Steven Passmore, DC, PhD

Biography

Dr. Steven Passmore supervises undergraduate and graduate trainees while maintaining a nationally grant funded research program (Health Canada – SUAP, Own the Podium, Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation, Healthcare Excellence Canada), leading to more than 60 peer reviewed journal publications. 

He has perceptual motor behaviour expertise on Fitts’s Law, and Focus of Attention practical applications. He co-leads a Health Canada funded project serving the spine care needs of the Pimicikamak people in Cross Lake, Manitoba. 

Clinically, Dr. Passmore practiced as a WOC chiropractor at the VA Western New York Health Care System (2007-09), treating veterans. Currently, he practices at the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks General Hospital. He served on the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative (CCGI) guideline development committee for the creation of three clinical practice guidelines. The Canadian Federal Government (Health Canada) appointed him to a 3-year term (2019) on the External Advisory Panel of the Canadian Pain Task Force. The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) named him "Researcher of the Year" in 2020. 

Dr. Passmore is on the World Federation of Chiropractic, and World Spine Care (WSC) Research Committees. He was appointed to the Council on Chiropractic Education Canada (CCEC) as a Western Canada representative (2023). He represents WSC on the World Rehabilitation Alliance (WRA) primary care working group of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Education

  • PhD (Philosophy) in Kinesiology, McMaster University (2013)
  • Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), New York Chiropractic College (NYCC – now Northeast College of Health Sciences) (2006)
  • MS in Kinesiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) (2003)
  • Bachelor of Kinesiology (Hons.), McMaster University (2001)

Research summary

Dr. Passmore's research interests include conservative spine care implementation, and applying motor behaviour principles to elite athlete performance (curling), clinical populations (spine musculoskeletal health), and perceptual factors influencing spinal manipulation delivery.

Recent publications

Maiers MJ, Sundin AR, Oster RJ, Kreul S, Malone Q, Passmore SR. Contextual factors related to aging determine force-based manipulation dosage: a prospective cross-sectional study. Chiropr Man Therap. 2025 May 21;33(1):20.

Zacharias E, Robak N, Passmore S. An examination of studies related to the sport of curling: a scoping review. Front Sports Act Living. 2024 Feb 13;6:1291241.

Bussières A, Atkinson-Graham M, Ward J, Scott M, Moss J, Tavares P, Kopansky-Giles D, Ladwig J, Glazebrook C, Monias DA, Hamilton H, Mckay DZ, Smolinski R, Haldeman S, Hogg-Johnson S, Passmore S. The prevalence and burden of musculoskeletal disorders amongst Indigenous people in Pimicikamak, northern Manitoba, Canada: A community health survey. Prev Med Rep. 2024 Dec 26;49:102960.

Manansala C, Ferbers S, Johnson M, Passmore S. Factors associated with non-pharmacological, non-operative treatment utilization prior to thoracolumbar spine surgery in Manitoba: A Canadian Spine Outcomes Research Network (CSORN) study. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2023 Feb;63:102695. 

Reichardt A, Passmore SR, Toth A, Olin G. Utilization of chiropractic services in patients with osteoarthritis and spine pain at a publicly funded healthcare facility in Canada: A retrospective study. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2022;35(5):1075-1084. 

Courses

  • Human Anatomy (KPER 2320)

Highlights

  • Canadian Pain Task Force (External Advisory Panel) Member - Health Canada 2019-2022
  • Researcher of the Year (Canadian Chiropractic Association) 2020
  • Chiropractor - Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba
  • American Public Health Association Film Festival Planning Committee Member 2025