Growing up in Shepparton, Sophie developed a passion for health and fitness through her own sporting endeavours playing competitive netball and basketball. She moved to Melbourne where she completed a Bachelor of Science (Anatomy Major) and Doctor of Physiotherapy at The University of Melbourne. After 6 years of study Sophie began working at a large Private Practice in Camberwell. Here Sophie gained valuable experience treating sporting and spinal injuries. She also conducted Clinical Pilates and Functional Training (circuit based strength) classes to aid in the rehabilitation of injuries. Sophie worked as head physiotherapist for Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football club for a number of years (and is therefore proficient with the management of concussion), as well as several national netball and softball tournaments.

Sophie enjoys treating a wide range of musculoskeletal and sporting injuries. Working closely with 2 leading Melbourne foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons further developed her interest and expertise in these conditions. It has given her a better understanding of the patient’s journey leading into surgery, after watching interactions between the surgeon and client as they make that decision. She has seen first hand the significance of post operative rehab and the difference it can make to the overall success of the procedure.

Sophie is passionate about exercise for the pre or post natal women and enjoys developing plans and goals to return to exercise for these clients. She can also help relieve the discomfort associated with the different stages of pregnancy and post partum. From pelvic instability and low back pain during pregnancy to shoulder or neck pain with breastfeeding, Sophie uses a mixture of soft tissue release and exercises to help alleviate these symptoms.

Sophie also understands how relentless and debilitating low back pain and neck pain can be; and takes extra care to solve the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. She has completed extra training in spinal conditions and has a strength based approach. She thinks it is also very important to understand the person’s relationship with their (often longstanding) pain and work together for practical tips on how and when to move and get back to normal life!

Click here to see the full list of conditions Sophie treats, she loves variability in her work and will create detailed treatment plans or delve further and research any unusual or quirky injuries that walk through the door. She is also well supported by a network of specialist physios, sports doctors and surgeons through her years working in Melbourne and will call on them as needed.

Sophie’s post-graduate qualifications include:

• Dry Needling
• Back and Pelvis
• The Sporting Hip and Groin
• Lyn Watson’s Shoulder Course
• Integrated Neck Solutions
• Continence and Women’s Health

In her spare time Sophie loves to go camping and watch the mighty Richmond Tigers, a life highlight including attending the 2019 Grand Final. She has plenty of excellent cafe and restaurant recommendations should you make a trip to Melbourne! Sophie is excited to be back in Shepparton, close to family and friends and servicing the town that she grew up in.