Jürg Hauswirth
PT MAS msk, OMPT svomp®
IMTA Senior Teacher
Physiotherapy training at the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland in 1990. After gaining 2 years professional experience in various private physiotherapy practices he moved to the Physiotherapy Department of the Bruderholz Hospital in Basel.
As Physiotherapist he is responsible for the rehabilitation of patients in orthopaedic surgery and traumatology as both in- and out patients. In 2000 he attained his OMT qualification with the Schweizerische Verband für Orthopäsiche Manuelle Therapie (SVOMP).Jürg qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in 2007. Currently Jürg continues to practise clinically at the Bruderholz Hospital in Basel and to teach postgraduate manipulative therapy in Switzerland, Germany and Poland . His main areas of special interest include differentiation tests for patients with orthopaedic problems and the management of patients with cervicogenic dizziness.
juerg.hauswirth@imta.ch
Michaela Neubauer
PT, OMPT, M. Physio., FH-Prof.
IMTA Senior Teacher
Teaching IMTA courses in Austria, lecturing at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, Department of Health Sciences (Physiotherapy), and working in private practice with NMSK patients.
michaela.neubauer@imta.ch
Renate Wiesner
dipl.PT FH/BSc, OMPT svomp
IMTA Senior Teacher
Renate qualified as a physiotherapist at the Physiotherapy School at the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland. Her first position in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, gave her the opportunity to meet and discuss with therapists from all over the world and to participate in various postgraduate courses. Her interest in manual therapy according to the Maitland concept stems from this time. She qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in 1996. In the same year she finished her OMT Education in Switzerland. Since 2009 Renate has been IMTA Senior Teacher. Renate now lives in Bremen Germany where she worked for 15 years in the orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation centre affiliated to “Werder Bremen”, a first division soccer team in Germany. Currently she is working in a private praxis in Bremen. She teached postgraduate manipulative therapy in Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain, in the Mid East and South America. Renate has published in various journals, she is a co-author of the book: Concepts in Physiotherapy: Maitland.(Thieme 2008). In her book: Übungen in der Physiotherapie (Thieme 2009) she demonstrates her concept about Selfmanagement in Physiotherapie. Together with Pieter Westerhuis she is the editor of the book: Klinische Muster in der Manuellen Therapie (Thieme 2011). Her other fields of interest include overuse syndromes in sports, especially movement dysfunctions in Golf. Renate is working as a clinical supervisor in the OMPT Education of the DVMT. From 2001-2010 she was also a board Member of IMTA.
renate.wiesner@imta.ch
Pierre Fisette
MPhty, MAS msk PT, PT OMT svomp®
IMTA Teacher
Pierre finished his education as a physiotherapist in 92 at the University of Louvain (B). After a short replacement period in a private practice, he went to Rwanda (Africa) where he was faced with severe orthopaedic conditions and held numerous positions. Back in Europe in 1994, he went to Switzerland to work at the La Chaux-de-Fonds Hospital. After having worked in several private practices from 2001 to 2009, he took over a practice he manages so far in Neuchâtel (CH). He attained his OMT qualification (svomp, CH) in 2010 and a Master of Applied Science in musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at the ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences, CH) in 2013. Additionally, he created and taught several short courses in partnership with course centres and universities. He qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in 2018. His main areas of focus are pain, neurosciences, new technologies and finding simple solutions in patients with complex and chronic issues.
pierre.fisette@imta.ch
Ladislao Campos Sánchez
PT, PhD, MSc
IMTA Senior Teacher
Ladislao has been a physiotherapist since 2001. In 2006, he was one of the participants of the first level 1 of the Maitland® Concept in Spain, and this changed his life. After finishing all levels, he decided to start training to become a teacher for the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA). This he achieved in 2016, being the first Spanish physiotherapist to obtain this title. Currently, he is teaching in Spain and South America.
Within his training, it is worth highlighting the Master in Strength and Conditioning by the University of Middlesex (London), the Official Master in Study and Treatment of Pain by the University Rey Juan Carlos (Madrid), the title of Specialist in Conservative and Invasive Physiotherapy of Myofascial Pain Syndrome by the University of Castilla La Mancha (Toledo) and the Expert in Sports Physiotherapy by the Complutense University (Madrid).
