PRIMARY CONTACT
SPRING 2025
VOLUME 63
ISSUE NO. 2
Dr. Wilbour Kelsick on chiropractic and new influences in health care How working with Dr. Kelsick impacted Perdita Felicien and other Canadian Olympians
Animal chiropractic with Dr. Taron Carruthers
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IN THIS ISSUE
CMCC Homecoming ‘25 and Continuing Education Mapping biopsychosocial factors in low back pain
From the moment I first walked through the doors, CMCC has felt like home—a place where people greet each other warmly in the hallways, where collaboration flourishes, and where we are united by a shared mission: to transform lives through academic programs, scholarship, research, and patient care.
We have an incredible opportunity to elevate CMCC’s profile on both national and international stages, benchmarking ourselves against the world’s top institutions.
At CMCC, we have the privilege of shaping the future of chiropractic and advancing health care for Canadians. Our commitment to delivering the most comprehensive, competency- and evidence-based education remains steadfast. As we formulate our next five-year strategic plan which I will share with you soon, I am excited to share that our vision will focus on expanding our reach across Canada and beyond through innovative academic, research and clinical partnerships. By integrating innovative technologies and teaching methods, we will enhance student learning and experiences, improve patient care, and equip our graduates with the skills to drive meaningful change in healthcare practice and policy.
Our research initiatives will continue to prioritize spinal
manipulation, musculoskeletal health, and patient outcomes— areas critical to improving the quality of life for millions of Canadians who rely on chiropractic care. We will also strengthen our role in interprofessional education, ensuring our graduates are equipped to advocate for their patients, and collaborate effectively within the broader healthcare system.
As we look ahead, I encourage our community to embrace bold ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and strive for excellence in all that we do. We have an incredible opportunity to elevate CMCC’s profile on both national and international stages, benchmarking ourselves against the world’s top institutions. Through strategic growth, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a shared commitment to innovation, we will continue to position CMCC as a leader in chiropractic education and research.
In speaking to our entire extended CMCC family, I see a future where we move forward together with renewed commitment to collaboration, excellence, discovery, and integrity. We will remain a caring and compassionate institution, dedicated to our students, our patients, and to one another. The future of CMCC is bright, and I am honored to lead us into this next chapter, collaborating with our partners across Canada for the benefit of our graduates and the chiropractic profession.
With gratitude and excitement for the road ahead,
Dr.
Christine Bradaric-Baus CMCC President
RECRUITING CMCC BOARD MEMBERS FROM ACROSS CANADA
CMCC seeks to maintain and attract to its Board, members with a strategic combination of experiences, competencies, perspectives and skills to support CMCC in its mission and vision. Members of the Board carry out a high-level oversight for institutional, academic, financial and governance responsibilities and in return play a key role in guiding the growth and development of evidence-based chiropractic education in Canada. Can you see yourself with us?
DO YOU HAVE THE ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES?
Accountability and Participation
Evaluation and Analysis
Introductions and Connections
Strategic and Critical Thinking
DO YOU HAVE ADDED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE?
Board Experience
Community Influence/Relationships
Governance/Policy Development
Health Profession Expertise/Knowledge
Legal/Regulatory Compliance
Not for Profit Finance/Accounting
Postsecondary Education Expertise
If you would like more information, please email us at board@cmcc.ca.
If you are ready to put your name forward for consideration, please email your CV and a letter explaining what attributes you would bring to the Board.
Our Vision: an academic institution recognised for creating leaders in spinal health
Our Mission: deliver world class chiropractic education, research and patient care
1. Where was the first external CMCC clinic located?
2. Who was the first president of the Governors’ Club?
3. Finish the name of the following CMCC event: “Backs in ………”.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Available Now for Registration: Online Courses
Introduction to Psychologically-informed Practice (PiP) | Course ID: 63856
Developed in collaboration with New York University Langone Health, this three hour online course is a training tool to help clinicians integrate PiP into their practice. It will introduce clinicians to PiP techniques and evidence-based practices that can strengthen clinical competencies and improve patient outcomes, particularly for those at risk of prolonged pain and disability.
Athletic Taping Technique Online Workshop | Course ID: 63850
In this three-hour online workshop, Dr. Mohsen Kazemi offers an in-depth exploration of athletic taping, a crucial technique in injury prevention, pain management, and biomechanical support. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, this workshop is designed to enhance participants’ skills in using taping as a preventive and rehabilitative tool for athletes.
Designing the Perfect Practice: A Practical Guide | Course ID: 63855
In this 40-minute webinar, Dr. Manju Asdhir discusses the strategies necessary to open and run a chiropractic practice within 12 months. It covers essential topics, including designing a practical floor plan, choosing an ideal location, mastering a lease negotiation, and investing in crucial equipment. This webinar is designed for chiropractors who want to launch a practice efficiently and confidently.
FACULTY NEWS
DR. IGOR STEIMAN AWARDED OCA CHIROPRACTOR OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Dr. Igor Steiman, Professor, and Clinician at CMCC’s Clinic at St. Michael's Hospital and Campus Clinic, recipient of the Ontario Chiropractic Association’s (OCA) Chiropractor of the Year Award. With decades of dedication to chiropractic education, research, and practice—including his role at St. Michael’s Hospital and CMCC—we’re incredibly proud to celebrate his outstanding achievements.
The OCA Chiropractor of the Year has been OCA’s most prestigious award for more than 60 years. It’s awarded to a practising chiropractor in recognition of their outstanding service, professional achievement and significant contribution, which influences and benefits the profession. The recipient demonstrates the qualities of a leader who upholds the highest professional and ethical standards in their practice.
Academic Award. Congratulations to the hardworking Dr. Lee.
The Research and Academic Award recognizes a chiropractor or researcher currently engaged in research or academia contributing to expanding the knowledge of the profession. Nominees will have made a significant contribution to the chiropractic profession in terms of Chiropractic Knowledge, Education and Understanding, Professional Expertise, Knowledge Translation and Interprofessional Advancement.
The OCA grants Honorary Membership to an individual member who has demonstrated exceptional service and made invaluable contributions to the chiropractic profession and to the OCA. This year’s honorary membership acknowledges Dr. Mior’s multitude of contributions including his role in helping to advance evidence-based work on inter-professional care and teambased care models in Ontario.
