ACA Conference 2025

Brendan Mouatt is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, clinical researcher at the Persistent Pain Research Group, and CEO of Neuro Orthopaedic Institute (Noigroup) in Adelaide, Australia. With over ten years of experience as a director of multiple private practices in Melbourne and international teaching since 2016, he joined Noigroup in 2023 to translate pain science research into clinical practice for clinicians and those suffering from pain.

His early research on how visual sensory information affects the perception of exercise effort, combined with his clinical experience in musculoskeletal injury and pain, led to his doctoral work on how beliefs, behaviours, and clinical interactions impact pain recovery, body perception, and healthcare engagement. This research drives his passion for education and  translating clinical research into practice.

Session Title: Integrating Pain Science into Practice – Exploring Beliefs, Behaviours, and Perceptions in Recovery and Engagement
Session Outline:
This session will explore how beliefs, behaviours, and perceptions influence pain recovery and patient engagement. Participants will learn about the intricate interactions between experience, emotions, and pain, and how these factors shape patient sense-making. The session will also cover key patient-facing pain education concepts linked to improved outcomes, as well as the principles of predictive processing in pain science. Through illusions and case studies, these concepts will be demonstrated in a clinical context to enhance patient care.

Dr Jalal Khan is a general dentist with a keen interest in the close interaction between the mouth and body posture. He sees the mouth as being a key player in many postural compensations, especially upper cervical. For his adult patients, Dr Khan collaborates with manual therapists to help stabilise posture and improve postural alignment. For his paediatric patients, he works alongside manual therapists to ensure optimal jaw and facial development, as well as functional breathing, improved sleep, and balanced autonomic nervous system function.

Session Title: Dental Considerations for Chiropractors
Session Outline:
In this session, Dr Khan will be presenting common dental presentations that could be influencing compensations in body posture. He will demonstrate how to recognise these dental concerns and when it is appropriate to refer patients to a dentist for further evaluation and care.

Dr Ashleigh Moreland is a therapist, coach, and founder of the Re-MIND Institute. As an ex scientific researcher, she is on a mission to bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific inquiry and real-world transformation. With a PhD in neuroplasticity, Ashleigh is driven by an insatiable curiosity to understand how our brains work, how our minds develop, and how we can unlock our full potential to experience heaven on earth in business, relationships and life.

Session Title: Thriving, not surviving  How to work WITH your nervous system to thrive in life
Session Outline:
In this session, Dr Moreland will explore self-care through the lens of the nervous system, diving into the difference between activities that activate the parasympathetic state (restorative and regenerative) and those that reduce sympathetic load (stress mitigation). The aim is to provide the audience with a clear, actionable understanding of how their own unique nervous system underpins their ability to thrive in all areas of life.

Dr Mike Marinus currently serves as the Chairman of the Royal College of Chiropractors Pregnancy and Chiropractic Faculty, and is a valuable member of Logan University’s teaching staff for the Masters in Integrative Paediatrics degree. Additionally, Mike hosts podcasts for both parents and professionals and is the founder of the Paediatric Network, an online teaching platform for all professionals working with children.

Session 1 Title: Retained Reflexes in Older Children
Session 1 Outline:
In this session, Dr Marinus will explore the concept of primitive reflexes, the reasons some may not integrate, and the potential effects of unintegrated reflexes. The session will include a practical component where delegates will learn how to assess for primitive reflexes in children.

Session 2 Title: Lower Limb Rotational Profile Exam for Children
Session 2 Outline:
Rotational misalignment of the lower limb is concerning for parents and can potentially cause ankle, knee, and hip pain. This session will provide a step-by-step guide to assessing intoeing and out-toeing in children, exploring the underlying causes and potential management strategies.

Dr John Minardi holds a Bachelor of Human Kinetics (Honours Movement Science) from the University of Windsor and a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. He is the creator, founder, and head instructor of The Complete Thompson-Minardi Technique Seminar Series and the author of The Complete Thompson Textbook – Minardi Integrated Systems, the most comprehensive resource on table-assisted chiropractic techniques. Dr Minardi has a deep interest in understanding the neurology of chiropractic adjustments. Known for his passion, intensity, and exceptional teaching skills, he is dedicated to explaining the profound effects of chiropractic care on the human body.

Session 1 Title: An Introduction to the Thompson Technique
Session 1 Outline:
An introduction to the classic Thompson Technique and Dr Minardi’s advancements in biomechanics, neurology and protocols will be explained and demonstrated in great detail. 

