Staff Profile
Jump to staff member:
Rachel Combe | Jane Deere |
Gwendalyn Schmidt
Ellie Parnell | Briar Strutton | Belinda Robb | Caitlin McGinn
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
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
- Mc Kenzie Therapy - Mc Kenzie Institute (2010)
- Neuromuscular Dry Needling Certification (2009)
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 imbalances that contribute to pain and injury.
Ellie was promoted to Clinical Manager at our Parkside studio at the start of 2008 and is closely involved in the recruitment and professional development of the physiotherapy team.
Memberships/Affiliations
- Member Australian Physiotherapy Association
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
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)
- Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) - Polestar International 2011
Belinda Robb
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- Pilates Rehabilitation and Mat work
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Pre/postnatal Care
- Hand and Wrist Rehabilitation
- Orthopaedics
- Neck and Back Pain
- Dance-related Injuries
About
Belinda's dedication to promoting healthy movement led her to study Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia. Since graduating Belinda has gained experience in a wide range of settings, working at the Royal Hobart Hospital, travelling and working in the UK and then moving to Darwin to work in private practice.
Since settling back in Adelaide Belinda has joined Proactive, where her excellent ability to listen and understand clients' concerns, working with them to achieve positive outcomes, has made her a well-valued member of our team.
Memberships/Affiliations
Membership of the Australian Physiotherapy Association
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy
- Certified Polestar Pilates Practitioner (Rehab) - Polestar International 2011
Caitlin McGinn
Areas of Practice and Specialisations
- General Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation
- Spinal, Neck and Shoulder Problems
- Western Acupuncture / Dry Needling
About
Caitlin graduated from the University of South Australia in 2010 with a Bachelor in Physiotherapy. During her studies she gained experience working within the acute hospital setting and the assessment and treatment of patients with chronic pain in the outpatients setting. She began her career working in community Aged Care Rehabilitation and joined Physiotherapy Pilates Proactive in June 2011. She finds Pilates to be a very efficient rehabilitation and general strengthening tool for clients of all ages, and of varying fitness levels. Her positive and empathetic nature has made Caitlin well suited to the profession of physiotherapy and a valued member of the PPP team.
Memberships/Affiliations
Membership of the Australian Physiotherapy Association
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (2010)
- Certification in Western Acupuncture / Dry Needling (2011)