Conference Schedule
Day 1. 13th February 2025
Registration
Time: 08:45 am - 09:15 am
Opening ceremony
Time: 09:30 am - 10:00 am
Session 1
Time: 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Speaker: Prof. Dan Rhon
Session title: Manual therapy – what’s behind one of the most contentious interventions that physical therapists have to offer?
This session explores the controversies surrounding the recommendations and use of manual physical therapy in clinical practice. Manual therapy is often portrayed as a low-value intervention, with caution and caveats highlighted in several clinical practice guidelines. While it should never be considered a panacea for all conditions, its value is frequently misjudged due to inadequate interpretation of the literature. This session will succinctly summarize the arguments made against the use of manual therapy, providing empirically grounded counterpoints to each claim. Like many interventions, manual therapy can represent both low- and high-value care, depending on the individual context, setting, and application. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the arguments on both sides of this debate. Objectives: 1. Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that manual therapy is low-value care. 2. Summarize the straw-man and steel-man components of these arguments. 3. Describe the contexts in which manual therapy can be a high-value intervention.
Session 2
Time: 11:00 am - 11:45 am
Speaker: Dr. Amy Wallace McDevitt
Session title: Cracking the Code of Manual Therapy: Mechanisms, Research, and Clinical Application
This session will delve into the biophysiological, neurophysiological, and psychosocial mechanisms underlying manual therapy and its effectiveness in managing musculoskeletal pain. With a focus on the evolving evidence base and the role of mechanistic research, attendees will gain insights into how manual therapy interventions can be optimized to improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the session will address challenges related to inconsistent reporting in manual therapy trials, emphasizing the need for a better understanding and application of force-based manipulation in clinical practice. Objectives: 1. Identify the biophysiological, neurophysiological, and psychosocial mechanisms contributing to the effectiveness of manual therapy interventions. 2. Summarize the current evidence supporting manual therapy techniques, focusing on areas of strong evidence and identifying research gaps. 3. Describe how mechanistic research can be applied in clinical practice to enhance the effectiveness of manual therapy interventions.
Questions and Answers session
Time: 11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Break
Time: 12:00 am - 12:30 pm
Session 3
Time: 12:30 pm - 01:15 pm
Speaker: Prof. Christopher McCarthy.
Session title: Spinal Manipulation – What’s all the fuss about?
This lecture will explore the theories underlying Spinal Manipulative Thrust Techniques, focusing on their effectiveness and practical applications. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the principles that guide this approach and its application in clinical practice. Objectives: 1. Understand the theoretical foundations of Spinal Manipulative Thrust Techniques. 2. Evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of these techniques. 3. Discuss the practical applications of Spinal Manipulative Thrust in clinical settings. 4. Identify situations where this approach is most appropriate and beneficial for patients.
Session 4
Time: 01:15 pm - 02:00 pm
Speaker: Dr Stephen May
Session title: Centralisation Phenomena: 30 Years of Evidence and Clinical Implications for Spinal Management
In this session, Dr. May will introduce the centralisation phenomenon as a key component of the McKenzie Method (Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy). You will have the unique opportunity to hear from the person who authored the definitive textbook and extensively published research on this phenomenon. Objectives: 1. Understand the Concept of Centralisation: Explore the definition, mechanisms, and clinical significance of the centralisation phenomenon in spinal conditions. 2. Review Evidence from the Past Three Decades: Examine key studies and research findings that have contributed to the understanding of the centralisation phenomenon. 3. Identify Clinical Implications: Discuss how evidence supports effective strategies for assessing, diagnosing, and managing spinal disorders. 4. Enhance Clinical Decision-Making Skills: Apply knowledge of centralisation to optimise treatment planning and improve patient outcomes in spinal care. 5. Evaluate Practical Approaches: Review case studies and real-world applications of the centralisation phenomenon in clinical settings.
Questions and Answers session
Time: 02:00 pm - 02:15 pm
Break
Time: 02:15 pm - 03:15 pm
Session 5
Time: 03:30 pm - 04:00 pm
Speaker: Mahmoud Saad.
Session title: Clinical Discussion Session Facilitator
All keynote speakers will engage with the audience in a clinical discussion related to modern musculoskeletal physiotherapy and its controversial topics.This session is designed to encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas, practical insights, and collaborative learning, moving away from a traditional one-sided presentation. The goal is to create an interactive and thought-provoking environment. Mahmoud Saad will facilitate the discussion, ensuring it aligns with the clinical interests and needs of the audience.
Session 6
Time: 04:00 pm -04:30 pm
Speaker: Fatma El-Bakry & Hayat Moustafa
Session title: Kinetic Control. Movement testing and re-retraining. Integration into practice.
