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SPORT INJURIES & REHABILITATION

running athlete in the blocks

Sport Injuries,
Treatment & Rehabilitation

About sports injuries, treatment & rehabilitation at Balance Health.

At Balance Health we have an experienced team who are passionate about treating and managing sport injuries. We believe in getting you back to pain-free movement and activity as soon as possible, with a strong focus on hands-on therapy, exercise prescription and injury prevention.

The most common injuries associated with sports include ligament & muscle sprains, strains, tears, joint injuries and over-use injuries. After a thorough assessment of the injury, we will develop an evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation plan that is specific to your goals.

 

In-clinic treatment may include:

 

Soft/deep tissue massage

Myofascial release

Joint mobilisation

Joint manipulation

Stretching

Dry needling

Taping

 

Throughout your recovery our aim is to help you regain the strength, mobility, balance and co-ordination required to return to your sport and stay injury free in the future. In order to get the best results, we might include:

 

In-clinic and home exercise programs

Clinical Pilates or assisted gym exercises

Injury prevention strategies, including correction of movement and alignment (see our guide to running for tips).

Continue to browse our therapist profiles below to see how Physiotherapy, Osteopathy & Myotherapy can best assist you with your recovery & optimize your return to play. Please call to speak with our friendly team for assistance.

Our experienced Practitioners

Tim enjoys meeting people from all walks of life and loves a challenge. He combines a hands-on treatment approach with individualised exercise programmes to achieve specific recovery goals. With a background of long-distance running, adventure racing, kayaking, mountain biking, and rugby, 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.
 Tim still enjoys an active lifestyle including running, surfing, and mountain biking and famously ran the 96km circumference of Phillip Island in early 2024.

Tim Tracy

Physiotherapist

With a background of long-distance running, adventure racing, kayaking, mountain biking, and rugby, 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.
 
Tim still enjoys an active lifestyle and famously ran the 96km circumference of Phillip Island in early 2024.

Casey grew up on Phillip Island and graduated from Latrobe University in 2007. She began her career working in a large private practice specialising in sports, musculoskeletal and industrial physiotherapy. Casey subsequently worked with elite athletes and sporting clubs around Melbourne and Gippsland including Collingwood Football Club, Gippsland Power Football Club, and International Junior Tennis tournaments. 

Locally Casey is a life member of the Phillip Island Football Netball Club, having played and umpired netball, worked as the football club physio and has been Vice President and President of the club. She also has a strong association with Phillip Island and District Cricket Club. 

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.

Casey Cleeland

Senior Physiotherapist

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.

George loves the holistic nature of osteopathy and believes that we all hold the power to improve our physical health/well-being when given the right tools, motivation, and support.  He takes on an evidence-based treatment and management approach with the aim of reducing the recurrence of pain, improving patient outcomes, and compassionately empowers his clients to attain a better quality of life, through a combination of hands-on osteopathic techniques, education, and exercise.

George's  active involvement in various sports includes power-lifting, basketball, swimming, football, soccer, and MMA/kickboxing. This has given him first-hand experience with sports-related injuries and discomfort. This personal experience has driven him to develop comprehensive treatment and management protocols aimed at facilitating recovery and minimising the risk of future injuries.

George Leonardos

Osteopath

George loves the holistic nature of osteopathy and believes that we all hold the power to improve our physical health/well-being when given the right tools. His involvement in sports includes power-lifting, basketball, swimming, football, soccer, and MMA/kickboxing. This personal experience has driven him to develop comprehensive treatment and management protocols aimed at facilitating recovery and minimising the risk of future injuries.

Kevin is an Advanced Sports Osteopath awarded by Osteopathy Australia in 2020.  He works with elite, semi-elite and recreational athletes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of sporting injuries. He has also worked with organisations on a local, state, national and international level. 

Kevin's passion is to help athletes return to sport, enhancing capacity so they can be faster, stronger and injury-free.  He is well known for his commitment to the treatment and management of sporting injuries on-field and off-field. He takes pride in ensuring that athletes receive high-quality care regardless of the sporting level.

Kevin uses a multitude of various treatment methods and does not believe in the one-size-fits-all approach.  Your consultations with Kevin will be unique to your specific injury and sport and may use different treatment and management such as, home exercise programs, assisted strength and conditioning programs, biomechanics analysis and technique assessment, taping, and hands-on therapies such as massage, stretching, and manipulation.

