Northcote

Wendell Vagg

Physiotherapist (Clinical Associate)

Wendell grew up in country NSW before moving to Melbourne to complete his Physiotherapy degree. He began his career in the public health system, predominantly in musculoskeletal outpatients. He gained experience in rehabilitating fracture and post op clients along with the management of people with more chronic conditions. 

He has spent the past few years based in London where he spent his time working in private practice along with regularly travelling throughout Europe. He returned to Melbourne with experience across a variety of fields including public health, private practice, occupational health, aged care and working with an amateur football team. 

He has experience with all musculoskeletal conditions and is passionate about not only resolving pain, but optimising health and movement to produce lifelong changes. He especially enjoys treating back pain, shoulder issues and tendon problems with a combination of manual techniques, movement optimisation, strengthening and education. 

Outside of the clinic, Wendell keeps active by playing football in the winter and cricket in the summer. Through these interests Wendell has had his fair share of and treated many sporting injuries. Away from physio, he loves spending time on his family farm and fishing/camping on the mighty Murray River. 

Debbie Chan

Physiotherapist (Clinical Associate)

Physiotherapist, MPhysio, APAM

Debbie completed her Master of Physiotherapy at University of Canberra, and moved to Melbourne to work in her favorite city. Debbie was a top student in her cohort with a drive to make positive impacts on people’s lives as a physiotherapist.

Debbie enjoys treating lower back, neck and shoulder patients amongst other musculoskeletal patients and sports population. She believes in combining manual therapy, education, exercise and self-management strategies to achieve the best results possible. She also gained valuable experience as a sports trainer for a local Rugby team during her studies in Canberra.

Debbie is a fun and easygoing person that loves all kinds of outdoor activities, working out at a local gym, travelling and having a good chat with people from different backgrounds.

Nicholas Sclavos

Physiotherapist (Clinical Associate)

Physiotherapist, BPhty (Hons)

Nic is originally from Queensland and graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). He began his physiotherapy career in Brisbane, gaining valuable experience in the management of all musculoskeletal injuries and developing a passion for holistic patient care.

Nic enjoys the management of all injuries, particularly preventative rehabilitation in the athletic population. He has previously worked extensively with Football Queensland, overseeing the care of their Men’s and Women’s development programs, as well as previous professional experience with the Brisbane Roar Football Club. Nic has previously worked with the Coorparoo Kings Australian Football Club in Qld and has volunteered as a physio for a variety of endurance events including the Noosa Triathlon. 

Having recently relocated to Melbourne to pursue a medical degree, Nic is an enthusiastic addition to the Back In Motion Northcote team. 

Abby Rickard

Physiotherapist (Clinical Associate)

Physiotherapist, BAppSci, MPhysio

Growing up in Country Victoria, Abby made the move to Melbourne to complete her Masters of Physiotherapy degree at La Trobe University, Bundoora. On completion of her studies, Melbourne had captured her heart, and decided to remain in the city to work.

Abby has an interest in a broad range of conditions, and enjoys combining manual therapy techniques with exercise for optimal rehabilitation. Abby is an advocate for long term results, and thrives on client involvement in setting treatment goals. Educating client’s about injury prevention and rehabilitation is at the forefront of Abby’s practice.

Outside of Physiotherapy, Abby loves sport and has been participating in all forms from a young age. If she had to pick a favourite, Netball would be at the top of the list. Abby enjoys being outdoors, particularly riding horses and water skiing.

Ryan Hon

Physiotherapist (Clinical Associate)

Physiotherapist, Clinical Exercise, Rockblade, DPT & B. Sci Hons (Uni Melb), APAM 

Ryan graduated with a Doctor of Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne and completed extensive Clinical Exercise training with the Australian Physiotherapy and Clinical Exercise Institute (APPI). Recently, Ryan has received a scholarship to undertake further postgraduate studies in Physiotherapy at La Trobe University in 2019, with the aim to complete the course in 2021. 

Ryan has a special interest in managing shoulder, knee and ankle injuries after sustaining a few himself from Tough Mudder and Half Marathons. He has previously worked with athletes from the Calder Cannon (TAC), Northern Knights (TAC), Albert Park Falcons, Melbourne Masters FC and Diamond Valley Dance Academy. He also volunteered at multiple events including Triathlons, SV Age and Open Water Championships. With an interest in clinical research, he also assisted in a knee-related clinical study at Melbourne University in 2018. 

Ryan employs a combination of hands-on physiotherapy, relevant education and rehabilitative exercises in managing injuries. He also believes that a collaborative, two-way approach is needed for your journey to recovery so please be sure to discuss your goals with him. 

Outside of Physiotherapy, you will see Ryan running around the neighbourhood or doing functional training in a local gymnasium. 

Emily Fegan

Physiotherapist (Clinical Associate)

Physiotherapist, BSci, MPhysio

Emily completed her Masters of Physiotherapy at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia and travelled back to Melbourne to work in her home town.

As a physiotherapist, Emily began her career in the public health hospital system with her main focus on orthopaedic acute and subacute rehabilitation.  Her hospital work has helped her gain experience in pain management strategies and exercise rehabilitation for her clients.  

Emily also has an interest in working in the sporting population through working as a trainer with the Melbourne Rebels Women’s Rugby Team.

