IFOMPT Africa

CAPE TOWN
16-19 APRIL 2026

IFOMPT AFRICA
WHERE EXPERTISE MEETS INNOVATION

Events

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday 16 April

Pre-Symposium Workshop:

Red Flags or Red Herrings

Laura Finucane MSc, MMACP

Friday 17 April - Saturday 18 April

IFOMPT Africa Symposium

Various Presenters and Topics

Case-Based Panel Discussions

Sunday 19 April

Post-Symposium Workshop:

Cervical Spine Manual Therapy

Duncan Reid and Richard Ellis

Presenters

SYMPOSIUM PRESENTERS

Paolo Sanzo

Canada

Dr. Paolo Sanzo is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Lakehead University and at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University. He is also the Director of Active Potential Rehabilitation Services and recognized as a Clinical Specialist (Musculoskeletal) Physiotherapist in Canada. Paolo is a lead instructor and examiner for the community based IFOMPT accredited AIM Program of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and the President of IFOMPT.

Laura Finucane

The United Kingdom

Laura is a Consultant Physiotherapist specialising in spinal conditions. Her special interest is in serious pathologies of the spine and she has presented nationally and internationally on this subject. She has written a number of papers related to serious pathology and teaches at postgraduate level. She is the past- president of The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists, a sub group of the WCPT.

Nathan Hutting

The Netherlands

Nathan Hutting is an Associate Professor at HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Occupation & Health research group in the Netherlands. His research addresses chronic and musculoskeletal conditions, self-management, patient-centred care, occupational health, work-focused healthcare, and vascular conditions.
In addition to his academic role, Nathan is a practicing physiotherapist and manual therapist. He served as a board member of the Dutch Manual Therapy Association (NVMT) for nine years (2014–2023) and as an IFOMPT Member Organisation delegate for over seven years (2016–2023). Since 2016, he has been a member of the IFOMPT Advisory Group on Finance and served as its chair from 2021 to 2024. Nathan is the current Vice-President of IFOMPT. Nathan has been on the board of the VvAA—an association of healthcare professionals in the Netherlands with over 130,000 members—since 2022.
He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles, many of which have shaped musculoskeletal physiotherapy—particularly regarding neck assessments for vascular conditions and approaches to person-centred care and self-management. Nathan has delivered keynote presentations and workshops across Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Oceania/Australia, and chaired symposia at World Physiotherapy Congresses (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023).
He continues to serve on various professional committees and is currently a member of the Scientific College of Physical Therapy (WCF) of the Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy (KNGF) and was a member of the Congress Programme Committee for the 2023 and 2025 World Physiotherapy Congresses. Nathan currently serves as a commissioner of the Lancet Global Health Commission on People-Centered Care for Universal Health Coverage and is the Deputy Editor of Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, a scientific peer-reviewed journal in the musculoskeletal domain.

Timoreta Gray

South Africa

Timoreta Gray is an experienced physiotherapist who earned her BSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Stellenbosch in 2004. She began her career in South Africa’s public healthcare sector, working in orthopaedics and surgical rehabilitation before relocating to Ireland. There, she completed her Stott Pilates Instructor certification and contributed to the rehabilitation of the Skerries Harps Gaelic Football team.

Timoreta holds a Master’s degree in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (with distinction, 2013) and has completed advanced postgraduate training in Pain Management (2015), Vestibular Rehabilitation (2016), and Women’s Health (2025). Her clinical expertise includes chronic pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, vestibular dysfunction, female pelvic pain, and sports injuries. She integrates manual therapy, pain neuroscience education, therapeutic exercise, and Pilates into her holistic treatment approach. Timoreta is a full-time clinician, working in a private hospital and outpatient-based practice.

Passionate about promoting excellence in manual and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, she has served as an ad hoc lecturer on Stellenbosch University's Master's (OMT) program and the SASP's Advanced Neuromusculoskeletal Course.

From 2012 to 2022, she served on the SASP Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy Group (NMSPG) Provincial Committee, and from 2019 to the present, on the General Executive Committee (GEC), including as GEC President and the South African delgate to IFOMPT from 2020 to 2024. She is currently Deputy Chairperson of the SASP NMSPG and serves on the IFOMPT Executive Committee, contributing to both the Business and Finance Committee (2020-Present) and the Learning and Professional Development Task Force.

