RELIEF
Osteopathy is a manual therapy that focuses on assisting the body to restore functioning and movement.
Our osteopaths do this by using soft tissue massage, stretching, joint mobilisation and manipulation.
Osteopaths also use hands on techniques which may influence different systems of the body such as digestion, respiration and the nervous system.
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RESTORE
Your osteopath will begin your consultation with a thorough discussion about the complaint or problem you are presenting with. They will also ask about your general health and medical history as part of their assessment.
An examination is conducted looking at how the affected region is moving, whilst also assessing related areas or structures.
Your osteopath will then discuss their diagnosis and treatment plan. This usually includes home exercise, ergonomic or rehabilitation advice.
Treatment is then tailored to what we find during examination, and discussing this with the patient. All treatments are individualised, based on your specific needs.
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REHABILITATE
During and after treatment your osteopath will offer advice and exercises to enhance your recovery. Our osteopaths can give you guided programs to follow, and monitor your progress to restore your functioning and help you return to your best.
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OSTEOPATHY & PREGNANCY
We appreciate that pregnancy is a unique and amazing experience. Many changes occur to the body to allow for the baby’s growth, preparing the body for labour and motherhood. For some women this can result in discomfort and limited functioning.
The osteopaths at Peninsula Osteopathy + Allied Health can assess if problems arising during pregnancy may be due to:
- altered posture
- change in functioning of the body
- tissue congestion
- pressure on structures as baby grows
- hormonal changes
- change in body weight and balance.
How Can Peninsula Osteopathy Help?
After a thorough patient history and examination, our osteopaths use hands-on treatment to assist your body with changes occurring during your pregnancy. Patients are encouraged to be actively involved in their treatment and they will be able to give feedback at all stages of their care.
Our approach is tailored to each patient’s needs and includes:
- Using soft tissue massage, stretching and joint movement to assist restricted areas to move better
- Giving appropriate exercises to strengthen the pelvis and pelvic floor, and stretches to relieve areas of tightness and restriction
ergonomic advice e.g. postural advice for work, labour, and feeding your baby - Regular monitoring and reassessment of your symptoms as your pregnancy progresses
- Assessment and advice post labour to assist your body to best respond after your pregnancy and birth, and into motherhood
- Exercise classes for pregnancy and motherhood conducted at the clinic.
DR BELINDA KELLY
Belinda completed her 5 year osteopathic training at Victoria University before commencing practice in Geelong, then moving on to Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne to experience osteopathy in many different settings. Settling back in Geelong Belinda realised there was a need for osteopathic services on the northern Bellarine, and established her practice within Drysdale Clinic in 2005.
Belinda enjoys treating patients with problems related to injuries or conditions, and has a special interest in women’s health, particularly treating women pre and post natal. This has lead Belinda to complete further training in assessment and treatment of pelvic health in women.
Belinda has a keen interest in most sports, which was reflected in her masters study on injuries in elite women cricketers. Belinda presented her study at the World Congress of Science and Medicine in Cricket in South Africa in 2003 during the cricket World Cup.
Belinda has a young family who all enjoy participation in different sports and activities. Belinda has a love of swimming, pilates, yoga and an addiction to stand up paddle boarding! Belinda enjoys being able educate patients through treatment and lifestyle advice, so they can help themselves to maintain and improve their functioning.
Belinda also teaches pilates at the clinic and is undergoing training to become a yoga teacher.
DR MEAGHAN WHELAN
Master of Health Science (Osteopathy)
Bachelor of Science (Clinical Science)
Bachelor Human Movement and Exercise Science/Bachelor of Psychology
Advanced Diploma of Remedial Massage (Myotherapy)
Meaghan has extensive experience working in elite sports with more than a decade working in AFL talent pathways including Western Bulldogs AFL and AFLW, Victorian Football League club Werribee and TAC Cup club Western Jets. She has also spent time trackside treating international track cyclists.
Meaghan has a keen interest in treating women through all stages of pregnancy and has undertaken additional learning to further development her skills in this area.
In her passion for preventative health and well-being, Meaghan has become a qualified Pilates instructor and finds it beneficial to incorporate this in her treatment sessions. Meaghan leads Pilates classes at our clinic and is furthering this education in reformer training.
Away from work Meaghan loves gardening and enjoys getting tips from her green-thumb patients while helping them remain injury-free to spend more time in their gardens.
DR TENEILLE MALONEY
Teneille completed her osteopathic training at RMIT Melbourne where she commenced work in private practice. Teneille then had a travelling adventure before returning home to settle in Geelong.
Teneille has a special interest in women's health and has completed post graduate courses in this area. Teneille also enjoys treating a variety of conditions including neck pain and headaches, low back pain and sports injuries.
Teneille is also qualified to utilised Musculoskeletal Dry Needling as part of osteopathic management of soft tissue conditions.
DR CAITLIN WRIGHT
Caitlin graduated from Victoria University in 2012 and worked across clinics in Brunswick and Yarraville for almost a decade, before heading back home to the coast.
Caitlin's treatment and management of clients is based on the original philosophies of Osteopathy, with the holistic approach being very important to her.
Caitlin combines a variety of Osteopathic techniques tailored to individual needs together with exercise and lifestyle prescription and advice.
Since completing formal studies Caitlin has gone on to further study into chronic pain and mindfulness/awareness practice, as well as becoming certified in reformer pilates and yoga.
Caitlin currently teaches reformer classes at our studio.
Caitlin is currently on extended leave.
