Neurological Archives - Ontario Physiotherapy Association

Anatomy Refresher

Presented by the London District of OPA

In partnership with Western University we are offering an opportunity to attend a 4 hour workshop in the anatomy cadaver lab to refresh your anatomy knowledge.

The workshop will take place on Western Campus on June 19 from 12-4pm. It will be guided as well as have time for self-directed learning.

This is the first time this anatomy lab has been opened to the community and we are thrilled to share this experience with you!

Instructors

Dorota Klubowicz

Dorota Klubowicz is a physiotherapist and owner of St. Marys Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Clinic with a special interest in women’s health, education, and mild traumatic brain injury. She co-leads the Virtual Concussion Program, a fully funded initiative supporting individuals with mild traumatic brain injuries, and is working on developing a new brain injury program for women survivors of domestic violence. In addition to working on completing her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, focusing on women’s health and pain, Dorota actively contributes to her community as VP of Finance for the Ontario Physiotherapy Association’s London District and as a board member for the St. Marys Wellness Center.

Tina Ziebart

Tina Ziebart is an Assistant Professor at Western University in the School of Physical Therapy. She is also a physiotherapist. Tina has built her career around teaching exercise to people with osteoporosis, both through research and clinically. Dr. Ziebart’s research program is looking to further understand the benefits of exercise in people with osteoporosis, exercise adherence in older adults, and the influence of disuse in special populations on the bones.

Cost

The London District of OPA is generously covering half of the cost to access this learning opportunity.

$60+HST for OPA members

$75+HST for non-members

Registration deadline is June 15. There are limited spots available. There will be a waitlist to ensure all the spots are filled by June 19.

Register Today!

OPA Members: Login prior to registering for member pricing.

Concussion Management Workshops – Level 1 & 2

LEVEL 1 – Sat Jun 6 10:00 am – 6:00 pm EST

Individuals with concussion and persistent symptoms after concussion are increasingly seeking treatment to assist in their recovery. There is improved evidence informed information and guidelines about treatment of acute concussion but treatment of individuals with persistent symptoms remains challenging. This course will focus on comprehensive management of concussion for the acute and persistent patient population including exercise, vision, vestibular treatment ideas, guidance return to activity and concrete strategies for symptom management. It will include a review of the new Sport Concussion Consensus Guidelines and the new diagnostic criteria for mild traumatic brain injury. Rehab professionals will have a better understanding of why patients have persistent symptoms post-concussion and be given practical knowledge and tools they need to immediately implement assessment and treatment strategies into their clinical practice and improve outcomes for their patients.

The course includes access to patient educational materials, assessment forms, patient exercise instructions, and vision worksheets.

LEVEL 2 – Sun, Jun 7, 2026 10:00 am – 6:00 pm EST

The Level 2 Concussion Management Workshop builds on the information taught in the Level 1 course and aims to review and apply the treatment techniques to different complex case studies. There will be some small and large group discussion to share knowledge and enhance learning and problem solving. The learning goals of the Level 2 course are to be able to organize and classify assessment findings to help determine effective treatment strategies and to prioritize the order of treatment to improve outcomes. There is a review of the latest evidence with a focus on the areas of vision & vestibular rehabilitation, active rehabilitation, sleep and return to work.

The focus of the course is on treatment of persistent symptoms post concussion.

The Concussion Management Workshop – Level 1 is a pre-requisite for attending the Level 2 course.

Other Course Details:

A recording of the course(s) will be available for participants to review for 90 days after the course date.
If you are unable to attend the in person course(s) or live webinar(s) you can register to receive a course recording.
For the course outlines please go to: https://concussionrehabworks.com
Registration Form: https://concussionrehabworks.com/courses/

University of Alberta Faculty of Rehab Medicine Online Micro-Courses

Elevate your practice this Fall with the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. Starting September 2026, we are offering a wide selection of specialized 6-week online micro-courses designed for the busy clinician.

New for Fall 2026:

Introduction to Dry Needling in Rehab Practice

Expand Your Expertise In:

Vestibular & Concussion Management
Neurorehabilitation
Women’s Pelvic Health
Chronic Pain Management
Spinal Cord Injury Management
Common Conditions in Pediatric Rehab … and more!

Advance your career with flexible, evidence-based learning from a leader in rehabilitation education.

Learn More & Register: uab.ca/pd

Questions? Contact us at frmcpe@ualberta.ca

Shift Concussion Management Level 1 and 2 Combined Program (Online)

Concussion management is evolving, and healthcare professionals need comprehensive, evidence-based training to stay ahead. Whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your expertise, Shift Concussion Management’s Full Concussion Program Course (Level 1 & Level 2 Combined) offers everything you need in a single, streamlined program.

This fully online, self-paced course delivers a progressive learning experience—starting with the foundational principles of concussion assessment and management in Level 1, then advancing to the specialized rehabilitation techniques and complex case management strategies in Level 2.

What this Program Covers

Level 1: Best Practices in Concussion Management – Key Components

Fundamental concussion pathophysiology and recovery timelines
Standardized assessment tools and clinical screening techniques
Early management strategies to optimize patient outcomes
Return-to-school, work, and sport protocols based on current guidelines

Level 2: Advanced Case Management – Key Components

Cervical spine considerations in concussion and rehabilitation techniques
Vestibular-ocular dysfunction: assessment and targeted rehabilitation
Autonomic dysregulation and individualized exercise interventions
Management of persistent symptoms, including headache, sleep, mood, and cognitive fatigue
Case discussions and treatment planning for complex concussion presentations

Exclusive Access to Shift’s Membership & Trained Provider Program – Upon completion, gain entry to Shift’s online professional community, featuring:

A rehabilitation exercise and patient education video library
Curated treatment plans and concussion pathways
Webinars, continuing education, and case discussions
Professional listing as a Shift Trained Provider on ShiftConcussion.ca to enhance patient outreach. Visit our Membership Page for more details.