A dedicated advocate for physiotherapy advancement, Timoreta is also a passionate athlete who enjoys swimming, hiking, and running—and proudly completed her first marathon in 2018.

Duncan Reid

New Zealand

With more than 40 years of clinical experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Professor Duncan Reid knows what he’s talking about; owning and operating his own private practice for 17 years before taking up a full-time teaching position at the Department of Physiotherapy at AUT in 1999 — where he is still a practising clinician.

As a leading expert in sport injury prevention and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Professor Reid has worked with high performance sports athletes for more than 30 years including as a member of the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Medical Teams from the 1988 Seoul Olympics through until the Sydney Olympics in 2000, acting as chief physiotherapist for the 1992, 1994 and 1996 games. In addition to teaching and research, Professor Reid continues to work with elite sports in both clinical and advisory roles, including current partnerships with Rowing New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand.

Outside of his professional life, Professor Reid is an ardent sportsman and surf lifesaver. He is a World, Australian and NZ National Masters Champion in Surf Boat Racing, as well as a keen cyclist, swimmer and golfer.

Professor Reid is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Physiotherapy and a Life Member of the New Zealand Manipulative Physiotherapists Association (NZMPA), the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physiotherapists Association (IFOMPT) and Physiotherapy NZ (PNZ). He is also the former Vice President of IFOMPT and is an editorial board member for the journals Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy, and the Deputy Editor of the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy.

He has significant interest in the teaching of manual and manipulative therapy especially manipulation to the cervical spine, a topic he has taught both nationally and internationally for more than 25 years. More recently, his research has revolved around sport injury incidence, prevention and movements screening.

Professor Reid has published more than200 peer review journal articles and book chapters, and his research has been instrumental in the development of clinical practice guidelines for knee, shoulder and forearm injuries.

Ina Diener

South Africa

Dr. Ina Diener is a highly respected South African physiotherapist and academic, with over four decades of clinical and teaching experience. She practices in Stellenbosch and holds a PhD from the University of the Western Cape, where her research focused on chronic headaches. She originally qualified at the University of Stellenbosch in 1974.
Dr. Diener has been a dedicated educator since 1990, contributing extensively to undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy education. Since 2003, she has played a key role in the orthopaedic manual therapy modules of Master’s programs at both Stellenbosch University and the University of the Western Cape. She has also supervised numerous postgraduate research projects.
Her clinical and research interests center on musculoskeletal pain, particularly headache and facial pain, and she is a passionate advocate for evidence-based, patient-centered care. Dr. Diener has published widely and presented at numerous national and international conferences, especially in the areas of pain education and manual therapy.
She has held leadership roles in the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP), including serving as President, and is actively involved in professional development through CPD courses for physiotherapists worldwide

Richard Ellis

New Zealand

Richard is a proud physiotherapist and New Zealander. He has been an Executive Committee member and Treasurer of IFOMPT (2020-2024), was the New Zealand Member Organisation (NZMPA) delegate from 2017-2020, and was the President of NZMPA (2013-2017). He lives on the beautiful North Shore of Auckland (NZ), along with his wife Kate (also a physiotherapist) and two children Jake and Lilah. Outside of work and family life, Richard is keen on all sports, and is in mad pursuit of becoming a single-figure handicap golfer!
Richard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiotherapy at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in New Zealand (https://academics.aut.ac.nz/richard.ellis). He teaches on both the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the fields of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, manual and manipulative therapy, biomechanics, ultrasound imaging and research. Richard is also the Director of Active Living and Rehabilitation: Aotearoa New Zealand (https://hrri.aut.ac.nz/research-activities/active-living-and-rehabilitation) research group within the School of Clinical Sciences at AUT. External to AUT, Richard is a an Associate Editor for the New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy and a member of the Osteoarthritis Aotearoa New Zealand research network.

