Practitioner Training in Melbourne 2026-28

Ortho-Bionomy®

The Gentle Bodywork Revolution

Do you dream of a career in therapeutic bodywork helping people recover from acute and chronic pain?

Does your current massage therapy practice helps leave you aching and exhausted at the end of every day?

Ortho-Bionomy is a revolutionary somatic therapy that will completely change the way you think about bodywork:

  • Gives clients better results with lasting relief for pain, tension and stress

  • Protects the practitioner’s body by avoiding forceful manipulation and deep pressure

  • Activates the body’s own self-healing reflexes with gentle positioning and subtle movements

  • Supports a sense of safety for nervous system calming

  • Addresses dysfunctional posture patterns to create lasting change, not just temporary relief

Most people experience improvement in the first session and significant change after only 3 sessions, with self-care techniques to use at home for independent recovery.

Ortho-Bionomy Practitioner training is :

  • Part-time - 3-4 weekend classes per year & approx. 1 online class per month (plus practise sessions and assessments)

  • Self-paced - after your first Phase 4 class take almost any other class in any order

  • Varied formats - a mix of in-person and online classes

  • Pay-as-you-go - no upfront lump sum

  • Open to beginners AND experienced therapists

  • Flexible - take the whole program to qualify as a Practitioner or attend classes as needed to add skills to your existing practice if you’re already a bodywork therapist

Classes are eligible for CPE points for many professional associations (massage, myotherapy & somatic therapists, ANTA, nurses, physiotherapists & more) and you can add techniques to your existing practice after your first class.

A woman demonstrates technique on a person lying on a massage table while students stand nearby watching

Ready for a new career in gentle somatic bodywork?

How to get started

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2025-2026 Training Calendar

  • Online Q&A Support Sessions

    2 March, 8 April, 4 May, 6 July, 3 Aug, 7 Sept, 5 Oct 2026 5-6pm Melbourne time

    A monthly masterclass for Ortho-Bionomy students and practitioners.

    Support for any issues about your study and practise of Ortho-Bionomy - ask about client issues, your own health issues & self-care, clarify techniques, ask questions about the training programs and assessments or any other issues.

    Counts as 1 unit of study as a Consultation or Study Group and CPE points for OBA, OBNZ, SOBI

    Details

  • 2026 Residential Retreat

    7pm 10th - 12pm 16th May

    Location: Hervey Bay, QLD

    Residential retreats are an in-depth immersion in Ortho-Bionomy techniques and principles. Experience time for learning and personal growth as well as relaxation and play to facilitate the integration of technique and philosophy.

    Advanced Instructor Luann Overmyer will be supported by Associate Advanced Instructor Karen Sonter and Instructor Janine McCarthy to present this Residential program, providing a deep-dive learning experience that is both fascinating and fun.

    Pre-requisites: Phase 4, Phase 5 and Phase 6 or with the Instructor's permission.

    Details

  • Free Online Intro to Ortho-Bionomy Training

    1st June 5pm-6pm Melb AEST

    Online

    Are you interested in studying Ortho-Bionomy?

    Join this online session to hear about what Ortho-Bionomy is, what makes it a unique and revolutionary somatic bodywork therapy and how you can turn it into a sustainable career. Where did it come from? How does it work? How does it help people recover from pain while taking care of the practitioner’s body? Meet Janine and learn how to get started in the training program - with no obligation to sign up to anything.

    Register me

  • Posture Re-education & Post-Techniques

    27-28 June 2026 9am-5.30pm

    Venue: Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre, Melbourne

    Instructor Janine McCarthy

    Learn how to apply gentle rehabilitative movements and positioning to support clients to release old posture habits and create new, more functional postures and movements.

    In this class we learn to assess and address clients' inefficient postural habits to support short-term pain reduction and long-term change.  Learn how to address common postural conditions such as kyphosis, lordosis and scoliosis and create more functional posture patterns. 

    Eligibility: Students who have attended at least 1 Fundamentals class AND current bodywork therapists of any modality

    Details

  • Phase 4 for Women’s Health

    12-13 September 2026 9am-5.30pm

    Venue: Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre, Melbourne

    Instructor Janine McCarthy

    Phase 4' is the foundation of the Ortho-Bionomy practitioner training program and the pre-requisite for many other classes. This time we’ll focus on how to apply the Phase 4 techniques to women’s health to address issues with menstruation, PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, fertility, pelvic pain, pregnancy and menopause.

    If you’re a massage or somatic therapist, physiotherapist or other bodyworker these powerful techniques will increase your treatment effectiveness while putting a lot less strain on your own body. If you don't yet have a practice you can start your sustainable bodywork career here.