DR. ALEX LEE, RECIPIENT OF THE 2024 OCA RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC AWARD
Dr. Alex Lee, Associate Professor and Director of Education Year II at CMCC, received the 2024 OCA Research and
We’re proud to celebrate Dr. Silvano Mior as the recipient of the Ontario Chiropractic Association's Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. This recognition honours Dr. Mior’s remarkable dedication, hard work, and lasting impact on the chiropractic profession.
MAGU DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN TANZANIA RECEIVES TEXTBOOKS FROM CMCC FACULTY
Community Health Workers at Magu District Hospital in Northern Tanzania thank CMCC faculty for another donation of textbooks. These workers are studying rehabilitation under local clinical officers who have trained with Global Peace Network (GPN), a Canadian NGO with Dr. Brian Budgell as one of its directors. Their aim is to get rehabilitation to the most remote locations where health care otherwise does not exist.
For more information on GPN and their work in Tanzania and beyond, please visit www.globalpeacenetwork.ca
DR. SILVANO MIOR AWARDED OCA HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP
DR. MARTHA FUNABASHI COMPLETED SIX-MONTH TERM AS A VISITING SCHOLAR AT UPITT
During her time at the University of Pittsburgh (UPitt), Dr. Funabashi collaborated with Drs. Mike Schneider, Director of the Chiropractic Program and William Anderst, Director of the Biodynamics Lab, to measure the applied manual forces and the resulting intervertebral kinematics in real time during the manipulation/mobilization.
The exact biological mechanisms behind spinal manipulation and mobilization are still not fully understood. This gap in knowledge has prompted experts, including those from the National Institutes of Health, to call for further research in this area. Some data suggests that these treatments may work by triggering biomechanical and neurophysiological responses, such as changes in proprioception, and pain sensitivity. Although spinal manipulations and mobilizations create mechanical effects on the body, the specific biomechanics involved are still unclear, and no direct link has been established between the applied forces and how the spine moves during treatment.
As a visiting scholar, Dr. Funabashi worked with Drs. Schneider and Anderst to measure the applied manual forces and the resulting intervertebral kinematics in real time during the manipulation/mobilization applied with a Force Sensing device. Leveraging innovative technology developed by Dr. Anderst, they were able to use a biplane Xray setup combined with a motion capture system to be able to capture movements of the cervical vertebrae. This study, based at UPitt, is ongoing.
CONTINUING EDUCATION AT HOMECOMING 2025:
Elevating Performance, Empowering Athletes
Join us for an informative continuing education weekend at CMCC’s Homecoming 2025! This year’s program is designed to explore the latest advancements in athletic performance, movement, and injury management. With leading experts in chiropractic care and sports health, our sessions will equip you with cutting-edge knowledge to optimize performance and well-being.
Friday, June 6, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Advancing Athletic Performance: Integrative Approaches to Health, Movement, and Injury Management with Dr. Wilbour Kelsick
Lecture 1: An Integrative Healthcare Approach to Optimizing High-Performance in Athletes
Lecture 2: Exploring Twenty-First Century Anatomy: A Modern Perspective for Clinical Chiropractic Practice
Lecture 3: Biophysical and Physiological Factors of Connective Tissue in Movement: Implications for Performance, Injury, and Rehabilitation
Workshop: Mastering Exercise Techniques for Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention: A Practical Approach
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Empowering the Female Athlete: Considerations Throughout the Lifespan with Drs. Stephanie Anisko, Cassandra Laleye, Patricia Tavares, & Dominique Forand Yedon
Workshop 1: The Athletic Mom-to-Be: Supporting the Pregnant Athlete
Workshop 2: Postpartum Recovery: Getting Back to Sport
Workshop 3: SMT from a Female Chiropractor’s Perspective: Techniques for Optimal Performance Spanning a Practice Lifetime
Workshop 4: Navigating Menopause as an Athlete: Maintaining Health and Performance
Join us afterward for a BBQ in the Courtyard to network and celebrate with colleagues!
WHO CAN BE HELPED?
Mapping biopsychosocial factors in people with low back pain responding to chiropractic care
Patients often respond differently to chiropractic care, but the reasons behind these varying responses are
still not well understood, making it difficult to predict who will benefit from treatment. That might be partially because most studies so far have focused on the biological aspects of low back pain (LBP), but it is well-known that low back pain is a multi-factorial condition, including biopsychosocial (BPS) factors.
Dr. Martha Funabashi, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), the University of Pittsburgh and Parker University aims to explore this further. Their study will examine factors such as
pain, disability, comorbidities, sleep, medication, psychological distress, social factors and other variables that may influence LBP outcomes. In this way, this study aims to identify and categorize responders and nonresponders to chiropractic care for LBP using a multi-dimensional BPS approach.
By doing so, this study could significantly enhance personcentered care in chiropractic practice and may lead to better clinical outcomes and reduce the societal impact of LBP. The study is set to begin at SDU in early 2025.
THE THERAPEUTIC POWER OF BOOKS
Congratulations to Dr. Natalia Tukhareli, CMCC’s Director of Library Services, who received a CERF Best Paper Award for her paper entitled, “Library as a therapeutic landscape promoting health and well-being to chiropractic students: A descriptive report.” Tukhareli presented her paper at the CERF Conference “Battling Burnout: Raising Resilience in Education Conference” in December 2023. It described a bibliotherapy project
that she facilitated at CMCC during the COVID-19 pandemic in which feedback demonstrated that the program helped students cope with anxiety, worries, and loneliness and isolation caused by the pandemic, as consistent with bibliotherapy research.
Her award-winning paper was published in the Journal of Chiropractic Humanities (JCH) in December 2024.
VISIT TO NIPISSING U
In November 2024, Drs. Scott Dunham, Dom Giuliano, Alex Lee, Sophia Da Silva-Oolup and Anthony Tibbles met with Nipissing University, Ontario’s Nursing Faculty and Simulation Leads to discuss collaborative opportunities and tour the university’s simulation centre. Here, they met with Kate Ranger, Simulationist; Lisa O’Reilly, Simulation Technologist; Karey McCullough, Associate Dean of Nursing; Steven Cairns, Assistant Professor, Nursing and IPE Lead.
