Previous Courses
Dental/Body Connection Course
November 7-9, 2025, Lebanon, Indiana
This course is a must-have for dentists using any orthodontic device, osteopaths and other manual therapists working with dentists and dental devices (whether those devices are currently in place or have been used historically), ENTs, and oromyofunctional therapists. The screening method taught in the course clarifies “who comes first” in the therapy process and how to proceed in treatment by letting the patient's body guide the way, so that each practitioner gets to shine and the patient wins.
A.T. Still’s Approach to the Foot and Ankle
April 15-16, 2023, Oakland, California
Rue Tikker, DPM, was trained by and worked for John Martin Hiss, MD, DO. Early in Dr. Hiss’ osteopathic career, he fell off a horse and sustained a severe ankle sprain. He traveled to Kirksville to get treated and work out the mechanics of foot and ankle injuries with Dr. Still. Dr. Hiss went on to open the world's largest foot and ankle clinic in Los Angeles. Dr. Tikker learned from Dr. Hiss and worked for him for years. Continuing Dr. Hiss’ work, Dr. Tikker has treated over 300,000 patients in his 55-year career and is arguably the world’s expert on manipulation of foot and ankle issues. He is a true gem and the closest living link we have to AT Still’s foot and ankle work. Please come and join us for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn with Rue. He is 95, still going strong, and wants to teach one more class. We are having the course in Oakland, close to his home, so that he can easily come and share his wisdom. Class size is limited and open to MDs, DOs, Dentists, Podiatrists, Physical Therapists, and their respective students.
Sequencing 1: The Art of Finding the Key
August 27-29, 2021, Indianapolis, IN
When looking for where to start treatment in the body, there are many theories…mostly based on a “thought” paradigm (ie, “this complaint means that this structure is involved and that I should start here”). This approach can give inconsistent results, and may be considered by some to be an allopathic approach to osteopathy.
Sequencing, originally developed by Fred Mitchell, Sr., and further explained and expanded by Ed Stiles, is a way to mechanically palpate the body to identify the key lesion or area to start with. It is a principle-based approach taught using a bony model, but once learned, it can be used to ascertain not only the most restricted layer (muscle, bone, fluid, fascia, etc.) but also the most restricted part of that layer. This consistently reveals the key lesion.
Being principle-based, sequencing always continues to grow and expand. The more you learn as a practitioner, the deeper and more things sequencing can reveal.
A Curved Tensegrity Approach to Cranial Osteopathy
(The Arbuckle Approach) - September 25-27, 2020
Indianapolis, IN
Beryl Arbuckle, DO, was one of Dr. Sutherland's first table trainers/assistants when he began teaching in the 1940s and 50s. Dr. Arbuckle had some differing ideas about how the cranium works and left assisting Dr. Sutherland to follow her own path. Dr. Arbuckle went on to focus on the buttresses and the dura mater of the head and how to diagnose and treat their restrictions. It is a completely unique way of addressing the head and adds another layer to Sutherland’s ideas on cranial osteopathy. Dr. Arbuckle’s work might now be called a curved tensegrity approach to cranial. Its diagnostics and treatments are different than what is taught in other cranial courses - you will learn to locate and treat taut fibers within the reciprocal tension membrane, dura, cranial fossae, and other membranes. You will also learn about altered motion in the buttresses and thickenings in the skull and strain patterns within the dura itself (this is different from the bony patterns taught in the traditional cranial courses). This course is a necessary addition to anyone hoping to treat the cranium more effectively and completely. This is a principle-based course (in contrast to a technique-based course) that covers Dr. Arbuckle’s work as well as addressing the concept of tensegrity in the curved structures of the body - allowing the knowledge gained in the course to be applied to the head as well as the pelvis, rib cage, fascia, etc.
In addition to what Dr. Arbuckle discovered, the student will learn how these strains translate into patterns in the body. Some of these patterns are dental, some postural, some affect the organs, and some translate into patterns of altered body motion - such as scoliosis. Knowing how the patterns form can greatly assist in correcting them and helping your patient achieve greater health. We will explore through palpation of the entire body how to locate these patterns that lead you to think of Dr. Arbuckle’s work.