Pierre Röscher

Australia/ South Africa

Dr Pierre Röscher is an experienced physiotherapist, educator, and researcher with over 16 years of work across clinical practice, academia, and research. He currently serves as Treasurer and Executive Committee Member of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT), a role he has held since 2020.
Dr Röscher is a Lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), where he has played a key role in developing and launching a new physiotherapy program. His responsibilities include curriculum design, course coordination, and student mentorship. He is consistently recognised for his teaching excellence.
With a PhD in Clinical Medicine, he is actively involved in research and PhD supervision and contributes to professional development within the field. His international engagement and dedication to advancing musculoskeletal physiotherapy are central to his leadership within IFOMPT.

Dusty Quinn

New Zealand

Dusty Quinn graduated from the University of Ulster in 1988. After two years in Manchester, he moved to Aotearoa / New Zealand, where he completed a Master’s in Manipulative Physiotherapy in 1997 and joined a physiotherapy business. At the time, he was actively involved in supporting local and regional sports teams.
Dusty was Director of Back in Motion, New Zealand, until July 2023. Throughout his time in business, he gained experience in governance, leadership, and finance, serving on national physiotherapy boards and as President of the New Zealand Manipulative Physiotherapists Association (NZMPA). He is currently Chair of the Specialist Physiotherapy group in Aotearoa / New Zealand.
He continues to practice as a Specialist Physiotherapist and maintains strong academic ties, collaborating with the University of Otago and Auckland University of Technology. He has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and was named an Honorary Fellow of the University of Otago in November 2023.
Dusty has contributed to clinical research at Otago University, particularly in concussion management and access to primary care physiotherapy. He also teaches concussion management with his wife, Bronagh, and enjoys mentoring students and clinicians at all stages of their careers. His commitment to improving global access to musculoskeletal physiotherapy underpins his role on the IFOMPT Executive Committee.

Bart Vanthillo

Belgium

Since graduating in 1990, Bart Vanthillo has built a 34-year career blending clinical practice and academia at Ghent University, contributing to both the core physiotherapy and manual therapy programs. He began teaching manual therapy in 1996.
Bart has held multiple leadership roles within the profession, including President of the Belgian Manual Therapy organization (MO) until 2012, during which he led the unification of two MT bodies into ABSG Mathera.be, now a subgroup of AXXON PTIB Belgium. He resumed the presidency in 2020.
An active IFOMPT representative since 2010, Bart has overseen the IFOMPT monitoring process for Belgian programs and brings in-depth experience with IFOMPT’s strategic and governance developments. He has observed the organization’s growth from a small, regionally focused group to a globally representative body with strong scientific foundations.
Bart is a collaborative and inclusive leader who supports efforts to increase diversity and participation from underrepresented regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Asia, reflecting his vision for a more globally connected IFOMPT.

Annalie Basson

South Africa

Dr. Annalie Basson (PhD, M.Phys.T (Research), B.Sc. Physiotherapy, OMT Certificate) is an esteemed South African physiotherapist with nearly four decades of clinical experience. Based in Pretoria, she has been in private practice for over 40 years, specialising in the treatment of low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and nerve-related disorders such as sciatica and cervical radiculopathy.
Dr. Basson holds a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she conducted research on the effects of neural mobilisation on nerve-related neck and arm pain. She is an advocate for evidence-based practice and has been actively involved in postgraduate teaching since 1998. Dr. Basson regularly presents courses and lectures both nationally and internationally and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals.
Throughout her career, Dr. Basson has held several leadership roles, including: Chairperson of the Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy Group (OMTG) in South Africa (1998–2004); Treasurer of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) (2004–2008); President of IFOMPT (2008–2016); Committee Member for PainSA and the Pain Management Group and the South African Society of Physiotherapists’ CPD Accreditation Panel.
Currently, she serves as the Associate Editor for the SA Physiotherapy Journal. Dr. Basson's clinical focus is on manual and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She is renowned for her commitment to improving patient outcomes through clinical excellence, education, and professional leadership.