According to Dunham, recent alumni surveys indicate that 56 per cent of new graduates practice in multidisciplinary clinics. With this in mind, he emphasizes that “all Chiropractors must be aware of and understand the other health professions within a patient’s circle of care whether within the walls of their clinic or outside of them. Interprofessional Education (IPE) addresses and enhances this understanding by learning with, from, and about other professions.”
The goal is to integrate CMCC students with learners from other health profession education programs through collaborative activities. Currently, optional IPE activities are offered to our students in partnership with the University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University of Guelph-Humber, and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Similar introductory conversations have also taken place between CMCC and NOSM, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
DO YOU HAVE PHOTOS OF YOUR DAYS AT CMCC?
We’d love to scan and archive them to share with your classmates and fellow alumni and we’ll send back the originals.
Contact us at communications@cmcc.ca with any questions and to make arrangements. We look forward to hearing from you!
In the long term, CMCC aims to expand these experiences so that all graduates enter the field with an deeper understanding of the benefits of collaborative, patientcentered care. 1. PARLIAMENT AND GERRARD STS IN TORONTO 2. DR. DAVID WEST 3. MOTION
to facilitate miRNA or its inhibitor delivery to the targeted cells.
4. What challenges have you encountered in your research on RCC, and how have you worked to overcome them?
Some of the challenges of research work in general and specific to RCC I faced, included:
• The design of the study
• Running an experiment for the first time
• Collection of patients’ samples
• Identification of miRNA targets
To help new researchers address these challenges, I recommend reviewing literature and consulting with other experts in the field.
To overcome the challenge of collecting patient samples, I initiated and coordinated collaborative work among different institutions to prepare and organize a huge database for RCC patients and collected the tissues and survival data.
Additionally, to tackle the issue of identifying miRNA targets, I utilized the data from several prediction programs and experimentally validated these miRNA-target interactions.
5. What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing research studies? Where should they start?
My sincere advice is to be patient and persistent. Research work always has times of success and failure. Sometimes experiments don't work well from the first trial. You might need to repeat the work several times to optimize the techniques, read a lot, check the literature, and seek advice from your seniors and supervisors.
In my opinion, to start, you need to determine your research interests and explore research opportunities.
6. How can research on cellular changes and immune responses impact healthcare, including fields like chiropractic care?
Studying the expression levels of inflammatory mediators and
CAN’T WAIT FOR A SPRING GARDEN?
exploring the role of miRNAs as key regulatory molecules in the inflammatory process will help in understanding the pathogenesis of common conditions seen by chiropractors and other manual practitioners. Also, this can help identify molecular biomarkers that can predict prognosis as well as response to treatment including response to spinal manipulative therapy (SMT).
7. What are you most excited about for the future of RCC research, and how do you hope your work will contribute to this field?
I am most excited about developing biomarkers that will help in the early diagnosis, prediction of prognosis and response to treatment, as well as developing novel therapeutic strategies in RCC.
My research demonstrated that miRNAs play an important role in RCC progression and represent promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers and novel targeted therapies for this aggressive tumour.
Do the pollinators a favor and leave your yard clean up until it’s consistently 10 degrees. About 75% of Canada's native bees live in small holes under the ground, and they can be harmed by groundwork in early spring. Others live in hollow cavities of wood, such as old branches and hollow plant stems. Butterfly eggs are also hidden in the branches and leaves. Both species need warm weather and time to emerge so they can find food and become useful pollinators.
THE INAUGURATION OF CMCC’S FIFTH PRESIDENT
On November 7, 2024, CMCC celebrated the inauguration of Dr. Christine Bradaric-Baus as its fifth president. The ceremony, attended by faculty, staff, and guests, was led by Dr. Mark Perrett, Chair of CMCC’s Board of Governors. Thank you to Nathan Dunn, President of the CMCC Indigenous Student Association, for providing the land acknowledgement.
Among the speakers were: Mr. Han Dong, M.P., Don Valley North; Ms. Anne Marie Munsen, Executive Director, Association of Chiropractic Colleges; Dr. Ceara Higgins, Ontario representative, Canadian Chiropractic Association; Dr. Ron Brady, President, CMCC Governors' Club; Dr. Greg Ruhr, Chair, CMCC Faculty Council; and Louisa Esangbedo, President, CMCC’s Students’ Council; all of whom extended greetings to President Bradaric-Baus.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Elizabeth Pillon, LLB and Joy McKinnon, DBA.
After graduating from CMCC and completing the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Centre (VCLC) program in 2014, she set out to bring the benefits of chiropractic care to animals. Today, she treats everything from performance horses to geriatric dogs, focusing on optimizing movement and relieving pain naturally.
Addressing joint restrictions and mobility issues in animals
Chiropractors understand how restricted movement in the spine and joints can affect biomechanics and nervous system function. In animals, these restrictions can lead to altered movement patterns, compensations, and discomfort.
“When assessing an animal, I start with a detailed history, followed by gait analysis and palpation of the spine and extremities,” Carruthers explains. “This allows me to identify joint restrictions and areas of dysfunction that may be contributing to pain or mobility issues.”
Common conditions in animal patients
Animal chiropractic addresses more than just back pain. Carruthers regularly treats:
• Dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, IVDD, hind-end weakness, gait abnormalities, and pain-related behavioral changes.
• Horses experiencing performance limitations, gait asymmetries, reluctance under saddle, and chronic compensatory patterns.
• Post-surgical or injured animals to support recovery and prevent secondary biomechanical issues.
I see dogs whose reactivity or aggression stems from chronic
pain,” she explains. “Alleviating their discomfort often results in a complete behavioral shift.”
Chiropractic techniques and adjunctive therapies
Carruthers primarily utilizes diversified adjusting techniques, making modifications as needed for anatomical and biomechanical differences in animals. She often integrates complementary modalities, including:
• Myofascial release
• Low-level laser therapy
• Kinesiology taping
• Neurofunctional acupuncture
The hands-on nature of chiropractic, combined with the body's innate ability to heal, makes these treatments a powerful alternative to pharmaceutical interventions.
