Staff Profile
Jump to staff member:
Rachel Combe | Jane Deere | Annie Ayres |
Gwendalyn Schmidt
Ellie Parnell | Vanessa Tesanovic | Clare Fitzmaurice | Jenny Phillips
Briar Strutton | Alice Adamson | Belinda Robb
Rachel Combe
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- Pilates Rehabilitation
- Pilates Mat work
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Pre/Postnatal care
- Women’s Health
- Dance and Musician-related injuries
- Scoliosis
- Hypermobility
- McKenzie Therapy
About
Rachel’s avid interest in health and human movement, which began at a young age as a dancer, prompted her to establish Physiotherapy Pilates Proactive in 2002. With over 13 years experience as a physiotherapist, her philosophy of ‘self management’ has since earned her the respect of her clients, peers and the wider medical community.
Rachel is regarded as one of Adelaide’s most qualified and respected Pilates instructors. Passionate about Pilates and its effectiveness in rehabilitation, she also promotes Pilates as a lifestyle choice that can enhance a person’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
As a health practitioner, Rachel believes that her role in the community is best served by educating, motivating and empowering people to achieve their physical potential. She regularly speaks to groups about how Pilates and physiotherapy can help us all lead more active and fuller lives. Her enthusiasm and positive outlook is evident in all aspects of her work.
Memberships/Affiliations
- Member Australian Physiotherapy Association, plus special interest groups Physiotherapy Business Australia, Leadership & Management, Women’s Health
- Member of Pilates Alliance
- Member of Ausdance
- Member of International Association for Dance Medicine and Science
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) University of South Australia 1997
- McKenzie Therapy – McKenzie Institute 2003/2005
- DMA Accredited Pilates Practitioner (Levels 1, 2 & 3)
- Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) – Polestar International 2004
- Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Mat) – Polestar International 2007
- Certificate IV Pilates Instruction – Pilates International Training Centre 2007
- Diploma in Professional Pilates Practice – Pilates International Training Centre 2008
Jane Deere
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- Pilates Rehabilitation
- Pilates Mat work
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Pelvic Instability and Dysfunction
- Incontinence Management
- Mastitis
- Menopausal Management
- Bone Density Exercise
- Pre/Post Natal care
- Women’s Health
- McKenzie Therapy
- Clinical Management of Stirling Studio
About
Jane is an experienced physiotherapist who is highly regarded within the profession as well as the wider health community, regularly receiving referrals from doctors and specialists across Adelaide.
Time spent at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital fostered Jane’s initial interest in Women’s Health issues and the role that physiotherapy can play in treatment and rehabilitation. Since then she has continued to expand her knowledge and understanding of these complex areas and is one of only a few physiotherapists in the Adelaide Hills who is qualified to conduct pelvic floor examinations.
Since joining Physiotherapy Pilates Proactive in 2003, Jane has developed a loyal following and is renowned for her supportive and caring nature and her ability to achieve positive outcomes in even the most difficult of circumstances.
Jane was promoted to Clinical Manager at our Stirling studio at the start of 2006 and is closely involved in the recruitment and professional development of the physiotherapy team.
Memberships/Affiliations
Member Australian Physiotherapy Association plus special interest groups Women’s Health and Continence
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) SAIT 1984
- Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) – Polestar International 2004
- McKenzie Therapy – McKenzie Institute 2003/2005
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction – Women’s & Children’s Hospital 2000
Annie Ayres
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- Pilates Rehabilitation
- Pilates Mat work
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
About
Annie began her physiotherapy career at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2001 and has been with Physiotherapy Pilates Proactive since 2004.
Most of her time is spent teaching Pilates Mat classes and she has earned a reputation as an instructor of exceptional quality. She is highly regarded by her clients for her instruction style, and her genuine warmth and empathy has created a loyal following of Pilates devotees.
Amongst her peers Annie is recognised for her exceptional Pilates knowledge, which is supported by a Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction and a Diploma in Professional Pilates Practice which is recognised as the highest level of Pilates qualification in Australia.
Memberships/Affiliations
- Member Australian Physiotherapy Association
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy - University of South Australia 2000
- Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) – Polestar International 2004
- Certificate IV Pilates Instruction – Pilates International Training Centre 2007
- Diploma in Professional Pilates Practice – Pilates International Training Centre 2008
Gwendalyn Schmidt
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- Pilates Rehabilitation
- Pilates Mat work
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Headache assessment and treatment
- Trigger Point Therapy and Acupressure
- Dance Injury Management
- Neuromuscular Dry Needling
About
Gwendalyn’s diverse range of experience includes Community Health, spinal care, orthopedic rehabilitation, hydrotherapy, acupressure and Pilates. She has a strong interest in Headache Management and is highly regarded for her treatment of cervicogenic headaches.
Gwendalyn is renowned for her exceptional physiotherapy knowledge and application and can therefore deal with the most complex patient requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy – SAIT 1993
- Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) - Polestar International 2007
Ellie Parnell
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- Pilates Rehabilitation
- Pilates Mat work
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Women’s Health
- Osteoporosis Prevention
- Orthopaedics
- Western acupuncture and Dry Needling
About
Ellie joined Physiotherapy Pilates Proactive in 2005 after working In hospital orthopaedics and aged care. She strongly believes in the ability of physiotherapy and Pilates to prevent pain and dysfunction within our bodies. She is experienced in treating spinal and joint pain and headaches in the clinical setting. Ellie completed her polestar Pilates (Rehab) Certification in 2007 and is now working towards her Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction.
