SpineCare 2026 is a professional development and training program that combines virtual and face-to-face training. The course runs over 12 weeks from 11 May 2026.
About the course
SpineCare 2026 is an interactive course that aims to incorporate learning into clinical practice using quizzes, manual therapy training, motor control, individualised exercise prescription and case studies.
Specialists present on biological and psychosocial aspects of lumbar and cervical disorders, including surgical and conservative management options. Training and practical sessions aim to enhance exercise and manual therapy skills, as well as build advanced reasoning and clinical problem-solving skills.
Course offerings
SpineCare 2026 is a 38-hour training program spread over 12 weeks that includes:
- 9 weekly webinars over 11 hours with presenters from neurosurgery, orthopaedics, rheumatology, pain management and specialist physiotherapy.
- 27 hours of virtual and practical trainings led by specialist and senior musculoskeletal physiotherapists on clinical assessment and treatment, including exercise prescription, manual therapy skills, interactive case studies and small group sessions (with a one to 8 ratio).
- Learning to visually read, understand, explain and use MRI images wisely
- Diagnosing and discerning between patho-anatomic, movement and psychosocial drivers of pain
- Reframing current views on motor control and movement into new perspectives
- Identifying strength, fitness, and motor control and movement deficits that contribute to ongoing pain
- Exploring the strengths and limits of a manual therapy approach and how manual therapy leads to specific exercise
- Building an exercise program that improves fitness, strength and mobility based on individual needs
- Using case studies to enhance integration of knowledge into clinical practice
- Learning to identify and navigate cognitive and emotional barriers, reduce fear, and increase engagement and active cooperation with your patients
Location and delivery
The full SpineCare course is a mixture of online and face-to-face learning.
Participants who do not wish to participate in the virtual training or face-to-face practical sessions can instead register for a partial webinar-only package at a reduced cost.
Cost
- Full course fee: $1,650 (group discount available - contact spinecare@mh.org.au for details)
- Early bird price: $1,450 (for bookings by Friday 10 April)
- Regional discount: $1,250 (proof of primary place of practice located in a regional or rural setting required)
- Webinar-only series: $450
SpineCare 2026 program schedule
The course runs over 12 weeks, including a 2-week mid-term break for Victorian school holidays from 27 June to 12 July:
- The webinars are held on Mondays beginning, Monday 11 May (there will be no webinar on the King's Birthday public holiday on 8 June)
- The virtual training sessions run on Thursdays, beginning Thursday 14 May
- The face-to-face practical sessions run on Saturdays, beginning Saturday 23 May
The SpineCare 2026 schedule and speakers will be announced soon.
Email spinecare@mh.org.au to register interest for the program and receive updates.
| Presenter/coordinator |
Webinar |
Virtual training |
Face-to-face manual therapy (optional sessions) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 Dr Rob Laird |
Monday 11 May | 6pm to 8pm* *2-hour session |
Thursday 14 May | 12pm to 1:30pm |
– | |
|
Week 2 Ms Caitlin Farmer |
Monday 18 May | 6:45pm to 8pm |
– |
Saturday 23 May | 8:30am to 4pm |
|
|
Week 3 Dr John Moi |
Monday 25 May | 6:45pm to 8pm |
Thursday 28 May | 12pm to 1:30pm |
– | |
|
Week 4 Mr Bhadu Kavar |
Monday 1 June | 6:45pm to 8pm |
Thursday 4 June | 12pm to 1:30pm |
– | |
| 8 June – King's birthday public holiday | ||||
|
Week 5 Mr Yi Yang |
Monday 15 June | 6:45pm to 8pm |
– |
Saturday 20 June | 8:30am to 4pm |
|
|
Week 6 Dr Malcolm Hogg |
Monday 22 June | 6:45pm to 8pm |
– | – | |
| 29 June to 12 July – School holidays | ||||
|
Week 7 Ken Niere |
Monday 13 July | 6pm to 8pm* *2-hour session |
– |
– |
|
|
Week 8 Ms Tanya Yuen |
Monday 20 July | 6:45pm to 8pm |
Thursday 23 July | 12pm to 1:30pm |
– | |
|
Week 9 Dr Anne Daly |
Monday 27 July | 6:45pm to 8pm Pain physiotherapist’s view on managing persistent spinal pain |
– |
Saturday 1 August | 8:30am to 4pm |
|