    Details

  • Online Study Group: Phase 4 Review

    Saturday 31st October 1-4pm Melb AEDT

    Online via Zoom

    Interactive study group training for Ortho-Bionomy students and practitioners with Instructor Janine McCarthy.

    Refresh your memory after a recent Fundamentals/Phase 4 class or update techniques to enhance your client practice.

    Details

  • Chapman’s Neurolymphatic Reflexes

    28-29 November 2026 9am-5.30pm

    Venue: Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre, Melbourne

    With visiting Advanced Instructor Bruce Stark

    This class presents the Chapman’s Neurolymphatic Reflexes system of identifying and stimulating reflex points to facilitate lymphatic drainage and the balancing of the organs. The class also focuses on the relationship between the neurolymphatic reflexes and the endocrine system and its effect on structural balance as well as the individual's physical and emotional well-being. Open to therapists of all modalities.

    Opens soon!

  • Free Online Intro to Ortho-Bionomy Training

    30 November 5-6pm Melb AEST

    Online

    Are you thinking of studying Ortho-Bionomy?

    Join this online session to hear about what Ortho-Bionomy is, what makes it a unique and revolutionary somatic bodywork therapy and how you can turn it into a sustainable career. Where did it come from? How does it work? How does it help people recover from pain while taking care of the practitioner’s body? Meet Janine and learn about how to get started in the training program, with no obligation to sign up to anything.

    Register Me

  • Fundamentals of Ortho-Bionomy - Phase 4

    7-8 February 2026 9am-5.30pm

    Venue: Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre, Melbourne

    This class is the foundation for the whole Ortho-Bionomy practitioner training program. Start your sustainable career as an Ortho-Bionomy Practitioner or add this gentle and surprisingly effective method to your existing manual therapy practice.

    Discover the power of this leading somatic bodywork method to relieve acute and chronic pain, tension & stress. Get better results without forceful adjustments or deep pressure, taking care of your own body while helping others feel better.

    Details

  • Cranial Ortho-Bionomy

    17-19 April 2026 (3 days) 9am-5.30pm

    Venue: Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre, Melbourne

    Advanced Instructor Luann Overmyer

    The subtle contact characteristic of cranial-sacral work fits perfectly into the spectrum of Ortho-Bionomy practice. In Ortho-Bionomy we work with the self-balancing and natural corrective reflexes of the organism. We approach the person as a whole being. In cranial work we are meeting and contacting the subtlest interface between body, fluids, energy and spirit as we observe how the person’s own self corrective capacity interacts to resolve physical and energetic misunderstandings and return the system to balanced physiologic motion.

    Details

Students say…

  • “It is just what I was looking for to segue from my current practice and I will be able to start using the techniques straight away.” - Rebecca

  • “Janine, thank you for your well organised prepared and expertly delivered course. You are clearly very knowledgeable and I really appreciated your teaching, listening and group interaction skills. You are so well grounded in your philosophical view you can expertly address questions from the group from your perspective while still considering alternative perspectives. I love that open mindedness!” - Gail

  • “Thank you Janine for teaching in our town - the group fed off your passion and enthusiasm and you have left us in a good place and hungry for more. Please come back!” - Kathleen

  • “I'm especially keen to integrate more of the pelvic work into my practice, along with all the rest because it is amazing work!!” - Justene

  • “I have been using Ortho-Bionomy in my clinic since the Monday following the class, my clients enjoy the gentle touch and all have had positive results on both the physical and emotional level.” - Jackie

  • “It was a wonderfully nurturing experience. The techniques are very helpful for clients dealing with chronic pain and restricted movement. Excellent and very enjoyable.” - Louise

  • “The class was spacious and catered to a range of knowledge and skill levels. It was practice-oriented, integrating theory with experiential learning – which I really need! It was also a safe place to learn. Thanks Janine!” - Sheri

  • “Ortho-Bionomy will help me be sustainable in my massage practice. Janine has a depth of knowledge and a great willingness to share information. There was always time for questions and understanding before moving on.” - Selena

  • Thank you so much for the study group, I have learnt so much and have a lot to consider moving forward. I look forward to attending more of your classes! - Shanna

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Janine McCarthy
Advanced Practitioner & Instructor of Ortho-Bionomy

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Hi, I’m Janine McCarthy

I’m a registered Instructor with Ortho-Bionomy Australia, Ortho-Bionomy New Zealand & Society of Ortho-Bionomy International. I have over 20 years in practice and 9 years teaching Ortho-Bionomy. I guide students as their Advisor through their practitioner and instructor training and I offer classes, study groups and 1 to 1 mentoring sessions in-person and online. I currently have space in my advisor schedule for new students so if you haven’t appointed your Advisor yet, contact me at janine@janinemccarthy.com.au to discuss the options.

