Anxiety, Stress and Limbic–Cortical Regulation: A Neurobiological Osteopathic Approach

MA 16 NOV 2026 – WO 18 NOV 2026 | ANTWERPEN

This module explores the neurobiological foundations of the mind-body relationship and the mechanisms underlying stress adaptation, anxiety states and persistent somatic symptoms.

The course examines limbic–cortical networks and their regulatory dynamics, including:

Amygdala and threat perception
Hippocampus and contextual and emotional memory
Anterior cingulate cortex and affective modulation
Prefrontal cortex and top-down regulatory control
Hypothalamus as a central integrative hub
Ventricular system and its anatomical and fluid-dynamic relevance

Particular attention is given to:

Top-down and bottom-up regulatory processes
Predictive coding models and the perception of bodily states
Salience network dynamics in stress-related conditions
The clinical relevance of interoception within a person-centred care framework

What to expect

The aim of this course is to provide a scientifically grounded framework that supports osteopathic intervention through the body to influence central regulation, integrating contemporary neuroscience with structured clinical reasoning.

Participants will explore how limbic–cortical networks, autonomic regulation and interocepetive processes contribute to the development and persistence of stress-related clinical presentations.

The module alternates theoretical sessions with practical demonstrations and supervised manual approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on clinical contextualization, allowing participants to understand how neurobiological principles can inform osteopathic assessment and treatment strategies.

Clinical examples and case-based discussions will support the integration between neuroscience knowledge and osteopathic manual practice.

This module is particularly suited for institutions seeking a strong academic and neurobiological framework for the osteopathic mind–body approach.

Learning objectives

At the end of this module participants will be able to:

Understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying stress regulation and anxiety-related conditions.
Describe the functional role of key limbic–cortical structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus.
Explain the concepts of top–down and bottom–up regulation in relation to autonomic and emotional responses.
Discuss the role of interoception and salience network dynamics in the perception of bodily states and persistent somatic symptoms.
Integrate current neuroscience concepts, including predictive coding models, into osteopathic clinical reasoning.
Apply safe and coherent osteopathic manual approaches aimed at supporting central regulatory mechanisms.
Analyse clinical cases by contextualizing neurobiological mechanisms within a person-centred osteopathic framework.

Schedule

Day 1

09:00–10:15

Module 1:

Differentiation between anxiety, stress, and depression
Clinical presentation and symptom patterns
Multifactorial etiology (biological, emotional, environmental)

10:15–10:30

Coffee break

10:30–12:30

Module 2:

Hormonal axes involved in stress response
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis
Neuroendocrine regulation and systemic impact

12:30–13:30

Lunch break

13:30–15:00

Module 3:

Introduction to the limbic system
Functional organization and osteopathic relevance
Brain–body interaction

15:00–15:15

Coffee break

15:15–17:00

Module 4:

Cingulate cortex
Orbitofrontal cortex
Prefrontal cortex

Day 2

09:00–10:15

Module 1:

Cortical regulation of emotions:
- Hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus
Memory, emotional processing and adaptation

10:15–10:30

Coffee break

10:30–12:30

Module 2:

Hypothalamus and autonomic regulation
Thalamus–hypothalamus integration
Neurovegetative balance

12:30–13:30

Lunch break

13:30–15:00

Module 3:

Amygdala and emotional processing
Locus coeruleus and stress response
Arousal systems and vigilance

15:00–15:15

Coffee break

15:15–17:00

Module 4:

Integration of the limbic system
Somatic expression of emotional dysregulation
Osteopathic clinical reasoning

Day 3

09:00–10:15

Module 1:

Osteopathic assessment in anxiety, stress, and depression
Identification of primary dysfunctions
Cranial and myofascial connections

10:15–10:30

Coffee break

10:30–12:30

Module 2:

Osteopathic techniques targeting:
- Limbic system (indirect/manual approaches)
- Hypothalamic–pituitary area

12:30–13:30

Lunch break

13:30–15:00

Module 3:

Clinical case presentation
Patient evaluation and treatment strategy
Clinical decision-making process

15:00–15:15

Coffee break

15:15–17:00

Module 4:

Integration of treatment strategies
Practical session and final synthesis

DO, MSc. Ost.

