Where:<\/strong> Rydges Sydney Central, 28 Albion Street, Surry Hills<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Friday, 12 October \u00a0to Sunday 14 October 2018 (Pre-Conference workshops on Friday, with the Conference on Saturday 13 October followed by breakout workshops Saturday arvo and Sunday, and a cocktail party on Saturday night).<\/p>\n Who:<\/strong> AMT members. Massage students and members of other associations are most welcome.<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong><\/p>\n Why:<\/strong> This is a great opportunity for massage therapists to gather en masse and learn, connect and feel more positive about the massage industry. Who can understand a massage therapist\u2019s life better than another massage therapist? You can have a chat to the hard working AMT Head Office staff, who\u2019ll be there to greet you. We\u2019re all wearing name badges, so it\u2019s easy to put a face to the name or simply reconnect with massage therapists you met at last year\u2019s conference.<\/p>\n About the location:<\/strong> Rydges Sydney Central is around an 8 minutes stroll from Central Station (where the Airport trains will let you out) and is in an area of outstanding cafes and restaurants if you want to escape\/avoid the hotel breakfast or if you\u2019re travelling from further afield and need a shot of caffeine or a decent feed before your workshop or the conference. Want some cafe\/dining suggestions? Pop a comment below.<\/p>\n AMT has secured a special rate for conference attendees at Rydges Sydney Central. See the brochure for full details<\/a>. My sister stays there when she\u2019s in town for work and says the rooms are quite nice.<\/p>\n Apart from Rydges, there are several other hotels, apartments and hostels nearby. Try Trivago<\/a> or HotelsCombined<\/a> for the best deals and book early. There are 2 YHA hostels located close to Central Station too \u2013 Sydney Central<\/a> and Railway Square<\/a> \u2013 both have private rooms if you\u2019re not a fan of the dorm.<\/p>\n I reckon this is the best conference line-up of any massage\/manual therapy association ever.<\/p>\n \u201cIan Harris is Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UNSW Sydney with a clinical practice based at Liverpool Hospital and an academic practice based at the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Did you see Ian on SBS\u2019s Insight episode \u2018Joint Operation\u2019? Catch up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ian\u2019s been super busy. He\u2019s been published in peer reviewed publications 181 times (read Ian\u2019s CV and you\u2019ll see exactly how busy he\u2019s been). And in 2016, Ian found time to publish a book of his own \u2013 Surgery, The Ultimate Placebo<\/a>, which, not really coincidentally, is the title of Ian\u2019s address at the conference.<\/p>\n Mary O\u2019Keeffe is a physiotherapist and European Union Horizon 2020 Marie Sk\u0142odowska-Curie Global Fellow at Musculoskeletal Health Sydney, The University of Sydney. Mary was awarded her PhD in 2017 in the University of Limerick.<\/em><\/p>\n Mary is presenting the plenary address \u2013 \u201cThe importance of the words we use: implications for the treatment of MSK conditions\u201d.<\/p>\n Mary\u2019s PhD research examined “whether tailoring multidimensional rehabilitation to the individual chronic LBP patient enhances effectiveness, and is worth the additional time (and costs!) involved\u201d.<\/p>\n Mary\u2019s worth her weight in following gold on Twitter<\/a> \u2013 regularly linking to articles and research that all massage therapists need to read. Catch up on a few of her articles here<\/a> (Body In Mind) and here<\/a> (Physio Network \u2013 co-author with Dr Kieran O\u2019Sullivan) and a podcast episode Mary recorded for Physio Matters here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tim completed his Diploma of Remedial Massage last year and a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Cairnmillar Institute earlier in 2018.<\/p>\n Tim is presenting the plenary address \u2013 \u201cThe Pleasure-Purpose Principle (or how I learned to stop worrying and enjoy my massage)\u201d.<\/p>\n Tim is also leading a breakout workshop on Knowing Thyself: The Role of Self-awareness in Massage Therapy. To warm you up for the workshop, here\u2019s the article Tim wrote<\/a> recently for the AMT blog on that subject.<\/p>\n There\u2019ll also be opportunities to say g\u2019day to Tim over morning tea and lunch, maybe ask him more questions about his plenary address. Or which footy team he supports.<\/p>\n Jenny is presenting the plenary address \u2013 \u201cMassage Research: Are we asking the right questions?\u201d<\/p>\n Jenny serves on the AMT board and is a myotherapist based in Canberra. Jenny has an insatiable appetite for learning, either that or she loves being known as a student, and is currently undertaking a research project in massage therapy as part of her Bachelor of Science (Honours) with Charles Sturt University.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an article Jenny wrote for the AMT blog on Treating the Shoulder<\/a>.<\/p>\n Having sat next to Jenny at the AMT conference dinner last year, I highly recommend stealing a few moments with her \u2013 even if it\u2019s in the queue for coffee \u2013 Jenny\u2019s got a lot of knowledge in that head of hers.<\/p>\n I\u2019m breathless but, hey, that\u2019s just the Conference speakers. We also have some workshop presenters to get excited about.<\/p>\n Preconference workshop: \u201cWorking with posture: a biopsychosocial perspective\u201d.