Tuulia is a licensed human physiotherapist (2000), animal physiotherapist (2002), and certified manipulative physiotherapist (Maitland concept, 2010). She has been dissecting equine and canine cadavers since 2013, in collaboration with different veterinarians. She has also trained in myofascial therapy, Lymphatouch (negative pressure therapy), cupping, laser therapy, cryotherapy, acupuncture (TCM), and kinesiotaping, and has studied fascial treatment methods such as fascial release with Thomas Myers and James Earls, structural integration with Robert Schleip, fascial manipulation with the Stecco family, and osteopathic techniques with various teachers. She has also been learning Pilates, Feldenkrais, Qi Gong, and other movement therapies.
Together with Mika Pihlman, Tuulia has developed an animal fascial manipulation method based on Luigi Stecco’s Fascial Manipulation, and she and Mika teach it around the world. In the human arena, Tuulia and Mika teach the MyFascia method, also developed with Mika.
Tuulia loves to help both humans and animals. She is passionate about treatments, anatomy, research, movement, and learning new things. Problem-solving and clinical reasoning intrigue her and motivate her to further educate herself and others.
Tuulia has presented abstracts and workshops at conferences, including the Pelvis and Low Back Pain Congress, Fascia Research Congress, International Symposium of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, and multiple physiotherapy and osteopathy conferences. She has written several articles and books about fascia, movement, and body awareness. She is a member of research groups studying fascia, and participated in a fascial plastination project in Güben, Germany which led to the exhibition of plastinated fascial pieces as part of the 2018 Fascia Research Congress.
Website: www.animalfascialmanipulation.com
Facebook: Tuulia Luomala & animal fascial manipulation
Instagram: Tuulia Luomala & animal fascial manipulation
Publications
Luomala, T., Pihlman, M., Heiskanen, J., & Stecco, C. (2014). Case study: Could ultrasound and elastography visualized densified areas inside the deep fascia? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 18(3), 462-468.
Luomala, T. & Pihlman, M. (2016). A Practical Guide to Fascial Manipulation: An evidence-and clinical-based approach. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Pihlman, M. & Luomala, T. (2016). Faskia–terapian ja liikkeen näkökulmasta. Lahti: VK-kustannus oy. Finland
Pihlman, M., Heiskanen J., Luomala T. & Kaaretsalo A. (2017). Hieronnan käsikirja. Sanoma Pro Oy, Helsinki. Finland
Luomala, T., Pihlman, M., Schultz, R. M. & Elbrønd, V. S. (2018). Fascial connections of peripheral nerve of the horse. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 22(4), 871. (Abstract – Fascial Research Congress)
Luomala, T., Pihlman, M., Schultz, R. M. & Elbrønd, V. S. (2018). New fascial finding: band-like structure between m. vastus lateralis and m. biceps femoris. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 22(4), 871. (Abstract – Fascial Research Congress)
Pihlman, M., Luomala, T. & Mäkinen, J. (2018). Liikkuvuusharjoittelu–hallittua voimaa ja liikkuvuutta. Lahti: VK-Kustannus Oy. Finland
Heiskanen, J., Jernfors, V., Parantainen, A., Camut, M., Isotalo, A., Luomala, T. & Palomäki, K. (2020). Lantionpohjan fysioterapia. Lahti: VK-Kustannus Oy. Finland
Luomala T. (2021) Monsteri Kaapissa. Basam Books Oy, Helsinki. Finland.
Luomala T. (2021) Liiku luonnon voimalla. Valo Kustannus, Lempäälä, Finland.
Luomala T. & Pihlman M. (2022) Mielellään liikkeessä. Valo Kustannus, Lempäälä, Finland.
Luomala, T. (2022). Clinical Application of Myofascial Therapy in Horses. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice, S0749-0739.
Luomala T. (2023) Viiden voima. Valo Kustannus, Lempäälä. Finland.
Marques J.P (2024) Essential Facts of Equine Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Sport Medicine, VAHL. Chapters on Connective Tissue and Myofascial Treatments.
Luomala T., Pihlman M., Kettunen M. (2024) Mielellään itsessään. Valo Kustannus. Lempäälä. Finland.
Luomala T., Pihlman M., Schultz R., Elbrønd V.S. (2025) Atlas of the Equine and Canine Fascia System. Valo kustannus (Finland) & Kinetic Lines (Denmark).
Book available as of November 2025 at www.animalfascialmanipulation.com