ATMS SPECIAL EVENT: POST-VIRAL SYMPOSIUM

This full-day session examines expert knowledge by leading professionals with a passion for discovering the impact viral infections have on the body and effective treatment of these conditions.

Join five presenters as they cover the latest research, best practice methods for managing clients with symptoms, and treatment options.

Program summary (Presenter bios and full topic outlines below):

The intestines and long COVID symptomatology – Professor Luis Vitetta, Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Naturopathic strategies for post-viral illness – Carla Wrenn, Integrative Naturopath and Nutritionist
Vagus nerve dysfunction and post-viral illnesses – Emrys Goldsworthy, Musculoskeletal Therapist and Myotherapist
Clinic management of long COVID – Dr Emma Tippett, Long COVID Specialist and Founder of Clinic Nineteen
The role of cellular senescence in post-viral treatments – Fiona Chin, Naturopath

This is a must-attend event for practitioners passionate about working with clients experiencing post-viral symptoms and wanting to expand their skills and build evidence-based knowledge.

Where: Online

CPE Points: 6 CPE points

Pricing:

ATMS Member $295
ATMS Student $175
Non-ATMS Member $395
Non-ATMS Student $225

Speakers and Sessions

Session: The intestines and long COVID symptomatology

The global pandemic infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease has given rise to long-term sequelae after recovery from COVID-19. This has provoked worldwide concern because it reduces patient quality of life after rehabilitation.

The scientific consensus is that COVID-19 can adversely affect other organs other than the respiratory system, as so happens with the gastrointestinal tract. Long COVID (sometimes referred to as ‘post-acute sequelae of COVID-19) has a prevalence of least 65 million individuals around the world based on a conservative estimated incidence of 10% of infected people and more than 651 million documented COVID-19 cases world-wide.

Reports have documented a variety of digestive issues, from mild nausea and decreased appetite to severe constipation and food intolerance, and physical reactions to certain foods. Additionally, patients with long COVID were reported to experience conditions known as disorders of gut brain interaction. Symptoms with this condition include heartburn, trouble swallowing, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, bloating and incontinence.

This presentation with Adjunct Professor Luis Vitetta, will explore the notion that the administration of functional foods (i.e., probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics) could encourage restoration of the intestinal microbial diversity by alleviating the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections on intestinal dysbiosis.

About Professor Luis Vitetta

Luis Vitetta is currently Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health. Between 2013 and 2022 he was the Director of Medical Research at Medlab Clinical, a Biotech company in Sydney.

Luis is a graduate from the University of Melbourne in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, where he studied the role of bacteria in gallstone formation. Luis has research interests in probiotics and prebiotics / the human microbiome, nutraceuticals, nutrition and expertise in clinical trials.

Session: Naturopathic strategies for post-viral illness

In this content rich presentation Carla Wrenn will provide an engaging discussion on the strategies she has used to achieve success in post-viral illness through her purpose-built virtual clinic Long COVID CARE www.longCOVDCARE.co

The goal of this presentation is to boost practitioner confidence by showcasing the successful outcomes naturopathic clinicians can accomplish with patients facing complex post-viral health issues. It will bring together the understanding of historical treatments for post-viral illnesses, as well as the rapid development of innovative methods to aid an increasing number of casualties affected by COVID-19.

Learn to confidently address the chronic and complex nature of post-viral illness with:

Practical case support and essential post-viral tracking tools
An analysis of the growing symptom picture of post-viral illness
An understanding of the complementary medicines achieving the most successful outcomes
A review of the ‘essential’ long COVID integrative practitioner team to help your patients achieve the best results
An examination of some of the new and novel findings, research and therapies that can confidently be used in this patient group as natural health practitioners

Carla will also share results and learnings from a few key patients of Long COVID CARE who have now returned to full health.

About Carla Wrenn

Carla Wrenn is an Integrative Naturopath & Nutritionist. Completing a Bachelor of Health Science in 2001 and practicing for 22 years.

As a passionate learner Carla also completed postgraduate studies in Integrative Oncology, Autoimmune Diseases and Functional Medicine within Australia and the USA. Carla has spent time consulting in the areas of complex and chronic diseases, especially long COVID and oncology support.

Carla is the owner of Peninsula Herbal Dispensary & Naturopathic Clinic, where Carla works with 11 Naturopaths and a support team, who love providing Acute Care, consultations, and lifestyle retail offerings to their Mornington Peninsula community and beyond.

Carla values industry collaboration and has spent the last 8 years training over 1000 practitioners in her courses including Vitae Mosaic – Naturopathic Functional Medicine, PROSPER Oncology Support Training for Practitioners and more recently in Long COVID. You can learn more about Carla’s newest clinic Long COVID CARE at www.longcovidcare.co

Session: Vagus nerve dysfunction and post-viral illnesses

Join Emrys Goldsworthy as he examines the intricate and often overlooked role of vagus nerve dysfunction as a fundamental cause of symptoms exhibited in long COVID and post-viral illnesses.