A Sutural Approach to Osteopathy in the Cranial Field
September 14-16, 2018, Indianapolis, IN
This 24-hour introductory cranial course will focus on a biomechanical approach to cranial diagnosis and treatment that can be applied quickly and effectively to address sutural cranial dysfunctions. This cranial approach has been effective in teaching osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine to both osteopathic and allopathic medical students, residents, and practicing physicians. Unlike the membranous cranial approach, it is not hindered by suture dysfunctions. After sequencing the cranium's dysfunctions, when a key sutural dysfunction is released, secondary sphenobasilar strain patterns resolve, thereby limiting the need for the time-consuming traditional membranous approach. In addition, the sutural approach can be integrated into a busy clinical practice.
This course will address suture dysfunctions of the vault, base, and facial bones, their sacral connections, and sequencing of the cranial and sacral dysfunctions.
Sequencing 1: The Art of Finding the Key
July 27-29, 2018, Indianapolis, IN
When looking for where to start treatment in the body, there are many theories…mostly based on a “thought” paradigm (ie, “this complaint means that this structure is involved and that I should start here”). This approach can give inconsistent results, and may be considered by some to be an allopathic approach to osteopathy.
Sequencing, originally developed by Fred Mitchell, Sr., and further explained and expanded by Ed Stiles, is a way to mechanically palpate the body to identify the key lesion or area to start with. It is a principle-based approach that is taught using a bony model, but, once learned, can be used to ascertain not only the most restricted layer (muscle, bone, fluid, fascia, etc), but the most restricted part of that layer. This consistently reveals the key lesion.
Being principle-based, sequencing always continues to grow and expand. The more you learn as a practitioner, the deeper and more things sequencing can reveal.
The Bow and the Bowstring: from Postural Imbalance to Chronic Pain
Presented September 8-10, 2017, Indianapolis, IN
Based on A.T. Still’s reference to the archery bow and its string, this course will introduce diagnosis and treatment of the mechanical midline and its structures. Although other courses have addressed the embryological, vascular, and neurological midline, we will explore the physical structures that make up the midline, how to assess them for dysfunction, and how, in what order, and when to treat them.
What do a tight linea alba, tongue tie, anosmia, recurrent knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and a chronically flexed vertebra all have in common? They can all occur from restricted midline structures. If your patients have pain, postural, hormone, or growth issues, or they are returning for the same complaint over and over, A.T. Still would suggest that we need to look at the Bow or the String for the possible cause. Abnormal tensions in these midline relationships can be the cause of chronic conditions that are difficult to treat otherwise.
A.T. Still’s Approach to the Foot and Ankle -
Presented on April 30/May 1, 2016 - Indianapolis, IN
Rue Tikker, DPM, was trained by, and worked for John Martin Hiss, MD, DO. Early in Dr. Hiss’ osteopathic career, he fell off a horse and sustained a severe ankle sprain. He traveled to Kirksville to get treated and work out the mechanics of foot and ankle injuries with Dr. Still. Dr. Hiss went on to open the world's largest foot and ankle clinic in Los Angeles. Dr. Tikker learned from Dr. Hiss and worked for him for years. Continuing Dr. Hiss’ work, Dr. Tikker has treated over 300,000 patients in his 55-year career and is arguably the world’s expert on manipulation of foot and ankle issues. He is a true gem and the closest living link we have to AT Still’s foot and ankle work. Please come and join us for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn with Rue.
SI Joint Pain and Sacral Somatic Dysfunction
Presented in December 2015, Indianapolis, IN.
Lecture content:
Pelvic Mechanics - the Mitchell Axis System, High Velocity, Muscle Energy, Strain/Counterstrain, Functional, Rehabilitation, Prolotherapy/Trigger Point Therapy, Sequencing