He is also the creator of Reasoning Physios® (https://reasoningphysios.com), cloud-based software for the improvement of clinical reasoning in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, with which he obtained his PhD "Cum Laude" in 2017.
He considers himself a clinical physiotherapist and educator. Between 2001 and 2007 he gained experience in a private clinic and in two Spanish football teams. In 2007, he decided to open his own Physiotherapy clinic in Madrid, where he is currently living, and since then, he has specialised in the management of neuromusculoskeletal problems.
His main interests are clinical reasoning, therapeutic exercise, dry needling, persistent pain and sports injuries.
ladislao.campos@imta.ch
Robert Valentiny
PT, PT OMT svomp
IMTA Senior Teacher
Robert was born in Sarreguemines, France and graduated as a physiotherapist in Brussels, Belgium in 1987. He has lived and worked in Switzerland since 1988. Robert opened in 1992 his own practice with a team of 9 colleagues qualified in manual therapy in Caslano (Lugano), Switzerland after working for four years at the Rheuma- und Rehabilitationsklinik in Zurzach. He qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in 2001. Currently Robert continues to practice in Lugano, Switzerland and teaches postgraduate manipulative therapy in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
robert.valentiny@imta.ch
Davide Bettio
PT OMPT
IMTA Teacher
Graduated at the University of Padova in 2007.
Candidate teacher and teaching assistant at IMTA since 2014.
Obtained the OMPT title after completing the Master in manual therapy for neuromusculoskeletal disorders at the University of Padua in 2018 .
Collaborating with the University of Padova in the Master in manual therapy for neuromusculoskeletal disorders since 2019.
Currently working as a physiotherapist in a private clinic in Padova and as an external teacher for SUPSI (Lugano -CH) at the CAS Terapia Manuale Base.
My main interests are musculoskeletal physiotherapy, exercise as a rehabilitation strategy and the recovery of the injured athlete, in particular for lower limb dysfunctions.
davide.bettio@imta.ch
Rolf Walter
BPt, OMPT SVOMP
IMTA Senior Teacher
Rolf has finished his bachelors degree in 1984 in The Netherlands.
In 1985 he went to work and live in Switzerland where he started his private praxis in 1994. In 2001 he became an IMTA Teacher finishing his OMPT.
Rolf teaches mainly in Italy, and occasionally in Greece and enjoys the dynamics between patient management in his praxis and teaching, he is also a teacher and clinical supervisor at the Master/OMPT program at the Lugano University SUPSI. He is part of the Medical Staff in the role of Rehabilitation Consultant of a Professional Ice Hockey Club since 2010.
rolf.walter@imta.ch
Sandra Baumgärtner
PT, OMPT DVMT, MSc. musculoskeletal physiotherapy
IMTA Teacher
Sandra completed her physiotherapy training in Graz, Austria, in 2004. From 2004 to 2010, she worked in Graz and the surrounding region at a private physical institute and as a self-employed therapist in a group practice, gaining valuable experience in outpatient care with a primary focus on orthopedics.
In 2010, she relocated to Bad Freienwalde, Germany, where she has since been working as a freelance physiotherapist in a private practice, specializing in musculoskeletal disorders. In 2011, she completed her OMPT training and earned a Master of Science in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy from Danube University Krems.
Sandra became a qualified teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in September 2017. She currently teaches in Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Since January 2025, she has also been active as a Special Topic Teacher with a focus on the shoulder.
Outside of physiotherapy, Sandra enjoys a variety of sports depending on the season — snowboarding in winter and surfing in summer — as well as staying active through different physical activities year-round. She also has a great appreciation for good music and enjoys taking the time to explore and listen to a wide range of musical genres.
sandra.baumgaertner@imta.ch
Harry von Piekartz
PT,MT(OMT) , MSc PT, PhD in Rehabilitation Science
Prof. Dr.,PhD in Movement and Rehabilitation Science, Senior IMTA Teacher
Harry is a Professor at the University of Applied Science in Osnabruck (Germany) (https://www.hs-osnabrueck.de/en/) and is study director of the Master of Science in Musculoskeletal Therapy. He is senior IMTA Teacher of the International Maitland Teacher Association (IMTA) and founder of Cranial Facial Therapy Academy(www.crafta.org ) .He successfully completed his Master of Science degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Leuven (Belgium). His thesis was on „The Neurodynamic Testing of the Mandibular Nerve: Reliability and norm-data“( https://www.kuleuven.be/kuleuven/) and ). In 2005 he received his PhD in Rehabilitation science on the Staffordshire University(UK)(https://www.staffs.ac.uk ).He directs several musculoskeletal research projects and works part-time in his specialized clinic in Ootmarsum, The Netherlands (www.harryvonpiekartz.com ). He published 4 Books in 3 languages and more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in the field of physical therapy, pain and motor control (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Harry_Piekartz2) and is specialized in neuromusculoskeletal assessment and treatment of head-neck face impairments and pain.
