2012 ACC-RAC ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE The Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) announces its 2012 meeting and Research Agenda Conference. This annual chiropractic conference includes over 100 presentations from the most authoritative speakers in chiropractic research and education from around the world. The 2012 conference is the 18th annual meeting of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) and Research Agenda Conference (RAC) and will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada March 15-17, 2012. The ACC-RAC offers keynote speakers, workshops, platform and poster presentations that include the best scientifically based clinical information, academic findings and chiropractic research from the entire chiropractic profession. Those who attend include doctors from private practice, educators, college administrators, academic and clinical researchers, students, and anyone interested in learning cutting edge information from the chiropractic profession. The ACC-RAC 2012 conference hotel is Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, located on “The Strip” in exciting Las Vegas. Early bird registration – which includes continental breakfasts and luncheons – will continue until March 1, 2012. For more information about the conference and online registration, visit www.chirocolleges.org. CANADA’S INAUGURAL CHIROpRACTIC SpECIALTY CONFERENCE On Saturday, November 12, 2011, members of Canada’s five Specialty Colleges will hold their first-ever joint conference. This conference will bring together leading chiropractors from across Canada for an intense day of learning and exchange. The event, titled the Canadian Chiropractic Specialty Conference – Clinical Neurology Update, will be held at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto and will be of interest to chiropractors and chiropractic students. It is being sponsored by: • The College of Chiropractic Sciences; • The College of Chiropractic Orthopedists; • The Chiropractic College of Radiologists; • The Chiropractic College of Rehabilitation Sciences; • The Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences; and • The Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory and Educational Accrediting Boards (CFCREAB). Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the program getting under way at 8:30 a.m. Speakers for the morning session include Drs. John Crawford, Joe Lemire and Rocco Guerriero. The morning will end with Canadian Chiropractic Specialty Grand Rounds given by a panel of members of each of the specialty colleges. The afternoon will offer more informative talks on specific clinical topics by experts such as Drs. David Bereznik and Marc Drolet and will conclude with a presentation on the interdisciplinary management of chronic pain. AGMs for the various specialty colleges will also be held on this day. For more information on registering for this event, speaker bios, and other details, please contact Peter Waite, Executive Director, CFCREAB. 416-646-1600 or online at www.chirofed.ca/english/specialty.html. THOMPSON TECHNIQUE 2012 SEMINARS The Thompson Technique team is returning in 2012 to bring chiropractors informative lectures and hands on instruction in the Thompson chiropractic technique. Seminars are scheduled in Toronto, Ontario, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec and for the first time, Argentina, South America. CEUs will be available in certain jurisdictions. The Thompson Technique was created by Dr. Clay Thompson, and has been refined into a practical chiropractic system that offers patients a number of benefits as well as a safe and comprehensive treatment option. The Thompson Seminar Series and certification program has been designed by Dr. John Minardi to optimize and standardize the method in which Thompson Technique is delivered around the world. The classic technique has been updated with new criteria and adjustments, specifically designed to fill in any gaps that existed previously, and scientifically advanced with the latest research in the fields of biomechanics and neurology. Thus, each practitioner will learn how to perform the technique correctly, and understand why. The seminar series has added four assistant instructors, each with their own unique specialities, to optimize the learning environment. New equipment, research, and teaching mediums are being introduced this year, with the intent to maximize the learning experience. Certified Thompson practitioners are required to attend one Thompson Seminar Series every two years to keep their certification current and stay up to date with the latest advances in the techniques. 