Emily’s philosophy to physiotherapy is combining manual therapy techniques with exercise rehabilitation to provide the best outcome for her client, and will strive to work with the clients help them achieve their own goals post injury.

Outside of physiotherapy, Emily enjoys Melbourne’s best coffee and training for the Triathlon season.

Stuart Patten

Physiotherapist (Clinical Associate)

Physiotherapist, Dry Needling, BPhysio APAM

Stuart grew up in Tasmania and made the move to the mainland to complete his Bachelor of Physiotherapy at La Trobe University. Since completing his study, Stuart has gained more than five years' experience working in a musculoskeletal rehabilitation setting where he has supported clients through a wide variety of conditions, workplace and motor vehicle trauma rehabilitation, and pain management.

Stuart’s practise philosophy is to combine the most appropriate manual therapy techniques with rehabilitation and long-term prevention strategies to ensure optimal client health and wellbeing outcomes. Stuart feels strongly about client’s involvement in their recovery and strives to provide education around injury rehabilitation and prevention.

In addition to his work, Stuart is a keen sportsman. He has been a playing coach with a local senior Australian rules football team and has coached a senior women’s football team in the VWFL. Through his football interests Stuart has both had, and treated, a range of sporting injuries.

Outside of physiotherapy Stuart is a keen fisherman and diver – this is often where you’ll find him through the summer weekends.

James Heron

Physiotherapist (Clinical Associate)

Physiotherapist, Clinical Exercise, Dry Needling, BPhysio (Uni Melb) APAM

James graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2009. James enjoys treating a variety of conditions and thrives on the opportunity to fully understand how each individual may be impacted to help develop the most appropriate management pathway.

James has experience in managing most sporting and musculoskeletal injuries, including headache and temporomanibular joint dysfunction, using a combination of Clinical Exercise, dry needling, strength and conditioning training, supportive taping, extracorpeal shockwave therapy and manual therapy. 

Prior to joining Back in Motion Northcote (in 2015) James had the opportunity to embrace two of his sporting passions whilst developing his physiotherapy skills; working 3 years with the Frankston Dolphins at VFL level, and 2 snow seasons in Japan treating Australian skiers and snowboarders. 

In March 2018 James and his wife Emma welcomed their first child Max. Outside of the clinic he can be found chasing after Max while still trying to enjoy a good coffee or catch game of AFL.

Rohan Singleton

Practice Director and Physiotherapist

Physiotherapist, Clinical Exercise, Dry Needling BPhysio (Uni Melb) APAM MAPPI MSMA TPI Certified Completing Grad Cert in Sports Physiotherapy

Originally from Canberra, Rohan graduated from Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne and completed his graduate certificate in Sports Physiotherapy through La Trobe University. He is hoping to finish his masters in Sports Physiotherapy soon!

Rohan enjoys treating a broad range of both sport and general musculoskeletal injuries. He is a firm believer in combining effective manual therapy and dry needling with education, advice and structured rehabilitation. His rehabilitation philosophy combines the key elements of pilates with the principles of strength and conditioning to build tailored programs that can be completed in the gym, the pilates studio or at home.

Rohan did his pilates training through the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI). Rohan is also TPI Certified and has a keen interest in helping golfers to optimise their biomechanics, improve swing efficiency and reduce injury.

On the sideline, Rohan has extensive experience working with football, soccer, cricket and gridiron teams and currently works as the physio for Northcote Park Football Club. Away from physiotherapy, he enjoys spending time on the golf course, playing cricket, running and getting behind the mighty Roos!

Aoife McHugh

Receptionist

Aoife has recently returned to Melbourne after spending some time living in Sydney. She is working as a part-time receptionist for Back in Motion and is studying a Master of Agricultural Sciences at Melbourne University. In her spare time you will find Aoife at a cafe with friends and family, laughing at her own jokes or attending HIIT classes at the gym.

Alexandra Sherrin

Receptionist

Alex is currently undergoing her first year of a Bachelor of Nursing and is one of the part-time receptionists at Back in Motion. In her spare time, Alex likes to spend time with her friends and family, play basketball and go out for brunch. I also (like many of my colleagues) barrack for North Melbourne.

Maegan Osmond

Receptionist

Originally from Ballarat, Maegan now lives on college at Latrobe University Bundoora where she is in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters in Physiotherapy Practice. Maegan is working part time as a receptionist at Back In Motion Northcote as well as a Residential Assistant at college. She enjoys playing netball and basketball and hopes to become a sports Physiotherapist in the future once having completed her studies. 

Ella Gook

Receptionist

Ella is currently completely her first year in a double degree of law/psychology at La Trobe University.  During her free time she enjoys playing basketball, cooking, going to the movies and finding new breakfast spots to try with friends!
 

Verity Worley

Senior Practice Manager

Verity was born and raised in New Zealand where she studied a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Auckland.  Verity's love for travel and new experiences led her to make the move to Melbourne.

Verity’s passion for Administration and Customer Service led her to the Back in Motion Northcote team where she has worked for over 5 years now and now takes on the role of Senior Practice Manager.  Verity is also currently completing a Masters Degree in Public Health at Deakin University. When Verity is not at work or studying you can find her hanging out with friends, exploring the many cafés and bars that Melbourne has to offer, or keeping fit running around the Tan.