OPTP - Key Persons
David is a physiotherapist, an educationalist, a researcher and clinician. He currently serves as an adjunct associate professor at the University of South Australia and an honored member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. He is best known as an educationalist and his current focus is on adult conceptual change, diagnostic and therapeutic metaphors and pain storytelling. Internationally known and respected as a lively speaker and writer, David is capable of transforming the most turgid of modern pain sciences into instantly relevant, clinically applicable information. After a long and successful career, David is slowly shifting into peaceful retirement.
Diane is a University of British Columbia graduate in the fi eld of rehabilitation medicine. She is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy (CAMT), where she was an instructor and chief examiner for over 20 years. She is a certified practitioner of intramuscular stimulation (Gunn IMS) and certified by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as a Clinical Specialist in Women's Health. Diane is the owner, director, and a practicing physiotherapist at Diane Lee & Associates and is the principle instructor of Learn with Diane Lee.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Murphy is Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh. He serves as Director of Primary Spine Care at Ortho Rhode Island. During more than 30 years of practicing and teaching primary spine care, he has lectured all over the US and internationally. His company, Spine Care Partners, helps implement a pathway for hospital systems, surgical and primary care facilities, and payer communities. Dr. Murphy has over 100 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and book chapters and is the author of Clinical Reasoning in Spine Pain, Volumes I and II.
Elizabeth Larkam is constantly evolving as a mind-body movement educator and practitioner. For over 25 years, she has combined her background in dance and her knowledge of Pilates to stretch the limits of the field. Among her many accomplishments, she created Pilates protocols for orthopedic, spine and chronic pain diagnoses, and collaborated with physical therapists to help wounded soldiers using Pilates techniques. She's founded an international Pilates education company, worked with Cirque du Soleil, is Fitness Editor for PilatesStyle magazine and has an award-winning series of fitness and therapy DVDs.
Eric is a mind-body expert, movement educator and the founder and director of the Franklin Method®, which uses dynamic imagery, anatomical embodiment and reconditioning movement exercises to improve how the body functions. He is a former dancer who teaches his techniques at workshops and universities worldwide including the Juilliard School in New York, the Royal Ballet School and the Laban Center in London. Eric earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Zurich and a BFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He is the author of more than 20 books.
Dr. Garner is an active clinician and educator with advanced training in therapeutic yoga, Ayurveda, lumbopelvic ultrasound imaging, pelvic health, Pilates, and functional and lifestyle medicine. She has been a grassroots advocate for health promotion and nontraditional physical therapy practice since the 90s, when her first hybrid practice/yoga studio opened. She founded Living Well Institute in 2001, whose mission is to transform healthcare by off ering public classes and professional certification in medical therapeutic yoga, and integrative and lifestyle medicine. Her private practice, Garner Pelvic Health, is in North Carolina. Ginger is an international speaker, published author, and is active in policy creation at the state and federal level.
Job Titles:
- Fascia and Alignment Expert
Lauren is a best-selling author and internationally renowned educator who founded the Aligned Life Studio and developed the Aligned Life series of exercise and wellness products. She is a Certified Personal Trainer with a degree in Nutrition and Physiology and certifications in Structural Integration and Classical Pilates. She has become the go-to expert on all things fascia, alignment, the mind-body connection and movement medicine and regularly works with Hollywood's A-List, along with world renowned athletes and medical providers.
Sandy is a physical therapist and co-owner of Entropy Physiotherapy & Wellness. She specializes in treating men and women experiencing pelvic pain. An international speaker and instructor, Sandy educates the general public and other health professionals on pelvic pain topics. She served as the Director of Programming for the Section on Women's Health of the American Physical Therapy Association from 2012-2017 and served on the board of the Abdominal and Pelvic Pain Special Interest Group, a part of the International Association for the Study of Pain, from 2018-2022. She is a regular contributor on health-related podcasts and is co-host of the Pain Science and Sensibility Podcast.
Job Titles:
- Physical Therapist and Co - Owner of Entropy Physiotherapy & Wellness
Sarah is a physical therapist and co-owner of Entropy Physiotherapy & Wellness in Chicago, Illinois. Her area of interest is in treating the spine and pelvis, with a specialization in women's and men's health. In 2008, Sarah received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and Master of Science degree in Women's Health from Rosalind Franklin University and was awarded a board certification as a Women's Health Clinical Specialist (WCS) in 2009. She has completed a Certification in Mechanical Diagnosis Therapy from the McKenzie Institute and is a Registered Yoga Teacher. Sarah is passionate about learning more about the human body in order to provide efficient and compassionate care as she helps patients return to optimal functioning.