DR JOSH ROBERTS
Josh completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, before his fascination with injury and healing led him to becoming an Osteopath.
Josh loves helping patients understand their pain and working with them to overcome it. He knows the value of clear communication, ensuring patients fully understand their diagnosis and the plan to manage it! Josh also has a passion for running and loves helping patients with their running-related injuries, or improving their performance.
Josh utilises a variety of osteopathic manual therapy techniques, including soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, manipulation and dry needling. He leans on his knowledge of exercise and rehabilitation with all of his patients, aiming to provide long term benefits to their health and wellbeing.
Originally from a tiny country town in Central Victoria, Josh loves spending as much time as possible outside; camping, hiking and running. Or spending time with his partner and their beloved greyhounds!
DR MITCH MEE
Mitch enjoys working with people with a diverse range of injuries and conditions. His particular interest and skillset is assisting those individuals with complex, persistent pain and injury achieve their health-related goals - whatever that may be!
He uses a combination of hands-on techniques, such as manipulation, soft tissue massage and mobilisations/articulations, in conjunction with dry needling and movement-based rehabilitation to get you feeling and moving better. Expect to walk away from a consultation armed with the knowledge of what's going on for you, why it is there, how long it may take and how we can assist you to recover.
Mitch has experience working with people from all walks of life and is currently at WorkSafe Victoria assisting those individuals with significant work-related injuries achieve their best prospect of recovery.
Outside of the clinic you will find Mitch surfing or exploring our local beaches and coastline.
Mitch is available Tuesday afternoons at our Drysdale clinic and is unable to see workers compensation patients but is still able to see DVA, CDM/Medicare and TAC clients.
DR SAMUEL OXLEY
Sam completed his Bachelor's Degree in Science (Osteopathy) and Master's Degree in Health Science (Osteopathy) at Victoria University and enjoys treating a diverse range of patient presentations. Originally from South East Melbourne, Sam has recently settled into life in Clifton Springs. Sams interest in Osteopathy stemmed from his background in sport and interest in the human body.
Sam values patient-practitioner communication and uses this to create patient centred goals used to guide treatment and management for his patients. Sam incorporates a whole body approach to his treatment, combining manual therapy techniques such as dry needling, joint mobilisation, spinal manipulation and soft tissue techniques. In addition to treatment, Sam uses both exercise and patient education as management strategies, tailoring advice to his patients lifestyle and individual goals.
Outside the clinic, Sam enjoys exploring Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, playing football and basketball, and spending time with his partner and their dog Brian.
Sam will be available for appointments Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
DR MICHAELA CALDOW
Michaela completed her Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)/ Masters of Health Science (Osteopathy) at Victoria University before commencing practice back in her hometown on the Bellarine.
Michaela believes in treating the whole person, not just the injury, providing a holistic patient-centreed approach to treatment. She has a keen interest in the neuro-musculoskeletal system, whilst taking on a biopsychosocial approach to treatment.
Having participated in many sports growing up, namely swimming & tennis, Michaela enjoys treating those that are, or that are wanting to, be active. Being part of a patient’s health journey is a driver for Michaela’s interest in being an osteopath. She will centre the patient’s management plan around their goals and admirations.
Along with using her strength and conditioning certification, Michaela has become part of the rehabilitation team at the Drysdale Women’s football club. Her keen interest for women in sport has led Micheala to participate in women’s concussion and ACL research, as well as being part of the La Trobe University AFLW prep to play program.
Michaela enjoys working with an array of injuries and conditions. However her keen interests involve women’s health, sporting injuries, neck pain, headaches, low back, hip & pelvic girdle pain. Incorporating the use of soft tissue massage, dry needling, manipulation and exercise prescription, Michaela tailor’s her appointments to the needs of the patient.
When Michaela isn’t planning her next holiday, she is currently playing water polo for the Geelong Marlins or attending to her chocolate and coffee addiction.
DR CANDICE HONEY
Initially, Candice was drawn to osteopathy as she had a keen interest in learning about the human body and wanted a deeper understanding of how the body functions. This passion has followed on to caring for the person as a whole and having a patient-centred approach to treatment.
She enjoys treating people with acute and chronic pain, postural strain, arthritis and restrictive back pain and is also interested in furthering her studies in the biomechanics and functions of breathing while keeping up to date with current evidence-based practice.
Candice finds many of her treatments include a variety of techniques and involve soft tissue, stretching, articulation, dry needling and manipulation when appropriate.
Her interests include spending time with family, whether it be going to the park, beach, nature walks, camping or walking her dog “Maggie”.
DR BROOKE LEWIS
Brooke completed her Bachelor's Degree in Science (Osteopathy) and Master's Degree in Health Science (Osteopathy) at Victoria University and has since found her love for Osteopathy has grown as she has been treating in private practice. Growing up in a small community town Brooke was drawn to Drysdale due to its strong community connections.
Across her childhood Brooke was heavily involved in sports and was fascinated with the function of the human body and all its interconnections. This fascination continued to grow and is what got her into Osteopathy. Brooke believes that achieving the best outcomes for patients involves approaching treatment from a holistic angle and understands that every patient is different.
Brooke enjoys treating a range of patients across all demographics to help achieve their desired goals, and has a keen interest in headache and jaw complaints. Combining manual therapy, education and exercise rehabilitation tailored to your day to day life, Brooke aims to empower you in your care.
Outside of the clinic you will find Brooke pounding the pavement in preparation for whatever run she is signing up for always followed by an ocean refresh, reading books, spending time with friends and family or critiquing a new cafe's oat latte.