Post-Partum
After childbirth, mama’s body needs as much care and support as during pregnancy to help recover both physically and emotionally from pregnancy and childbirth.
Common Issues
- Mastitis
- Diastasis recti
- Scar healing
- Neck and Back pain (due to breastfeeding, taking care of little one)
- Post-partum incontinence, overactive bladder or prolapse
- Carpal tunnel’s syndrome or de-quervain's tenosynovitis
- Frequent changes in mood, tiredness and fatigue
How Can We Help
- Emergency mastitis treatment via therapeutic ultrasound with a Physiotherapist
- General posture tips when looking after your baby
- Gentle pelvic floor activation and bracing exercises to reduce further strain on the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues
- Support returning to exercise with an Exercise Physiologist
- Advise of support garments or belts for abdominal muscles
- Gentle core activation exercises and advise activating muscles when lifting or bending
- Tips to prevent and ease wrist pain
- Remedial Massage to relieve shoulder, neck, and back pain from breastfeeding, lifting, and caring for your baby – so you can manage your “baby blues”
- Dietitian can help your body replenish nutrients lost in pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding
- Exercise programs and tips designed to boost energy and mood.
Our Women's Health Team
Kinnari Patel
Physiotherapist
Kinnari Patel
Book NowKinnari consults at the following practices below. Please click the book now button to make an appointment.
| Physiotherapist | Kinnari Patel |
| Monday | The Stables |
| Tuesday | Pelican Plaza |
| Wednesday | Pelican Plaza |
| Thursday | The Stables |
| Friday | Pelican Plaza |
| Saturday | n/a |
Qualifications
Professional Philosophy
Along with treating everyday muscle and joint problems, she specialises in women’s health. She has a special interest in managing pelvic floor conditions such as bladder and bowel incontinence, prolapse, overactive bladder and pelvic pain. She provides care across all life stages, including pregnancy and post-partum, as well as support during menopause. She has also completed specialised training to incorporate real-time ultrasound to assist with assessment, treatment, and patient education.
Kinnari is a compassionate physiotherapist committed to providing patient-centred care and helping improve her patients’ quality of life. She takes a holistic approach, combining hands-on therapy, individualised exercise programs, and tailored lifestyle advice to support each person’s goals and needs.
Personal Interests
Areas of Interests (not limited to):
- Women's Health Physiotherapy
- General Pain/Injuries
- Dry Needling
- Post-surgical Rehabilitation
- Reformer Pilates
Accreditations:
-
APA Women's Pelvic Health Level 1
- APA Women's Pelvic Health Level 2
-
APA Women's Health Through Lift Stages
-
Pelvic Health Foundations (Melbourne)
Cat Ward
Physiotherapist
Cat Ward
Book NowCat consults at the following practices below. Please click the book now button to make an appointment.
| Physiotherapist | Cat Ward | |
| Monday | The Stables | |
| Tuesday | The Stables | |
| Wednesday | The Stables | |
| Thursday | The Stables | |
| Friday | n/a | |
| Saturday | n/a |
Qualifications
Cat is an experienced Physiotherapist who has been treating the local community for over 20 years, having completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at UniSA in 2000.
Professional Philosophy
Cat has a broad scope of practice, working with her patients to deliver a comprehensive assessment and individualised treatment. Typically a physiotherapy appointment with Cat will incorporate a comprehensive assessment, practical advice, education, customised exercise prescription, and manual (‘hands on’) therapy, to help her patients get back on track and recover. Cat loves sharing her knowledge and enjoys seeing others learning new skills, so she will also spend time explaining everything she is doing. Cat really enjoys a challenge and loves helping her patients reach their full potential and achieve their goals.
Cat has worked with a wide range of clients from athletes to the very elderly and those with persistent pain. She gets a lot of job satisfaction out of helping her patients recover, helping to relieve their niggling symptoms and reach their goals.
Cat likes to keep herself up-to-date with the latest advances in physiotherapy by attending various professional development courses and symposiums throughout the year.
Cat is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and is a member of the Musculoskeletal and Women’s Health Special Interest Groups.
Personal Interests
Outside of work, Cat is a mother of two, enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and loves keeping active. She loves running (you might see Cat out at a local ParkRun), enjoys water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding, and looks forward to going to the snow fields in winter. She spends a lot of time cheering on her sporty kids in athletics and cycling events. As an ex-netballer and middle distance runner herself, Cat really enjoys working with sporty adults and kids with their injury management.
Cat's special interests include:
- The treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
- Headache management.