Case spotlight: restoring function in a paralyzed French Bulldog
One of Dr. Carruthers’ most rewarding cases involved Thor, a 2.5-year-old French Bulldog who suddenly lost function in his hind limbs along with bowel and bladder control. “After six chiropractic visits, he regained full mobility and no longer needed to wear diapers,” she says. “Cases like this reinforce how effective chiropractic can be in restoring neurological function.”
Working with anxious or fearful animals
For chiropractors accustomed to working with human patients, the idea of adjusting an anxious or reactive dog might seem daunting. However, Carruthers takes a patient-centered approach—letting the animal set the pace.
“I give nervous dogs time to acclimate to the space before treatment. Some need multiple visits to feel comfortable, but once they experience relief, they’re usually eager to return.”
Problem-solving complex cases
Animal chiropractors often encounter cases where traditional veterinary diagnostics fail to provide answers. Carruthers recalls treating a Border Collie with a persistent front-leg limp that had baffled previous practitioners.
“Radiographs were clear, and no conventional treatment worked. On examination, I found restricted motion in his first rib. One adjustment improved his gait by 50 per cent, and by the third visit, he was completely sound. These cases are why I love what I do,” she reflects. “Sometimes it’s just about finding that one area that’s causing all the problems. A single adjustment can make such a difference.”
Enhancing quality of life for senior animals
Carruthers has a special place in her heart for senior dogs. “Older dogs often experience a decline in mobility, particularly in the hind end. Gentle adjustments, laser therapy, and kinesiology taping can all improve comfort and mobility in senior animals. Simple interventions, like maintaining proper toenail length and providing traction on slippery floors, also make a substantial difference.
The future of animal chiropractic With growing demand for integrative approaches to animal health, chiropractic is gaining recognition among pet owners, trainers, and veterinarians alike. “I truly believe chiropractic care can transform the way animals live,” she says. “It’s about improving their quality of life, whether they’re young and healthy or older and struggling with mobility issues. I want to give them the chance to feel better, move better, and live better.”
ANIMAL CHIROPRACTIC RESEARCH AT CMCC
In 2017, Dr. David Starmer, Director of Year III, recognized the potential of research in animal chiropractic and secured a small budget to assess the forces used during manipulation of different dog sizes to guide manual therapy for canines, define target manipulation parameters for students and to evaluate a simulation system for quality assurance and safety training.
Starmer presented his initial findings at The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) in 2018. He was invited back to deliver the keynote address at the AVCA Annual Conference in Richardson, Texas, November 15-17, 2024, where he and a CMCC team delivered additional lectures, workshops, and research presentations.
The team has been successful in raising a significant amount of money for groundbreaking studies to explore the application of manual therapy in animal health care, thanks to the support of the AVCA and CMCC.
At the conference, Starmer invited animal chiropractors to share their perspectives on research priorities, paving the way for advancements that enhance care delivery and outcomes.
Data collection for the 'Veterinary Chiropractic Research Priorities' study began with an online survey distributed to animal chiropractic organizations in October 2024.
During the conference, Nicole Meaghan Smith, along with Drs. Martha Funabashi and Simon Wang, facilitated seven Nominal Group Technique sessions, engaging attendees in structured brainstorming to identify and prioritize a research agenda for the veterinary chiropractic profession. Thirteen major topics and over 70 subtopics were identified. The next phase of the study was scheduled for December 2024, This phase asks participants to l rank their priorities. The finalized research agenda is expected to be released in early to mid-2025.
IDRR WHO COLLABORATION CENTRE LAUNCH NOVEMBER 22, 2024
Ontario Tech University's Institute for Rehabilitation and Musculoskeletal Health lead by Dr. Pierre Côté was the first rehabilitative collaborating centre designated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Impressive global recognition for data informed, cutting edge, rehabilitative research.
Competency-Based Education: How Simulation Technology Is Transforming CMCC's Curriculum CMCC has long been a leader in educational innovation, integrating emerging technologies to support competency-based education. “CMCC is unique among chiropractic colleges in how we deliver the curriculum,” says Scott Dunham, Director of Education, Year 1 and Curriculum and Faculty Development. “A CMCC student today spends less than 50 per cent of their time in lecture halls or classrooms for the first three years of study, while the fourth and final year is entirely hands-on and application-based, with no lectures. More than half of the curriculum is delivered through small group sessions, interactive online learning, labs, and hands-on activities. It’s active learning as it’s delivered in medical educational programs.”
Since 2010, CMCC has integrated simulation technology and innovative tools such as the Gaumard Manikins and Force Sensing Table Technology (FSTT®) into its curriculum. These advancements have transformed how students learn, practice, and prepare for clinical practice.
The Simulation Lab
The Simulation Lab (SIM Lab) at CMCC is a cornerstone of experiential learning, offering students a controlled environment to rehearse professional skills, develop critical thinking, and enhance diagnostic capabilities. The lab features life-like Gaumard Manikins, which simulate various physical conditions, including cardiac events and
respiratory distress. These manikins enable realistic patient interactions, complete with a microphone and speaker system for dynamic communication scenarios. A specialized eye and ear trainer also exposes students to rare anomalies that are invaluable for their clinical education.
Designed to replicate a real clinical setting, the SIM Lab, includes reception and waiting areas, immersing students in authentic patient-care scenarios. Each year, students participate in simulation labs tailored to their level of study. For example, first-year students focus on anatomy and palpation exercises, linking cadaver lab experiences with simulated palpation practices. In the third year, students engage in active rehabilitation scenarios, such as arthritis care, to deepen their practical understanding. By integrating these simulations into the curriculum, CMCC ensures its graduates are well-prepared for unexpected challenges of professional practice.
Advancing Techniques with FSTT®
The Force Sensing Table Technology (FSTT®) Lab provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to refine their chiropractic techniques. Developed by Dr. Jay Triano, former CMCC Dean of Graduate Education and Research, FSTT® combines treatment tables embedded with force plates and specialized software to deliver instant feedback on manipulations. Students can measure force, duration, amplitude, and direction, allowing them to fine-tune their skills with precision.