<\/p>\n Breakout workshop: \u201cLigamentous Articular Strain Techniques for the Shoulder\u201d.<\/p>\n Canadian Registered Massage Therapist, Robert Libbey, has been studying, practising and enhancing Ligamentous Articular Strain Techniques (LAST) for over 20 years. He incorporates evidence informed research pertaining to fascia, joint mechanics, arthroneurology, the neurophysiological model of referred pain and the biopsychosocial model for patient management into these courses. There\u2019s lots of information about Robert and his courses (including online courses) on his website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Preconference workshop: \u201cKey concepts in getting to the nub of your client\u2019s back pain\u201d.<\/p>\n Breakout workshop: \u201cA unique look at the pelvis in health and its dis-ease\u201d.<\/p>\n Josephine Key is a Sydney based neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapist and author of Back Pain: A Movement Problem<\/a> (2010).<\/p>\n Josephine developed the Key Approach and delivers workshops on her Key Moves Programme locally and internationally. Josephine recently completed \u201cFreedom to move: movement therapy for spinal pain and injuries\u201d, which will be published in September 2018. Learn more about the Key Approach, and Josephine on her website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Breakout workshop: \u201cTrauma informed care\u201d.<\/p>\n Mirna Tarabay is a Sydney based psychotherapist and counsellor. The focus of Mirna\u2019s clinical work is with adult survivors of child abuse. She is also an educator and runs workshops on counselling and other more specialised areas. Learn more about Mirna and her workshops on her website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Breakout workshop \u2013 \u201cBuilding for success\u201d.<\/p>\n Canberra Based Massage Therapist, Derek Zorzit is the current Vice-Chairperson of AMT. Derek is a former athlete and likes to trek. I can\u2019t actually repeat the first thing Derek said to me. But I laughed heartily afterwards. Derek has a fine sense of humour and is passionate about massage therapy. Spend a few minutes chinwagging with Derek and you\u2019ll see what I mean.<\/p>\n Watch Derek\u2019s presentation (with Alan Ford) at the 2016 AMT Conference<\/a>.<\/p>\n There\u2019s more detail on the presenters and workshops in the conference brochure<\/a> or via the AMT website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Join us for what is sure to be a dynamic, entertaining and educational conference by registering online<\/a> (credit card required) today. Don\u2019t forget that a ticket for our Cocktail Party on Saturday evening is included in all two and three day registrations. You can download the registration form and email\/post<\/a> it in to AMT (EFT or credit card payment possible).<\/p>\n See you there!<\/p>\n Earlybird registration is open for the 2018 AMT Conference, to be held in Sydney. With a phenomenal lineup and a great location, there’s plenty to get excited about, not least of which is the opportunity to spend time with other massage therapists.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":846,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,164,50],"tags":[241,15,235,238,237,111,142,239,236,145,217,240],"class_list":["post-845","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-amt","category-continuing-education","category-members","tag-29th-annual-conference","tag-amt-conference","tag-annual-conference","tag-derek-zorzit","tag-dr-mary-okeeffe","tag-jenny-richardson","tag-josephine-key","tag-mirna-tarabay","tag-professor-ian-harris","tag-robert-libbey","tag-tim-clark","tag-workshops"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/crowd-2457732_1920.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":491,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2018\/01\/24\/conference-announcement-save-the-date\/","url_meta":{"origin":845,"position":0},"title":"Conference announcement – save the date!","author":"admin","date":"24\/01\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"We are chuffed to announce that the AMT Annual Conference will be held on October 12, 13 and 14 at the Rydges Sydney Central. The venue is located within five minutes easy walking from Central Railway Station in Sydney. That's ten minutes by rail from the airport. We've negotiated a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AMT"","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/rydges-sydney-central-function-hero-1-hr.jpg-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4153,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2025\/08\/27\/amt-virtual-conference-2025-strengthening-massage-therapys-role-in-healthcare\/","url_meta":{"origin":845,"position":1},"title":"AMT Virtual Conference 2025: Strengthening Massage Therapy’s Role in Healthcare","author":"admin","date":"27\/08\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Look. There are not enough synonyms to convey our joy at launch the 2025 AMT Annual Conference Program. Please send us your best suggestions, ideas, thoughts, inspirations and feedback.","rel":"","context":"In "AMT"","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Conference banner promoting the conference theme of Partners in Healthcare, showing a series of colourful silhouettes of people linking hands.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AMT-Conference-2025-Wordpress-tile_1200x628_FA.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AMT-Conference-2025-Wordpress-tile_1200x628_FA.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AMT-Conference-2025-Wordpress-tile_1200x628_FA.