Session 2 Title: Chiropractic’s Effect on the Brain
Session 2 Outline:
In this groundbreaking course, Dr Minardi explains how we are neurologically born unfinished and how our environment plays a crucial role in shaping brain development. Dr Minardi explores the impact of chiropractic adjustments in activating and maintaining brain health, while also examining how the brain perceives information and how subluxation, along with other external factors, can influence those perceptions. Key neurological concepts, including sensory synchronisation, priming, and willpower, are thoroughly explained and linked to the chiropractic patient.

Dr Chanelle Vaughan’s chiropractic journey began at 18 after a chance encounter with a chiropractor during a screening. Inspired, she shifted from studying biomedical science to pursuing chiropractic, earning her degree from New Zealand College of Chiropractic (NZCC) in 2009. She further specialised with a Paediatric Diplomate in 2011 and completed a radiology residency in 2013.

After serving on NZCC’s faculty, Chanelle took time to focus on raising and homeschooling her three children while managing two practices alongside her husband. In 2023, her family relocated to Adelaide, where she joined the Australian Chiropractic College (ACC) as Program Coordinator for Chiropractic Practice. Chanelle is passionate about shaping the next generation of chiropractors and advancing chiropractic care in Australia.

Session Title: When Chiropractic gets Rad!
Session Outline:
In this session, Dr Vaughan will walk you through a selection of client cases from her 16 years in practice. Using real-life client presentations and imaging studies, she will share her approach to case management, x-ray interpretation, and how these experiences have shaped her chiropractic decision-making. The diverse range of cases will also provide an opportunity to refresh and enhance your diagnostic imaging interpretation skills.

Jade Scott is a fearless yet empathetic leader, founder of GrowthRx, and owner of Western Region Health. From Harvard Business School to Melbourne & Victoria University, she brings together the best advances in organisation culture, clinical leadership, and education. As an osteopath, business coach, developer, and multi-location private practice owner, Jade understands the journey from practitioner to high-level business operator and is an advisor to hundreds of practitioners globally. Her mission is to lift the bar in healthcare, reduce burnout in clinic owners, and create happier, more profitable, healthier workplaces through great leadership.

Session Title: The Importance of Understanding Key Motivators & How it Can Change the Future of Chiropractic in Australia
Session Outline:
Motivation is the key driver of success. It’s what inspires staff to show up each day, complete their tasks, and perform at their best. This session will take a deep dive into transforming the way you communicate with your team, staying in tune with evolving generational expectations to remain ahead of the curve, and boosting productivity, engagement, and staff retention. Learn how to refine your recruitment strategies simply by asking the right questions—and discover what this means for chiropractic in Australia and beyond.

Ellie Bakker is the founder and CEO of Splice Marketing, and co-founder of Veri Health. She is an award-winning entrepreneur and marketer blending strategic, commercial and executional excellence with sharp intuition. Ellie has been transforming healthcare businesses and brands for more than 12 years. Under her leadership and strategy, her businesses have continued to grow and thrive year on year. 

Her key achievements include:

• Awarded winner of Moreton Bay’s Entrepreneur of the Year two years in a row – 2023 and 2022 and finalists for Brisbane’s 40 Under 40 in 2023; Greater Brisbane Women in Business Awards 2019 and 2021; Young Entrepreneur 2021 and Brisbane Young Marketer of the Year 2021.
• Transformed and generated millions of dollars in new business for the Australian healthcare sector.
• Grown a marketing agency exponentially from a one-woman band to 30 employees in 5 years.
• Awarded Finalist in the Greater Brisbane Women in Business Awards 2019 and 2021; Young Entrepreneur 2021 and Brisbane Young Marketer of the Year 2021.

Session Title: A Marketing Blueprint for Growing Your Chiropractic Practice
Session Outline:
In a competitive market, a strong marketing strategy is essential—not optional. This engaging and practical session is designed specifically for chiropractors who want to grow their practice without relying on constant discounts or inconsistent word-of-mouth.

You’ll walk away with a repeatable marketing blueprint to:

• Build a strong, trusted brand that stands out
• Attract high-quality, aligned patients
• Retain loyal clients and boost referrals
• Drive sustainable business growth

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, this session gives you the tools, frameworks, and real-world tactics to market smarter, not harder.

Perfect for: Chiropractors ready to take their practice to the next level with marketing that works.