The European School of Osteopathy organised its 4th international conference in Maidstone, Kent in June 2004. Around 300 delegates from 33 countries were represented, and the conference was organised with 4 days with 14 different workshops and a conference day which took place at the Ramada Hotel close to Leeds Castle.

The title of the conference was “From Kirksville to Maidstone” paying a tribute to the pioneering efforts in Osteopathy which has allowed it to become a global phenomenon. The European School of Osteopathy originated as the Ecole Francais d’Osteopathie in Paris in 1951 and was transferred to the United Kingdom in 1965. The Franco – Belgian and British influence was complemented through extensive contacts with US Osteopathic Physicians in the 1970s. This was symbolised in the conference programme by having presenters from the United Kingdom, United States, France and Belgium.

The conference day held on Saturday the 12 June, was chaired by Dr Gerald G Osborn, D.O., MPhil, the former Dean of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was joined by an, as ever talkative, Mr Simon Fielding, OBE. Mr Renzo Molinari, D.O., Principal of the ESO, welcomed the Delegates and Speakers, representing 33 different countries. He was followed by Mr Jean Pierre Barral, D.O. MRO(F), a 1974 graduate of the ESO, who gave the Tom G Dummer Memorial Lecturer, presenting his collaborative research looking at the effects of osteopathic manipulation as seen by PET scan. Dr Michael L Kuchera, D.O., FAAO, who presenting a talk titled ‘Applying the Philosophy of AT Still: Beyond Back Pain”, where he discussed some of the research currently undertaken at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he is the Chairman and Professor of the Human Performance and Biomechanics Lab. Being at the forefront of osteopathic research, he ventured on some of the current projects done in collaboration with the US Army on Multiple Sclerosis with OMT and exercise intervention, as well as a series of other interesting projects. It is encouraging seeing the efforts and money invested in osteopathic research. The next speaker, Dr Fred L Mitchell D.O, FAAO, FCA, Professor Emeritus of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, paid a tribute to Dr J Gordon Zink, D.O. and his ‘respiratory – circulatory’ concept of osteopathic health care. Dr Mitchell’s last visit to the ESO was 26 years ago.

Dr Anthony G Chila D.O., FAAO, gave a historical review of the continuity of thought with respect the connective tissue continuity of the body. Well-known for his ‘Fascial – Ligamentous Release’ approach, he outlined how its evolution came about and the sources of influence on this development with reference to Drs. Still, Sutherland, Kaufmann, Kimberly, Becker and Fulford. He also talked about the importance of mentorship and the fact that every Osteopath is a diamond, shaped by the mentors we encounter in teaching and practice.

The next speaker was 97 year old Mr John Wernham, D.O. Being the last surviving student of John Martin Littlejohn, the founder of the British School of Osteopathy; he took us back into Littlejohn’s lectures by presenting Littlejohn’s thoughts on cardiac problems, in the language of the ‘Old Dean’.

Dr Brian Degenhardt, D.O., Vice President of Osteopathic Research at the A.T. Still Research Institute, Kirksville College of Osteopathy, gave an update on the lymphatic system and its role in osteopathic practice. Dr. Degenhardt is one of the most active osteopathic researches, and together with his team at the Research Institute they continuously contribute to the advancement of our knowledge on what we do to our patients and the effect of it.

Finishing the conference day was Dr Gerald G Osborn, D.O., MPhil, the past Dean of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. His ‘Osteopathic Tour de Force: from Kirksville to Maidstone’ took us through the history of medicine and osteopathy in an informative and entertaining way, clearly appreciated by the audience.
Following the Conference Day was the Gala Dinner held at the Rama-da Hotel. It did not take long before the delegates, lecturers and guests started digesting the food through dancing into the next day. His Worship the Mayor of Maidstone honoured the Conference by attending with his Wife.

The Workshops

The workshops on the 10, 11, 13 and 14 June took place in the ESO at Boxley. There were all together 14 different workshops to chose between, and they were organised in a 1 – day format. A marquee was organised for the coffee and lunches and the food was well received by all the delegates. In addition, the ESO and the Institute of Classical Osteopathy organised two bookshops for the delegates to spend their hard earned money on.

They also had the opportunity to have most of the book signed by the authors as they were lecturing at the conference. Compliments must go to the staff at the ESO for making sure that everything was so well organised and made it a pleasurable experience for the delegates.
This added to the relaxing atmosphere of Boxley and nice weather gave the conference an experience worthwhile for everybody present. The workshop presenters were from the United Kingdom, United States, Belgium and France:

• Dr Fred L Mitchell D.O., FAAO, FCA
• Dr Viola M Frymann D.O., FAAO, FCA
• Jean Pierre Barral D.O., MRO(F)
• Dr Anthony G Chila, D.O., FAAO
• Renzo Molinari, D.O.
• Franz Buset, D.O., MSBO
• Colin Dove, D.O.
• Dr Michael L Kuchera D.O. FAAO
• Dr Kenneth J Lossing D.O.
• Dr Zachary Comeaux D.O. FAAO
• Peter Blagrave D.O. & Jonathan Parsons D.O. MSc
• John Wernham D.O. FICO
• Dr Frank H Willard PhD & Dr Brian
• Jean Burnotte D.O.