The Royal College of Chiropractors – CPD Event – Contextual Factors in Chiropractic Care with Prof Dave Newell FRCC (Hon)

Event outline

Historically, spinal manipulative therapy has been identified as the defining characteristic of chiropractic. However, despite many years of research, the precise mechanism that underpins the
positive outcomes seen in chiropractic patients remains unclear. It is also unclear whether characteristics of the manipulation itself are predominant factors in pain modulation.
In contrast, emerging research suggests that modulation of pain via top-down neurological mechanisms is intimately tied into the perceptions, expectations and cognitive predictions of the patient
based on multiple contextual factors within the therapeutic encounter, and that such factors may more completely account for patient outcomes in manual therapeutic approaches to care.
This talk will explore the contemporary understanding of the central role of these elements in generating positive clinical outcomes, and explore the conjecture that the chiropractic
profession must move from a manipulative-centric definition of itself to a broader definition around a skilful curation of multiple therapeutic elements that, together, generate good outcomes in patient practice.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the contemporary research exploring the mechanisms of SMT
• Understand the contemporary research exploring the mechanisms of top down pain modulation
• Understand the therapeutic elements within chiropractic care that require skilful delivery to maximise positive outcomes
• Reflect on potential pros and cons of repositioning the identity of chiropractic care

Speaker: Prof Dave Newell FRCC (Hon)

Dave Newell holds positions of Professor of Integrated Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Doctoral Coordinator at AECC University College, and is a Visiting Research Fellow at the
Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton. Dave graduated from Plymouth University with a PhD in molecular biology in 1986. The last 30 years have been spent teaching and generating
research in chiropractic institutions internationally, and holding the position of Research Director in three chiropractic programs in the UK and Australia. Dave has considerable experience in teaching research
methodology, critical thinking and the natural sciences as well as curriculum design, validation and accreditation of chiropractic programs. He has successfully supervised multiple students at
Master’s and Doctorate level with 4 ongoing PhD students in collaboration with a number of UK-based Universities. He has published extensively in areas relevant to musculoskeletal
conditions in general and the chiropractic profession in particular. He is active across the profession both in the UK and internationally. His contemporary areas of research interest lie in contextual factors in the therapeutic encounter, the therapeutic alliance and the alignment of chiropractic profession with national health systems.

Chair: Jonathan Field FRCC (Pain)

RCC Members participate free of charge. Refer to your email or contact events@rcc-uk.org to register with your full name and email address.

Non-Members: £35. Please register and pay online here rcc-uk.org/rcc-events

Registration closes: Wednesday 10th May 2023, 5pm