harry.vonpiekartz@imta.ch
Thomas Horre
MSc., PT, OMPT-DVMT
IMTA Senior Teacher
Since 2007 I’m an IMTA Teacher, since 2014 an IMTA Senior Teacher.
Teaching level 1, 2a / b & 3 courses; mostly in Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Croatia & Slovenia.
Originally I’m from Germany, living since 2018 in beautiful Gdańsk at the Polish Baltic Sea.
In a private clinic in Gdańsk I manage patients with orthopaedic & pain “problems”.
Still fascinated of the combination being an IMTA teacher & a clinician. Showing patients the way back to normal activity - showing the students new approaches to mange their patients; both “jobs” are very satisfying for me.
I like cycling, commuting as well as ultra distances. Karate. Cooking vegan.
thomas.horre@imta.ch
Lisa Mantovani
PT, MSc, OMPT, IMTA (R)teacher
IMTA Teacher
LISA MANTOVANI
Pt, MSc, OMPT DVMT ® , IMTA teacher
Lisa graduated as a physiotherapist in Brescia (Italy) in 2003. From 2003 until 2009 she worked in a private hospital where she could gain experience in various fields of the rehabilitation. Since 2009 she has been working in her private practice where she currently treats patients with various neuro-musculo-skeletal disorders and sportspeople.
In 2013 she completed the OMPT training with the “Deutschen Verband fur Manuelle Therapie (DVMT)” in Germany. In 2014 she completed the Certificate in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy provided by Manual Concepts at the Curtin University in Perth (WA).
Lisa qualified as an IMTA teacher in January 2015 and she teaches in various course centers in Italy. She is involved in teaching undergraduate courses with some University in italy (University Bicocca in Milano Bergamo) and the University of Brescia, in Switzerland she teaches for one module of the MAS at the SUPSI University in Lugano.
Lisa completed the MSc in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at the Sheffield Hallam University (UK) and she published her work on Achilles tendinopathy. Her fields of interest are: treating complex patients, lower limb dysfunctions, tendinopathy, spine dysfunctions, pain and load management, exercise medicine.
Currently Lisa works 40% teaching courses and 60% in her clinical practice with patients.
lisa.mantovani@imta.ch
Maria Brugner-Seewald
PT OMT OEVMPT
IMTA Senior Teacher
Maria completed her physiotherapy training in Graz, Austria in 1994. After gaining 6 years professional experience in a public general hospital she moved to self employment in 2 physiotherapy practices in 2000. In 2004 she attained her OMT qualification with the „Osterrieichsche Verband für Manuelle Therapie“ (ÖVMPT) in Vienna. Maria qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in 2007. Currently Maria continues to practice clinically at her private clinic in Hartberg, Austria and to teach NMSK Management according to the Maitland Concept in a number of European countries.
Since 2019 she is a Senior Teacher of IMTA.
As "assistant coordinator" within IMTA, she is responsible for the IMTA's Teachers Training Programme and the recruitment of new teaching assistants.
Marias special interests include the management of orthopaedic patients, hip dysfunctions, chronic pain management.
maria.brugner-seewald@imta.ch
Renée De Ruijter
MME (Master Medical Education), PT OMTsvomp®, Post Grad. Dip. MT
IMTA Senior Teacher
Renée is a passionate physiotherapist and teacher in under- and post graduate neuromusculoskeletal/mt education. She graduated at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (1985), did a Post Graduate Diploma in Manual Therapy at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia in 1995, and completed a Masters of Medical Education at the University of Bern, Switzerland in 2011. She currently works in a private practice in Kriens near Lucerne, Switzerland and teaches part-time at the master’s program of the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) and supports the Assessment & Intervention modules at the undergraduate program of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur (ZHAW). Since 2001, she teaches with the International Maitland Teacher’s Association (IMTA) in various European countries. She has a vast experience as a tutor and external examiner for OMPT programs. Her areas of special interest include curriculum development in post-graduate physiotherapy education and the application of standardized patients in health care education.
