RACHEL
PHYSIOTHERAPIST | COACH
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My first love was dance. That reckless, all-consuming, can’t-live-without-you kind of love. The kind that would occupy most of my waking minutes and free hours. It’s where I learnt to move, to appreciate movement, and fell in love with the body and what it was capable of.
Such was this love, I moved to Melbourne to complete my Bachelor of Dance (Hons) at the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne). It wasn’t always about technique classes, it was somatic practices; kinesiology, anatomy, choreography. We looked, experienced and integrated movement that was “taught” and sought how to elevate it. I felt like I was stepping into my own and romanticised, quite frequently, of living the artistic lifestyle (a certain sense of struggle, the muse, the run-down apartment that is nevertheless chic and bohemian). I dated musicians, I went to cafes and bars, I danced, and I choreographed. I was an artist. And, as Australian artist’s do… I graduated and moved to London.
I performed with Quicksilver, Rambert Dance Company’s youth company, I was a Dance Artist running school-based workshops for the English National Ballet. I was a cultural ambassador at the 2012 London Olympics. I lived and I traveled, and I loved it. But as absolutely incredible as all that was, I missed being in Australia. I missed the feeling of being of service and helping kindle (or re-kindle) the absolute joy I’d found in movement in others.
I arrived at being a Physiotherapist the long way. First, through qualifying as a Remedial Massage Therapist, then as an AMPA Pilates instructor, and now, as a Physiotherapist.
As a remedial massage therapist, I worked in various clinics in Melbourne’s CBD, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Malvern, eventually beginning my own practice in Burwood. It was important for me to care for people, but I also wanted to empower people to help themselves and give them the guidance and tools to do so. I learnt, and subsequently taught Pilates under Paul Cini through Pilates based Physicalmind Studio in Malvern.
What I wanted for my career was coming together, but how to integrate it all? I went back to university.
I received my Bachelor of Applied Sciences / Masters of Physiotherapy from La Trobe University, gathering experience in the hospital system treating musculoskeletal injuries, cardio-respiratory, and neurological conditions. My two special interest placements was Women’s Health at Casey Hospital and Paediatrics at the Royal Children’s Hospital. While I loved hospital work, the best place for me felt like private practice. At this stage, I’d been working in the private practice landscape for ten years.
I’ve relocated with my (now) husband to Gippsland, and being here, helping people, and becoming a part of the community is my absolute pleasure.
I believe in treating the whole person. I believe in wholehearted living and holistic health. I believe in seeing you as an individual, and creating a treatment plan that reflects that.
I base my practice in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. In my treatment, I draw on evidence-based practice, bio-mechanics, Pilates movement pillars, somatic practices and mindfulness. I want to help you understand the language of your body and help you to create a plan to move through and/or out of pain.
I have worked with a variety of clients ranging from elite dancers and performers, those in the corporate world, tradespeople and stay-at-home caregivers. I have treated in all manner of spaces; corporate, outdoor, studio and clinic.
It is my goal that I meet you where you are, at whatever stage in your journey, and offer treatment which is holistic, grounding, and a little playful. Movement shouldn’t be something you hate, so let me help you turn it into something you could love.
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