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AMT-Conference-2025-Wordpress-tile_1200x628_FA.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AMT-Conference-2025-Wordpress-tile_1200x628_FA.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":544,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2018\/02\/13\/ceu-is-fun-and-sexy\/","url_meta":{"origin":845,"position":2},"title":"CEU is fun and sexy!","author":"admin","date":"13\/02\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Check out the latest continuing education offerings and upcoming opportunities for AMT members, the location of the AGM and a reminder about the annual conference.","rel":"","context":"In "AMT"","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CEU-screenshot-1-300x205.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1184,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2018\/10\/24\/amtconferencereview\/","url_meta":{"origin":845,"position":3},"title":"What Do You Call a Gathering of Massage Therapists?","author":"admin","date":"24\/10\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Who would have thought that an innocent, genuine question about training costs would lead to a sold out AMT Conference? But what was it really like inside those workshops, plenary sessions and the lunch room? Who was the standout presenter? And who is going to the 2019 AMT Conference?","rel":"","context":"In "AMT Conference"","block_context":{"text":"AMT Conference","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt-conference\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/1.jpg?fit=996%2C414&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/1.jpg?fit=996%2C414&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/1.jpg?fit=996%2C414&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/1.jpg?fit=996%2C414&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3680,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2023\/03\/21\/when-will-amt-be-hosting-face-to-face-events-again\/","url_meta":{"origin":845,"position":4},"title":"When will AMT be hosting face-to-face events again?","author":"admin","date":"21\/03\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"When shall we 3500 meet again? In thunder, lightning or in rain? We're still navigating our way through the hurley burley but we are actively working on bringing back in-person AMT events. Please read on ...","rel":"","context":"In "AMT"","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Face-to-face.jpg?fit=1076%2C982&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Face-to-face.jpg?fit=1076%2C982&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Face-to-face.jpg?fit=1076%2C982&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Face-to-face.jpg?fit=1076%2C982&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Face-to-face.jpg?fit=1076%2C982&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2821,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2020\/09\/23\/amt-chairperson-spring-message\/","url_meta":{"origin":845,"position":5},"title":"AMT Chairperson Spring Message","author":"admin","date":"23\/09\/2020","format":false,"excerpt":"2020 doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. AMT Chairperson Michelle McKerron wants us to focus on how to improve ourselves as therapists.","rel":"","context":"In "AMT"","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/spring.jpg?fit=900%2C391&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/spring.jpg?fit=900%2C391&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/spring.jpg?fit=900%2C391&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/spring.jpg?fit=900%2C391&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=845"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/845\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":851,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/845\/revisions\/851"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Map-Rydges.jpg?resize=991%2C779\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Conference-pricing.jpg?resize=724%2C243\")
<\/p>\nAccommodation<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Speakers<\/strong><\/h6>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Ian-Harris-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150\")
Professor Ian Harris<\/strong> is delivering the Keynote Address.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Mary-OKeeffe-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150\")
Dr Mary O\u2019Keeffe<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Tim-Clark-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150\")
Tim Clark<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Jenny-Richardson-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150\")
Jenny Richardson<\/strong><\/p>\nARE YOU EXCITED NOW?<\/strong><\/h6>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Robert-Libbey-150x150.png?resize=150%2C150\")
Robert Libbey <\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Josephine-Key-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150\")
Josephine Key<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Mirna-Tarabay-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150\")
Mirna Tarabay <\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Derek-Zorzit-150x150.jpg?resize=150%2C150\")
Derek Zorzit<\/strong><\/p>\nRegister NOW for the Conference<\/strong><\/h6>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/amt-conf-2018-web-banner.gif?resize=970%2C450\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"