Hip: FAI - a Condition That Matters

This year the Australian Physiotherapy Association hosted Joanne Kemp as the keynote speaker for the end of year breakfast. Joanne is a passionate physiotherapist and researcher in the field of femoroacetabular impingement and hip osteoarthritis. Joanne presented on clinical features of FAI, research updates and the key role that physios play in patient rehabilitation. Joanne’s lecture gave me a new positive perspective on this condition and broadened my knowledge about the role of physiotherapy and treatment options outside of surgery.

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Physical Therapy in California - the requalification process

Thinking about moving to the States to practice Physiotherapy? The system is complicated and it takes a long time to meet all the requirements for an American Physical Therapy licence. Unfortunately for me, I have struggled to navigate my way through it all. I wanted to share this journey with you and all the information I've gathered along the way in the hope that others will be more successful in the future. 

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Can the risk of Vertebral Artery Dissection be determined with pre-manipulative screening?

Cervical manipulation has inherent risks. One of the the most dangerous adverse effects following cervical manipulation is vertebral artery dissection (VAD). For the past two decades, functional pre-manipulative screening tests have been used by Physiotherapists to identify patients at risk of vertebral artery insufficiency (VBI). Many experts in the field of VAD and cervical manipulation have started to question the clinical validity of these tests and currently there is great uncertainty if the tests themselves are potentially dangerous enough to cause VAD. 

This blog aims to review the risk of cervical manipulation, the clinical presentation of VBI and the current assessment recommended by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. I'm also pleased to include the thoughts and recommendations of Dr. Mark Percy, Specialist Radiologist from MIA Lilydale, Victoria. 

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The Immunotherapist and Linguist in all of us - David Butler

David Butler presented at the APA breakfast 2013 on the relationship between the immune system and nervous system. Of particular interest was the relationship between the immune system and the blood-brain barrier and how this relates to pain. 

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