This lecture delves into the principles of Kinetic Control and their application in clinical practice. It is tailored for individuals eager to deepen their understanding of the concept while gaining practical insights and techniques that can be immediately implemented in a clinical setting. Objectives: ● Understand the theoretical foundations Explore the core principles underlying movement testing and retraining strategies, providing a solid conceptual framework for clinical decision-making. ● Apply practical strategies to lumbar spine management Learn and integrate targeted Kinetic Control techniques specifically designed to address lumbar spine dysfunctions effectively. ● Demonstrate testing and retraining techniques Practice selected movement testing and retraining methods, with actionable tips to enhance patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans.
Session 7
Time: 04:30 pm - 05:00 pm
Session title: Pelvic floor, constipation, LBP; is there a link?
Speaker: Hebatullah Fouad.
Objectives: 1. Understand the Interrelationship: Explore the potential connections between pelvic floor dysfunction, constipation, and low back pain (LBP), including shared mechanisms and contributing factors. 2. Identify Contributing Factors: Examine the physiological, biomechanical, and lifestyle factors that contribute to the interplay of these conditions. 3. Enhance Assessment Skills: Learn evidence-based strategies for assessing patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, constipation, and LBP, focusing on identifying overlapping symptoms and root causes. 4. Develop Management Strategies: Gain insights into effective clinical interventions and multidisciplinary approaches for managing these interrelated conditions.
Questions and Answers session
Time: 05:00 pm - 05:15 pm
Closing ceremony
Time: 05:30 pm
Day 2 . 14th February 2025
Session 1
Time: 09:30 am : 10:15 am
Speaker: Prof. Dan Rhon
Session title: What is the best that we have to offer in the management of knee osteoarthritis? An update on the most current evidence.
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the conditions most amenable to treatment with manual therapy. It is probably second only to low back pain in terms of the volume of research assessing interventions for this condition. This session will evaluate the efficacy of all non-surgical treatment options available for managing KOA. Attendees will gain insight into what manual therapy has to offer in comparison to expected outcomes from other interventions. The session will also provide a summary of the results from the latest manual therapy trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Objectives: 1. Summarize the evidence for the use of manual therapy in managing knee osteoarthritis. 2. Understand which KOA patients may benefit most from manual therapy. 3. Describe the dosing and application of some of the most effective manual therapy programs for KOA.
Session 2
Time: 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Speaker: Dr. Amy Wallace McDevitt
Session title: Maximizing Manual Therapy: Leveraging Augmented Exercises for Sustained Outcomes in Musculoskeletal Pain.
This session discusses the evidence surrounding manual therapy’s role in managing musculoskeletal pain and its integration into contemporary physical therapy practice. While manual therapy provides short-term and immediate benefits, it has not been shown to be effective in the long term. This presentation emphasizes the importance of manual therapy, including active, augmented exercises that reflect clinical interventions, offering a comprehensive approach to enhance patient adherence, modulate pain, and improve functional outcomes. Attendees will learn practical strategies to integrate these techniques into their practice to maximize the lasting impact of manual therapy treatments. Objectives: 1. Describe the evidence supporting manual therapy across different body regions and its role within multimodal approaches to musculoskeletal pain management. 2. Evaluate the evidence base supporting both active and passive interventions, discerning their respective roles and applications in clinical practice. 3. Design individualized augmented exercise programs that align with patient goals and complement manual therapy interventions to enhance therapeutic effects.
Questions and Answers session
Time: 11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Post-Conference Workshops 14 February 2025
Time: 01:00 pm - 04:00 pm
You can choose only one to attend
workshop 1
Tutor
Dr Stephen May
Title
Mechanical diagnosis and Therapy. Application for lumbar spine.
In this clinical workshop, Dr. Stephen May, the author of the McKenzie Textbook (Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy - MDT), will demonstrate the MDT system (McKenzie Method) on real patients. He will showcase a range of practical techniques and self-management strategies for patients with lumbar spine and radicular problems.
This workshop will be held in a lecture theatre equipped with audiovisual tools to ensure full audience engagement.
workshop 2
Tutor
Prof.Dan Rohn & Prof. Amy McDevitt
Title
Practical demonstration related to the prof. Dan Rohn and Prof Amy McDevitt morning sessions.
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the conditions most amenable to treatment with manual therapy, likely second only to low back pain in terms of the volume of research assessing interventions for this condition. This session will evaluate the efficacy of all non-surgical treatment options available for managing KOA. It will allow attendees to put into perspective what manual therapy has to offer compared to the expected outcomes of other interventions. The session will also provide a summary of the results from the latest manual therapy trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine.