2025 Annual UBC Chan Gunn Lecture

​Thursday November 27, 2025 - 5:00-6:00PM (PT)

Entrapment Neuropathies:
​Looking Beyond Traditional Management Approaches

Speaker:  Michel Coppieters​

Over the past 10+years, we have moved from a neuro-centric vantage point to an awareness of the importance of interactions between the immune and nervous systems to better understand pain. Not only can these neuro-immune interactions better explain the clinical presentation of patients with neuropathic and nociplastic pain, they can also become new targets of physical therapy management. Indeed, not only lifestyle interventions, but also exercise and manual therapy (e.g., joint mobilisation and neurodynamics) can positively influence local neuro-immune responses (i.e., in the nervous system, muscle, etc). The aim of this lecture is to dive into clinically relevant pathophysiology of peripheral neuropathies, and translate this to understanding diagnostic test limitations and opportunities, and appreciate novel treatment options for people with peripheral entrapment neuropathies. We will zoom in on the neuro-immune system, how a neuropathy may negatively influence tissue health, the complementary value of diagnostic and technical investigations, and efficacy and working mechanisms of physiotherapeutic interventions and aerobic exercises for people with entrapment neuropathies.

​Michel Coppieters is a Professor at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, where he directs the Musculoskeletal Health and Persistent Pain research group. Michel is an internationally respected researcher and educator in the field of musculoskeletal health, pain and the physical therapy management of peripheral neuropathic pain. Many of his research papers are freely available online (‘Open Access’) via PubMed.

​Each year, distinguished scholars/clinicians are invited to speak at the UBC Chan Gunn Annual Lecture about issues related to IMS and neuropathic pain. This lecture is held in honour of Dr. Chan Gunn and his generous contributions.