Exclusive for OPA Members: Use discount code OPA2026 for an additional 10% off!

NDT Introductory Course in the Management of Adults with Stroke, Brain Injury and Other Neuromotor Disorders

Course Description: This two-day introductory level course provides a unique opportunity for health care professionals to gain insight into the basic principles of the NDT approach and how it is applied to clinical practice to promote recovery of function in individuals with neurological impairments. Current theoretical foundations and evidence supporting an NDT approach will be presented as well as specific and practical information about the management of the adult neurological patient. The overall objective of this course is to enable participants to bring information back to their facility and apply it toward promoting more functional movement and achieving functional outcomes with their patients.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course the participants will:

State the basic philosophy underlying the NDT approach to the treatment of adults with neurological dysfunction.
Demonstrate basic skill in analyzing movement, both normal and abnormal, during sitting and standing activities and some transitions
Identify major impairments interfering with normal movement and function in the adult with stroke, brain injury and other neuromotor disorders such as incomplete spinal cord injury.
Demonstrate basic handling skills to enhance patient’s functional movement as related to his/her functional goals.
Demonstrate an increased repertoire of evaluation and treatment strategies for the individual with stroke, brain injury and other neuromotor disorders.

Requirements: Participants must be a registered Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Therapy Assistant or Registered Kinesiologist

The Balance Course

Empower Your Practice

Advanced Balance Course for Physiotherapists and health care providers

Course Overview

Using the newly published: World Guidelines for falls prevention and management for older adults: A global initiative: As compass for directional change.

Along with guidance from ParticipACTION Canada, Parachute, Ontario Fall Prevention Collaborative, Seniors Division of the CPA and the World Health Organization Global Action Plan on Physical Activity. This course will embrace a comprehensive understanding of evidence-based practice, blending clinical expertise with client-centred care and the latest research on falls and balance.

We will be Challenging the Norms. Moving beyond the conventional mindset of “zero falls” and explore the nuanced balance between safety and maintaining or improving gait and balance. Our course challenges traditional approaches by emphasizing the importance of daily movement.

Practical Application:

Gain practical skills to assess and address balance and agility impairments intentionally.
Explore targeted and intense exercises designed to optimize functional ability even in complex health scenarios.
Not your regular balance course!!

Are you a dedicated physiotherapist and health care provider seeking to elevate your expertise and contribute to the holistic wellbeing of your clients, particularly those at risk of falls?

Enrich your clinical toolkit with our specialized Advanced Balance Course!

Why Focus on Balance Gait and balance impairments are powerful predictors of falls, and as healthcare professionals, we play a pivotal role in mitigating this risk. The global shift away from a sedentary lifestyle demands a proactive approach to maintaining mobility and independence well into advanced age. Being Independent with risk is the new level of function

Research Integration: We bridge the gap between clinical practice and emerging research. Explore the latest findings, understand the implications, and integrate this knowledge into your daily physiotherapy practice.

Redefining “Safe” Together: As physiotherapists, let’s redefine what “safe” means within our discipline. Focus on optimizing physical health, especially in terms of gait and balance, while respecting the safety guidelines of our multidisciplinary colleagues.

Course Benefits for Physiotherapists:

Elevate your skills in falls prevention through intentional, evidence-based exercises.
Collaborate with a community of like-minded physiotherapists seeking positive change in falls management.
Stay at the forefront of the field with insights into the latest research and Practical applications.

Take the Lead in Falls Prevention: Join us in taking the lead in falls prevention. Embrace the challenge of optimizing functional ability, empowering your clients to move confidently and age actively.

Secure your spot!

Register for The Balance Course and become a trailblazer in falls prevention within your physiotherapy practice. Elevate your skills, redefine “safe,” and make a lasting impact on the lives of those you serve. Course objectives:

Understand the principal components of balance in the human body.
Identify key balance deficits in patients with common neurological disorders.
Determine which assessment tool is most appropriate in specific situations
Benefit from evidence based tools
Guide therapist to effective assessment and treatment planning
Understand the principal theories of human movements Understand the principals of motor learning and neuroplasticity
Understand principals of frequency, intensity and duration of treatment

Course Dates:

March 21-22, 2026 Toronto, Ontario

April 18-19, 2026 Waterloo, Ontario

May 23-24, 2026 North Bay, Ontario

September, 2026 Halifax, Nova Scotia

September, 2026 St John’s, Newfoundland

October 17 & 24, 2026 Ottawa, Ontario

November 7-8, 2026 Toronto, Ontario

Cost: per participant $650 + taxes (Hard copy binder included)

Hours: This course is two full days (8 hrs) 8:30 am to 4:30 pm/each day

Audience: All health care providers working with persons with balance issues can benefit from the course. All courses have a maximum of 30 participants which will enable the instructor to spend quality time with the participants.

Host: Offer this course in your work setting. Be a host and have us come to you. We have enjoyed bringing this course to many hospital rehabilitation departments. The advantage of hosting is you get to pick the people, the place and time/dates. The host person gets to participate at no charge for the work involved in organizing the logistics around the course.

Contact Chantal von Schoenberg directly for more information.