Connecting Kids Symposium

Dr Kate Deaves is a chiropractor and exercise physiologist with a strong passion for movement and health. Beginning her career as an exercise physiologist, Kate’s enthusiasm for helping others led her to deepen her expertise with a degree in chiropractic. She has a particular interest in pre- and post-natal rehabilitation and in managing both acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries. Kate believes everyone deserves an active, pain-free lifestyle and is dedicated to supporting her patients in achieving this goal.

Session Title: Empowered Motherhood: Exercise During the 3rd and 4th Trimesters of Pregnancy

Session Outline:
This presentation will explore the critical role of exercise during the 3rd and 4th trimesters of pregnancy, focusing on the benefits of physical activity for both maternal and infant health. It will cover how chiropractors can guide their patients through safe, effective exercise plans that support recovery and long-term health. Key topics include the benefits of exercise for postpartum recovery, exercises to avoid or modify, exercises to promote strength and mobility, and essential postpartum assessments to ensure a safe return to physical activity. The goal is to enhance the care chiropractors provide to pre and postpartum patients by integrating evidence-based exercise recommendations.

Dr Janine Kinahan is a dedicated chiropractor who has been practicing since 2006. With a passion for paediatric care and whole family wellness, she completed a diplomate from the International Chiropractic Paediatric Association during her Doctor of Chiropractic studies at CMCC. Moving from Canada to Australia, Janine has flourished in successful practices in rural and remote locations, serving diverse and underserved populations. 

In addition to her diplomate in Neuro-Developmental Chiropractic Paediatrics, Janine is a Certified SOT Craniopath and has been part of the SOTO-A teaching team since 2010 and a Primary Educator for SOTO-Australasia since 2024. She currently serves as the Vice President of the SOTO-A Board and sits on the AICE Paediatrics Group Board, a special interest group under the Australian Chiropractic Association.

Session 1 Title: The 5 Diaphragms – Managing the Pelvis and Pelvic Floor in Pregnancy and Beyond

Session 1 Outline:
In this presentation Dr Kinahan will present on pelvic floor changes and changes to the core and pelvis during pregnancy. Discuss how the chiropractor can affect change – often without contacting the pelvis and how chiropractors fit in with pelvic floor physiotherapists.

Pain sensitisation and trauma can cause changes in pelvic floor function and how we as chiropractors can bring that information into our care.

Session 2 Title: Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder in the Newborn (FGID)

Session 2 Outline:
This session will look at paediatric pelvic floor considerations – gastrointestinal function and fascial considerations in the infant particularly with bowel dysfunction – along with a video and hands on demonstration of fascial Release of the Abdomen in Infants.

Danae Cappelletto is a specialised Sydney birth doula, pregnancy (prenatal) yoga teacher, certified gut biome, carnivore and ketogenic nutrition coach. Having supported well over 500 women and families in birth, Danae is passionate about overall health and motherhood.

Danae is Sydney’s first (and only) OMP educator for parents and birth professionals. Her years of teaching traditional breath centred yoga provide an excellent background to understand the complexities regulating the body, breath and mind, which is invaluable in pregnancy support and birth preparation.

Danae enjoys collaborating with chiropractors and other practitioners to help support more women to an empowering and healthy pregnancy and birth. The flow on of which is the extraordinary transformation into matresence and long-term health for a mother and her family.

Session Title: Primal Biology & Modern Birth

Session Outline:
Danae’s specialisation in Optimal Maternal Positioning (OMP), gut health and the microbiome, and ketogenic nutrition gives her a unique lens to view pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She will share insights into her experiences supporting women and how she has come to dive deeper into primal biology and health of mothers and babies focusing on the third and fourth trimester. Danae will explore the contiguous world of peak health, inflammation, microbiome, chiropractic care, birth outcomes and a thriving postpartum period.

Angela James FACP is the Founder & Principal Physiotherapist of Sydney Pelvic Clinic, a specialised pelvic health service for women, men and children. Angela has developed a team of like-minded, highly trained professionals committed to delivering an evidence-based and person-centred approach to improve their patient’s pelvic health. In addition to her clinical work, Angela teaches locally and internationally, striving to improve the quality of physiotherapy services beyond her own borders.

Session Title: Physiotherapists Role in Optimising Birth Outcomes

Session Outline:
Angela will explore the biomechanics of birth and various musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries associated with childbirth. She will discuss evidence-based interventions for preventing birth-related injuries and emphasise the crucial role of physiotherapy in this important phase. Topics will include strategies for both prevention and management of birth injuries, an examination of the supporting evidence, and a review of gaps in the current evidence and key priorities for future research.