About the Event
AICE Chiropractic Sports & Exercise, in partnership with FICS, are excited to announce that the 2025 Sports Chiropractic Symposium will be held 17-18 May 2025 on the Gold Coast.
ICSC Stream
The ICSC certification stream in 2025 will be the upper extremity module hands-on seminar over two days.
The theory section will be completed via a live online forum a month prior to the delivery of the in-person sessions. The in-person sessions will comprise of the learning materials, active and interactive, which involve students’ hands-on skills.
Masterclass Stream
For those that have completed the ICSC certification, the masterclass stream offers the chance to catch up with colleagues whilst learning some new skills. With practical information that you can readily apply into practice and the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, it’s a must-attend event!
The Athlete's Journey: From Injury to Performance – Clinical Pearls in Rehabilitation
This year’s masterclass stream focuses on the theme of ‘The Athlete’s Journey: From Injury to Performance – Clinical Pearls in Rehabilitation.’ It offers a deep dive into the full rehabilitation continuum, providing valuable clinical insights from assessment through to return-to-play.
The sessions will spotlight evidence-based interventions and hands-on techniques to optimise recovery and performance. Delegates will walk away with practical tools they can apply immediately, including advanced assessment methods, exercise protocols, and strategies to support patient progress and outcomes.
Masterclass Speakers
Keynote Speaker: Professor Tim Gabbett
Professor Tim Gabbett has 30 years of experience working as a performance consultant for several high-performance organisations around the world. He holds a PhD in Human Physiology and has completed a second PhD in Applied Sport Science, with special reference to physical demands, injury prevention, and skill acquisition. Tim has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles and has presented at over 400 national and international conferences. In a recent study of 8 million scientists published in PLoS Biology, Tim was named in the Top 10 most impactful sport scientists of all time.
Session 1 Title: The Training-Performance Puzzle – Critical Concepts, Return to Play, and Return to Peak Performance
Session Outline:
This presentation will explore the typical response of tissues and systems to loading, and the interaction between local and sport-specific capacity. The latest research on training load and injury, and the role of training load in successfully returning athletes to sport will be discussed.
Session 2 Title: Load Adaptation Workshop
Session Outline:
This workshop will incorporate hands-on activities to provide participants with skills in (i) quantifying training load, (ii) developing short- and long-term training plans, and (iii) preparing for the most demanding passages of play.
Other Speakers
Brad Beer is known for his expertise in treating running and triathlon related injuries. A physiotherapist with over 19 years experience, Brad is an APA Titled Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist, Exercise Scientist, and former Head Physiotherapist for the Super League Triathlon Series and is currently a Registrar with the Australian College of Physiotherapists undertaking a 2 year training program as part of the 2023-2025 Sports Specialisation cohort.
Brad is the Founder of award winning POGO Physio on the Gold Coast, Australia and has consulted for Triathlon Australia’s Olympic Podium Centre, Triathlon NZL and Athletics NZL, many Olympic athletes and World Champions.
Session Title: Clinical Tips for Managing Common Running Related Bone Stress Injuries
Session Outline:
This session will cover key principles in the pathophysiology, etiology, assessment, and management of common running related bone stress injuries.
Nick Breen is a Clinical Nutritionist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner. He holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutritional Medicine, BHSc.(Nut med) and a Master of Applied Science in Acupuncture, MAppSc.(Acu). In his clinical work, Nick has a particular focus on chronic pain management, functional digestive disorders, as well as mental health and cognitive concerns. He also loves educating practitioners on the latest developments in integrative and functional medicine and has presented at conferences and educational events around Australia and New Zealand.
Session Title: Concussion and TBI – Supporting Recovery Through Nutrition, Supplements, and Lifestyle
Session Outline:
This session will explore the critical topics of concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI), focusing on their pathophysiology, long-term implications, and strategies for recovery. We will delve into the cellular and biochemical processes involved in these injuries, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity. The talk will also highlight the nutritional support and supplements that can aid in brain healing, as well as the importance of lifestyle modifications for recovery. While manual therapies will be touched upon, the emphasis will be on evidence-based nutritional and lifestyle interventions to support brain health following concussion and TBI.
Dr Hayley Elmsly graduated from the New Zealand College of Chiropractic in 2020 and began her career in Papamoa, a coastal town on New Zealand’s North Island. In late 2023, she relocated to the Sunshine Coast, Australia, where she has embraced new opportunities and an active lifestyle.
Passionate about sports chiropractic, Hayley has worked with athletes across Queensland, including in the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, as well as at international tournaments. She is currently pursuing her Sports Chiropractic titling and has recently completed a certification specialising in female coaching. Drawing from both her personal experiences and professional studies, Hayley is deeply committed to supporting female athletes and enhancing their performance through chiropractic care.
