ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES
ALLIED HEALTH TEAM
Kevin James
Senior Osteopath / Clinical Supervisor, Advanced Sports Osteopath
*Musculoskeletal and sports
*Acute and chronic pain
*Neurological, disability and aged care
When you meet Kevin, you're not just seeing an osteopath, you are connecting with someone who deeply understands the pain journey and how to reclaim your health. As a former elite gymnast, Kevin's Olympic journey was cut short by a misdiagnosed fracture. This experience ignited his passion for better health care standards.
Kevin believes that reclaiming your health requires a compassionate, whole-person approach. His unique approach helps many people succeed in their health goals by combining cutting-edge research, clinical experience, hands-on therapy, tailored exercise, education, stress management and lifestyle guidance.
Kara Cassells
Clinic Owner, Senior Physiotherapist
*Women's and Men's Health Physiotherapy
*Vertigo
*Chronic Pain
Kara is the owner of Balance Health - Phillip Island's leading Allied Healthcare group. Balance Health opened in 2020 and is the evolution of Island Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates, founded in 2009. Kara is passionate about creating a supportive workplace for her hardworking staff and is honoured to serve the Phillip Island community.
Kara's combination of exercise, education and manual therapy, proves to be very effective in the management of many conditions. Her postgraduate education includes the McKenzie Method to manage spinal conditions, chronic pain, vertigo, Clinical Pilates, and women's and men's pelvic health.
Kara is currently on maternity leave.
Christina Laws
Senior Physiotherapist
*Musculoskeletal and sports
*Lower limb biomechanics
Christina's is a physiotherapist with over two decades of experience. Her talent lies in treating conditions involving the pelvis and spine, using gentle muscle energy techniques, soft tissue releases, dry needling, targeted exercise, and addressing abnormal lower limb biomechanics.
Christina's kind and professional approach consistently gets results for her loyal clients.
Nicole Murphy
Myotherapist
*Spine and hips
*Neck and headaches
*Sports
Nicole Murphy is a Myotherapist with a keen interest in deep tissue work, particularly in relation to sports, hips, and neck related headaches and migraines. Nicole has many years’ experience working with elite runners and footballers, with a variety of soccer and football clubs and Melbourne United Basketball Club. Currently Nicole works with the Phillip Island Football Club and the Victorian U12 Schoolboys Football team.
Maddy Thorpe
Senior Osteopath
*Neurology and disability
*Aged care
Graduating with distinction from RMIT University, Maddy set out to change the landscape of osteopathy, working alongside leading pain research scientists and peak organisations to push for better pain treatment. Her life took a dramatic turn when she faced her own battle with cancer. This personal journey gave her profound insight into the challenges of pain and recovery, fueling her determination to help others navigate their own journey.
Maddy is known for her empathy and knowledge in empowering older people and clients with disabilities. She designs personalised exercise programmes that are goal-focused, fun, and engaging. Maddy believes that rehabilitation should be a source of joy and empowerment, where clients gain strength, mobility, and confidence in their abilities.
Kristine Miles
Senior Physiotherapist, Clinical Manager, Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
*Musculoskeletal
*Women's Health
*Breastfeeding and Lactation
Kristine has been a physiotherapist for almost three decades, consulting locally since 2008, joining the team in 2018. She wears many hats at Balance Health including consulting, clinical leadership and practice management.
Kristine’s skill lies in leaving no stone unturned. She loves a problem to solve, and her thorough and empathetic approach gets results, her expertise sought after for second opinions in musculoskeletal care.
Additionally trained in women’s health, Kristine's passion is providing holistic care for pregnancy and post-partum, menstruation and menopause, the vaginal microbiome, and breastfeeding and lactation.
Tim Tracy
Physiotherapist
*Musculoskeletal and sports
*Vertigo and balance disorders
*Men's health
Tim’s professional areas of interest are musculoskeletal injuries, post-surgery rehabilitation, management of chronic conditions, men's health, vertigo, and clinical pilates. With a background of endurance running and adventure racing, Tim is passionate about treating sporting and running injuries. His enthusiasm for supporting athletes of all abilities return to their best, is evident in his ability to solve problems big and small.
Helen Tavakkoli
Myotherapist, Remedial Massage Therapist
*Spine and headaches
*Pregnancy
Helen has more than an decade of remedial massage experience, treating a range of conditions such as post-injury dysfunction, headaches and migraines, lower back pain, soft tissue injuries and stress induced tension. Helen also provides pregnancy massage, supporting women through all trimesters. Each treatment is carefully tailored to offer pregnant mothers optimal comfort and safety during their treatment.
