Wa-El (Wayne) Mahmoud
Osteopath & Acupuncturist

About Dr Wael Mahmoud
Dip. Osteopathy, Master of Applied Science (Acupuncture)

Dr Wael Mahmoud is an osteopath, acupuncturist, educator, author, and international leader in dry needling education and patient safety.

With more than four decades of experience, Dr Mahmoud has built a career that combines clinical practice, higher education, professional leadership, and international teaching. He is widely recognised for his work in advancing safe, evidence-informed dry needling practice and improving educational standards for manual therapists worldwide.

Dr Mahmoud is currently the Director of CPD Health Courses in Melbourne, Australia, a role he has held since 2013. Through CPD Health Courses, he has trained more than 11,000 therapists internationally in competency-based dry needling programmes with a strong emphasis on patient safety, clinical reasoning, and evidence-informed practice.

Before this, he was Director of Sports & Spinal Group in Beaumaris, Victoria, from 1992 to 2014, and Director of Templestowe Osteopathy & Sports Injuries from 1990 to 1992. Earlier in his career, he held several senior academic and clinical leadership positions, including Senior Lecturer in the Osteopathy Program at Victoria University from 1994 to 1998, and Head of Clinic and Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics, Orthopaedics, Clinical Methods, and Osteopathic Manipulation Technique at RMIT University from 1987 to 1990. He also practised as a clinician at the British School of Osteopathy in London from 1985 to 1987.

Dr Mahmoud has also contributed to the profession through organisational leadership. He served as President of the Australian Osteopathic Association from 1990 to 1991 and remains committed to supporting the ongoing development of osteopathy and musculoskeletal practice. He has been affiliated with Osteopathy Australia since 1987 and has been a member of the International Myopain Society since 2015.

His formal education includes a Diploma of Osteopathy from the British School of Osteopathy in London, completed in 1985, and a Master of Applied Science in Acupuncture from RMIT University, completed in 2000. He has continued to expand his professional training throughout his career, including completion of CMTPT training with Myopain Seminars in 2015, the FAQ Level 3 Award in Education and Training in 2019, and advanced study in No Code AI and Machine Learning through MIT Professional Education in 2024.

Dr Mahmoud is also an author and published writer. He wrote Two Hands: The Gamechanger Guide for Manual Therapists and has published articles, including A Modern Approach to Dry Needling (2022), The Trigger Point – Dead or Alive (2019), and An Eye for an Eye: A Case Report on Holmes–Adie’s Pupil (1998). He also co-authored the 2025 paper, Safety in Dry Needling: The Role and Contributions of the International Dry Needling Education & Training Advisory Group (IDNETAG), published in Rehabilitation Practice and Science.

His work extends beyond teaching and writing into international lectures, webinars, and podcasts. He has been invited to speak on dry needling, clinical practice, and professional development across a range of respected platforms and events, including the Tenth World Congress on Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Bangalore, India, in 2017. His presentations have included topics such as an osteopathic approach to tension headache, management of low back pain, and an introduction to dry needling.

In 2023, Dr Mahmoud co-founded the International Dry Needling Education & Training Advisory Group (IDNETAG) alongside Dr Jan Dommerholt. IDNETAG brings together global experts to develop international safety guidelines and educational standards to improve patient safety and strengthen clinical accountability across professions.

Reflecting his forward-thinking approach, Dr Mahmoud is also interested in how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can support modern clinician learning, knowledge systems, and professional education.

Through his clinical work, teaching, leadership, writing, and international collaboration, Dr Wael Mahmoud continues to help shape global standards in safe, evidence-informed dry needling practice.

Sophie Soleman
Sports Therapist

I'm Sophie Soleman, a Sport's Therapist working full time in a Bayside clinic. After completing the Introductory & Advanced Dry Needling training with CPD Health courses I was offered a position as a Co-Presenter.

I graduated from the Australian College of Sports Therapy (ACST), Melbourne in 2016. Prior to studying at the ACST, I completed a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University. 

While I spend most of my time in clinic working with individuals to achieve their personal goals, I love being in a teaching role on my weekends where I can help other health professionals learn and develop skills that I know will both help them achieve their goals in their profession and also help their patients.

Something you didn't know about me is that I originally had a dream to study Veterinary Science at Melbourne University due to my love of animals but moved into the human treatment field during my studies. Through my years of study and work, I have come to realise that my dream job is not one specific job, rather it's a job where I know I am helping others to achieve their goals, whether they be around pain management and musculoskeletal issues or otherwise. Helping others achieve great things is where my passion lies.

