Learn about common musculoskeletal injuries, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Get expert tips to recover safely and prevent future problems.
Our expert physiotherapists and allied health team help you move better, recover faster, and live healthier.
Clinical interests
Amalan is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Physica [clinic] with more than 25 years of clinical experience. He works with back and neck pain, sports injuries, tendon problems, and knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle conditions. He has a particular interest in persistent pain that hasn’t settled with previous treatment.
His approach is built around each patient’s goals. He combines current research and clinical guidelines with hands-on care and a clear plan, so patients understand what’s going on and what it will take to get better.
Amalan is a sessional academic at La Trobe University’s School of Physiotherapy and regularly mentors students and physiotherapists. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2000 and holds a Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Qualifications & memberships
Consults at: Physica Ringwood
Clinical interests
Meg is a physiotherapist who works with headaches and jaw (TMJ) pain, back and neck pain, and sports and running injuries. With a background in netball, dancing and cheerleading, she understands the demands of these sports and enjoys helping athletes get back to them.
Since graduating in 2020, Meg has worked across private practice, neurological rehabilitation and NDIS exercise rehabilitation. She has also worked as a sports trainer for university and masters football clubs, managing acute injuries on game day. She combines hands-on treatment and dry needling with exercise rehabilitation, and teaches Clinical Pilates with APPI mat and reformer certifications.
Meg completed a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Physiotherapy Practice at La Trobe University.
Outside work, she enjoys running, water-skiing, Pilates classes and a good fiction novel.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Ringwood
Clinical interests
Edward is a physiotherapist who works with neck and back pain, sports injuries, and shoulder, hip, knee, ankle and foot problems. He also enjoys guiding people through rehabilitation before and after surgery. He’s passionate about movement, exercise and injury prevention, and about helping people get back to doing what they love.
Before physiotherapy, Edward spent several years as a sports trainer for local and sub-elite clubs across AFL, rugby, cricket and soccer. That gave him plenty of experience with on-field injuries and the realities of getting players back on the park.
Edward completed his Master of Physiotherapy at La Trobe University in 2025, after a Bachelor of Health Sciences majoring in human anatomy and physiology. During his studies, he was selected as a peer mentor in La Trobe’s anatomy program, helping teach first-year students.
Outside the clinic, Edward plays AFL for the Old Yarra Cobras, trains at the gym, and spends time with friends, family and his golden retriever, Rosie.
Qualifications
“As a Remedial Massage Therapist Carla is passionate about holistic healing and wellness, she brings expertise in remedial massage therapy to help clients alleviate pain, restore mobility, and enhance overall well-being.
With a keen focus on personalised care, she will tailor each session to address individual needs, drawing from a blend of techniques to promote relaxation, release tension, and facilitate healing. Her goal is to empower clients to take an active role in their health.
Injury rehabilitation, postural correction, headaches, muscle or joint pain, sciatica pain and disc degeneration are just a few of the conditions Carla can help with by conducting a thorough postural assessment, hands on treatment and corrective exercises / postural advice.
Carla uses various massage therapy methods and techniques; these include but are not limited to:
Clinical interests
Abbey is a physiotherapist who works with sports injuries, knee and ankle problems, and low back pain. She has a particular interest in treating children and teenagers.
Before physiotherapy, Abbey spent several years working in paediatric allied health. She has also worked as a sports trainer in the EFNL, which gave her hands-on experience managing injuries on game day. She combines hands-on treatment and dry needling with exercise to get people back to sport and everyday life.
Abbey completed her Master of Physiotherapy at Swinburne University in 2024, following a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University and a Certificate IV in Physiotherapy Assistance.
Outside work, she keeps active through middle-distance running and strength training.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Ringwood
Clinical interests
Laura is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with a particular interest in acute and persistent low back pain. She also enjoys treating hip, knee and shoulder conditions of all kinds, and supporting women with musculoskeletal pain during and after pregnancy.
Laura has an extensive background teaching Clinical Pilates and loves helping people find and strengthen their “core.” She believes in the precision of well-prescribed exercise and movement retraining, and uses both to help patients recover and stay well across all musculoskeletal conditions.