Work experiences

• From 1990 to today, freelance activity as an physiotherapist and osteopath for both adults and children and pediatric osteopath c/o Rome-Italy

• From 2011 to 2014 I worked as a freelancer physiotherapist as a pediatric osteopath c/o o.n.l.u.s. Wizard of Oz Rome-Italy

• From 2011 to 2014 external collaboration as physiotherapist c/o C.S.O.E (Olympic sports center of the Italian army) via della Cecchignola-military city Rome- Italy

• From 1993 to 2011 employed as a physiotherapist at I.R.C.C.S. Santa Lucia neurology department Rome-Italy

• From 1990 to 2004 freelance activity as physiotherapist in the neurological and orthopedic field Rome-Italy

Teaching experience (Italy, Poland & Estonia)

• Teacher of the pre graduate course “Anxiety,stress and depression: limbic system and osteopathy”

• Teacher of the pre graduate course “Endocrinology and osteopathy “

• Teacher of the pot graduate course “Osteopathy and Infertility”

• Teacher of the post graduate course “Anxiety, stress and depression: hormonal axes and osteopathy”

• From 2022 to now teacher in pediatric structural fields and G.O.T.at ICOMM part time and full time training school. of Rome – Italy

• From 2014 to 2023 teacher an director in fascial and structural fields at METAOSTEOPATIA in part time of Roma – Italy

• From 2014 to 2022 educational director and teacher of fascial, skeletal and visceral muscle osteopathy, specifically pelvic viscera c/o Meta osteopatia srls / Rome-Italy

• February 2022 co-teaching at the popst graduate course “Natality and prenatality” held by the teacher Caroline Willieme d.o. in Rome -Italy

• October 2021 co-teaching. at the post graduate course “The pregnant woman”, held by the teacher Marie-Caroline Willieme d.o c/o Center Haptis Brussels – Belgium

• January 2019 teacher at the master’s degree in pediatric osteopathy, for the part of the osteopathic treatment of pregnant and postpartum women c/o Il Fulcro – Treviso – Italy

• June 2018 teacher of the post graduate course “The osteopathic treatment of women during pregnancy and postpartum” c/o I.E.M.O. of Genoa – Italy

• From 2018 to 2020 teacher in the field of treatment of pregnant women at part time and full time training school Fulcrum in Treviso – Italy

• From 2014 to 2018 teacher in pediatric and structural fields at I.E.M.O. part time and full time training school. of Genoa – Italy

Education and training

• From 2004 to 2014 teacher in the structural field at part time training school in E.O.P. osteopathy. in Rome

• From 2000 to 2004 professor at Tor Vergata University, Medicine and Surgery department, in the rehabilitation field

• June 2025 Master’s Degree Programme in Osteopathy in accordance with the Act of Parliament on Universities of Applied Sciences c/o Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki- Finland

• From August 2023 to May 2025 Master’s degree in osteopathy c/o Metropolia University of Helsinki – Finland

• 2020 post graduate course in osteopathy on: “The treatment of the heart in relation to emotional spasms” teacher P. Drouelle d.o. Rome Italy

• 2019 post graduate course in osteopathy on: “Emotional spasms” teacher P. Drouelle d.o. Rome Italy

• 2018 post graduate course in osteopathy on: “Transgenerational spasms” teacher P. Drouelle d.o. Rome Italy

• 2017 post graduate course in osteopathy on: “Endocranial spasms” teacher P. Drouelle d.o. Verona -Italy

• 2016 post graduate course in osteopathy on “Tissue manipulation techniques” teacher D. Lachaize d.o. Rome Italy

• 2015 post graduate course in osteopathy on “The treatment of fascia: Fasciapraxie” teacher Y. La Vall d.o. Rome Italy

• 2015 post graduate course in osteopathy on “The approach to birth and pre-birth” teacher M.C. Willieme d.o. Rome Italy

• 2015 post graduate course in osteopathy on “The osteopathic treatment of the male genital system” teacher D.S. Rienda d.o. Rome Italy

• 2014 post graduate course in osteopathy on “The approach of the pregnant woman” teacher J.M. Mitchell d.o. Treviso-Italy

• 2013 post graduate course in osteopathy on “The visceral approach” teacher R. Pagliaro d.o. Treviso-Italy

• 2012 post graduate course in osteopathy on “The tissue approach according to Tricot” Y.Ulrich d.o. Rome Italy

• 2011 post graduate course in osteopathy on “Psych-k” teacher D.Locati d.o. Rome Italy

• 2011 post graduate course in osteopathy on “The approach to the newborn” c/o c.s.o.t. teacher V. Fessenmayer d.o. Rome Italy

• 2010 post graduate course in osteopathy on “The approach to pregnant women” teacher R Molinari d.o. Rome Italy

• 2009 post graduate course in osteopathy on “The treatment of fascia” teacher S. Paoletti d.o. -Rome Italy

• 2008 post graduate course in osteopathy “Biodynamic embryology” according to Blenchsmith professor M. Damouseux d.o. Calvi from Umbria-Perugia-Italy

• 2006 post graduate course in osteopathy on “Neurocorporeal Programming” teacher J.Jack – Calvi dell’Umbria – Perugia – Italy

• 2006 diploma in osteopathy achieved with part time training in 6 years c/o European Osteopathic Project Rome – Italy

• 2004 Degree in Physiotherapy achieved at the University of Rome-Tor Vergata

• 2000 training course according to the Mezieres method Turin – Italy

• 1998 Training course according to the Souchard method, Souchard teacher Rome – Italy