2012 DATES AND LOCATIONS Toronto, Ontario Holiday Inn and Suites,7095 Woodbine Ave., Markham, ON. Note: This series provides Ontario DCs with 42 hours of structured continuing education. Module I - Jan 28-29 (2012) Module II - Feb 25-26 (2012) Module III - Mar 3-4 (2012) Trois-Rivieres, Quebec On the campus of University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres, Division of Chiropractic. Exact dates TBA soon. Argentina, South America Sponsored by the Argentina Chiropractic Association. Module I - May 22-23 (2012) Module II - May 24-25 (2012) Module III - May 25-26 (2012) For details, including registration information, please visit http://www.thompsonchiropractictechnique.com/. UQTR OBTAINS RENEWAL OF CHIROPRACTIC RESEARCH CHAIR The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) has confirmed the renewal of its Fondation de recherche chiropratique du Québec (FRCQ) chair in chiropractic research, which has been made possible by the FRCQ’s financial contribution of $150 000 over three years. This renewed support will permit Dr. Martin Descarreaux, a professor in the UQTR department of chiropractic and the current chair holder, to pursue his activities in basic science and clinical research. These are aimed at achieving better comprehension of the neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying the clinical changes observed in patients undergoing chiropractic treatment. “The partnership that was established several years ago with the foundation has enabled our university to become well positioned within the chiropractic research sector on the national and international levels,” notes Lucie Guillemette, assistant registrar for graduate studies and research at UQTR. “With the renewal of funding for this chair, we can progress toward a more in-depth understanding of the biological mechanisms related to chiropractic care. We thank the donors from the foundation for this contribution and we congratulate Dr. Descarreaux and his team for achieving this latest grant. The research projects that are made possible by this chair not only help many students but, moreover, enhance collaboration amongst investigators across several disciplines. This synergy will contribute to the advancement of science within health care, one of the areas of excellence of our university.” “The future is very promising,” notes Dr. Descarreaux, “and obtaining a renewal in funding under this chair will only strengthen our research activities, permitting us to explore new paths.” NEW CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE SPECIALTY COURSE The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course at McMaster University announces a new specialty course called Integrative Health Strategies and Contemporary Acupuncture for Stress and Women’s Health Problems. The course will be held on November 26-27, 2011 at the McMaster campus. Stress is associated with a number of common psychological and emotional conditions, as well as cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal problems, and hormone dysfunctions. However, more important than the amount of stress is one’s reaction to it, and that reaction is influenced by many factors – and it is modifiable by knowledge and coping skills that you can learn and teach to your patient. The utilization of Contemporary Medical Acupuncture, acupressure, and mind-body relaxation techniques has proven very useful in decreasing the patient’s stress reaction and in the prevention of disease. This two-day workshop will provide a balance of informational and engaging presentations, needling workshops, live case presentations, and mind-body techniques to provide you with practical blueprint strategies and precise tools to deal with stress related conditions and women’s stress-related dysfunction. It is also an opportunity for you to know how to manage your own stress, stay healthy and balanced, and enjoy well-being in day-to-day living. To register, contact Valerie Cannon at contemporaryacupuncture@mcmaster.ca or 905-521-2100 X75171 or visit www.contemporaryacupuncture.com for a printable registration form. SCOLIOSIS MONTH AT UQTR Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières is proud to present “November is Scoliosis Month!” in collaboration with Dr. Louise Marcotte and Posturetek. Intended for chiropractic students, but also welcoming other health care professionals, this information series will guide the attendees through the diagnosis, classification and treatment of scoliosis aimed at achieving optimal clinical outcomes for adult and pediatric patients. The event will be divided into presentations and hands-on workshops. The presentations are: a review of the general features of scoliosis; and a review of literature and treatment options provided in orthopaedics, given by orthopaedic surgeons from Ste-Justine’s Hospital in Montréal. Practical workshops will focus on: scoliosis screening procedure and the use of the scoliometer; scoliosis-specific postural evaluation; X-Ray and marking; and curve type-specific chiropractic adjusting. The goal of this series is to make chiropractic students comfortable with basic notions of scoliosis and provide them with a step-by-step best clinical practices guideline so they know what to do and where and when to refer their patients with scoliosis. Look for up-coming seminars to follow this inaugural event – the series is intended for all members of the chiropractic profession, as well as chiropractic colleges, to participate in from coast-to-coast. Chiropractors are spinal experts and their scope of practice should also include the management of scoliosis! For more information, please visit our www.scoliosismonth.ca or www.moisdelascoliose.ca websites.