- Treating back and neck pain.
- Women's Health - pre and post-natal care, continence management, perimenopause care.
- Vestibular rehabilitation - Cat can diagnose and treat dizzy patients.
- In-rooms rehabilitation for hip and knee osteoarthritis using her GLA:D training.
- Pre and post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation
- Falls prevention
Jacinta Boyle
Exercise Physiologist
Jacinta Boyle
Book NowJacinta consults at the following practices below. Please click the book now button to make an appointment.
| Exercise Physiologist | Jacinta Boyle |
| Monday | The Stables/Pelican Plaza |
| Tuesday | n/a |
| Wednesday | Pelican Plaza |
| Thursday | Pelican Plaza |
| Friday | n/a |
| Saturday | n/a |
Qualifications
Jacinta is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a double degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours) and a Bachelor of Medical Science.
Professional Philosophy
Jacinta has been practising as an Exercise Physiologist since 2022 and brings clinical experience in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, chronic disease management, women’s health, paediatrics, and disability support. She has worked with a diverse range of clients across both land-based and aquatic therapy settings.
She enjoys helping others discover how movement and physical activity can positively impact their lives. Jacinta is passionate about establishing positive health behaviours in a way that is enjoyable for everyone, setting each individual up for future success.
Personal Interests
In her spare time, you will find Jacinta with her friends and family. She is an avid camper and loves making the most of nature, waterskiing, bike riding and kayaking. She also spends a lot of her free time training for and coaching cheerleading.
Her areas of interest include (But are not limited to):
- Injury rehabilitation (surgical and non-surgical)
- Women’s health (across all life stages)
- Age-related conditions and concerns
- Paediatrics
- Return-to-work rehabilitation
- Chronic disease management
Claire McDonald
Dietitian
Claire McDonald
Book NowClaire consults at the following practices below.
| Dietitian | Claire McDonald |
| Monday | n/a |
| Tuesday | n/a |
| Wednesday | n/a |
| Thursday | Pelican Plaza (alt Morning/Afternoon) |
| Friday | n/a |
| Saturday | n/a |
Qualifications
Claire completed a bachelor of Nutrition and Food Sciences in 2013 followed by a Masters in Dietetics both at the University of South Australia in 2015.
Professional Philosophy
Claire is passionate about personalising dietary and lifestyle changes to help achieve long-term health goals. Every person is unique and personal and cultural preferences should be embraced to allow for long-term improvements to overall health. Claire believes that dietary changes should be easy to implement and she prides herself in helping people leave feeling empowered to improve their health.
Personal Interests
In her spare time you may find her enjoying the outdoors, either in the garden, playing hockey, or camping with her young family.
Claire has a keen interest in women’s health, paediatric health, cardiovascular disease, weight management and diabetes including:
- PCOS
- Menopause
- Osteoporosis
- Anaemia
- Fertility
- Fussy eating
- Cholesterol management
- Weight gain/weight loss
- Maintaining muscle mass
Claire (Fuel Your Life Dietitians) is a contractor with My Local Physio Plus - ABN: 42 606 274 499
Jacquie Addison
Remedial Massage Therapist
Jacquie Addison
Book NowJacquie completed a diploma of remedial massage with the Australian Institute of fitness in 2018 and continued on to University completing a bachelor of Human Movement.
| Remedial Massage Therapist | Jacquie Addison |
| Monday | The Stables |
| Tuesday | n/a |
| Wednesday | n/a |
| Thursday | Pelican Plaza |
| Friday | n/a |
| Saturday | Pelican Plaza (alt) |
Qualifications
Jacquie holds a Diploma of Remedial Massage which she completed in 2018, Certificate of Dry Needling, and has recently completed Certificate of Pregnancy Massage. She has worked as a sports trainer for 4 years with the Sturt women's football team, and went as the University of South Australia's Uni-nationals team trainer in 2023.
Professional Philosophy
Muscles are part of the foundation of our body and when they become tight or injured from daily tasks it can be frustrating to deal with. Massage works as treatment as it increases blood flow to muscles helping to loosen them along with direct pressure applied to the muscles. Daily stresses can also tighten and affect muscles so applying massage techniques to relax and loosen the muscles can reduce cortisol levels and decrease stress providing an emotionally relaxing experience as well.
Depending on what you prefer Jacquie can use a variety of techniques to personalise the massage so you can have the best result and walk out feeling lighter and looser.