Kevin James

Advanced Sports Osteopath

As a former elite gymnast, Kevin's Olympic journey was cut short by a misdiagnosed fracture. This experience ignited his passion for osteopathy and better health care standards. He is industry recognised as an Advanced Sports Osteopath and is currently pursuing a Master of Research with renowned pain neuroscientists at the University of South Australia.

Over more than two decades working as a physiotherapist, Christina has experienced and treated a healthy array of sports injuries and contributed to the rehabilitation of many injuries. This includes being physiotherapist for AFL Sydney team throughout university days over four years, and treating members of the Italian Kayaking team for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Christina has additional certification of Advanced Principles of Sports Medicine, which is an incredible asset to ensure rehabilitation and return to play success.  Christina uses a broad range of treatment methods, beginning with education, manual therapy, soft tissue releases using muscle energy techniques, and joint mobilisations to assist regaining full range of motion in joints and full strength in muscles. 

Christina's skill is examining the biomechanics of the pelvis first and foremost. Furthermore, looking at imbalances and misalignment of the spine and lower limbs, biomechanics of the feet that could, and do, contribute to the recovery of long term chronic conditions as well be the factor that hinder their full recovery.

In her spare time Christina is an open water swimmer and an adventure racer - which involves navigating your way through a terrain based course on foot, bike or kayak, with only a map and compass to guide you!

Christina Laws

Senior Physiotherapist

Over more than two decades working as a physiotherapist, Christina has experienced and treated a healthy array of sports injuries and contributed to the rehabilitation of many injuries. This includes being physiotherapist for AFL Sydney team throughout university days over four years, and treating members of the Italian Kayaking team for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Nicole's expertise in Myotherapy is an asset for injury treatment and management for many elite and amateur athletes.  Her hands on approach is a go-to treatment for injuries from the field and high impact sports. Nicole has vast experience working in Football clubs for over a decade, providing pre- and post- game support. In addition to her Myotherapy qualifications, Nicole is a Level 2 sports trainer, with skills in advanced taping, concussion and spinal cord management.

Nicole's work is primarily hands on, including myofascial release, massage and dry needling. She is particularly exceptional when it comes to hip, groin and shoulder issues. Nicole is skilled in providing lifestyle advice and education, and works closely with clinic physiotherapists and osteopaths to share care of clients.

Nicole used to ice skate and play hockey,  and has always enjoyed an active lifestyle. When Nicole's children started playing football, she was involved with their local teams, and hasn't stopped since.

Nicole Murphy

Myotherapist

Nicole's expertise in Myotherapy is an asset for injury treatment and management for many elite and amateur athletes. Her hands on approach is a go-to treatment for injuries from the field and high impact sports. Nicole has vast experience working in Football clubs for over a decade, providing pre- and post- game support.

  • What should I bring/wear to my first appointment?
    Bring any relevant scans, X-rays, CT's or MRI, or any other Medical information that you think may be important. Make sure you wear loose comfortable clothes that will allow you to move around easily.
  • Do I need a referral to see a Physiotherapist?
    No. You can make an appointment directly without a referral. A referral is generally not required to see an physiotherapist as a private patient. All WorkSafe and TAC clients can make an appointment without a referral, however, they must have an approved claim number for entitlement to physiotherapy services. ​ The only time you will need a referral is if you wish to consult a physiotherapist under Medicare’s Enhanced Primary Care program or through Veterans' Affairs. A GP must assess your eligibility and complete a specific referral for Medicare or DVA funded Physiotherapy.
  • Do you do dry needling?
    Kristine & Casey are both qualified in dry needling. Wondering what dry needling is? Read all about it here in our educational article.
  • Is Physiotherapy covered by Private Health Insurance?
    Yes. Private health funds provide varying levels of cover for Physiotherapy. Please contact your health fund for details of your entitled benefits.
  • Is Physiotherapy covered by Medicare?
    If you have had pain for longer than expected you can visit your doctor and request a Medicare plan referral. If you doctor deems you eligible they may print and fill out the Medicare Care Plan Referral form. For more information about eligability you can download this PDF. Please keep in mind that medicare rebates do NOT cover the full costs of treatment. You will be required to pay for the appointment in full. We complete the Medicare claim on your behalf and you will receive the rebate for your appointment within 48 hours.
  • Does Balance Health accept TAC, Workcover and DVA patients?
    Yes! Additionally, TAC & DVA patients are bulk-billed, Worksafe patients may be required to pay a gap fee.
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