Northcote

Anna Ponnampalam

Physiotherapist

BApplied Science MPhysiotherapy Practice (LTU)

Anna grew up in Melbourne playing a wide variety of sports including tennis, cross country running and rowing, which inspired her to pursue a career in physiotherapy. 

Anna enjoys treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions including neck, back, ankle and shoulder conditions. She believes in using a combination of manual therapy techniques, tailored exercise prescription and education to help clients return to activities important to them and preventing injury from re-occurring. 

Outside the clinic, Anna enjoys taking her dog to the park, travelling and having a laugh with friends.

Emily O'Sullivan

Physiotherapist

BApplied Science MPhysiotherapy Practice (LTU); ASCA Level 1 S&C

Emily grew up in Hobart, Tasmania before moving to the ‘mainland’ to complete her physiotherapy degree in Melbourne. 

Throughout her studies, Emily has spent four years working in sport, predominantly football, with teams ranging from state U15 girls, elite development U18 girls and for the men’s NFNL competition. 

Aside from her keen interest in sporting injuries and rehabilitation, Emily is also interested in general musculoskeletal injuries, including back and neck pain, or neurological conditions.

Emily’s philosophy for practice intends to utilise Physiotherapy techniques, manual therapy and education, in conjunction with her clients’ values and desires, in an aim to help support her clients meet their optimal physical health.

Away from Physio, Emily enjoys keeping active through running, pilates, yoga and training at a local gym. To fuel this activity Emily enjoys finding new places to eat out, grab a drink with friends or relax reading a book.

Amy Reif

Physiotherapist

Physiotherapist, Clinical Exercise (APPI & DMA), Dry Needling, GLA:D, BPhysio (CSU), BHlth&RhbSc (CSU), APAM, CertIV Fitness.

Amy grew up in Albury NSW playing netball, swimming, waterpolo and dancing, before joining the Australian Army in 2011. She transferred to the Army Reserves whilst studying at Charles Sturt University in both Albury and Orange, and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. After working in private practices in Sydney and Albury, she has moved to Melbourne with her fiancé to test “Australia’s best coffee”.

Since becoming a Physiotherapist, Amy has completed post-graduate training in Clinical Pilates, dry needling, and has become an accredited GLA:D instructor. Amy enjoys treating a broad range of sporting and musculoskeletal conditions, and is passionate about providing her clients with the tools for long-lasting preventative health so that everyone can continue living a fulfilling and healthy life.

Outside of work, Amy is an enthusiastic “foodie” and is always keen to try a new recipe. She enjoys riding her motorbike, camping, freediving and hanging with her two cats. Recently, she has taken up CrossFit and rock climbing.

Wendell Vagg

Physiotherapist

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

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

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. 

Kirsty McLeod

Myotherapist

Kirsty completed both an Advanced Diploma in Myotherapy and a Diploma in Remedial Massage at RMIT University in Melbourne.

Kirsty has extensive experience in treating a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries. Treatment techniques include Deep Tissue Muscle Massage, Myofascial Cupping, Dry Needling, Sports Massage, Lymphatic Drainage and application of Kinesiology Tape.

She gained her experience during her two and a half years at RMIT University. During this time, she treated a wide range of clients at the RMIT clinic. She provided a thorough holistic assessment to identify the cause of her client’s pain or injury which resulted in using manual therapies to treat or prevent soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement.

Kirsty is passionate about her profession in Myotherapy. She provides treatment programs specifically tailored to her client’s individual needs with results in them becoming pain-free.

Kirsty enjoys the outdoors, playing tennis and going for walks with her dog and spending time with family and friends.

James Heron

Senior Physiotherapist

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

Senior Physiotherapist

APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist BPhysio (Uni Melb) MPhysio (SportsPhysio) APAM TPI Certified

Originally from Canberra, Rohan graduated from Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne and completed his Masters in Sports Physiotherapy through La Trobe University. 

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 for the cheeseheads, running and getting behind the mighty Roos!

Verity Worley

Senior Practice Manager

Verity was born and raised in New Zealand but now calls Melbourne home.

Verity’s passion for Administration and Customer Service led her to the Back in Motion Northcote team where she takes on the role as Senior Practice Manager. Verity can be found at our Back In Motion Northcote & Back In Motion Preston practices. When Verity is not hard at work you can find her enjoyig a flat white at a cafe, cycling, or hiking in outer Melboune.

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.

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!
 

Chloe Bartlett

Receptionist

Chloe is currently working full time in reception at our Northcote clinic. When she’s not working away behind the desk you can find her smashing out an F45 session, spending weekends away in Echuca by the Murry River or enjoying a cheese platter and drinks with her friends and family.