Elite sport osteopathy
Daniel Bontems has worked with elite athletes for some twenty years. He has been the designated osteopath for three French national teams (women's football, men's basketball and Paralympic fencing), and has looked after the players of FCF Juvisy, now Paris FC, since 2011.
He works with athletes, clubs and national teams, in France and internationally.
They placed their trust in him
They have worked with him
“Sa prise en charge sur moi ayant été une réussite au delà de mes espérances et dans la mesure où il voyait déjà certaines joueuses de l'équipe de France féminine de football dont j'avais la charge, c'est tout naturellement qu'il a intégré le staff médical de ma sélection.
Sachant parfaitement travailler en équipe au sein du staff médical, très loyal vis à vis du coach et du staff technique il est vite devenu indispensable à l'ensemble de la délégation...
Toujours en recherche de nouvelles pratiques Daniel est curieux de tout afin de progresser encore !!!
Je n'ai plus l'équipe de France mais j'ai toujours Daniel Bontems comme ostéopathe”
Twenty years in the field
- Sport sciences studies (STAPS)
First work in elite sport
An early immersion in the demands of physical performance, even before training in osteopathy.
- Since 2011
FCF Juvisy, now Paris FC
Designated osteopath for the women's club.
- 2012
French women's national football team
Part of the medical staff of Bruno Bini, national team head coach until 2013. At Clairefontaine, Daniel Bontems applied his breathing protocols on a large scale for the first time.
- After the D.O.
Men's basketball and Paralympic fencing
Two further national teams, including Paralympic fencing, supported during its preparation from 2021 to 2024.
- 2015
The professional tennis tour
Madrid, Rome, then Roland-Garros and Wimbledon alongside Serena Williams.
- Since 2015
Dance: Compagnie DCA, Philippe Decouflé
The body in stage movement, another arena of performance.
- 2022 to 2025
Bethanie Mattek-Sands
Support at Roland-Garros.
- 2025
Weembinamic
French Indoor Skydiving Cup.
- Ongoing
Marathons and international assignments
Race support, and consultations for elite athletes abroad, across all sports.
What the support covers
- Functional assessment at the practice, including from videos of the sport being played.
- Physical and breathing optimisation. VO₂, CO₂ tolerance, pre- and post-exercise protocols.
- Season-long follow-up, including any injuries: reading of imaging, clinical tests related to the context in which the injury occurred.
For long-term individual follow-up, at the practice, on the road or at tournaments: the Premium programme.
Featured in WomenSports, 2022: profile of an osteopath to champions.
Elite sport
Another question? Write to the practice
Does Daniel Bontems work with clubs and national teams?
Yes. He has been the designated osteopath for three French national teams (women's football, men's basketball, Paralympic fencing) and has held that role with the Paris FC women's team since 2011.
Work with clubs and national teams is arranged case by case, with the medical staff and the strength and conditioning coaches.
Can an amateur athlete book a consultation?
Yes. The practices in Neuilly-sur-Seine and Aix-en-Provence see athletes of all levels, from runners to yoga practitioners. The breathing approach applied in elite sport is just as relevant for an amateur.
What does breathing work contribute to performance?
It acts on breathing efficiency during exercise, on CO₂ tolerance and on speed of recovery. Assessment of the breathing profile always comes before the choice of protocols, which vary according to the discipline.
A club, a national team, an athlete?
Describe the context, the discipline and the dates you have in mind: you will receive a reply more quickly.