(Corresponds to former VMII and PIVM)
CPD/CPE: 24hrs
Full Fee: $1300inc GST.
The Saver Price of $1100 is available until the 16th Sept 2027 - Sydney
Course Outcomes
In this four day course, Visceral Manipulation: The Thorax (VM4), participants will study the functional biomechanics of the thoracic cavity and explore the relationship between the hard and soft frame, its countless articulations for respiration, circulatory requirements and upper body movement patterns. The course will provide participants with ample, supervised hands-on instruction in order to practice locating, evaluating and normalizing primary areas of dysfunction.
After taking Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 and 2, participants will have become acquainted with the feel of the different abdominal organs and local restrictions. The Thorax course takes an expanded look at the functional biomechanics of the thoracic cavity and explores the relationship between the hard frame and soft frame with its countless articulations for respiration, circulatory requirements and upper body movement patterns.
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, participants will have learned:
- To locate the visceral fascia of the throat and thoracic cavity;
- The anatomy, biomechanics and function of the thoracic organs;
- The biomechanics of the cervical, thoracic, rib cage and shoulder girdle complex;
- Techniques to release the soft tissue components of the thoracic inlet and hyoid apparatus and practice listening techniques within the thoracic activity;
- Integration of the thoracic organs with the complex ligament systems of that body region
- Techniques for differentiating between somatic and visceral causes for thoracic and spinal problems;
- Pleura, Lungs, Pericardium, Heart, Mediastinum, Thyroid, Trachea, Esophagus, Sternum, Rib Cage and Thoracic Plexuses.
Prerequisite: VM2
Required Reading
- Hard copy version of the The Thorax text book by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO and Pierre Mercier. Available for $90inc GST Plus $15 P/H. Email admin@barralinstitute.com.au or call 0411 488198 to order.
Suggested Reading
- Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank Netter, MD, and/or
- A Regional Atlas of the Human Body by Carmine Clemente.
The Thorax (VM4) Course Dates
| Date | Course (Click link below for Booking Form) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 21-24 (2027) |
The Thorax - VM4 | The Vibe Hotel Sydney |
Damian has been a practising osteopath for 20 years. He was born in Yorkshire, England. He started his initial training in osteopathy at The John Wernham College of Classical Osteopathy, before completing his training at the British School of Osteopathy in London.
Soon after qualifying as an osteopath in 2002, Damian moved to New Zealand, and has practiced in Hamilton for many years. He took his first course in Visceral Manipulation in 2011 and was hooked from the start, when he discovered that Jean-Pierre Barral’s work reminded him of his early classical osteopathic training. Over the years, he attended numerous VM, NM and Vascular courses, with a belief that Visceral Manipulation was the catalyst to becoming a true holistic practitioner. Damian believes that with an understanding of how the musculoskeletal system, viscera, and psychology are intertwined and interdependent, practitioners have a much greater ability to evaluate, understand and help their patients.
Damian became a Teaching Assistant with the Barral Institute in 2013 assisting in classes across the breadth of the curriculum before qualifying as a Teacher. He says it is a great privilege to be a teacher with the Barral Institute, and that he gets a “massive buzz” when helping others to understand the principles and techniques of Jean Pierre’s work.
Before Covid Damian was teaching in Australasia and the USA. He continues to study the Barral curriculum, also as a result of travel restrictions, he’s had a little extra time. During which, he has been exploring the application of Jean Pierre’s principles to the Equus, a project much to the appreciation of both rider and horse.
Damian Kitcheman Course List
| Date | Course (Click link below for Booking Form) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 7-10 (2026) |
The Pelvis - VM3 | The Vibe Hotel Sydney |
| Nov 12-14 (2026) |
New Manual Articular Approach - Lower Extremity - MALE | The Vibe Hotel Sydney |
| Oct 17-19 (2027) |
Listening Techniques 1: An Integrative Approach to Evaluation - LT1 | The Vibe Hotel Sydney |
| Oct 21-24 (2027) |
The Thorax - VM4 | The Vibe Hotel Sydney |
Booking Instructions
Welcome to Barral Institute's online service for booking your course...
Date/Time 21/10/2027 - 24/10/2027
9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Location The Vibe Hotel Sydney, 111 Goulburn Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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