Back In Motion Physio
1/1150 Toorak Road
Camberwell 3124
Tell me about your history in the area.
I started Back In Motion Camberwell back 13 years ago, here in the Hartwell Shopping strip. I had about 6 years of physiotherapy experience at that stage, initially working in a hospital in Warragul (West Gippsland), and then for 4 years in a private practice in Hawthorn. The Hawthorn practice were the physiotherapists for the Hawthorn Football Club, so I gained a wealth of experience in dealing with sporting injuries, and developed a strong network of Sports Physicians and Orthopaedic Surgeons. I decided that it was time for me to run my own practice, and joined the Back In Motion Group to start the Camberwell practice in February 2007. Since then, we have grown to a practice of 9 physiotherapists, plus a caring Admin support team. One of those physios, Sophie Parrôt became my partner in the practice in 2015.
What is your favourite part about running Back in Motion Camberwell?
Like all physios, I do what I do because of a deep seated care about helping people – specifically, removing their pain & helping them to maximise their function. I have this little saying, “Don’t let your body limit your life choices”. As physiotherapists, we have an ability to work out why body parts are not functioning optimally, and can utilise a range of treatment techniques to help you correct the problems.
How did your passion for physiotherapy arise?
From first hand experience as a physiotherapy patient! I played a lot of sport growing up, and suffered (only a couple, thankfully) of injuries that required a physio’s help. I was inspired enough by that experience to decide it was the career for me!
Tell me about the clinical exercise classes your clinic offers?
We run 50+ Clinical Exercise (Pilates) sessions every week. So many of our clients have poor function of their core (neck, back & pelvic) muscles that predisposes them to back & pelvic pain. Based on a thorough assessment process, we are able to design individualised programs for them (based on their specific history) to address those issues – to give them a stronger, pain free body.
Over the last few years we have also commence Functional Training sessions. These have a greater focus on improving the strength & coordination of your peripheral (arms & legs) muscles. Again utilising a thorough assessment process & individualised programs, we have seen significant improvement in the function of our clients undertaking those classes. Many of them are now able to complete tasks they hadn’t been able to complete for years!
What do you like most about the community and working in this area?
There is a nice community feel in the Hartwell strip – many of the business owners here know each other & make a concerted effort of support each other’s businesses. We are very much a community based practice, with bulk of our clients living locally. Most of our new clients are referred to us by their friends or family members, or are part of the local school and sporting club communities we support. I live reasonably close by (Surrey Hills) and I do think it’s great that I can help those in my own community.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am Dad to a 7yo boy & 5yo girl, so much of my spare time is spent with my wife & kids! I do find time to go running several times a week though – it’s a great outlet for me mentally as much as physically. I’ve actually set myself the challenge to see if I can run a Half Marathon faster than the last time I ran one 13 years ago…!