This innovative technology is used throughout all four years of study. Firstyear students begin with basic force measurement exercises, progressing to advanced technique refinement in later years. The lab also features the Human Analog Manikin (HAM®), which mimics human tissue and anatomical landmarks, providing a realistic practice
medium. Notably, FSTT® has gained global recognition, with 21 chiropractic institutions worldwide adopting the technology to enhance their programs and advance chiropractic research.
Pioneering Research
CMCC’s SIM and FSTT® Labs are integral to the institution’s research efforts, driving innovation in chiropractic education and practice. Research projects in the SIM Lab include the development of manikins that simulate pregnancy to improve student confidence and competence in treating pregnant patients. Additionally, studies explore how patient expectations, and therapeutic alliances influence clinical outcomes.
The FSTT® Lab enables precise research into force modulation and manipulation techniques. Current studies include profiling forces used in hip adjustments with and without droppiece assistance, evaluating strategies for thoracic spine procedures, and examining forces applied during canine manipulations. This research not only informs teaching strategies but also contributes to the broader field of chiropractic science.
Looking Ahead
CMCC remains committed to leveraging technology to enhance student learning and clinical preparedness. The institution continues to expand its simulation programs, develop new research initiatives, and integrate evidence-based practices into its curriculum. “Our goal is to ensure that CMCC graduates are equipped with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to excel in their professional practice,” says Dr. Sophia da Silva Oolup, Director of Experiential and Integrative Learning.
With dedicated SIM and FSTT® labs, CMCC stands at the forefront of chiropractic education, preparing students to meet the demands of modern clinical practice.
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN PRACTICE:
Dr. Wilbour Kelsick reflects on his journey and new influences in health care
This year, Dr. Wilbour Kelsick joins the Class of ‘85 – in celebrating 40 years of practice in 2025. Kelsick, an established Westcoast sports chiropractic specialist, first spoke to Primary Contact just as he was leaving for the university of Padua, Italy, to discuss functional fascia anatomy.
Functional fascia anatomy is what Kelsick considers the anatomy of the 21st century. "It is opening new doors of discovery, helping us to better understand how disease pathologies transmit in tissues, as well as how loading and function relates to injury prevention. Fascia,” he explains, “is a network system and its discovery validates the role of chiropractic in health care.”
Contributions to sports
Kelsick is known for his work with elite athletes. He has been to 11 Olympic Games and was among the first to be invited to work with the Canadian CORE Medical Team in 1998. In this regard, he says he is “standing on the shoulders of giants.” He credits those who laid the groundwork, chiropractors who went before him to the Games, particularly Drs. Brian Seaman, Mark Lyndsay and Larry Bell. He also credits the CMCC faculty who supported his cohort during their time at CMCC, instilling the need to be meticulous, to be confident and maintain a healthy fighting spirit. “Together they made us confident.” He also credits the late Dr. Jack Taunton, a world-renowned Vancouver MD and
professor of Sports Medicine at UBC. A trailblazer for integrative health care, Taunton supported Kelsick in attending Nagano in ’98 and Australia in 2000, insisting that chiropractic be represented in the Canadian Olympic CORE Medical Team. Dr. Robert McCormack, Professor Emeritus at the Department of Orthopaedics at UBC, was the Chief Medical Officer at that Olympics and was also an important mentor and strong believer in teambased care.
After 2000, Kelsick provided care for specific sports and teams, leaving CORE team vacancies for others.
“You must allow others to occupy the spaces and make room for them,” he says.” For their part, chiropractors should continue to put themselves forward, volunteer, if that’s the way to break new ground and get involved.” Kelsick’s experience is widespread. He’s been part of the medical team for the NBA, the CFL, the NHL, the Canadian Olympic Team and was the CMO for the Dominica Olympic Team (’96). He has worked with Olympic athletes from Sweden, several African countries, and many Caribbean countries as well as the USA. Additionally, he was part of hurdler Perdita Felicien’s team, the first Canadian woman to win gold at a Track and Field World Championships.
He has also worked with acclaimed athletes such as decathlete Ashton Eaton and heptathlete Brianne Thiessen-Eaton. In all, he has worked with multiple organizations
Kelsick with anatomy models at Italy's University of Padua
and sports (including wrestling and track and field, as examples) and has contributed to managing athletes as part of the Canadian 2024 Olympic gold medalling 4 x 1 team from 2000 to present. He was also proud to have been supporting the first two-man team in Bobsled when Pierre Lueders and Dave MacEachern won gold in 1998, the first for North America in this category. “I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the world’s finest athletes and to know them as friends.” Additionally, he is thankful to all the coaches he has worked with, including Mike Murray, who introduced him to Canadian Olympian Robert Esmie, who he subsequently treated, facilitating his work with Team Canada.
Kelsick’s training began in biochemistry and kinesiology at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC, and following graduation from CMCC in ’85, he added Fellowships from the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada), for which he was vice president for many years, and the College of Chiropractic Rehabilitative Sciences. “The specialty colleges (Radiology, Clinical Sciences, Sports Sciences) have made an incredible contribution to the education of evidence-based practice in Canada," he says. “They have all made incredible advances. We cannot do our work without them.“
Tzu Chi Institute’s new model and the holistic approach of MaxFit Instrumental to his journey was a career opportunity as part of an integrated team at Tzu Chi Institute in1998. “The Tzu Chi Institute was part of Vancouver General Hospital and one of the first integrated centres in Canada. The whole concept of the institute was to build a model to integrate allopathic care with complementary and alternative medicine."
The program focus was about supporting patients to stay well and help those who weren’t well to
navigate the system. “The model included educational sessions, engaging with coaching and one to one consultation.” For Kelsick it was a cultural change around treating illness. “It fueled my passion for integrative care and solidified a model for my practice – understanding and giving other professionals the space to contribute and do their magic. Most importantly, allowing patients to feel empowered in their own care. The client or patient is the expert and needs the space to be part of the process of their own therapeutic interventions, to learn self regulation and take responsibility for their health.”
“Just like with this model as there is more than one intervention, there is more than one outcome – every patient is different. As a practitioner, you must understand that every individual’s process differs, and that the outcome is a progressive transformational outcome. This is why the patient must be empowered."
