From the Neck Up - Neck and Clavicle
Instructor: Jules Poulin, RMT
Date: February 27 & 28 2027
Time: TBD
Location: Newmarket, ON
Cost: $800 + HST before January 27th Early bird price
$900 + HST after January 27th Regular Price
Visit From the Neck Up to register
Course Description:
- Understand how dysfunctions of the cervical spine and clavicle can present as neck pain, restricted range of motion, postural imbalances, thoracic outlet–type symptoms, shoulder-neck referral pain, cervicogenic headaches, and cervicogenic dizziness.
- Understand key contraindications and red flags for manual therapy in neck and clavicle presentations — and how to adapt your approach accordingly.
- Learn detailed neck and clavicle anatomy, biomechanics and relevant functional relationships.
- Learn evidence-informed assessment protocols, including active and passive range of motion, joint play, soft-tissue palpation, clavicle mobility, and neurological screening when indicated.
- Learn how to build individualized treatment and self-care plans — including manual therapy, corrective exercise, and patient education — to maximize compliance and patient outcomes.
Instructor Bio:
Jules Poulin is a practicing Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario since 2000. She has dedicated her career to physical rehabilitation. In particular, since 2009, she has focused her practice on the rehabilitation of the jaw, neck and voice. After several years of travel throughout North America to take courses for this anatomical area and with a patient demographic that was exclusive to TMJ, neck & voice rehabilitation, she opened From the Neck Up in 2018 in Toronto; North America’s first and only Registered Massage Therapy clinic dedicated to the rehabilitation of the jaw, head, neck, voice and tongue.
She has been published in massage therapy and dental publications, spoke at conferences, has been interviewed by several media outlets, and launched the From the Neck Up Academy in 2024. Her courses which are both patient-centric & manual therapist centric have been making waves in Ontario with just under 200 participants in less than 13 months. In 2026 she has added several other manual therapists (RMTs and physios) to share their evidence-informed area of focus with manual therapists in Ontario, and eventually Canada.
Postsurgical Massage Therapy and Scar Management
Instructor: Catherine Ryan, RMT
Date: April 10 & 11, 2027
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm daily
Location: Newmarket, ON
Course Description:
Irrespective of etiology (e.g. surgery, burn, accident), collagen remodeling (scar tissue) ‘constructs’ us
back together when tissue integrity has been interrupted. If the wound healing/scar formation process
goes askew, problematic/pathophysiological scars can form. Using the STAR critical thinking approach
(Situation, Task, Action, Results) we will dive into what influences the outcome (functional vs
problematic scarring) and how early massage/manual therapy intervention can temper/prevent
problematic scarring and how to facilitate meaningful changes in mature problematic scar presentations.
As we are more than a pair of hands, the importance and value of therapeutic alliance (our soft-skills)
will be an integral component in this course. Science/evidence is my jam, so there will be science …. and
a healthy dose of heart, humour and hands-on!
Instructor Bio:
Catherine Ryan RMT: Clinician, Educator, Author: I am celebrating 35 years in clinical practice and 33
years as a massage therapy educator. I’m a self-professed fascia research nerd, the co-author of
Traumatic Scar Tissue Management – Massage Therapy Principles, Practice and Protocols (Jessica
Kingsley 2016), and I’m a chapter contributor in Fascia, Function and Medical Applications (CDC Press
2025, 2nd Ed) and Oncology Massage: An integrative approach to cancer care for manual therapists
(Jessica Kingsley 2021). I present at conferences internationally, in the areas of postsurgical massage
therapy, scar tissue management and myofascial pain and dysfunction, which also constitute my clinical
practice focus.
Introduction to Oncology Massage
Instructor: Janet Penny, RMT
Date: Returning Fall 2027
Time: 9:00 am-5:00pm daily
Location: Newmarket, ON
Cost: $550 + HST ($621.50)
Visit Oncology Massage Canada for more information
Course Description:
This 2-day in-person course is evidence-based and uses case studies to build a strong knowledge base and apply critical thinking to cover the foundations of oncology massage. Participants will complete the course having learned:
- Cancer treatments and their side effects
- Massage adaptations for any client, with any type of cancer, at any stage of treatment and beyond
- Working with a compromised lymphatic system
- Advanced intake skills for a medically complex client
- Revisiting the therapeutic relationship
- Client-centered whole person care
Northern Thai Table Massage
Instructor: Luke Suhanji, Bkin, RMT
Date: Postponed until further notice
Time: TBD
Location: Newmarket, ON
Cost: $500 + HST ($565)
Contact Luke or email luke.suhanji@hotmail.com to register
Course Description:
Discover the art and ancient practice of Thai Massage using your treatment table and take your professional skill set to the next level with a new style of massage. These powerful, hand saving techniques allow you to work more efficiently while delivering unique and highly effective therapeutic results for your clients. Particularly effective for treating lower back pain, hip and SI joint pain and leg related pain.
This course is designed to provide both theoretical foundations and extensive hands-on practice in Northern Thai Style Massage using a treatment table, with a strong emphasis on practical skills you can confidently integrate into your daily treatment sessions as RMTs. As many practitioners are new to Thai massage, the course is taught entirely from a beginner-friendly level, making it accessible regardless of prior experience as a Registered Massage Therapist. It will be a jam packed 2 days of new techniques to be integrated immediately.
Instructor Bio:
My journey into healthcare began as a competitive hockey athlete and dedicated fitness enthusiast with a strong interest in health, performance, and rehabilitation. After studying the culinary arts and holistic nutrition, I attended the Massage Therapy program at Fanshawe College, graduating in 2017 as an award winning student. Committed to lifelong learning, I continued my education at Western University, where I graduated at the top of my class with an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Minor in Rehabilitation Sciences in 2023.
While my academic background has provided extensive training in the Western health sciences, I have always valued a holistic approach to health and wellness. Today, I proudly integrate evidence-informed practice with traditional healing approaches, allowing me to provide comprehensive care and education that respects both modern research and time-tested therapeutic principles.
My passion for education extends beyond the classroom and clinic. As a lifelong learner, I continually pursue advanced training in areas that align with my professional interests and values. Most recently, I completed a 390-hour Advanced Thai Massage Practitioner and Teacher Training Program in Chiang Mai, Thailand, building upon previous Thai Massage studies completed in Ontario. Through this training, I developed a deep appreciation for the compassionate philosophy, mindfulness, and therapeutic techniques that distinguish Traditional Thai Massage and complement my Western clinical training.
As an instructor, I am passionate about helping therapists expand their clinical skills, confidence, and professional opportunities. I currently teach a 2 day thai table massage course, a one-day Indian Head Massage and Acupressure for Headaches course and am developing additional courses including a Thai Style Foot Massage course. My teaching philosophy emphasizes practical application, smart, body saving techniques for the therapist, and creating a supportive learning environment where students can confidently integrate new techniques into practice.
