Dakar, Senegal

Étienne Verdier

Osteopath D.O.

Osteopathy and movement rehabilitation. I practise at Centre Cocoon in Dakar, in English and in French.

Book an appointmentMy approach
  • 45-minute sessions
  • English and French
  • Centre Cocoon, Dakar
Portrait of Étienne Verdier
An osteopath’s hands resting on a patient’s back

Moving, and becoming aware of your own body, are the two keys to progress.

My approach

Understand your body, get moving again

Easing pain is a first step. Understanding your body and learning to move it better is what makes progress last.

Every person is different, and every history deserves to be heard properly. My work is to support you in a way that fits you, taking into account your pain, your habits, your constraints and your goals, so that you can move more freely and keep it that way.

My conviction is a simple one: moving, and becoming aware of your own body, are the two keys to progress. Understanding what is happening, regaining confidence in your movement and gradually taking charge of your body again are, to me, what makes treatment work.

Background

Training and experience

Over the course of my career I have treated patients with very different profiles, in osteopathy as well as in rehabilitation. Several years of practice abroad broadened my clinical experience and gave me a wide range of situations to handle, from everyday complaints to sport.

Sport holds an important place in my practice. I have worked with athletes at various levels and built up experience with musculoskeletal problems, with particular attention to the lower limbs, as well as the cervical and thoracic regions and the upper limbs. Beyond the injury itself, I put a lot of weight on prevention, on tracking progress and on adapting training to each person’s goals.

Qualifications and training

  • 2007

    State diploma in physiotherapy

    IFMK de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard, France.

  • 2015

    Diploma in osteopathy, D.O.

    MTM Ostéopathie, Versailles, France.

  • 2017

    Niromathé technique

    Vertebral and peripheral reflex method, France.

  • 2019

    Specialisation in sports physiotherapy

    Kiné Sport Formation, France.

  • 2011 · 2023

    Further training

    Kinesio taping, trigger points, structural manipulation techniques, running injury prevention and postural work.

Why people come in

What brings people in

The people I see range from children to older adults, including athletes at every level. The reasons vary, the method does not: look for the source of the problem, not just the spot that hurts.

Back and neck

Low back pain, neck pain, tension built up by desk work, driving or long hours spent sitting.

Sport and injury

Muscle and joint injuries, returning after a break, prevention, progress tracking and training adjustments.

Pregnancy

Postural changes that come with pregnancy, and support for the body in the months after birth.

Children

Restricted mobility and support through growth.

Painful joints

Long-standing joint pain, stiffness, osteoarthritis and loss of mobility that gets in the way of daily life.

Posture and daily life

Postural imbalance, work-related tension and the fatigue that comes with repetitive movement and long days.

Two complementary approaches

Osteopathy and movement

Osteopathy

Osteopathic treatment looks for and addresses restrictions in muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints, helping the body find its balance and efficiency again.

The practice draws on osteopathic, medical and scientific knowledge, applied to assessment and treatment. The osteopath evaluates the structural and functional integrity of the body in order to build care tailored to that one person. It can be preventive, curative, palliative, or run alongside other care.

Movement and rehabilitation

My original training as a physiotherapist informs every session. Movement, exercise, manual therapy, explanation and advice are the tools that help people recover from injury, illness or surgery, and stay independent for as long as possible.

It is a whole-person approach that takes lifestyle into account, not just the symptom. And at its centre sits your own involvement. Understanding what is going on and taking an active part in your own care is what makes the difference over time.

How it goes

A session in four steps

A consultation lasts around 45 minutes.

  1. 01

    We talk

    Time to listen: why you are here, your history, how you live and what you expect from the session.

  2. 02

    I assess

    A full assessment. Mobility testing, palpation and movement observation, to find the source of the problem beyond the painful area.

  3. 03

    I treat

    Hands-on work adapted to you and to your situation, on joints, muscles, ligaments and soft tissue.

  4. 04

    You leave with a plan

    A few pieces of advice and simple exercises to do at home, so that the benefit of the session holds over time.

Good to know

Before you come

Languages

Consultations are held in English or in French, whichever you prefer.

Duration

Allow around 45 minutes for a session, a little longer for a first consultation.

Cancellation

Please let me know at least 24 hours in advance if you cannot make it, so the slot can be offered to someone else.

Insurance

Generally speaking, some private insurers cover osteopathy. Terms differ from one policy to the next, so the safest thing is to check directly with your insurer.

Contact

Book an appointment

I see patients on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Appointments are made by phone or by email. Write to me or call, either directly or through the front desk at the centre.

+221 78 790 42 41