Marty McCullock
Osteopath

Hey! I'm Dr Marty McCullock (Osteopath) and I'm the Principal Osteopath at “The Clinic Osteopathy & Dry Needling” in Wollongong, NSW. 

Wollongong is a beautiful coastal city just 1hr south of Sydney that boasts great food, coffee and nightlife. However, its the seaside living that attracts me to this place the most. It’s a wonderful place to live, work & play (shhhhh! don’t tell too many people though!)

I graduated from the University of Western Sydney in 2006. I had already developed a keen interest in needling, so, I learnt this skill within the first year of practice and I have been applying it ever since & its the best thing I’ve ever done! I don’t think I would have been as successful in my practice if it weren’t for learning this skill (Not to mention, I definitely would have gotten bored with practicing by now if it wasn’t for Dry Needling! It's the whole reason I get out of bed!).

I had completed several courses before I met Wayne and the gang and I felt that the CPD Health Courses DNT/DNA really had something that the other courses hadn’t quite grasped. So, I was stoked when Wayne invited me to come on board and become a presenter! Now I get to meet so many great people and teach one of the things I am most passionate about in my life... Dry Needling! I just love seeing people getting excited about the things I get excited about!

So, when I’m not teaching or practicing in my clinic, you can find me surfing, camping, riding my motorbike or driving my 1963 EJ Holden (affectionately known as “MARY”) and simply enjoying life”s little pleasures… Peace!

Skye Duncan
Osteopath

Originally a country kid, I moved to the brighter lights of Melbourne to fulfil a childhood dream of becoming a Vet. But after a year studying a combined Science and Arts Degree at Melbourne Uni, things changed course and I discovered Osteopathy.  I jumped ship, and was even taught a couple of subjects by her greatest mentor Wayne, and completed a Bachelor of Science (Clinical Science) and Master in Health Science (Osteopathy) from Victoria University in 2000. During my Masters degree, I was a part-time lecturer in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology teaching Paramedic Science students.  

The city lights started to dim and the Sunshine Coast, QLD began calling me. I quickly learnt to surf and joined the local surf lifesaving club.  

With a passion for health and chronic pain conditions, I established Noosa Osteopathy in 2004.  I've enjoyed juggling my private practice with being a Mum, Wife and musician. My 15 minutes of fame, so far, have been as a back up singer with USA tenor Josh Groban of “you raise me up” fame! 

Since moving to Queensland, I've undertaken a number of postgraduate programs including Dry Needling, Cranial and Biodynamic Osteopathy. I've also travelled as team Osteopath to Italy with the Sunshine Beach Surf Lifesaving Club Masters team in 2004, treated elephants at Australia Zoo and I enjoy working out with Crossfit4566 community.  

Louise Miler
Osteopath

Rebecca Officer
Physiotherapist

Terry Stewart
Osteopath

Alex Mutu
Chriropractor

Dominic Stockdale
Physiotherapist

My name is Dominic, I’m a physiotherapist, originally from Manchester in the UK. I graduated from the University of Bradford in 2012 and have been working in private practice here in Australia since 2013. I have been lucky enough to see quite a bit of Australia since then and after spending 4 years working in QLD, moved back to WA in 2017. I am now living in Mandurah and am the principal physio at a clinic in Pinjarra which opened earlier this year (2019).

I have been a presenter with CPD health courses since 2017 and really enjoy helping other health professionals learn and develop this great skill that I have found so useful in my practice.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family which mainly involves my wife & I trying to stop our son (who is almost 2) causing chaos everywhere we go. I also like spending time at the beach and anything to do with soccer, whether playing or watching and openly admit to being a biased Manchester United fan.

I look forward to meeting some of you at one of the Fremantle courses soon.

Sonja Saar
Physiotherapist

My name is Sonja and I currently live and work in Brisbane - specialising in Sports Physiotherapy and CrossFit. 

I completed an initial degree in Biomedical Science with a major in Exercise Physiology and then combined this with a Masters of Physiotherapy. This complements my keen interest in functional fitness, CrossFit and encouraging people to live healthier and happier lives. 

I currently own and run both a small private practice Physiotherapy clinic and CrossFit gym - this allows me to combine both my interests super well! In addition to my degree qualifications, I also work for CPD Health Courses, Rocktape Australia and have Level 1 Gymnastics and CrossFit qualifications. 

I love teaching dry needling to the students on the CPD health courses - it’s great to be able to safely share a modality that is so effective and watch people get excited about the results they see and skills they learn across the weekend. I look forward to meeting you on a Brisbane course soon!