Ashley James

Talk title to be confirmed

As the current Director of Practice and Development at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Ash over sees physiotherapy practice, research and development, and workforce and education. He has a passion for reducing health inequalities, maximising the potential of the physiotherapy workforce, the move of care closer to people’s homes, and the implementation of new technology into care. He has a data driven focus and wants to ensure the profession is set up for the future in their ability to collect, interpret and utilise data of all types.

Ash is a physiotherapist by background with over 15 years of clinical, education and leadership experience across different MSK environments. These include the National Health Service, in private occupational health, professional sport with Welsh Rugby, as a national education lead for an independent provider of NHS care, as well as lecturing and research at Manchester Metropolitan University. Ash is currently doing his master’s in leadership, innovation and management at the University of York.

Caroline McGuire

Acupuncture: A Role In Neuro-protection & Neuro-rehabilitation

Caroline graduated with a BSc in Physiotherapy in 1993 and began her acupuncture journey soon after.  From working with acupuncture within an MSK setting she moved into neuro-rehabilitation, taking her acupuncture skills with her.  Alongside managing pain, many of her neuro patients reported an improved sense of wellbeing and energy after acupuncture which led to a new level of interest in the mechanisms of acupuncture.   One of her passions with acupuncture (and the subject of her Masters degree) is using acupuncture to help people with Multiple Sclerosis manage fatigue.  Caroline became an AACP tutor in 2015 and is passionate about the use of acupuncture in healthcare and the physiotherapy profession. She loves seeing others realise the benefits of acupuncture and how this can augment other physiotherapy interventions.  With many years of experience, she skillfully bridges the gap between MSK and neuro-rehabilitation and enjoys teaching this to others, to maximise the patient outcomes. 

Miltiades Karavis 

Shoulder Pathology and Post-Operative Shoulder Pain: Where Acupuncture Enhances Physiotherapy Pathways

Dr. Miltiades Y. Karavis completed his medical specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 1995 and obtained a Master of Science (MSc) in Algology and Pain Management from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA - 2019).

Has served as Scientific Director of the International Postgraduate Center of Acupuncture (AcuScience) in Athens and as Chairman of the Hellenic Medical Acupuncture Association. He received advanced training in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine in 1992, 1996, and 2005, and completed a Fellowship in Electroacupuncture at Columbia University, New York (2010).

Dr. Karavis has special interest for scientific, neurobiological, and integrative aspects of medical acupuncture. He is a lecturer in seven postgraduate programs at the NKUA and has developed the NKUA Continuing Education Program entitled “Acupuncture: the Biomedical Approach,” offered by the same University.

He is a member of the British Medical Acupuncture Society and serves on the Academic Committee and Board of Directors of the International Society of Oriental Medicine (ISOM). He has authored numerous scientific articles and six books on medical acupuncture, neuroacupuncture, electroacupuncture, and auricular acupuncture.

Lulu Becker

Ouch my Pelvis Hurts. The use of Acupuncture in treating women with pelvic and sexual pain. An effective and often under utilised tool. 

Lulu Becker is a Pelvic and Women’s Health Physiotherapist, mindfulness teacher and sex counsellor who has been using acupuncture and dry needling in her practice for almost 20 years.  Lulu is fascinated by the impact of emotional and psychological trauma on the physical body, particularly in relation to pelvic and sexual pain and how tools to reduce central sensitization can be so helpful in women who are struggling with pelvic and sexual pain and infertility.  Having initially trained in dry needling in her home country of South Africa immediately after graduating, she then completed the AACP training and BMAS Women’s Health courses while living and working in the UK for 12 years. Lulu now lives back in South Africa where she runs a private pelvic and women’s health Physio practice and trains Physios in the pelvic health field.

Rebecca Avern

Acupuncture For Scattered Minds: Supporting Children With ADHD

Rebecca Avern is internationally recognized as one of the leading authorities in Chinese Medicine paediatrics. With over 25 years of clinical experience, she has dedicated her practice exclusively to treating children and teenagers with acupuncture. Based in Oxford, UK, she is the founder of two specialist paediatric acupuncture clinics, including one that provides affordable treatment to ensure broader access to care. 

Rebecca is the author of two influential books: Acupuncture for Babies, Children and Teenagers and Chinese Medicine for Childhood Anxiety and Depression, a practical guide for both parents and practitioners. Her third book is set to be published later this year. 

A passionate educator, Rebecca teaches paediatrics across the UK, online, and internationally. She is celebrated for her warm, clear, and engaging teaching style.  Rebecca is also the founder of the Hub of Paediatric Acupuncture (HOPA), a global online community dedicated to supporting practitioners in treating children.  

Susan Kohut

Talk title to be confirmed

In 1991 Susan, a physiotherapist, studied acupuncture at the Southampton Centre for Complementary and Integrated Medicine. After returning to New Zealand, she enrolled in the Postgraduate Western Acupuncture programme at AUT, completing her master’s degree in 2005.

In the mid 2000’s she was elected to the PAANZ where she served as president and education officer. Currently she is a PAANZ tutor and the PAANZ IADAPT representative. Since 2015 she has been the secretary of IADAPT. In collaboration with Jillian McDowell (NZ) and Mary Pender (Ireland), she has been active in developing PAANZ and IADAPT safe needling guidelines, based on research evidence.

Susan led the Western Acupuncture programme at AUT for 15-years. She has over 13 peer-reviewed publications and continues to supervise master’s students. She also works in community-based private practice, specialising in older adults, and has participated in research involving older adults, largely related to fall prevention.

PAANZ - Physiotherapy Acupuncture Association of New Zealand

IADAPT - International Acupuncture and Dry Needling Association of Physiotherapists

John Hughes

The World Health Organisation Strategy for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine: Implications for acupuncture practice and research in the UK 

John Hughes is an Associate Professor in Integrated Medicine. He is a leading international academic within the field of Traditional, Complementary and Integrated Medicine (TCIM). He is the Head of Research for the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine (RLHIM) UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, and leads the hospitals Research Department. The Research Department at RLHIM is one of the largest research centres for TCIM in the UK. John is also the Head of the RLHIM World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre in Integrated Medicine, and is the Co-Chair of the WHO Traditional Medicine reference Group, and a member of the WHO Strategic Technical Advisory Group. In addition, John is a Member of the Editorial Board, and Section Editor for Qualitative Methods, for the European Journal of Integrative Medicine, and a member of numerous TCIM networks and associations.

Duncan Lawler

A 16-Year Retrospective Clinical Analysis (2 possible patient traits – Olfactory Sensitivity and Red Hair – MC1R gene) indicating a potential strong responder emerged 

Duncan Lawler is a chartered physiotherapist and acupuncture expert from Ireland. As Vice President of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, he has advanced training in medical acupuncture and utilizes this expertise to treat a wide range of conditions. With a passion for education, Duncan has spoken at over 40 international conferences, sharing his knowledge with healthcare professionals worldwide. He's a prolific author, having written several publications on topics related to physiotherapy, acupuncture, and men's health. 

Through his books, such as "Back to Brilliant" and "Be the Best You", Duncan empowers individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing. His dedication to promoting men's health has seen him featured in various media outlets. With his extensive experience and expertise, Duncan Lawler is a respected figure in the field of physiotherapy and acupuncture.