I have in-depth knowledge of Ortho-Bionomy training from my 8 years of service on OBA’s Board of Directors (7 years as Chair), the Instructor Review Committee (IRC) of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International (SOBI) in the USA and my current role heading OBA’s IRC.

The Ortho-Bionomy principles, concepts and techniques are life-affirming and nurturing and my classes are relaxed, immersive, accessible and fun for all learning styles. 

I sometimes travel to teach classes in regional Victoria and interstate, as well as in New Zealand. If you’d like me to teach in your area and are interested in coordinating a class, get in touch via the Contact page. Class coordinators are usually eligible to attend the class free of charge, along with other benefits.

I’d love to see you in one of my classes soon! And if you’re already in the Practitioner Training Program and don’t yet have an Advisor, contact me to discuss how I can support you.

Learn more about Janine

BOOK A FREE CALL

If you’d like to discuss your training needs before joining a class, book a free 20 minute zoom consultation with Janine to find out if this is right for you.

Book your free call

FAQs

Why study Ortho-Bionomy?

Ortho-Bionomy follows simple principles and uses clear techniques that are easy to learn and become more effective with practise.

It is gentle and non-forceful for the client while being easy on the practitioner’s body too so you can feel great at the end of each day and enjoy a more sustainable career.

I have no experience in bodywork, can I study Ortho-Bionomy as a beginner?

Yes - Ortho-Bionomy can be studied as a stand-alone practice by beginners - no previous bodywork training is required

Where do I start? How long will it take to complete the Practitioner Training course?

Begin with one of the foundational classes: Fundamentals (Phase 4) or Exploration of Movement Patterns.

After this you can take the other classes in any order and at your own pace.

Training is offered around Australia online & in-person and you can take classes with any of OBA’s registered instructors.

The Practitioner Training Program is 512 units/hours of study including classes, tutorials, supervised clinic sessions and written work.

Can I incorporate Ortho-Bionomy into my massage practice (or somatic therapy, physiotherapy & more)

Yes, Ortho-Bionomy combines well with any other therapeutic massage or bodywork practice.

You can easily add it to your existing practice after taking one of the foundational 2-day classes: Fundamentals (Phase 4) or Exploration of Movement Patterns.

How will Ortho-Bionomy benefit my clients?

Ortho-Bionomy is a leading trauma-informed somatic therapy that relieves tension, pain & stress by gently activating the body’s natural self-corrective reflexes. It supports your clients to feel safer by avoiding forceful adjustments and painful deep pressure techniques.

It also empowers your clients to achieve lasting recovery – not just temporary relief.

What is Ortho-Bionomy?

Ortho-Bionomy was developed by an osteopath in the 1970s. It relieves pain, tension & stress without forceful adjustments or painful deep pressure techniques. It is a non-invasive somatic therapy that feels gentle and supportive while being quickly effective and giving lasting results. It identifies the root cause of tension & pain and stimulates the body’s inherent ability to self-correct when given the right information.

What conditions can it help with?

  • Chronic & acute muscle, joint & nerve pain

  • Back pain - lower back, mid-back & upper back

  • Neck & shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, bursitis, RSI, TMJ/jaw problems

  • Period pain/cramps, PMS, PMDD, PCOS, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis

  • Pelvic pain during & after pregnancy, and for postpartum recovery

  • Sciatica, knee, leg & ankle pain

  • Physical & emotional trauma

How many sessions will I need?

Clients typically experience relief from the first session and significant improvement after only 3-4 sessions. More complex conditions may need more sessions but clients are often surprised when long-term chronic conditions improve. Self-care techniques are provided to improve progress between visits, empowering you to engage in your own healing process.

What happens in a session?

After a brief discussion of your condition and symptoms you will lie on a massage table in a comfortable position. Janine will then assess your body’s tension patterns, identify and relieve specific tender points and support your body to release joint imbalances and their associated compensation patterns.

What are the benefits?

  • Non-invasive - you remain fully-clothed

  • No force, manipulation, ‘adjustments’ or painful pressure - no risk of bruising or injury

  • Decreased pain & tension

  • Increased flexibility & ease of movement

  • Self-care techniques for home use

  • Deeply relaxing for the nervous system

  • Sessions are 1 hour of focused attention on your conditions

  • Offers relief for both acute & chronic conditions

  • Long-term posture improvement

  • Addresses the root causes of pain

Students working on other students on massage tables in a classroom

“Change can only come about when the self-corrective instincts of the body are summoned in such a way that the body does not resist change.”

Dr Arthur Lincoln Pauls