Jacquie specialises in:
- Remedial massage
- Sports massage
- Deep tissue massage
- Dry Needling
- Trigger point therapy
- Myofascial release
- Postural analysis
- Pregnancy Massage
- Relaxation massage
Utilising these techniques to provide a massage that caters to each individual's needs.
Accreditations
- Diploma of Remedial Massage
- Bachelor of Human Movement
- Certificate of Dry Needling
- Certificate of Pregnancy Massage
Monika Edmonds
Remedial Massage Therapist
Monika Edmonds
Book NowMonika consults at the following practices below. Please click the book now button to make an appointment.
| Remedial Massage Therapist | Monika Edmonds |
| Monday | n/a |
| Tuesday | n/a |
| Wednesday | The Stables |
| Thursday | n/a |
| Friday | The Stables |
| Saturday | n/a |
Qualifications
Monika has worked in the complementary and alternative health industry since 1992 as a massage therapist, continuing studies in 2001-2002 to complete the Diploma of Remedial Massage.
Professional Philosophy
Having worked in the massage industry for over 20 years ago, Monika has developed her massage skills and experience in a variety of settings. These include working alongside physiotherapists, chiropractors, dentists and an internationally recognised day spa in Daylesford, Victoria. She also operated her own remedial massage business for 5 years before moving to Victoria for 10 years. While in Melbourne, Monika worked at the Australian Association of Massage Therapists (AAMT) for 3 years in the role of PA for the CEO before moving to country Victoria and resuming her passion for massage full time.
A Diploma in Personal Fitness Training from 1997 and 2007 complements her massage skills which are passed on to clients particularly those who have sedentary/office/computer work lifestyles. This means that she is an advocate for stretching tight / restricted muscles and may recommend relevant and specific stretches as required to give you maximum benefit additions to your massage experience. Regular stretching may be recommended as homework relating to the ‘taking care of yourself’ program.
Her treatments include a variety of techniques to ensure an effective outcome for each client
Techniques such as:
- Remedial
- Therapeutic/ Relaxation
- Pregnancy Massage (not recommended in 1st trimester)
- Deep tissue
- Trigger point therapy (an uncomfortable or painful area of a muscle)
- Stretching
For those who suffer with regular constipation, a gentle yet effective abdominal massage can get things moving. This treatment can be incorporated into your massage session.
While massage cannot ‘fix’ or ‘prevent’ jaw clenching or teeth grinding, trigger-point treatment can reduce jaw and/or headache tension.
Monika is also trained in Reiki - a holistic energy healing therapy and Ear Candling for those who get lots of blocked ears or are heavier wax producers.
She can also provide you with a tailored pregnancy massage to suit your needs. Her caring approach and hands on experience allows her to provide you with beneficial and effective treatments through confident touch by listening, learning and being mindful of your individual needs and providing you with a safe, nurturing and comfortable environment
Monika holds a valid Working with Children Check. For clients aged 18 and under, a parent or guardian is required to be present in the room during the massage.
Monika is a contractor with My Local Physio Plus - ABN:79 965 598 828
Rebecca Aloisi
Acupuncturist
Rebecca Aloisi
Book NowRebecca consults at the following practices below. Please click the book now button to make an appointment.
| Acupuncturist | Rebecca Aloisi |
| Monday | Pelican Plaza |
| Tuesday | Pelican Plaza |
| Wednesday | n/a |
| Thursday | The Stables |
| Friday | Pelican Plaza |
| Saturday | n/a |
Rebecca is a dedicated Acupuncturist with a lifelong interest in holistic health and natural healing.
She has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science in Chinese Medicine. She is passionate about helping people restore balance, ease pain, and improve their overall well-being through individualised care.
She is proud to live in the community with her family and she is excited to support the health and wellness of those around her. She believes in taking the time to understand each person's unique health journey, combining traditional Chinese medicine principles with modern knowledge to create effective and supportive treatment plans.
Whether you're seeking relief from chronic conditions, managing stress, or simply looking to enhance your quality of life, I am here to help guide and support you along the way.
Areas of interest:
- Musculoskeletal pain (neck, back, shoulder, knee, etc.)
- Stress, anxiety and emotional wellbeing
- Headaches and migraines
- Fatigue and low energy
- Sleep issues and insomnia
- Digestive health and gut issues
- Hormonal balance and menstrual concerns
- Fertility support and pregnancy care
- Boosting immunity and general wellbeing
Let's work together to nurture your health from the inside out.
Rebecca (Healing Touch Acupuncture) is a contractor with My Local Physio Plus - ABN: 21 786 212 709