George Leonardos
Osteopath
*Musculoskeletal
*Sports
George takes great satisfaction in treating a range of musculoskeletal conditions through a combination of evidence based, hands-on osteopathic techniques, education, and exercise.
George takes great satisfaction in treating a range of musculoskeletal conditions, and is particularly skilled at managing low back pain, and neck pain with associated headaches or migraines.
His active involvement in various sports includes power-lifting, basketball, swimming, football, soccer, and MMA/kickboxing. This has given him firsthand experience with sports-related injuries and discomfort, driving him to develop comprehensive treatment and management protocols aimed at facilitating recovery and minimising the risk of future injuries.
Casey Cleeland
Senior Physiotherapist
*Women's Health
*Musculoskeletal and Sports
Casey’s skill and interest in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy extends to post-operative rehabilitation, the management of knee and ankle injuries, and is passionate about supporting mums to return to sport and exercise post-partum. Casey’s kind and friendly approach includes hands-on therapies, dry needling, strength and conditioning exercise, and education.
Women's Health is also an area that Casey is passionate about offering as a service to Phillip Island and Bass Coast - including pelvic floor disorders such as prolapse, pregnancy related conditions, pelvic pain including endometriosis, treatment of mastitis. Casey completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Women’s Health (pelvic floor) in 2013 and continues to up-skill annually in advanced women's health training.
Sandeep Soni
Physiotherapist
*Musculoskeletal and sports
*Neurological and aged care
Sandeep Soni is a dedicated physiotherapist with a passion for restoring mobility and enhancing quality of life. With over a decade of experience, he has cultivated a deep understanding of advanced physiotherapy techniques and evidence-based practices. Sandeep’s approach combines hands-on treatment, dry needling, taping, and personalised exercise programs. His professional interests span a broad spectrum, including musculoskeletal, neurological, sports, and post-surgery rehabilitation.
Beck Gooderham
Massage Therapist
*Full body massage
*Spinal, head and feet
Beck is an experienced massage therapist with a focus on holistic health and well-being. With two decades of experience in private practice and in the wellness/spa industry, Beck is both deeply intuitive and highly skilled in her approach. With firm soothing hands, excellent listening skills, and a warm, respectful manner, Beck aims to support you in your journey to ‘return to wellness’ by reducing pain and discomfort, increasing mobility and motivation, relaxing both body and mind.
ABOUT
Balance Health is Phillip Island's leading Allied Healthcare group. Balance Health is the evolution of Island Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates, and Phillip Island Osteopathy. Services have expanded further to include Myotherapy, Remedial Massage, Women's and Mens Health physiotherapy and Lactation Consulting. Balance Health strive to provide greater availability of their friendly, professional services for the whole family.
Prioritising client's care is a part of the mission of Balance Health. Working as a team as colleagues, with other allied health practitioners, medical doctors and specialists, Balance Health Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Myotherapists are there to help achieve client goals, getting them back to what they love doing.
Balance Health Phillip Island is the creation of Kara Cassells, founder of Island Physiotherapy & Clinical Pilates in 2009. Kara is passionate about creating a supportive workplace for her hardworking staff and is honured to serve the Phillip Island community
ADMINISTRATION TEAM
Jo
Practice Manager
Jo who has a background in administration has worked in Allied Health for the past 7 years. She is very proud to be our Practice Manager at Balance Health.
Jo values great customer service and team work and believes positivity and a smile are the keys to a happy day.
In her spare time she enjoys ocean swimming, golf and walking her dogs.
Lisa-Anne
Receptionist
Lisa-Anne brings a bright, positive and upbeat vibe to the reception team. She honestly believes your journey to health and recovery starts with the energy and attitude of the first people you see as you walk in the door.
When she is not working here she is hanging out in some of the most amazing places, mingling with the happiest of people and marrying couples in her role as a marriage celebrant.
Kirsti
Assistant Practice Manager
As a vivacious person Kirsti is warm, welcoming, enthusiastic, and makes the most of each moment. Her ethos is to feel good, and help others to feel good!
Kirsti and her family have truely embraced the lifestyle Phillip Island offers. Living a fun, relaxed outdoors lifestyle of swimming, beach going, skating, walking the dog, and working in the garden - you’ll often see her with family and friends enjoying these activities.
Lynn
Receptionist
Lynn has worked as a receptionist in a health environment for many years. She is friendly, caring and loves to chat.
Lynn and her husband moved to Cowes in 2020.
In her spare time she loves walking, gardening, travel, taking pics and spending time with friends and family.