When Tzu Chi was discontinued at the Vancouver General Hospital, Kelsick founded MaxFit Movement Institute, among the first wave of integrative clinics in the Vancouver area, and where he remains today. He describes it as an integrative movement centre that approaches the patient as a whole person. The institute hosts diverse events, including running clinics, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, healthy food workshops, even grief management workshops. “As a clinic, we introduce people to movement and we support the whole life cycle,” he says.
Besides chiropractic, MaxFit offers physiotherapy, kinesiology, acupuncture, IMS, naturopathy, yoga therapy, life coaching and more. Clinical rounds are a norm, where practitioners share their cases and solicit new ideas in an integrative approach. The concept of rounds is foundational. It’s supported
and cooperation, to create a true integrative approach to health care.
“The body is an integrative system, hence one therapeutic intervention alone may not be enough. The analogy of building a house is a good one – there are specialists for different features or aspects of the construction process. Our philosophy is to treat the whole person and emphasize preventative wellness care.”
The role of chiropractic in health care
In this sense, Kelsick praises chiropractic for its whole-person perspective (treating the cause not the symptoms). He views chiropractic as coming from a foundation in holism and believes that is vital to know about a patient’s lifestyle – how they sit, work, sleep, their stress level. “We interact with people, not just their joints and physical problems. Its more about global health – about 'life doings'.”
He sees himself as a conduit to help people achieve wellness, with one of the most important questions
In Paris for the 2024 Olympics
his developing knowledge to experts in the field such as Dr. Carla Stecco, Professor of Anatomy and Movement Sciences at the University of Padua, clinical anatomist John Sharkey from the National Training Centre in Ireland, retired anatomist Andry Vleeming from the Spine and Joint Centre in Rotterdam and Dr. Robert Schleip, Professor of Biological Science at the University of Munich. “This new discovery of fascial science validates and complements the practice of chiropractic in the present health care arena.”
Anatomy’s evolving history with fascia "The study of this 21st Century anatomy, including the fascial web network, is of growing interest in health care. In our longstanding fascination with the body, we have studied the bones, heart, muscles and nervous system but never the fascia, which was considered unimportant." Reductionism encouraged the separation of elements, a concept that Kelsick says grew out of the industrial age, a mechanistic perspective that pervaded the times and encouraged the separation of things/items into parts. "But there are no mechanical levers the body. Instead, movement relies on a complex balance of tension and compression in the web network of the fascial system."
"Relatively recently, anatomists began to understand the importance of fascia as a body-wide tensional network with no beginning or end, covering the nervous system, the capillaries, the muscles, and organs. The body is in fact, embodied in fascia."
"It is also now understood that fascia is not inert. It is an active organ system with cells that control many vital body functions like immunity, thermoregulation, cell-to-cell communication, transmission of emotion, inflammation and muscular force, from region to region. It also helps to maintain the body’s posture and form, and produces hyaluronan,
the liquid from which our tissues glide. Astonishingly, there are six times more nervous cells in the fascia than there are in the muscle systems."
"I know that some students can’t comprehend why they need to study histology. In fact - this part of the program is extremely important for a full understanding of the construction of the body from embryology to the complexity of a fully formed human. Histology provides an overview of how fascia connects everything, how it stitches the tissues together. We need to remember that the body is selfassembled from a single cell. There is no administration in the embryological journey."
Kelsick compares the fascial web to the mushroom underground mycelium network in the forest that connects all the trees, allowing them to share food and communicate, similar to the way that fascia connects tissue to tissue engaging in its multiple functions. "The fascial system," says Kelsick, “is similar in the way that it connects our organs in the body and connects us outwardly through our energy fields.” This new knowledge is a huge paradigm shift in the interpretation of anatomy.
The 'Aha' moment: A revolutionary discovery
“Within the last few decades, we began to revisit the concept of biotensegrity, as we realized that the body doesn’t function through simple mechanical linear forces. There are no levers. Instead, movement relies on a complex balance of tension and compression in the web network of the fascial system. This was a revolutionary discovery. To illustrate the point, traditional mechanics suggests that lifting a 10lb weight would generate 12,000 newtons of force on the lower back—a ratio of 10:1 and an amount the body could never handle. Put another way by Serge Gracovetsky, author of The SpinalEngine, if a 72kg man lifts 4kgs, the force would equal 36, 000 newtons whereas the vertebrae can only handle about 9600 newtons before they are crushed. The linear mechanics do not add up, yet, we do this kind of lifting effortlessly. This is because the body distributes forces dynamically through a tensegrity-based system, rather than relying on rigid mechanical levers."
Tensegrity describes the unexplained Tensegrity is the principle that describes how mechanical forces are distributed or reflected in biological systems – plants or animals. “The better term is living tensegrity
Left to right: Jerome Blake, Wilbour Kelsick and Aaron Brown at the National Championships in Langley, BC
(John Sharkey), or biotensegrity, a term coined by Dr. Steven Levin, an orthopaedic surgeon and world-renowned specialist in the area. Think of a rock climber who supports himself with his fingers and toes. There is no way the fingers could support the whole-body weight without relying on the concept of biotensegrity. Likewise, consider how a giraffe supports its own neck. Based on normal biophysiological principles, there is no way the neck muscles could support that length of a structure. The explanation for those phenomena are based on living tensegrity principles.”
"A larger-than-life example of tensegrity is Anton Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona,” shares Kelsick. “The basilica was designed with no 90-degree angles or straight lines, in a tribute to nature. He used the concept of plant architecture to help him design the curves and tensile structure that supports loads through tension rather than compression. Looking at the roof, you are looking at the canopy of a rainforest reinterpreted to the needs of the basilica."
Properties of fascia: a new paradigm for understanding disease and injury
"It is empowering as a practitioner to understand that with the fascial web system the body’s architecture demonstrates a seamless concept of continuity and integration of all body systems."