Session Title: The Female Athlete – Unlocking Strength, Recovery and Performance Potential
Session Outline:
This presentation explores the unique physiological, psychological, and performance-related needs of girls and women in sports. It will highlight key aspects of strength development, injury prevention, and long-term athletic development for performance. Additionally, it will provide insights into hormonal fluctuations, biomechanics, and nutrition, offering chiropractors practical strategies to support female athletes and enhance their overall performance.
Graduating from Macquarie University in 1995, Dr Peter Garbutt has spent over two decades working with a diverse range of sporting teams – from water polo and soccer to beach volleyball and even pole dancing. His experience spans both local and international levels, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the field of sports chiropractic. A seasoned lecturer, Pete has shared his knowledge on sports chiropractic and running with audiences across Australia and around the world, making him a familiar face on the speaking circuit.
Session Title: Laser Beams, Sharks and Ill Tempered Bass…Because Every Creature Deserves a Warm Meal
Session Outline:
In today’s market, we’re constantly exposed to competing claims about lasers—companies trying to outdo each other, conflicting research, and a general sense of confusion surrounding this modality.
This session won’t be heavy on science, but rather a hands-on discussion about integrating lasers into clinical practice. We’ll cover practical considerations such as financial models, treatment protocols, and the dos and don’ts of laser application.
Spanning the light spectrum from 420nm to 970nm—violet to emerald, red to infrared—we’ll explore Class 2, Class 4, and maybe even a touch of “no class at all.” Expect conversations about placebos, misconceptions, and the real role of therapeutic lasers in sports chiropractic. The goal? To provide clear, useful insights for effective laser use in practice.
Dr Josh Nelson is a seasoned sports chiropractor with over 15 years of experience, successfully owning and managing a large multidisciplinary practice. As a Level 3 Golf Medical Professional and an instructor for the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), he specialises in golf-related health and performance. Josh currently teaches at Central Queensland University (CQU) and has previously lectured at Macquarie University. Additionally, he is a published author of multiple articles on golf, health, and fitness.
Session Title: Management of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis in the Elite Professional Golfer
Session Outline:
This session will cover assessment and management (including mechanical swing changes) to the golfing population and adaptations for those with different low back injuries, chronic low back pain and underlying L5/S1 Spondylolisthesis.
Dr Luke Nelson is a chiropractor, running coach, and director of Health & High Performance, with a strong focus on sports and exercise chiropractic. A Fellow of the AICE Chiropractic Sports & Exercise CPG, Luke has been dedicated to helping athletes and active individuals stay injury-free and perform at their best. With over two decades of experience, he has worked with elite athletes across various sports, including AFL, triathlon, and CrossFit. An accomplished speaker and educator, Luke has presented internationally on sports injury management, particularly running-related injuries. A passionate runner himself, he has completed multiple marathons, an ultra-marathon, and Ironman triathlons.
Session Title: Pain in the Butt – Tackling Hamstring Tendinopathy in Distance Runners
Session Outline:
Hamstring tendinopathy is a prevalent yet frequently overlooked cause of posterior thigh and buttock pain, affecting both athletic and non-athletic populations. This session delves into comprehensive assessment and diagnosis techniques, alongside evidence-based rehabilitation strategies, to support athletes and active individuals in achieving a safe and effective return to peak performance.
Dr Nick Papastamatis is a chiropractor, clinic owner, and business coach with a wealth of experience in the highs and lows of practice ownership. Since graduating in 2010, he has navigated rapid growth, clinic expansions, downturns, business partnerships, and legal challenges, gaining invaluable insights along the way. As a coach for clinic owners since 2019, Nick combines evidence-based psychology with heart-centred leadership and strong business fundamentals. He completed his Graduate Certificate in Psychology of Business and Management at Curtin University in 2020 and has invested a decade in coaching. In 2023, his resilience and determination were recognised with the Kerwin Rae “Unstoppable Award” for his unwavering positivity and persistence.
Session Title: Re-integrating Upper Limb Function with the Spine
Session Outline:
Many athletes have persistent or recurrent injuries because the rehab wasn’t intensely integrative. Athletic performance and late-stage rehab is not joint specific! In this session you will learn how to integrate the upper limb back into midline structures at low, medium and high threshold.
Dr Henry Pollard is a practising sports & exercise chiropractor and clinical scientist based in Sydney, Australia. He is the former Chair of the Australasian Institute of Chiropractic Education (AICE), a business unit of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA). Dr Pollard currently holds adjunct professorial positions at Durban University of Technology, South Africa, and Camara Institute of Chiropractic Sciences, Philippines. He regularly lectures at national and international conferences in the fields of chiropractic, sports medicine, and research – presenting 1-4 times annually. With over 145 peer-reviewed publications in medical and chiropractic journals, his research focuses on clinical and sports chiropractic, injury epidemiology, sports medicine, and the psychosocial aspects of chronic pain.