Renée has been a member and chairperson of the executive of the Swiss Association of Orthopaedic Manual Physiotherapy (SVOMP) and the Swiss MO delegate for IFOMPT for over 10 years. Since 2016, she is a member of the executive of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapist’s (IFOMPT). She likes being a facilitator and an advocate for learner’s centered education. In her spare time she likes to spend time with her family, biking, hiking, sailing, reading books or gardening. She is creative and eager to learn new things.
renee.deruijter-bouwman@imta.ch
Pieter Westerhuis
BPT. OMT SVOMP
IMTA principal instructor
Pieter graduated as a physiotherapist in Holland in 1981. Shortly afterwards he moved to Switzerland and has since worked in a number of hospitals and physiotherapy practices there. Pieter qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in 1988 and was made Senior Teacher in 1991. Since 1997 he has been a Principal IMTA Teacher. Pieter has published numerous articles and book contributions on various subjects. Currently Pieter continues to work in private practice in Langendorf, Switzerland and teaches postgraduate manipulative therapy in Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, Germany and Austria. His special interests include the management of cervical headache, cervical instability, whiplash associated disorders and shoulder instability versus impingement syndrome.
pieter.westerhuis@imta.ch
Birgit Ferber-Busse
PT, OMPT-DVMT, Professional trainer certificate according to ISO/IEC 17024
IMTA senior teacher
Birgit completed her Physiotherapie Training 1986. She gained professional experience at the Rehabilitation- and Rheumaklinik Zurzach (CH), were she first came into contact with the Maitland Concept. From 1989 until 2002 she worked in the University Hospital in Munich (spezialized in shoulder surgery) and in a private practice. She ran her own practice from 2003 until 2014. Since 2014 her work place is an outpatient section at a Rehabilitation Clinic seeing winter sport athletes. In 1996 she attainted her OMPT qualification (with the DVMT in Germany) since then she is working as a clinical supervisor in this training. She qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teacher Association (IMTA) 2009 and became a senior Teacher 2017. In 2020 a professional certification according to ISO completed her educational training.
Birgit was member of the board at the DVMT and IMTA over more than 15 years. Nowadays she keeps the curriculum work running and like to go biking around the Bavarian Chiemsee.
birgit.ferber-busse@imta.ch
Marc van Liebergen
B.PT, OMT-DVMT®
IMTA Teacher
Marc van Liebergen completed his Bachelor degree in physiotherapy in January 1989 at the Rijkshogeschool IJsselland in Deventer, The Netherlands. After a short period of work experience in The Netherlands he moved to Germany where he predominantly treated neurological patients at a rehabilitation clinic following the Bobath Concept. Here he discovered his interest in manual therapy according to the Maitland Concept. In 1998 he completed his final exam for the OMT qualification in Munich (Deutscher Verband für Manuelle Therapie (Maitland®-Concept) e.V (DVMT®)).
Since 1991, Marc has been working as a physiotherapist and manual therapist in his private practice in Kempten (Allgaeu).
In 2019 Marc started a new private practice in Wildpoldsried.
In 2008 he qualified as an instructor for the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA).
marc.vanliebergen@imta.ch
Gerti Bucher-Dollenz
MAS (Manipulative Physiotherapy) MAS (Educational Design) PT, PT OMTsvomp®
IMTA Senior Teacher
Gerti completed her Physiotherapy Diploma in Klagenfurt, Austria in 1983. After working in Austria for a short time she moved to Switzerland where she has since worked at in various rehabilitation centres and hospitals, including ten years at the at the Rehabilitation Centre in Valens. In 1992 she completed a Graduate Diploma in Manipulative Therapy at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, Australia and went on to graduate with a Masters of Applied Science in Physiotherapy in 1993. Gerti qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in 1993. She is also a member of the Neuro Orthopaedic Institute (NOI). Currently Gerti works in private practice in Heiligkreuz, Switzerland and continues to teach postgraduate manipulative therapy in a number of European countries. Since 2009 she is a Senior Teacher of IMTA. Gertis special interests include the management of orthopaedic patients, neuropathic pain and chronic pain, the integration of manual therapy into the treatment of neurological patients and the neurophysiology of learning.
