2026 International Virtual Symposium
Practitioners Enhancing Health and Wellbeing
Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October 2026
A global online learning experience
Join Massage & Myotherapy Australia for two days of online learning, professional connection and international perspectives from across the massage therapy, myotherapy and integrative health professions.
The 2026 International Virtual Symposium will bring together practitioners, educators and industry representatives from Australia and overseas under the theme Practitioners Enhancing Health and Wellbeing.
Preliminary symposium schedule
All sessions will be presented live in Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Recordings will also be made available to registered participants.
Day 1
Thursday 29 October 2026
Massage & Myotherapy Australia
Aubrey Gowing
RICE is for eating - not recovery
60 minutes- Australia: 12:00 PM AEDT, Thursday 29 October
- New Zealand: 2:00 PM NZDT, Thursday 29 October
- Dublin: 1:00 AM GMT, Thursday 29 October
- USA/Canada: 9:00 PM EDT, Wednesday 28 October
View more information
The acronym R.I.C.E. was introduced by Dr. Gabe Mirkin in 1978 and has long been the standard approach to managing acute soft tissue injuries. The letters stand for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, and for decades this protocol was taught as the first line of treatment.
Ice was widely used for its pain-relieving effects and because it was believed to reduce tissue damage by limiting inflammation. However, our understanding of the healing process has changed significantly, and we now recognise that inflammation plays an essential role in recovery.
In this module, Aubrey examines the evidence behind the RICE protocol, explains why many clinicians are moving away from its routine use, and presents a more effective approach to managing acute injuries that can support faster recovery and reduce the risk of re-injury.
About Aubrey Gowing
Aubrey is a college director at Holistic College Dublin, and program developer for our cutting-edge Sports Massage courses and C.P.D. workshops. His 37 years clinical experience and 32 years teaching experience enables him to bring high standards of professionalism and expertise to each diploma course and seminar. His qualifications include: Diplomas in Holistic Massage, Yoga Teaching, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Healing Therapy, Indian Head Massage, Seated On-Site Massage, Stone Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, Fitness Instruction and Personal Training, Therapeutic Massage, Sports Massage levels 3, 4 & 5, Orthopaedic Massage, Myoskeletal Therapy, Neuro-Structural Integration and certificates in Delivering Learning and Occupational First Aid. Aubrey is the author of four books, the acclaimed Myoskeletal and Sports Therapy series and the newly released Kinesiology Taping Strategies all of which reflect his ongoing interest in the pain free treatment of overuse, repetitive strain and chronic injuries. In addition to his busy international lecturing schedule, Aubrey has also served three successful terms as President of the Irish Massage Therapists Association and is a subject matter expert for international awarding bodies.
Healwell, USA
Presenter to be announced
Topic to be announced
45 minutes- Australia: 1:15 PM AEDT, Thursday 29 October
- New Zealand: 3:15 PM NZDT, Thursday 29 October
- Dublin: 2:15 AM GMT, Thursday 29 October
- USA/Canada: 10:15 PM EDT, Wednesday 28 October
View more information
Session description to be added.
TBC
Bernie Le Moni-Withington
Weaving Oncology Massage through Te Whare Tapa Wha (a Maori health framework)
30 minutes- Australia: 2:15 PM AEDT, Thursday 29 October
- New Zealand: 4:15 PM NZDT, Thursday 29 October
- Dublin: 3:15 AM GMT, Thursday 29 October
- USA/Canada: 11:15 PM EDT, Wednesday 28 October
View more information
Session description to be added.
Day 2
Friday 30 October 2026
TBC
Presenter to be announced
Topic to be announced
30 minutes- Australia: 12:00 PM AEDT, Friday 30 October
- New Zealand: 2:00 PM NZDT, Friday 30 October
- Dublin: 1:00 AM GMT, Friday 30 October
- USA/Canada: 9:00 PM EDT, Thursday 29 October
View more information
Session description to be added.
Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association
Jonathan Maister
Treating the Patient’s Respiratory System
30 minutes- Australia: 12:45 PM AEDT, Friday 30 October
- New Zealand: 2:45 PM NZDT, Friday 30 October
- Dublin: 1:45 AM GMT, Friday 30 October
- USA/Canada: 9:45 PM EDT, Thursday 29 October
View more information
Session description to be added.
Massage & Myotherapy Australia
Karim Khan
Topic to be announced
60 minutes- Australia: 1:30 PM AEDT, Friday 30 October
- New Zealand: 3:30 PM NZDT, Friday 30 October
- Dublin: 2:30 AM GMT, Friday 30 October
- USA/Canada: 10:30 PM EDT, Thursday 29 October
View more information
Session description to be added.
USA and Canada times shown are Eastern Daylight Time. Participants in other regions should confirm the equivalent time for their location before the event.
Register for the 2026 symposium
Secure your registration for two days of international online learning. Additional presenter and topic announcements will be added to this page as the program is confirmed.
Register nowIn partnership with
The 2026 International Virtual Symposium is being delivered in collaboration with professional organisations from around the world.
Additional partners will be announced soon.