"We now know that if you have an injury in one area of your body, it can affect other areas. We also know that this network is a medium for cancer transmission, for example, and for several diseases involving connective tissue. We can now tell the difference between healthy fascia and unhealthy fascia. The gliding of the fascia relative to tissues gives us information which
we can now observe on ultrasound or feel through palpation. A healthy fascia will glide easily with respect to other tissue. The very essence of chiropractic treatment, the laying of hands helps us to interpret fascial function and affects the tissues behaviour. Let me say, DD Palmer was definitely ahead of his time.”
“We also know unhealthy fascia has decreased gliding, recoil, & stretch –an increase in its brittleness. We can also see the effect of some diseases (e.g. Diabetes) on fascial tissues. Ultimately, understanding the elements that affect fascia can help us prevent the alteration of disease, help us prevent pathology. With this knowledge, we can help the fascia age better. It’s a world-changing concept.”
Chiropractic’s role in 21st century anatomy
People from throughout health care, including surgeons participate in winter school at the University of Padua, where the growing body of knowledge around fascia is explored. Returning from this last meeting, Kelsick was pleased to see more chiropractors attending. Chiropractic, he says, resonates with this growing interest and understanding of tensegrity as a principle of functional anatomy that explains the concept of dynamic stability, the ability to movement
that maintain integrity of the posture.
For the first time this year, Dr. Kelsick says that Gray’s anatomy has mentioned the principal of force transmission in fascia, referring to the group of fascial scientists that meet in Padua. “Our growing understanding of the role of fascia has the potential to shift the way we look at anatomy, how we take histories, examine patients and treat them. It is changing medicine. Surgeons are already moving away from cutting across fascia lines. We are studying whether Cesarian sections should be vertical, along the lines, rather than horizontal where they interrupt trunk force transmission. Maybe it’s time to update chiropractic theory to include fascial dysfunction and the principles of biotensegrity as a means to explain MSK dysfunction."
"Fascia is a uniting principal of the body and just as we are discovering that, we need to take that metaphor and apply it throughout health care. Chiropractic has a rich history – and like the saying goes, you don’t know who you are if you don’t know where you come from. We can take our foundations and advance them with the new science to propel us into the future where we have a substantial role to play in an integrated health care system. There is a huge role for chiropractic in this."
Robert Esmie with Wilbour Kelsick and RunWithIthost Christine Blanchette
heptathlon.Eatonwasthesecond mantosurpass9,000pointsinthe decathlon and the third to win backto-backOlympictitlesintheevent.He alsowontwoWorldChampionship titles(2013,2015),makinghimoneof the most dominant combined-event athletesinhistory."
“Wilbour is one of the most important assets in the world of athletics. He’s more than a chiropractor or physiotherapist; he is a foundational figure in the pursuit of human performance. His knowledge of the human body and his ability to connect with athletes, coupled with his holistic approach to movement and healing, make him irreplaceable really. He doesn’t just treat or prevent injuries; he’s quietly the reason behind some of the greatest performances in sport history.
BRIANNE THEISEN-EATON
Brianne Theisen-Eaton is a Canadian heptathlete who won bronze at the 2016 Summer Olympics and holds national records in both the heptathlon and indoor pentathlon. She was the 2016 World Indoor Champion in the pentathlon and is the only Canadian woman to medal in a combined event at the World Championships, earning silver in both 2013 and 2015. TheisenEaton also claimed gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and
won bronze in the 4×400 m relay at the 2015 Pan Am Games.
“Wilbour is nothing short of a magician. His deep knowledge and extensive experience working with world-class athletes was instrumental in keeping me healthy throughout my professional athletic career. He was someone I trusted wholeheartedly and felt like I could "let go" control of my recovery/ medical plans and let him take the wheel. While I luckily didn't face a lot of serious injuries, likely due to my consistency in working with him, when I did he always came up with a proactive and comprehensive plan to quickly get me back on the track.
His support extended beyond just the chiropractic table as he would frequently attend my practices and competitions to ensure my mechanics and movements were optimal for performance and injury prevention. He also consistently brought such a confident, calming presence to every situation, which helped to reassure, instill confidence, and empower me to trust my body and perform at my highest level. Wilbour will always be family to me, and I’m so grateful for the accomplishments he helped me achieve. Now in the wise words of Wilbour — Jah guidance."
PERDITA FELICIEN
Perdita Felicien is a Canadian
hurdlerwhomadehistoryin2003 bywinninggoldinthe100mhurdles attheWorldChampionships—the first Canadian woman to win a world title in track and field. She is a twotimeOlympian,atwo-timeworld champion,two-timeworldsilver medalist and a ten-time national champion,andpreviouslynamed Canada'sfemaleathleteoftheyear. Afterretiring,shebecameaTVhost, producer,sportsbroadcasterand publicspeaker.Perditaisalsothe authorofthebestsellingmemoir,My Mother'sDaughter.
“Wilbour was part of my team for a good ten years of my career and remains one of my best friends to this day. He cares about the physical self but also who you are – emotionally and mentally – so important for a high-performance athlete. I’ve had experiences with people who only want to be there when you are winning. He has never been that way and that’s one of the things I really admire about him.
In terms of treatment, he’s the best practitioner I’ve ever had. I was able to perform and win my world championship title in 2003 because of him. It was Paris in August, and I had overheated. It looked like I was not going to be able to compete. Wilbour told my coach and I to wait and he came back with ice and a towel to put around my neck while my coach stood over me, providing the only shade available. I won the world title. To this day, I don’t know where he got the towel and ice.
His treatment is world class. He takes the time he needs, and he’s like a tactician, working from head to toe. He also mentors and lectures. He is a gem and I don’t know if they make them like him anymore."
PHYLICIA GEORGE
PhyliciaGeorgemadeOlympic historybybecomingadual-season Olympian—competinginboth the Summer and Winter Games. After a successful track and field careerasahurdler,includinga6th placefinishinthe100mhurdles atthe2012LondonOlympics, shetransitionedtobobsleighand
wonabronzemedalinhervery firstOlympicbobsleighseason atthe2018PyeongChangWinter Olympics.SheisthefirstCanadian Blackwomantocompeteinboth theSummerandWinterOlympic Games.