gerti.bucher-dollenz@imta.ch
Matthew Newton
MCSP, HCPC Reg., MACP, IMTA Member, Dip Injection Therapy
IMTA Teacher
Matthew graduated as a Physiotherapist from Sheffield in the UK in 1988. He then stayed in the area for a few years and worked in a hospital setting before moving to Canada in 1992, where he worked in a private practice. After a few years he returned to the UK and worked in various hospitals. He achieved a Post Graduate Certificate in Manual Therapy from Sheffield Hallam University in 1996 and then went onto the International Maitland Teachers’ Association (IMTA) course programme, which he completed in 2001.
He gained his IFOMPT OMT qualification in 2005 and became a member of the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP). As well as working independently as a private practitioner, Matthew has worked in the NHS as a lead clinician in the neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy department and in an extended scope role as a specialist Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Practitioner. In this role he has gained experience in requesting medical investigations such as blood tests, x-rays, MRI scans etc. He is also qualified in the administration of steroid injections for peripheral musculoskeletal disorders.
Matthew qualified as an IMTA teacher in 2013 and has since taught courses in the UK, France, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Switzerland. He also teaches his own two-day course on Medical Screening in various countries around Europe. He was the Consulting Editor for the current editions of Maitland’s Vertebral Manipulation (8th Ed.) and Maitland’s Peripheral Manipulation (5th Ed.). In addition, he co-authored the chapter on the management of shoulder and shoulder girdle disorders in the latter text.
Matthew continues to work as a specialist clinician in the neuromusculoskeletal field of Physiotherapy. As the current Vice-President of IMTA he is a keen advocate of developing and modernizing IMTA’s curriculum, to ensure the teachings are evidence influenced and up to date with contemporary thinking.
matthew.newton@imta.ch
Steffen Klittmann
PT, OMPT-DVMT®
IMTA Teacher
Steffen finished his training as a physiotherapist at the University Hospital Mannheim in 2007. He then gained experience with orthopaedic and surgical patients in various physiotherapy practices in Germany. Due to his great interest in neuromusculoskeletal complaints, he completed the OMPT programme of the German Association for Musculoskeletal Therapy (DVMT e.V.) in 2014. His enthusiasm for the Maitland® concept led him to embark on a career as an IMTA teacher, which he successfully completed in 2021.
Steffen has then specialized in cervical and lumbar hypermobility / instability as well as manipulation techniques and offers topic courses on these subjects.
Steffen currently works in a physiotherapy practice in Schriesheim near Heidelberg. This practice is located in an interdisciplinary clinic for medical doctors and therapists, where he primarily works with patients with orthopaedic problems.
He was a board member of the DVMT e.V. for 9 years and is a member of the OMPT-DVMT® educational committee.
Steffen teaches musculoskeletal physiotherapy based on the principles of the Maitland® concept in Germany, Switzerland and other European countries.
As an IMTA teacher, he is enthusiastic about teaching the course participants practical skills for daily work with patients.
steffen.klittmann@imta.ch
Paolo Mastromarchi
PT, MSc
IMTA teacher
I am Paolo Mastromarchi, I live and work in Milan, Italy
I graduated as a physiotherapist at the University of Milan in 2006.
From 2006 to 2013 I have worked as physiotherapist at the rehabilitation outpatient clinic of the San Paolo Hospital of Milan where I gained experience treating mainly MSK patients.
Since march 2013 I work my own private practice in Milan.
In 2014 I began the IMTA teacher candidate program-
In 2018 I completed my MSc in manual therapy at Sheffield Hallam University and I published the paper: “First rib dysfunction in patients with neck and shoulder pain: a Delphi study”.
I am currently involved in a PhD program at Sheffield Hallam University investigating the derivation of clinical clusters for treatment-based subgrouping of neck pain patients.
