It really isn’t a secret that I love my job! The opportunities to expand knowledge, tackle new challenges and interact with fantastic people constantly present themselves on a daily basis. So if I get excited by the simple daily opportunities then its easy to see why last week was a big one for me! Last week was conference week! Every two years the Australian Physiotherapy Association holds their National Conference. This is one of the most exciting professional development and networking opportunities on a physiotherapists calendar, with thousands of physios coming together to share their knowledge and their love for a good chat and drink. This year’s conference was held here in Sydney at the newly built Convention Centre (ICC) with the focus being ‘MOMENTUM’. Holly, Campbell and I all attended the full conference program with Sarah attending for two Women’s Health days this year.
This year’s program was particularly special to me as I helped to create it! The sports section of the program therefore had a strong focus on shoulders with local, national and international experts sharing their knowledge and experience. Day 1 involved a workshop with Jeremy Lewis, Tania Pizzari, Kellie Wilkie and Andrea Mosler (four very well respected physios) presenting a full day on the management of shoulder injuries. For me this day was a fabulous experience, a privilege and an honour to meet some of the world leaders in my field. It was a big program to squeeze into one day but it really fired up the passion and thirst for knowledge and got my mind thinking. I picked up few creative exercises and new ways to look at problems I have encountered which I’m sure some of my clients will notice and get to experience over the coming weeks.
Day 2 and Day 3 was full of more inspiration, more personal and career inspiration, more treatment techniques and more problem solving skills, as the program expanded to various injuries and conditions for all facets of physiotherapy. We shared breakfasts, dinners and social drinks together while checking out some of the new innovations and products on offer at the trade stands. We now have a great new tool for challenging balance and stability during rehab exercises as well as some new product for casting and splinting coming your way! Campbell has gained new ideas from the lectures for managing concussions, Holly has some regarding exercise prescription during pregnancy and Sarah had the opportunity to learn more about the pregnant athlete, whole body strengthening and the pelvic floor.
Conference wrapped up on Day 4 with our final night themed dinner, “The Roaring 20s”. Of all the conference dinners I have attended over the years, this one would have been one of the most well received with almost everyone getting into the theme and up on the dance floor! I’d like to say a huge thank you to all my colleagues who attended the conference, all the presenters who shared their work and all the people who put this event together for us. We return to work energised and excited about what we can offer our clients and very proud to be a member of this great profession of Physiotherapists!
