The Nervous System in Clinical Practice: Looking Back on the 7th Annual ANP Summit 

In September, more than 150 practitioners gathered at CNM London for the 7th Annual ANP Summit. Across two days, eight expert speakers explored one theme from many angles: the nervous system in clinical practice. 

If we had to sum up the weekend in a few words, we’d call it insightful, thought-provoking and full of energy. More than anything, it felt like a community coming together. 

Why the nervous system, and why now? 

Stress, burnout, fatigue and low mood are among the most common reasons clients come to see us. From a holistic perspective, mind and body aren’t separate, and the nervous system sits right at the centre of that connection. It underpins the function and balance of every other system in the body, and its role in so many chronic conditions is impossible to ignore. It’s also remarkably complex, and our understanding of it is still unfolding. 

For practitioners, this has very practical consequences. Without an adaptable nervous system, many of our interventions and protocols simply won’t work as well as we hope, and some may even make things worse. Supporting the nervous system first lays the groundwork for everything else, before we even move into supporting the gut, detoxification, or immunity. 

A weekend of learning and connection 

From the first session to the last, the summit was full of excitement and alive with conversation. Alongside our speakers, exhibitors from leading brands in the natural health industry filled the space, and the breaks were just as lively as the lectures. 

One thing we notice every year is how much stronger the connections become. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces, to welcome new ones, and to watch colleagues pick up conversations they left off last year. 

Friday: Practitioner Perspectives 

The day before the main summit, Practitioner Perspectives: Unlocking Clinical Clarity turned the focus to practical tools for running a clinical practice. The day focused on different ways of practice, from how to approach a treatment plan to using observational tools in clinic that can give you insights before you even start your case-taking session.  

Friday’s event was a perfect companion and warmup to the Summit weekend. As one attendee put it in our feedback survey, Friday’s talks and the summit worked perfectly together as a package, providing participants with a well-rounded view of practicing.  

What you told us 

The response has been wonderful. Many of you told us this was the best summit yet, and plenty were already asking about next year before the weekend was over. 

One comment from our survey captured it beautifully: the summit brings people together and gives you energy for the year ahead. That’s exactly what we hope for. 

What we’re taking away 

If the summit showed us anything, it’s that working with the nervous system asks us to keep an open mind. We need to consider different approaches, expand our ideas, and keep developing our research and practice. Events like this are a big part of how that happens, because they create space for real knowledge exchange between practitioners. 

Missed it, or want to revisit a talk? 

Recordings from the summit are available now for purchase on the Learning Hub, so if you missed this year’s annual summit, you can catch up on any sessions you missed.  

And keep your eyes peeled: this year we are hosting an online summit in April 2027, with details soon to follow. 

A huge thank you to our speakers, exhibitors, volunteers and every one of you who joined us. We couldn’t do it without you, and we can’t wait to see you next year.