is to help participants in developing accurate, SAFE and sensitive palpatory skills so that examination and treatment

become “tissue specific” to the level of the individual muscle or joint.

The final aim: for participants is to have a good understanding and knowledge of the laryngeal mechanisms, and to be able to

physically examine the larynx.

Once palpatory skills are at a satisfactory and SAFE level, specific techniques become much more efficient and tissue specific,

3. Didactic: laptop, audio amplifying room big enough for participants to move around for the practice part, sitting and/or lying

(on plinths or on yoga mats on the floor, for breathing practice).

4. The specific functional anatomy which are covered in details:

4.1 Posture related voice problems,

4.2 TMJ complex,

4.3 Supra-Hyoid mechanism

4.4 Floor of mouth,

4.5 Base of tongue,

4.6 Middle constrictor,

4.7 The hyoid bone,

4.8 Inferior constrictors,

4.9 Thyro-hyoid mechanism,

4.10 Crico-thyroid muscles and joint,

4.11 Inferior straps

4.12 Breathing mechanism.

Basic and safe treatment techniques will be practiced covering symptoms such as:

MTD, Pubophonia, Globus, chronic cough and throat clearing, TMJ dysfunction,

Releasing restricted diaphragmatic movements.

The latest experience of the application of MT into neurological patients will be shared.

5. The basic course is 2 days (2 very intensive days).

It includes frontal lecture and rich with hands-on practice

A teaching day is two 3 hours sessions. 1hr lunch break and 2 coffee breaks

6.  Size of the group is limited, as the hands-on sessions are closely supervised.

The course is designed for voice professionals, (Laryngologists, SLP, Massage therapists’ Physiotherapists with interest in voice, and other voice professional who would like to know more about diagnosis of symptoms arising from dysfunction of the Musculo skeletal .voice production system 

Note that the course material down to the level of examination is open to none practitioners who are interested in practical singing physiology, like voice coaches , and professional voice users Singers, will find this course useful for the diagnostic part and referral criteria.

Certificates are provided.