Program

The program abstract committee has been working very hard behind the scenes on the program. Join us for a jam-packed weekend event that will showcase world-renowned international speakers, cutting-edge research presentations, bonus opportunities for hands-on learning, networking with peers and exhibitors, and a fantastic awards gala. A great symposium is in store for all.

 

Thursday, May 1, 2025
Time slot (PST) Off-Site Events
5:00 Off-Site Event – Knox Mountain Hike (Pre-registration required)
Meet at 5:00 pm | Hotel Lobby
7:30 Off-Site Event – Supper at Central Kitchen (Pre-registration required; Extra fees apply)
Address: 1155 Ellis Street, Kelowna V1Y 1Z5
Friday, May 2, 2025
Time slot (PST) Topic/Speaker
3:00
Grand Foyer
Registration/Information & Posters Presentation
4:45-6:15
Vaseaux/Kootenay
OD AGM
5:00
Grand Foyer
Exhibits Open
6:30-8:30
Okanagan Ballroom
Symposium Opening:

  • Indigenous Elder Address by Pamela and Wilfred (“Grouse”) Barnes
  • Keynote Presentation from Olympian Malindi Elmore “Strong Foundations: Physiotherapy’s Role in Athletic Success”
  • “Cheese The Day” with Canadian Cheese Ambassador David Beaudoin
  • Music Performance by Multi-Platinum Singer-Songwriter-Producer Andrew Allen
8:30-10:30
Grand Foyer
  • Cocktail Reception (substantial reception food and cash bar) & Networking with Peers and Exhibitors  
  • Bingo Night
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Time slot (PST) Topic/Speaker
6:30-7:00 Morning  5K Run / 30-min Walk
Meet at 6:30 am | Hotel Lobby
7:30-5:00
Grand Foyer
Registration and Information & Posters Presentation
7:30-8:30
Grand Foyer
Breakfast
7:30-4:00
Grand Foyer
Exhibits
8:30 -9:30
Okanagan Ballroom
Dr. Peter O’Sullivan Offering Hope for People with Disabling Low Back Pain
9:30-10:30
Okanagan Ballroom
Dr. Joel BialoskyThe Mechanisms of Manual Therapy (and why you should care)
10:30-11:00
Grand Foyer
Nutrition and Networking Break with Exhibitors
11:00-11:30 Educational/Professional Breakout Sessions – click here to view session descriptions and presenter bios
Canadian Physiotherapists – We Have a Whiplash Injury Management Problem: Time to Broaden Our Horizons
– Dr. Ashley Smith
Pennask
Can we improve the uptake of education and exercise-therapy in people with knee osteoarthritis?
– Dr. Allison Ezzat
Shuswap
Uncertainty in Clinical Practice Or – How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Angst
– Nathaniel Hers and Steve Young
Skeena
Using Social Media Ethically and Effectively in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
– Natalie Grant and Dr. Clare Ardern
Mt Boucherie
11:30-11:40 Transition Break
11:40-12:40
Okanagan Ballroom
Dr. Jean-Francois EsculierPatellofemoral Pain: mythbusting based on the latest research
12:40-2:00
Grand Foyer
Lunch with the Exhibitors
2:00-2:40 Grouped Scientific Podium Posters Breakout Sessions (8-min presentation + 2-min questions per session) click here to view session descriptions and presenter bios
Group 1
Pennask
Group 2
Shuswap
Group 3
Skeena
Group 4
Mt Boucherie
The Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Exercise Therapy: A randomized control trial evaluating functional outcomes
– Jobin Kaiden
The relationship between pupillary light reflex and clinical measures of nociplastic pain in chronic WAD. An observational study
– Colin Bouma
Feasibility and acceptability of dry needling to treat provoked vestibulodynia
– Dr. Melanie Roch
Influence of positive and negative psychological factors on patient reported pain and function/disability in patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders
– Dr. Joy MacDermid
Identifying competencies in advanced healthcare practice: an umbrella review
– Emily Kenyon
Association Between Symptoms and Health Outcomes in Chronic Whiplash Associated Disorders
– Lisa Jasper /Dr. Ashley Smith
Effect of Dynamic Multi-Planar Neuromuscular Neck Training (TopSpin360) on
Headache and Neck Pain Associated with Post-Concussion Syndrome: A
Randomized Control Feasibility Study
– Theo Versteegh
Exploring Canadian Career Firefighters’ Understanding of the Return-to-Work Process after Musculoskeletal Injuries
– Dr. Joy MacDermid
The educational pathway to Advanced Practice for the physiotherapist: a systematic mixed studies review
– Kaitlyn Maddigan
The Association Between Diagnostic Imaging, Medication Intake and Health Outcomes in Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: An Observational Study
– Dr. Ashley Smith
Quantitative Sensory Testing of Nervous System Dysfunction and Sensitisation in Chronic Subacromial Shoulder Pain
– Lyndal Solomons
Information needs for people with neck pain seeking physiotherapy neck manipulation or mobilization: An Exploratory Study
– Anita Gross
2:40-2:45 Transition Break
2:45-3:15
Okanagan Ballroom
Advance Practice Educational Session #1 click here for details
Sustainable implementation of Musculoskeletal Advanced Practice Physiotherapy in Canada – Dr. Alison Rushton
3:15-3:45
Grand Foyer
Nutrition and Networking Break with Exhibitors
3:45-4:45
Okanagan Ballroom
Dr. Jackie WhittakerDon’t Stop Believin’: Optimizing knee health after injury to prevent osteoarthritis
4:45-5:45
Okanagan Ballroom
Panel Session – Knee Pain – Dr. JF Esculier, Dr. Jackie Whittaker, and Dr. Christina Prevett
6:30-7:30
Grand Foyer
Pre-Gala Drinks and Reception
7:30-12:00
Okanagan Ballroom
Gala Dinner, Awards Ceremony, and Dance
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Time slot (PST) Topic/Speaker
7:30-12:30
Grand Foyer
Registration and Information
7:30-8:30
Grand Foyer
Breakfast
8:30-9:30
Okanagan Ballroom
Dr. Christina PrevettOlder adults are living at their 1-rep Max
9:30-10:00
Okanagan Ballroom
Advance Practice Educational Session #2 click here for details
Improving access to healthcare for people with musculoskeletal disorders: Advanced practice physiotherapy as part of the solution – Dr. Clare Ardern, Dr. Linda Truong, Dr. Véronique Lowry
10:00-10:30
Okanagan Ballroom
Panel and Q&A on Advanced Practice – Dr. Alison Rushton, Kaitlyn Maddigan, Dr. Clare Ardern, Dr. Linda Truong, Dr. Véronique Lowry
10:30-10:45
Grand Foyer
Refreshment Break
10:45-11:45
Okanagan Ballroom
Dr. Michel Coppieters – Entrapment and polyneuropathies: Implications for diagnosis and management (and life)
11:45-12:45
Okanagan Ballroom
Panel Session – Lower Back Pain – Dr. Peter O’Sullivan, Dr. Joel Bialosky, Dr. Michel Coppieters
12:45 -1:00
Okanagan Ballroom
Closing Remarks, Prize Draw, and Lunch to Go
Off-Site Events
1:30 – 6:30 Black Mountain Golf Course (Pre-registration required; Extra fees apply)
Meet at 1:30 pm | Hotel Lobby
1:30 – 5:30 Winery Tour (Pre-registration required; Extra fees apply)
Meet at 1:30 pm | Hotel Lobby