"In 2011, I started with Wilbour when he was the chiropractor on the national team. He was so much more than a chiropractor. I was at a training camp and had plantar fasciitis and was having trouble moving well. After a few treatments I was literally pain free. He made me feel confident, he was so consistent with the knowledge that he brought and with his support. I already believed in chiropractic and manual work, but that really solidified for me how much working with someone like that can take you to the next level.
He gave me the gift to go out and perform at my best because I didn’t have that pain.
He also began to shift my thoughts about preventing injury, making sure my body was aligned. It adds to high performance. Sometimes he would be there, trackside, let me know if I was favoring one side and bring me to the table and work his magic. It made it possible for me to pull so much more from myself, to elevate myself.
It’s not always about when you are performing well, either, in sports you also have the highs and the lows, and it’s so important to have your team with you, in those moments, have someone there for you. There is power in having someone you trust."
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PASSAGES
Dr. Dennis Mizel, a distinguished chiropractor and friend, passed away on January 13, 2025, at the age of 72.
He graduated from CMCC with the Class of ’77. an academic achievement that marked the beginning of a distinguished career that would span more than four decades. In 1977, Mizel opened his chiropractic practice in St. Catharines, where he became a pillar of the community. His expertise, warm demeanor, and unwavering commitment to his patients made him a trusted figure, and his practice flourished. Mizel’s philosophy centered around not only treating his patients but also educating them on the importance of overall health, balance, and well-being. He believed in empowering individuals to take control of their health and built lasting relationships with those he treated.
Mizel was a proud and active member of the chiropractic
Dr. Denis Mizel (Class of ’77)
profession, making significant contributions to its growth and development. He served with multiple chiropractic organizations including the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO), where he served for two decades as both President and Vice President, the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board, The Council on Chiropractic Education Canada and Federation of Canadian Chiropractic. He served as the Ontario representative and treasurer to the Council on Chiropractic Education Canada (CCEC) from 2015 to 2018. He was also governor for the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) from 2004 to 2006. His colleagues and fellow council members admired his positivity, passion, and dedication to advancing the standards of care.
In 2009 Mizel was named the Chiropractor of the Year by the Ontario Chiropractic Association, and in 2009 and in 2013, was awarded the President's Award of
Excellence by the CCO. Throughout his leadership, Mizel worked to foster an environment of collaboration and excellence within the chiropractic community, always striving to elevate the profession he loved.
Beyond his chiropractic practice, Mizel was an active and dedicated community leader. He served as the President of the St. Catharines Heart and Stroke Foundation, where he worked tirelessly to support initiatives aimed at improving heart health and raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases. His contributions to the community extended to Bethlehem Place and the Quest Community Health Centre Chiropractic Program, where he volunteered his time and expertise to help those in need. Throughout his career, Mizel remained devoted to his family. He was a loving husband to his wife Maxine, his steadfast partner of many years and was an inspirational father to his children,
PASSAGE
With sadness we pay respect to Dr. David West who passed away at the age of 82. As well as running a practice in Grimsby for 48 years, West is notable for his many contributions to chiropractic and its development.
Graduating in ’67, he began his professional career as chiropractic was maturing from an unregulated profession to its position today as an increasingly integral part of the health care community.
From the beginning, Dr. West’s journey was supported by his wife Di, who stood by him as he completed his chiropractic studies at CMCC’s original campus on Bloor Street. Later he played a key role in CMCC’s transition to the Bayview Campus, working with the architect to ensure the best design for the growing needs of a professional education.
She recalls his long hours of dedication to first his education
Dr. David West (Class of ’67)
and then his career, practicing in Beamsville and Grimsby, ON, before building and developing a large and longstanding practice in Grimsby, in 1971. While doing so, he remained deeply involved with CMCC, serving on its Board of Governors for a decade and chairing from 1978 to 1980, alongside CMCC President Donald Sutherland. West also became the first President of CMCC’s Governors' Club, vital to CMCC’s fundraising efforts.
Having written both his Canadian and American Board exams, he served five years each on the CCE and Council of Accreditation.
He was part of the Canadian Chiropractic Association’s Chiropractic Guidelines Committee, participating in the Glenerin Conference, a key event in the development of those guidelines for chiropractic practice in Canada, as well as the HARP (Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act) Commission.
The HARP Commission was brought forward in the 1980s to ensure those professions operating x-ray equipment were in compliance with safety standards. It brought together an array of health care professionals such as technicians, chiropractors, dentists, and radiologists and formed committees to work with physicists and health profession board members to ensure quality assurance.
Dr. Don Henderson, former president of both the CCA and the OCA remembers West as a kind gentleman with a gentle nature willing to serve wherever he could. He was OCA Chiropractor of the Year in the ‘80s and delighted when his daughter, Megan, graduated and joined him in practice.
Dr. Maureen Henderson former CCE president recalls his tremendous enthusiasm and respect for the profession. The two often travelled together with Dr. Bill Baird, Chairman of the Commission on Accreditation, with West considered
Thank
From student awards to enhanced learning technologies to offering volunteer hours that help us with our applicant reviews, events and community outreach. We couldn’t do it without you.
Spring 2025 Volume 63 / Issue 2
Primary Contact is published twice a year by the Division of Marketing and Communications at CMCC.
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AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND EDUCATION!
CMCC is exploring new dimensions in spinal manipulation and patient care. Our Simulation program and Force Sensing Table Technology (FSTT®) labs support students in deepening their skills, while the precision made possible with the FSTT®, increases the reliability of research conducted here, for the benefit of patients everywhere. Ways CMCC is leading the future of chiropractic care for your practice and your patients:
• Optimizing Outcomes: We’re isolating key factors like patient expectations and therapeutic alliance to improve treatment for thoracic spine pain.
• Precision in Hip Adjustments: Studying the impact of drop-piece techniques, ensuring tailored care for hip issues.
• Force Modulation: Discovering effective techniques for thoracic spinal manipulation by analyzing motor cues and body positioning.
Your support of the Annual Giving Program fuels this groundbreaking research.
CMCC’s Annual Giving Program is flexible. You can contribute any amount you wish on a monthly basis or as a one time contribution. Where eligible, gifts over $20 may receive a tax receipt.
Join us in driving the future of chiropractic care and education. www.cmcc.ca/annualgivingprogram
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