Director – APA Titled Women’s Health & Continence Physiotherapist, Musculoskeletal + Pilates
B.APP.SCI: PHYSIOTHERAPY
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN THE CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE
PROF CERT PAIN THEORY, SCIENCE, EDUCATION (UniSA)
Provider Number: 249 741 8H
Melissa is a clinic director and highly experienced Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Titled Continence and Women's Health Physiotherapist, an award which recognises a master’s level of knowledge in women’s and pelvic health. With over 20 years of experience, she has held senior positions as a Women's Health Physiotherapist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The Royal Hospital for Women and as a director of Women in Focus Physiotherapy and Sydney Oasi Specialists and as the chairperson for the NSW Pelvic Pain Network. As a member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, Melissa is also an examiner for the APA Men’s, Women’s, and Pelvic Health titling pathway.
In her clinical roles she has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, including multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary clinics such as persistent pelvic pain, OASIS, forceps and birth trauma and gynaecology and has been involved in research projects including pelvic floor outcomes following forceps births. She has extensive training in pelvic floor, spinal, pelvic girdle and hip conditions and the relationship between the pelvic floor and the musculoskeletal system. She has a special interest in persistent pelvic pain and chronic pain conditions including endometriosis and how physiotherapy, education and exercise can assist in the management of these complex conditions.
Committed to ongoing professional development, along-side regular course and conference attendance and speaking roles, she has completed professional certificates in the Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Pain Theory and Science and Pain Education through the University of South Australia and is currently completing a Masters of Pain Management at the University of Sydney.