In 2023 I became an IMTA teacher.
paolo.mastromarchi@imta.ch
Werner Nafzger
Dipl PT FH, BSc, PT OMT SVOMP
IMTA Teacher
Werner qualified as a physiotherapist at the state rheumatism clinic in Leukerbad, Switzerland 1984. A year of work at the Länssjukhuset followed at the rehabilitation in Kalmar, Sweden. From 85 to 88 I had a job in the pool clinic in Bad Ragaz. There I got the opportunity to get in touch with many different therapists from all over the world and to take part in various postgraduated courses. The Maitland concept fascinated me from the beginning. 1988-1922 I worked at the Valens clinic, a renowned rehabilitation clinic for neurological, orthopedic and rheumatological patients. I started my private practice in Heimberg in 1992, which I sold in 2022. Werner qualified in 1999 as an international Maitland Teacher. As an external part -time teacher, I taught 5 years of manual therapy at the physiotherapy school at the University of Hospital in Zurich and later 7 years in Bern.
In addition to my practice, I teach Postgraduate Manipulative Courses in Switzerland, Germany, Japan, and Egypt. I am particularly interested in the clinical reasoning as well as for Frozen Shoulders, tennis elbows and chronic pain problems. Werner was also a member of the IMTA board for 3 years.
werner.nafzger@imta.ch
Isabelle Werner
PT MAS msk OMT svomp®
IMTA Teacher
Isa completed her physiotherapy training in 2008 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. After a few years gaining experience in the in-patient department of a hospital in Schaffhausen, she decided to focus on out-patient treatments only. Isa is working with patients suffering from neuro-musculoskeletal disorders and has the specialist responsibility for the neuro-musculoskeletal field in the hospital. Additionally she is treating patients with msk issues in a private practice.
In 2009 Isa attended a Maitland Level 1 course, which was a turning point for her clinical work. Convinced by the structured way of thinking and newly attained efficiency in patient treatments, she got hooked on the Maitland concept. Since 2016 Isa was assisting in Maitland courses in different countries. In 2018 she finished her MAS and OMPT training, and qualified in 2024 as an IMTA teacher.
isabelle.werner@imta.ch
Stefan Schiller
PT, MMSPt, OMT-DVMT®
IMTA Teacher
Stefan graduated in 2000 from physiotherapy school in Bad Krozingen, Germany. He gained his initial professional experience in an orthopaedic rehabilitation centre in Freiburg, Germany. In 2003 he completed a 6-month PNF course at the Kaiser Permanente Rehabilitation Center in Vallejo, California, USA. In 2005 he graduated from the University of South Australia in Adelaide with a Masters degree in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy. Since 2007 he has worked at the Bethesda Hospital in Basel, Switzerland. Next to his clinical work as a physiotherapist, he is a lecturer and is in charge of curriculum development for the BSc program of physiotherapy at the University of Applied Sciences in Bern, Switzerland. His special interests are the topic of pain and the treatment of patients with persistent lumbar or cervical dysfunctions. Stefan qualified as an IMTA teacher in 2013.
stefan.schiller@imta.ch
Véronique Bornet
PT BSc, OMT-svomp®, FFA-BF-M1
IMTA teacher, AFOM and MaiFra member
Véronique grew up in Valais, a bilingual canton in the Swiss Alps. Of Swiss and French origin, she has a heartfelt connexion with these countries, as well as with Australia were she lived for a year. After 4 years of training in physiotherapy in Lausanne, she graduated in 2003 from the HESAV.
With a particular interest in the NMSK domain, she followed a training in the Maitland® Concept in Lutry, finishing her level 3 in 2012. Enthusiastic about the value of this new knowledge which has strongly influenced her clinical practice, she has committed herself to the training of IMTA Teacher Candidate in order to improve her skills and knowledge, and to be able to share the richness of the Maitland® concept with other colleagues. To this end, she also keeps leading a dynamic and stimulating regional working group, connecting physiotherapists practicing the Maitland concept in Valais.
She had the chance to work at the Physiotherapy and Training Center of Pierre Jeangros in Lutry and to develop her own private practice in Sion. Today she teaches IMTA courses in Lutry and works at Horion Physiotherapy in Sion in a team of five colleagues, all trained in the Maitland concept and experts in various fields.
Her career as an IMTA Teacher Candidate has been highlighted by various training courses, including the OMT program followed in Germany between 2013 and 2015. She is today certified OMTsvomp®.
Véronique aims to make this valuable training known and available in the French-speaking world. Therefore she got involved in the creation of the AFOM OMT curriculum and teaches the "Relational skills and psycho-social factors" module in Paris. She is also an active member of the MaiFra, an alumni association of French speaking Maitland® graduates.