Outside of work, Laura is a busy mum of three young children. In her “spare” time you’ll find her exercising, watching reality TV or curled up with a good book.
Qualifications
Nevine’s experience in Vestibular rehab (having attained 4 vestibular certificates and an intensive competency based Vestibular course at Monash Uni ) spans over 18 years. Nevine can diagnose and treat:
With a Post Grad. Certificate in Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation attained at Melbourne Uni and many conferences run by the Continence Foundation of Australia Nevine helps women and men manage:
Nevine uses best practices and outcome measures to find the root causes of clients’ issues. She educates them on relieving pain, stiffness, weakness, leakage, and vertigo, aiming to improve strength, mobility, continence, balance, and reduce their dizziness.
For more information, please call PHYSICA – Chirnside Park on 9726 9977, or RINGWOOD on 9870 8193
Clinical interests
Maddie is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Physica Yarra Valley with a particular interest in spinal health. She works with neck pain, neck-related headaches, and upper and low back pain, and has completed Level 1 Rigo Concept training in scoliosis management. She also has experience with more complex presentations, including people with underlying health conditions.
Maddie has worked in private practice throughout her career. She works closely with each person to understand their goals and build a plan to get there, combining hands-on treatment with movement-based exercise drawn from her APPI Pilates training.
She completed her physiotherapy degree at La Trobe University in 2018 and returned to complete a Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy there in 2023.
Outside the clinic, Maddie enjoys time with friends and family, camping, hiking and baking. She stays active at the gym and on long walks with her groodle, Otis.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Yarra Valley, Physica Ringwood
Clinical interests
Feroz is a physiotherapist with more than six years of experience. He works with neck and back pain, shoulder pain, knee and ankle injuries, and rehabilitation after surgery. He has a particular passion for sports injuries and getting people back on the field, court or course. He also runs hydrotherapy sessions.
His approach combines hands-on treatment and targeted exercise, including Clinical Pilates, with clear education so patients understand what’s going on. Each plan is built around the person’s goals and lifestyle.
Feroz completed a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Physiotherapy Practice at La Trobe University, graduating in 2019.
Outside work, he plays footy, basketball and golf, hits the gym, and spends time with family and friends.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Yarra Valley
Clinical interests
Josh is a physiotherapist at Physica Yarra Valley with more than seven years of experience. He works with sports injuries, hip and knee pain, shoulder and foot and ankle problems, and neck and back pain. He also runs the GLA:D program for people with hip and knee osteoarthritis.
He combines hands-on treatment and dry needling with exercise, and has a keen interest in tendon injuries and in rehabilitation before and after surgery.
Josh enjoys working with people of all ages and backgrounds. He focuses on helping patients become active participants in their own care, giving them the skills and strategies to manage their condition, stay active and get back to what matters to them.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Yarra Valley
Clinical interests
Chris is a Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with more than 25 years of experience in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy. He works with persistent neck and back pain, including nerve-related pain, as well as hip, groin and pelvic pain, headaches, kneecap pain and hand problems.
Chris works closely with a local neurosurgeon, delivering targeted physiotherapy programs for patients before and after spinal surgery, and for people with nerve-related neck and back pain.
He also has a strong interest in hip pain. He was a treating physiotherapist in the GLOBE trial, a major study investigating the effectiveness of exercise for gluteal tendinopathy, a common cause of pain on the outside of the hip.
Chris completed his Master of Manipulative Physiotherapy at La Trobe University in 2010.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Ringwood and Physica Yarra Valley
Clinical interests
Carolyn is a Senior Physiotherapist at Physica Yarra Valley with more than 35 years of clinical experience. She has a particular interest in headaches and jaw (TMJ) pain, and also works with spinal and hip conditions, whiplash, rotator cuff problems and rehabilitation after surgery. She enjoys working with children and teenagers as well as adults.