Session Title: Vascular Injuries in Sport
Session Outline:
Vascular occlusive conditions in athletes represent a complex spectrum of pathologies ranging from chronic vascular disease to acute emergencies. This session will provide healthcare practitioners with a comprehensive framework for understanding, evaluating, and managing vascular conditions in athletic populations.
Through examination of current guidelines and evidence-based practices, the session addresses both systemic vascular diseases and sport-specific functional compression syndromes.
Dr David Steven is a co-founder of Bay Chiropractic. He completed his Master’s in Chiropractic at Macquarie University and pursued postgraduate studies in Sports Chiropractic at Murdoch University. He has also gained additional qualifications in Sports Orthotics, Dry Needling, Kinesiotape, Active Release Techniques (A.R.T.), Sports Biomechanics, Athletic Taping, and Athlete Video Analysis. Dr Steven has worked with the Sydney Swans and Rugby Australia, and held roles as CMO and sports chiropractor at two Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Session Title: Biomechanical Considerations and Chiropractic Interventions with Sprinters, Cricket Fast Bowlers and Goal Kickers
Session Outline:
This session will cover the biomechanical assessment of sprinting, cricket fast bowling, and goal kicking. It will highlight key concepts, common issues that arise in each area, and effective interventions that deliver quick and impactful results in these three areas of sport.
Dr Michael Swain is an Associate Professor of Chiropractic in the Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences at Macquarie University. In the Department of Chiropractic, he serves as the Director of Research Training. His clinical expertise lies in sports injuries and pain management. He completed his PhD at the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health at the University of Sydney in 2019. His research primarily focuses on the epidemiology of injuries and musculoskeletal disorders among young individuals. He serves on the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) Research Committee and the WFC Global Patient Safety Task Force.
Session Title: Game Changer – Chiropractors Leading Injury Surveillance in Sports Clubs
Session Outline:
This presentation will teach chiropractors how to integrate the IOC consensus statement on recording and reporting epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport into their care of sports teams and clubs.
It will outline: the process of standardising data collection to improve athlete health and safety, defining and classifying health problems, measuring the severity of health problems, capturing and reporting athlete exposure, reporting population characteristics, and practical steps for implementation in chiropractic practice, including setting up data collection systems and training staff, supported by case studies.
After earning her chiropractic qualification from the University of Johannesburg in 2010, Dr Lizl Westermann began her career in a multi-disciplinary sports rehabilitation centre before spending seven years running a thriving family wellness practice. During this time, she expanded her expertise to cater to patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. In 2018, she made the move to Australia to further her career. Lizl has been actively involved with Widebay Sports Academy and FQ Academy, overseeing injury management and rehabilitation. She also works with the Best Medic Group as a National Sports Trainer/Medic, providing support at local sporting events.
Her professional interests include posture correction, barefoot living, functional movement, and the ketogenic lifestyle, reflecting her holistic approach to health and performance.
Session Title: The Barefoot Athlete – How a Strong Foundation May Benefit Rehab and Performance
Session Outline:
This session explores the science behind barefoot training and its role in rehabilitation and performance. We’ll examine what the literature says about foot strength as the foundation for movement, discuss simple and effective methods for assessing foot strength, and introduce practical strategies for training and strengthening the feet. Additionally, we’ll highlight how barefoot training supports posture and overall biomechanics, providing actionable takeaways for athletes, clinicians, and trainers alike.
Masterclass Program
Download the Sports Chiropractic Symposium 2025 program to explore the full schedule of engaging sessions led by our dynamic lineup of speakers. You may be able to incorporate content from this program into your annual learning plan for CPD.
Registration
ACA/AICE Student
AICE Member
ACA Member
Non ACA Member
Online registration closes 16 May 2025.
Exhibition Opportunities
Showcase your products and services at the upcoming Sports Chiropractic Symposium 2025 on the Gold Coast. With a small exhibition display, this event offers your organisation an excellent opportunity to connect with professionals in the field. Complete the Exhibition Form today to reserve your table!
Accommodation
Accommodation Link is the only official hotel provider for the Sports Chiropractic Symposium 2025, taking place at the Mantra on View Hotel, Surfers Paradise.
We’ve negotiated accommodation discounts and secured a limited number of reduced-rate hotel rooms to make your trip to the Gold Coast cost affordable. Through the travel experts at Accommodation Link, rooms at the group rate are limited and available on a first come, first-served basis.
Book early for best selection and price.
Sponsors
Exhibitors
Sports Chiropractic Symposium 2025 Terms and Conditions
Before you proceed with registration and participation, please take a moment to review the terms and conditions outlined below. These terms and conditions govern your attendance at Sports Chiropractic Symposium 2025, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants. By registering for the symposium, you agree to abide by these terms. For a detailed and comprehensive understanding of our symposium policies, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions page.