• 1997 Training course for the rehabilitation of neuro-injured people according to the method ETC teacher Perfetti Schio-Italy

• 1996 Training course for the rehabilitation of neuro-injured people according to Bobath, teacher P. Giannoni Bologna – Italy

• 1995 Training course for the rehabilitation of neuro-injured people according to Kabath, teacher N.Monari Rome-Italy

• 1993 Training course in Shiatsu massage, Namikoshi method, teacher R. Palombini, Rome-Italy

• 1990 Degree in Rehabilitation Therapist obtained at the San Giovanni – Addolorata hospital, under the patronage of the Lazio Rome region – Italy

Date: 16 november 2026 – 18 november 2026 09:00 – 17:00
Duration: 3 days
Language: English
Target audience: Osteopaths (DO) or holders of a Master of Science in Osteopathy
Price: € 785* Coffee breaks, lunch, and syllabus included.
Participants: Minimum 15 – maximum 25 participants

Location

Campus Antwerpen Roderveldlaan 1, 2600 Antwerpen

Anxiety, Stress and Limbic–Cortical Regulation: A Neurobiological Osteopathic Approach

MA 16 NOV 2026 – WO 18 NOV 2026 | ANTWERPEN

This module explores the neurobiological foundations of the mind-body relationship and the mechanisms underlying stress adaptation, anxiety states and persistent somatic symptoms.

The course examines limbic–cortical networks and their regulatory dynamics, including:

Amygdala and threat perception
Hippocampus and contextual and emotional memory
Anterior cingulate cortex and affective modulation
Prefrontal cortex and top-down regulatory control
Hypothalamus as a central integrative hub
Ventricular system and its anatomical and fluid-dynamic relevance

Particular attention is given to:

Top-down and bottom-up regulatory processes
Predictive coding models and the perception of bodily states
Salience network dynamics in stress-related conditions
The clinical relevance of interoception within a person-centred care framework

What to expect

Participants will explore how limbic–cortical networks, autonomic regulation and interocepetive processes contribute to the development and persistence of stress-related clinical presentations.

Clinical examples and case-based discussions will support the integration between neuroscience knowledge and osteopathic manual practice.

This module is particularly suited for institutions seeking a strong academic and neurobiological framework for the osteopathic mind–body approach.

Learning objectives

At the end of this module participants will be able to:

Understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying stress regulation and anxiety-related conditions.
Describe the functional role of key limbic–cortical structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus.
Explain the concepts of top–down and bottom–up regulation in relation to autonomic and emotional responses.
Discuss the role of interoception and salience network dynamics in the perception of bodily states and persistent somatic symptoms.
Integrate current neuroscience concepts, including predictive coding models, into osteopathic clinical reasoning.
Apply safe and coherent osteopathic manual approaches aimed at supporting central regulatory mechanisms.
Analyse clinical cases by contextualizing neurobiological mechanisms within a person-centred osteopathic framework.

Schedule

Day 1

09:00–10:15

Module 1:

Differentiation between anxiety, stress, and depression
Clinical presentation and symptom patterns
Multifactorial etiology (biological, emotional, environmental)

10:15–10:30

Coffee break

10:30–12:30

Module 2:

Hormonal axes involved in stress response
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis
Neuroendocrine regulation and systemic impact

12:30–13:30

Lunch break

13:30–15:00

Module 3:

Introduction to the limbic system
Functional organization and osteopathic relevance
Brain–body interaction

15:00–15:15

Coffee break

15:15–17:00

Module 4:

Cingulate cortex
Orbitofrontal cortex
Prefrontal cortex

Day 2

09:00–10:15

Module 1:

Cortical regulation of emotions:
- Hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus
Memory, emotional processing and adaptation

10:15–10:30

Coffee break

10:30–12:30

Module 2:

Hypothalamus and autonomic regulation
Thalamus–hypothalamus integration
Neurovegetative balance

12:30–13:30

Lunch break

13:30–15:00

Module 3:

Amygdala and emotional processing
Locus coeruleus and stress response
Arousal systems and vigilance

15:00–15:15

Coffee break

15:15–17:00

Module 4:

Integration of the limbic system
Somatic expression of emotional dysregulation
Osteopathic clinical reasoning

Day 3

09:00–10:15

Module 1:

Osteopathic assessment in anxiety, stress, and depression
Identification of primary dysfunctions
Cranial and myofascial connections

10:15–10:30

Coffee break

10:30–12:30

Module 2:

Osteopathic techniques targeting:
- Limbic system (indirect/manual approaches)
- Hypothalamic–pituitary area

12:30–13:30

Lunch break

13:30–15:00

Module 3:

Clinical case presentation
Patient evaluation and treatment strategy
Clinical decision-making process

15:00–15:15

Coffee break

15:15–17:00

Module 4:

Integration of treatment strategies
Practical session and final synthesis