Tim Noblet

United Kingdom

Dr Tim Noblet is a Consultant Physiotherapist at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hon. Associate Professor at St George's University of London, UK and Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia and adjunct professor of research at Western University Canada. He has published research investigating persistent and neuropathic pain, complexity in MSK conditions, non-medical prescribing, advanced and consultant practice, psychologically informed practice and rehabilitation. Tim has worked in the UK, NZ and Australia within complex rehabilitation, elite sport, tertiary pain management, orthopaedic, neurosciences/surgery, spinal and rheumatology clinics. Tim has a keen interest in the complexity of pain, sleep, wellbeing and human performance and has lectured both nationally and internationally about complexity, pain and spinal and musculoskeletal diagnosis, management and rehabilitation.

Cobus Breytenbach

Cobus Breytenbach is a South African physiotherapist with extensive clinical and academic experience in sport and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. He completed a BA in Human Movement Science at the University of Pretoria (2004) and a BSc in Physiotherapy at the University of Stellenbosch (2008). In 2013, he obtained a Master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, followed by completion of the OMT postgraduate programme in 2014, where he is currently involved in lecturing.

Cobus has a particular interest in lower limb dysfunction, sport-related injury, and rehabilitation, and is actively involved in teaching and lecturing on evidence-informed approaches to musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Having worked across both clinical and academic settings, he is known for a practical, hands-on approach to patient management that emphasises identifying the underlying drivers of injury.

An avid runner, cyclist, and triathlete, Cobus’ own participation in sport strongly informs his clinical reasoning and reinforces his belief that understanding the cause of dysfunction is fundamental to effective and sustainable rehabilitation. is a South African physiotherapist with extensive clinical and academic experience in sport and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. He completed a BA in Human Movement Science at the University of Pretoria (2004) and a BSc in Physiotherapy at the University of Stellenbosch (2008). In 2013, he obtained a Master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, followed by completion of the OMT postgraduate programme in 2014, where he is currently involved in lecturing.

Cobus has a particular interest in lower limb dysfunction, sport-related injury, and rehabilitation, and is actively involved in teaching and lecturing on evidence-informed approaches to musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Having worked across both clinical and academic settings, he is known for a practical, hands-on approach to patient management that emphasises identifying the underlying drivers of injury.

Bronagh Quinn

New Zealand

Bronagh has over 30 years of experience in neuroscience assessment and rehab. She has trained through the Emory University, Atlanta in vestibular rehab and has attended numerous courses on concussion assessment and management over the years in New Zealand. She is an Ovio Mindfulness facilitator and a trauma therapist using FACT and somatic strategies. Bronagh has taught vestibular rehab courses throughout New Zealand, teaches mindfulness classes, provides clinical supervision, and has blended her vast knowledge and experience into the assessment and management of concussion.

Venue

VENUE

Southern Sun Cape Sun

23 Strand St

Cape Town

8000

South Africa

Discounted Accomodation Rate for Delegates

Click here to book at discounted rate

IFOMPT AFRICA SYMPOSIUM

Get ready to dive into the latest trends and advancements in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

It's going to be two days filled with insightful sessions and networking opportunities with fellow professionals.

Don't miss out on this chance to expand your knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals

TOPICS

Individual presentations on a variety of musculoskeletal areas of practice.

Panel discussions on case studies

DATES

Friday 17 April 2026 - Saturday 18 April 2026

COST

Early Bird - NZ$400 (closes 15 February 2026)

Standard Seat - NZ$450 (closes 1 March 2026)

More information

Download Conference Programme

IFOMPT AFRICA

PRE-SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOP

RED FLAGS OR RED HERRINGS

PRESENTER

Laura Finucane MSc, MMACP

DATE

Thursday 16 April 2026

COST

Early Bird - NZ$210 (15 tickets available)

Standard Seat - NZ$250 (15 tickets available)

More information

Pre symposium

POST-SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOP

FROM NECK TO NERVE:

Practical Approaches to Cervical Spine and Arm Pain

PRESENTER

Professor Duncan Reid

Professor Richard Ellis

DATE

Sunday 19 April 2026

COST

Early Bird - NZ$210 (15 tickets available)

Standard Seat - NZ$250 (15 tickets available)

More information

Post symposium

Frequently asked questions

Important Information

FAQ

Programme

IFOMPT AFRICA SYMPOSIUM
Programme
Download full conference programme here

INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS

Opening Keynote: Beyond the Joint – Re-Defining Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in the New Millennium