Ellie’s compassionate approach and excellent communication skills enable her to build a high level of trust and achieve good patient outcomes. She is skilled in movement analysis and correcting muscle imbalalnces that contribute to pain and injury.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy - University of South Australia 2004
- McKenzie Therapy - McKenzie Institute 2007
- Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) - Polestar International 2007
- Dry Needling Practitioner - Combined Health 2009
Vanessa Tesanovic
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- Pilates Rehabilitation
- Pilates Mat work
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Sports injury – treatment and prevention
- Exercise programs
- Netball – strengthening and performance
- Post surgery especially hip & knee replacement
- Orthopaedics (post-fracture rehabilitation)
- Neurological conditions – stroke & head injuries
About
Vanessa joined Physiotherapy Pilates Proactive in September 2006 after a 2 year working holiday in the UK and Europe. During this time Vanessa added to her professional experience by working as a physiotherapist volunteer at the 2004 Athen’s Olympics as well as undertaking physiotherapy work in England and Wales.
Vanessa encourages her clients to lead an active lifestyle and is keen to assist them in achieving the best levels of mobility and function possible. Currently studying the Basic Bobath Rehabilitation Course, Vanessa combines her neurological knowledge with her diverse experience to provide a unique and practical insight into Pilates-based exercise for injury and rehabilitation.
Memberships/Affiliations
- Member Australian Physiotherapy association plus Special Interest Group, Neurology
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy - University of South Australia 2002
- Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) - Polestar International 2007
- Basic Bobath Course –Adelaide 2008
Clare Fitzmaurice
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- Pilates Rehabilitation
- Pilates Mat work
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
- Postnatal breast conditions
- Pre and postnatal musculoskeletal physiotherapy (pelvis, spine, wrists)
- Women’s Health
- Pre and postnatal exercise
About
Clare joined Physiotherapy Pilates Proactive in October 2007. She studied in Melbourne, moving to Adelaide in early 2007.
She currently complements her work at PPP in Women’s Health at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and also works with Plevic Floor physiotherapist, Dr. Patricia Neumann.
Clare has post-graduate qualifications in Women’s Health and a keen interest in this area.
Memberships/Affiliations
- Member Australian Physiotherapy Association plus special interest groups Women's Health and Continence
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy - University of Melbourne
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Women's Health - University of Melbourne 2008
- Currently studying Certification as Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) - Polestar International 2008
Jenny Phillips
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- McKenzie Therapy
- Pilates Rehabilitation and Matwork
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Pre/Postnatal care
- Women's Health
- Post-surgical and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
About
Jenny's physiotherapy career started at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1999. She has since worked in the UK and various private practices in Adelaide, and started working at Physiotherapy Pilates Proactive in February 2008 after a period of maternity absence and overseas travel.
Jenny has a diverse range of experience as a physiotherapist including hydrotherapy, post-surgical exercise rehabilitation, headache management and return to work rehabilitation. She is passionate about empowering people with the tools to assist themselves in their own recovery, and her experience with McKenzie therapy and exercise rehabilitation supports this.
Having two children herself, Jenny is also interested in Pre/Postnatal Care, and plans to undertake further study in the areas of Women's Health and Pilates.
Memberships/Affiliations
- Member Australian Physiotherapy Association, including Women's Health Special Interest group.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) Honours, University of South Australia 1998
- McKenzie Therapy - McKenzie Institute 2003 & 2005
- Currently studying Certification as Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) - Polestar International 2008
Briar Strutton
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Sports injuries
- Post Surgical Rehabilitation
- Low back Pain
- Headache Assessment and Treatment
- McKenzie Therapy
About
Briar started her physiotherapy career in 2000 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Here she worked in the Rehabilitation and Acute Wards and for Orthopaedic Outpatients.
From early 2001 Briar worked for a private practice in the Barossa Valley where she gained experience in treating a wide range of conditions. In recent years she has become particularly interested in spinal conditions and headaches related to lower back and neck pain.
Briar strongly believes in therapist and client working together to promote recovery, restore function and maintain health by using a combination of hands-on therapy and self management.
Memberships/Affiliations
- Membership of the Australian Physiotherapy Association
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (1999)
- Bachelor of Science - Majors Anatomy and Physiology (1994)
- Currently studying Certification as Polestar Pilates Practtioner (Rehab) - Polestar International 2009
Alice Adamson
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- General musculoskeletal physiotherapy
- Dry needling (western acupuncture)
- Obstetric physiotherapy
- Antenatal education
- Mastitis
- Pelvic instability and dysfunction
- Pilates matwork
- Hip injuries and hip dysfunction
About
Alice’s early interest in fitness, health and human movement prompted her career in physiotherapy, which began in private practice in 2003. She has worked in a variety of areas including aged care, rehabilitation, sports and obstetrics. In 2006, Alice began a medical degree interstate. After 2 years, she missed the patient contact and job satisfaction that she got as a physiotherapist and returned to Adelaide to forge a career in obstetric physiotherapy and Pilates. In addition to working at Physiotherapy Pilates Proactive, Alice works at Burnside Hospital as an inpatient obstetric physiotherapist and antenatal educator.
Alice has a holistic view of health and has completed the "If not dieting, then what" health professionals course, is also certified in dry needling (western acupuncture) and is currently undertaking Polestar Pilates (rehab).
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (2003)
- Certification in Dry Needling (2009)
Belinda Robb
Belinda's profile coming soon