This exploration is premised on the understanding that certain infections may instigate a dysfunction in the vagus nerve, manifesting as either a reduction or an excess in vagal tone. This dysfunction is pivotal in the symptomatology of these conditions. However, the complexity of this issue is deepened by the vagus nerve's role in modulating the lung microbiome, a critical function for the elimination and bioremediation of toxins encountered by the throat and lungs. Intriguingly, this process is frequently misconstrued, leading to mislabelling such conditions as viral illnesses.

The talk will highlight how vagus nerve stimulation, coupled with resolving vagus nerve neuropathy, offers a viable path to treatment. This approach not only promises symptomatic relief but also brings to light the nuanced understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying post-viral syndromes.

By acknowledging the multifaceted role of the vagus nerve, from its influence on the lung microbiome to its impact on vagal tone, we pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies. These strategies hold the potential to significantly change the paradigm, offering a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to managing these complex conditions.

About Emrys Goldsworthy

Emrys Goldsworthy has built a career as a Musculoskeletal Therapist and Myotherapist, contributing significantly to the field through both practice and education. After completing his Bachelor of Health Science in Musculoskeletal Therapy in 2008, Emrys joined the faculty at Endeavour College of Natural Health, the same institution where he studied. Over a period of nine years, he served as Senior Lecturer for Myotherapy and Musculoskeletal Therapy, sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring therapists.

In addition to his academic role, Emrys has been actively involved in clinical practice since his graduation, operating from Brisbane. He focuses on treating patients with pain syndromes, dysautonomia and vagus nerve dysfunction, leveraging his expertise to improve their quality of life. Emrys is also the author of "The Vagus: Unleashing the Body's Secret Weapon Against Disease," a book that reflects his deep interest in and knowledge of the vagus nerve's role in health and disease.

Beyond his clinical and literary contributions, Emrys is dedicated to professional development in his field. He offers courses for clinicians on vagus nerve examination and treatment techniques, aiming to enhance the skill set within the healthcare community.

Session: Clinical management of long COVID

This keynote presentation with Dr Emma Tippett will bring together the clinical aspects of long COVID as viewed from a medical practitioner. Drawing on a large pool of patient experience, she will discuss in depth the common and not so common symptoms associated with long COVID, it’s association with cardiac autonomic dysfunction and what the risk factors are for developing long COVID.

While time and pacing are the backbone of long COVID management, this session will discuss the supportive and medical treatments used to alleviate symptoms developed by the collective clinical experience of all the clinicians working with Clinic Nineteen that can be employed in everyday practice. Practitioners will also learn more about vaccination, risk mitigation and treatment pipelines.

About Dr Emma Tippett

Dr Tippett completed her medical degree in 2012. She then underwent training in infectious diseases in Melbourne and completed her PhD at the Burnet Institute in HIV immunovirology. She currently holds appointments at Peninsula Health and Eastern Health in Victoria as an Infectious Diseases Specialist.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Emma has been at the forefront of all things COVID including acute hospital and community management of people with COVID, COVID vaccination counselling, COVID outbreaks in hospitals and facilities and establishment of one of the first long COVID clinics of affected healthcare workers.

She is profoundly aware there is limited understanding and access to care for those still suffering symptoms related to COVID which led her to establish Clinic Nineteen, a telehealth specialist clinic focusing solely on long COVID.

Clinic Nineteen now has 8 clinicians, including a paediatrician and has provided care to over 500 patients.

Session: The role of cellular senescence in post-viral treatments

In this presentation Naturopath Fiona Chin will delve into the intricacies of post-viral syndrome, with a focus on the pivotal role of cellular senescence. This session promises to shed light on cutting-edge approaches in regenerative medicine, particularly the application of peptide therapies, a treatment modality that has evolved from its inception in Russian medical practice in the 1980s to its current prominence within the realms of biohacking and longevity in the United States and Europe.

Australia stands on the cusp of this innovative wave, and this presentation aims to bridge the knowledge gap, presenting compelling evidence for the integration of peptide therapies into clinical practice. These natural compounds have demonstrated remarkable efficacy, often allowing for a significant reduction in the dosage of traditional herbal and nutritional treatments, enhancing patient outcomes and compliance through their rapid action.

As we venture into a new era of medical treatment, peptide therapy emerges as a cornerstone of future practice. It is imperative for healthcare practitioners to acquaint themselves with these transformative agents and to harness their potential within their therapeutic arsenal.

About Fiona Chin

Fiona is a qualified Naturopath with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science. She has been in clinical practice for 20 years, working in the USA, Canada and Australia.

She has a special interest in those diagnosed with neurological autoimmune conditions such as MS, and MND as well as those with chronic kidney disease. She is the co-founder of Kidney Coach which provides programs and information to empower those diagnosed with CKD and Kygenesis, a supplement range designed for those diagnosed with kidney disease. She also hosts a podcast on YouTube called The Kidney Coach which is a health channel dedicated to supporting those with all types of CKD.

Fiona was Australia’s first qualified Wahls practitioner, which uses scientifically proven dietary interventions to improve the outcomes for those diagnosed with autoimmune conditions. She has also undertaken post graduate training in peptide therapy through SSRP as well as training with renowned peptide scientists and doctors from Russia. She also worked alongside world renowned neuroscientists and researchers when she worked for Dr. Joe Dispenza, who is rewriting the science around what is possible with meditation the human mind and the body’s ability to heal.