Associate Professor Paolo Sanzo

IFOMPT President, Canada

The Role of the Cervical Spine in Concussion

Dusty Quinn

New Zealand

The Neurosensory Aspects of Concussion: What Do We Need to Know to Enable a Successful Recovery? -

Bronagh Quinn

New Zealand

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Perspectives from Around the World

Panel of International Speakers

Implementing Conservative Management of Osteoarthritis in Physiotherapy Practice: Insights from the Aotearoa New Zealand OA Guidebook

Professor Richard Ellis

New Zealand

Beyond the Pelvis: Why Screening for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Changes Everything

Dr Pierre Röscher

Australia/South Africa

Paediatric Spinal Manipulation and Mobilisation: Evidence, Safety, and Clinical Reasoning

Dr Annalie Basson

South Africa

Advancing MSK Practice: Evidence, Experience, and Global Pathways to Expertise

Associate Professor Tim Noblet

United Kingdom

Reframing Manual Therapy: Putting the Person at the Centre

Associate Professor Nathan Hutting

The Netherlands

Brace Yourself… Or Maybe Don't: A Fresh Look at ACL Management

Cobus Breytenbach

South Africa

The Foot Bone Is Connected To The… An Integrated Clinical Reasoning Approach to Plantar Fasciitis

Associate Professor Paolo Sanzo

Canada

MASTERCLASS
Live On-Stage Case Demonstrations

I Still Have a Headache, and I’m Dizzy… Why Am I Not Better?

Prof Duncan Reid, New Zealand

Dr Ina Deiner, South Africa

Dusty Quinn, New Zealand

A Musculoskeletal Approach to Orofacial Pain

Timoreta Gray, South Africa

Bart Vanthillo, Belgium

MASTERCLASS
Panel Case Discussions

The Art of Uncertainty: Clinical Reasoning for Musculoskeletal Practice in a Changing World

Associate Professor Laura Finucane

Associate Professor Paolo Sanzo

Professor Richard Ellis

CAPE TOWN
16-19 APRIL 2026

IFOMPT AFRICA
WHERE EXPERTISE MEETS INNOVATION

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday 16 April

Friday 17 April - Saturday 18 April

Sunday 19 April

SYMPOSIUM PRESENTERS

VENUE

Southern Sun Cape Sun

IFOMPT AFRICA SYMPOSIUM

TOPICS

DATES

COST

PRE-SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOP

PRESENTER

DATE

COST

POST-SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOP

PRESENTER

DATE

COST

Frequently asked questions

What is included in my ticket fee?

Are tickets refundable?

Will this event be accredited?

I have another question, who should I contact?

IFOMPT AFRICA SYMPOSIUM
Programme
Download full conference programme here

INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS

MASTERCLASS
Live On-Stage Case Demonstrations

MASTERCLASS
Panel Case Discussions

CAPE TOWN 16-19 APRIL 2026

IFOMPT AFRICA WHERE EXPERTISE MEETS INNOVATION

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday 16 April

Friday 17 April - Saturday 18 April

Sunday 19 April

SYMPOSIUM PRESENTERS

VENUE

Southern Sun Cape Sun

IFOMPT AFRICA SYMPOSIUM

TOPICS

DATES

COST

PRE-SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOP

PRESENTER

DATE

COST

POST-SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOP

PRESENTER

DATE

COST

Frequently asked questions

What is included in my ticket fee?

Are tickets refundable?

Will this event be accredited?

I have another question, who should I contact?

IFOMPT AFRICA SYMPOSIUM Programme Download full conference programme here

INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS

MASTERCLASS Live On-Stage Case Demonstrations

MASTERCLASS Panel Case Discussions

CAPE TOWN
16-19 APRIL 2026

IFOMPT AFRICA
WHERE EXPERTISE MEETS INNOVATION

IFOMPT AFRICA SYMPOSIUM
Programme
Download full conference programme here

MASTERCLASS
Live On-Stage Case Demonstrations

MASTERCLASS
Panel Case Discussions