In addition to specific physiotherapy training, she enjoyed taking adult education courses allowing her to develop her teaching skills. Thanks to her life and international working paths, she can teach the Maitland® Concept in French, German and English. Certified IMTA Teacher in 2021, she teaches Maitland courses in Switzerland and Hungary. In addition, she collaborates with the swiss PT schools (HES-SO), teaching NMSK topics in BSc and advanced levels and offering OMPT clinical supervisions.
veronique.bornet@imta.ch
Sebastian Sierakowski
PT, MSc
IMTA Teacher
Sebastian is a physiotherapist working with patients with neuromusculoskeletal disorders. In his clinical practice, he combines manual therapy, active rehabilitation, and structured clinical reasoning to help patients move better, understand their problem, and build confidence in their recovery.
His professional path has been shaped by continuous learning, teaching, and international experience. He values a practical, evidence-informed approach that connects clinical findings, patient goals, and current research.
Sebastian also has a strong background in Kyokushin Karate. He holds a 2nd Dan black belt, passed his 1st Dan examination in Japan, and is a Vice World Champion in Kyokushin Kaikan IKO Sosai as well as a multiple-time European Championship medalist. His sporting experience continues to influence his work as a clinician and teacher, especially through discipline, perseverance, respect, and attention to progression.
sebastian.sierakowski@imta.ch
René Bakodi
MSc., PT, OMT OEVMPT
IMTA Teacher
René completed his physiotherapy training at the Academy for Physiotherapy (Vienna General Hospital, Austria) in1993. From 1993 to 2002 he gained professional experience in a hospital with focus on neurology, orthopedics and traumatology. Since 2002 he manages a multidisciplinary physiotherapy clinic with 2 other colleagues with an emphasis on manual therapy and sports physiotherapy in Neunkirchen, Austria. In 2006 he attained his OMT qualification with the Österreichischen Verein für Manuelle Physiotherapeuten (Maitland-Konzept) e.V (ÖVMPT) in Austria. Rene qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in 2012.
2019 he finished the Masters program at the University for Continuing Education Krems with a Master of Science.
He teaches in , Austria, Slovenia Croatia and Poland.
rene.bakodi@imta.ch
Alberto Piacenza
PT OMPT, MSc
IMTA Teacher
Alberto graduated in Physiotherapy from the University of Genoa in 2009. From 2010 to 2020 he worked in a public hospital, gaining solid clinical experience in both musculoskeletal and neurological fields. Since 2020, he has been the lead-physiotherapist at the local public health service in Savona, where he manages outpatient care for patients with neuromusculoskeletal and neurological disorders. In addition to his work at the hospital, since 2024 he has opened a private practice in Savona, focused on the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders, alongside providing consultancy in various physiotherapy clinics in the area. His academic background includes a Master of Science degree obtained in 2013 from the University of Genoa, a Master in Management and Coordination of Health Professions completed in 2016 and a Master in Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders obtained in 2018, with the achievement of the OMPT-IFOMPT qualification. Alberto continues to develop knowledge and skills in both neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation and healthcare management. Since 2015 he has been a lecturer int the Bachelor’s Degree program in Physiotherapy at the University of Genoa, and in 2025 he was recognized as an IMTA Teacher. Alberto continues to integrate his clinical work with teaching and consultancy, contributing passionately to professional development and education in the field of physiotherapy.
alberto.piacenza@imta.ch
Daria Horre
MSc, PT, OMPT-DVMT
IMTA Teacher
Daria completed her Master degree in physiotherapy in Poland in 2008 and has since gained experience in several physiotherapy practices there. The first years of her professional career were focused mainly on patients with central nervous system lesions, till she encountered the Maitland Concept. Daria was so fascinated about its clinical focus, functionality and versatility, that after finishing her own course program, nothing could stop her from sharing the beauty of this Concept with other physiotherapists. And so she qualified as a teacher with the International Maitland Teachers Association (IMTA) in 2021, being the first Polish physio obtaining that title. In the meantime, she has completed the OMPT program of the German Association for Manual Therapy (DVMT e.V.). Currently Daria continues to treat patients with neuromusculoskeletal disorders in a private practice in Gdansk, Poland, where she is also a lecturer for physiotherapy students at a private university.
daria.horre@imta.ch
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