Throughout her career, Carolyn has kept building on her training. This includes the Dean Watson headache course, upper cervical and whiplash courses, TMJ assessment and treatment, advanced dry needling (including for the jaw and headaches), 3D assessment of the spine and hip, the McKenzie spinal course, Lyn Watson’s advanced shoulder course, and all levels of DMA Clinical Pilates.
She combines hands-on treatment, dry needling and targeted exercise, often through Clinical Pilates, to help each person manage their symptoms and get back to what they enjoy.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Yarra Valley
Clinical interests
Milly is a physiotherapist who works with back and neck pain, hip and knee pain, and sports and running injuries. She’s focused on helping people move well and get back to the sport and activities they enjoy.
Milly has plenty of hands-on experience in sport. She has worked as a sports trainer in the EFNL and VFL and has coached swimming at a range of levels, which gives her a practical understanding of what athletes need to return to training and competition safely.
She completed her Master of Physiotherapy at Victoria University in [year], building on a Bachelor of Applied Movement Science.
Outside the clinic, Milly plays local football and keeps active with strength training and running.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Knoxfield
Clinical interests
Ben is a physiotherapist at Physica Knoxfield who works with sports injuries, shoulder problems, hip, knee and ankle injuries, and neck and back pain. With a strong background in strength and conditioning, he’s focused on getting people back to sport and daily life stronger than before, and on reducing their risk of the injury coming back.
Before physiotherapy, Ben studied Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University, majoring in exercise physiology and strength and conditioning. He has worked with athletes from grassroots to sub-elite level in AFL and basketball, designing programs to build strength, improve performance and prevent injury.
Ben completed his Master of Physiotherapy at Swinburne University in 2024.
Outside the clinic, he plays AFL, basketball and cricket, and enjoys time with friends and family. He’s also a keen home cook, always trying out new recipes.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Knoxfield
Clinical interests
Hayley is a physiotherapist who works with sports injuries, hip, knee and ankle problems, and neck and back pain. With a strong strength and conditioning background, she has a particular interest in return to sport: building the strength and confidence people need to get back to training and competition.
Hayley has worked as a strength and conditioning coach and netball coach with athletes of all levels, from juniors as young as eight through to elite players. She loves helping people of all ages reach their health and fitness goals.
She completed her Master of Physiotherapy at Swinburne University in 2024, after a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University, where she majored in exercise physiology and strength and conditioning. She also holds ASCA Level 1 Strength and Conditioning accreditation.
Outside work, Hayley plays competitive netball and loves an active lifestyle, including the gym, Pilates, surfing, snowboarding and water sports.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Knoxfield
Clinical interests
Josh is an APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Physica Knoxfield. He works with shoulder, knee and ankle injuries, acute and sports injuries, low back and neck pain, and rehabilitation after surgery. He enjoys helping people understand what’s causing their pain or limiting their movement, then building a clear, practical plan to get them back to the things that matter to them.
Alongside private practice, Josh works as an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist in a hospital Emergency Department. There he assesses and manages a broad range of acute musculoskeletal injuries, including fractures and more complex presentations. This has sharpened his diagnosis and clinical reasoning, and his judgement about when further investigation or referral is needed.
Josh also has additional training in assessing and treating dizziness and vestibular conditions, including BPPV and other causes of balance and dizziness symptoms.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) from Monash University in 2018, and completed his Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at La Trobe University in 2024.
Outside work, Josh keeps active with running and the gym, and loves to travel.
Qualifications & roles
Consults at: Physica Knoxfield
Natalie is our on-site senior administration team leader.
Clinical interests
Sarah is a physiotherapist with more than 13 years of experience. She works with women’s health and pelvic floor concerns, pelvic and SIJ pain, neck and back pain, and sports injuries. She enjoys helping people of all ages improve their physical health and wellbeing using evidence-based treatment, often including Clinical Pilates and functional training.
Sarah has completed the APA Women’s Pelvic Health Level 1 course and is continuing her training in this area. She has also worked as a sports trainer at VAFA and EFL football clubs, which gave her plenty of hands-on experience with sporting injuries.
Sarah speaks Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay, as well as the Hakka and Foochow dialects, so she can treat many patients in their first language.
Outside work, she loves travelling and keeps fit through Pilates and functional training.
Qualifications
Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay, Hakka, Foochow
Consults at: Physica Knoxfield
Clinical interests
Amalan is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Physica [clinic] with more than 25 years of clinical experience. He works with back and neck pain, sports injuries, tendon problems, and knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle conditions. He has a particular interest in persistent pain that hasn’t settled with previous treatment.
His approach is built around each patient’s goals. He combines current research and clinical guidelines with hands-on care and a clear plan, so patients understand what’s going on and what it will take to get better.
Amalan is a sessional academic at La Trobe University’s School of Physiotherapy and regularly mentors students and physiotherapists. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2000 and holds a Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Qualifications & memberships
Consults at: Physica Ringwood
Clinical interests
Meg is a physiotherapist who works with headaches and jaw (TMJ) pain, back and neck pain, and sports and running injuries. With a background in netball, dancing and cheerleading, she understands the demands of these sports and enjoys helping athletes get back to them.
Since graduating in 2020, Meg has worked across private practice, neurological rehabilitation and NDIS exercise rehabilitation. She has also worked as a sports trainer for university and masters football clubs, managing acute injuries on game day. She combines hands-on treatment and dry needling with exercise rehabilitation, and teaches Clinical Pilates with APPI mat and reformer certifications.
Meg completed a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Physiotherapy Practice at La Trobe University.
Outside work, she enjoys running, water-skiing, Pilates classes and a good fiction novel.
Qualifications
Consults at: Physica Ringwood
Clinical interests
Edward is a physiotherapist who works with neck and back pain, sports injuries, and shoulder, hip, knee, ankle and foot problems. He also enjoys guiding people through rehabilitation before and after surgery. He’s passionate about movement, exercise and injury prevention, and about helping people get back to doing what they love.
Before physiotherapy, Edward spent several years as a sports trainer for local and sub-elite clubs across AFL, rugby, cricket and soccer. That gave him plenty of experience with on-field injuries and the realities of getting players back on the park.
Edward completed his Master of Physiotherapy at La Trobe University in 2025, after a Bachelor of Health Sciences majoring in human anatomy and physiology. During his studies, he was selected as a peer mentor in La Trobe’s anatomy program, helping teach first-year students.
Outside the clinic, Edward plays AFL for the Old Yarra Cobras, trains at the gym, and spends time with friends, family and his golden retriever, Rosie.
Qualifications
Lara graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science.
Passionate about health, Lara aspires others to achieve their individual goals in health,
fitness and exercise.
In her spare time, Lara enjoys netball, outdoor activities and reformer Pilates
Jack graduated from Deakin University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Exercise Sport Science with the goal of completing a Master of Physiotherapy over the next two years. He has experience in training with clients of a variety of clinical backgrounds and enjoys making people feel comfortable in the gym and enjoy exercising. Outside of work, he has a keen interest in strength training and American football, having previously played local gridiron.
Clinical interests
Andrew is a physiotherapist who works with neck and back pain, sports injuries, and falls and balance. He also runs hydrotherapy and GLA:D sessions for people with hip and knee osteoarthritis. He’s driven by a passion for coaching and human movement, and by helping people move well, feel well and keep progressing.
Ice hockey has shaped much of his outlook. Andrew has 26 years as a player and 11 years coaching, most recently as Director of Player Development for Ice Hockey Australia. Across that time he has worked with athletes from grassroots through to national team pathways. It has also given him extensive exposure to the injuries common in winter and collision sports, including concussion, shoulder and knee trauma, and impact injuries, as well as the demands of getting athletes back to sport safely.
Before physiotherapy, Andrew worked as an electrician. Trade work taught him the physical realities of manual jobs, and he draws on that every day when treating people whose bodies are their livelihood. Together, his background as an athlete, coach and tradesman gives him a resilient, evidence-based approach and a genuine desire to make a positive impact.
Andrew is also a casual lecturer in RMIT University’s Master of Physiotherapy program. Outside work, he unwinds with yoga and hiking.
Additional Qualifications & roles
