“It’s been almost 2 years since I have been able to run anything of significance at my own level. A series of injuries, started a downhill spiral in March 2017. It’s been a real battle, the pain levels when trying to get back have been too high, the poor discipline to manage an injured body have taken a toll. As time goes on its easier to make excuses, sure pain is pain, but what to do to overcome it. 2019 is the year, fitter, stronger, happier and injury free. Well that’s the plan and with the Help of Nikki Wynd and the team at RISE Performance Rehabilitation Healthcare Leigh, Luke, Annie, Liz along with my local Chiropractor Integrity Chiropractic Dr. Andrew Carroll I am aiming for the sky. It’s started, sure 5km walks are a long way from 240km runs, but I can remember when a 5km walk was too far. The time is NOW...start reaching for the sky”

- Brett Saxon

A little bit more about Brett…

So, Brett first became aware of RISE way back in 2017 but it wasn’t until December of 2018 that he was introduced to Physiotherapist Luke Dowse, that they started working together. The process began with a few investigative appointments, with a multiple of RISE clinicians, to see where Brett was at in terms of injuries and reduced/restricted exercise ability.

It seems as if Brett intended to have a book written about him alongside Lemony Snickets “A Series of Unfortunate Events” novels, as his list of injuries is one that will make you feel good about your ‘bad knee’; a foot sprain, 5 broken ribs, a broken shoulder and several neck and shoulder related injuries attributed to snowboarding may seem daunting to some but has left Brett still in a positive mindset to be back on track with his training which at RISE is something we love to hear from our clients.

Currently Brett is being guided through his rehabilitation predominantly by physio Luke and podiatrist Liz in the aim to address both shoulder and foot injuries, keeping him on the track, and with a recent return to training, Myotherapist Annie has also been aiding the road to recovery through several muscle related tightness’ in keeping Brett going like he used to.

Prior to the numerous injuries, running was a true passion. A passion that he has had the pleasure of instilling in others through the brand Trailsplus, which helps to organize trail running events within the community, often with the aim to raise much needed funds for those that deserve it. Be it Half-Marathon, Marathon, and in recent years (prior to injury) Ultra-Marathon events through organizing and running himself.

That is the main goal for Brett. To catch those shadows of his former self. Be able to be involved more, and get himself back on the right track. 5km at a time.

We look forward to keeping you updated on Brett’s journey so stay tuned!

How time flies.

I remember going for a run, on the 11th of November, it was 16 degrees and my goal was to complete an almost 3 km loop without stopping. This was approximately 4 and a half months after my surgery, and while I felt sore and tired afterward the run which took me just over 16 minutes, I felt great to just complete a run without stopping. Today, I completed a rehab/workout session at home, complete with jumping and hopping, before deciding to go and run around a quick loop to “finish off”. It occurred to me while I was running that I was doing the same loop I had done a few months earlier. So when I got home I checked to compare times. I completed the loop in 12 mins, after a workout, and in 33 degree heat. And with no specific areas of fatigue. It got me really thinking about how far I have come.

I have also decided I will go back to playing basketball. I missed the camaraderie I developed with my teammates last year, and I want to prove to myself that I can return to something like the athleticism I had. So I have started back on the court, doing a lot of the drills with my teammates but just a controlled pace. First few sessions were really tough, as much from the fear and anxiety perspective as anything, but that is getting better with each session. Feels great to be back around that team environment, around people I feel are genuinely excited to see me back up and moving.

My strength and fitness is almost back to where it was before the injury although, I still have a fair way to go in terms of explosive activities. I also still have trouble getting going in the morning, being a bit stiff and sore, and I am having a little trouble still getting the range back, through the ankle joint as well as the calf and Achilles. But at this stage, I really have nothing to complain about. Just over 7 months since surgery and I am starting to feel like myself again...

I am very pleased to say that my rehab has progressed significantly since the last instalment.

I feel like I am not doing our industry justice in saying it, but it feels amazing to be back doing “real exercise”. I am not understating the importance of the early phase but there is something about lifting heavy things that just makes you feel alive! That and I have been able to start jogging (a little bit) which has always been therapeutic to me so feels like another massive step (pun intended) in the right direction.

However, as a result of ramping up what I am doing, combined with some big days on my feet at work, unfortunately at times I have been getting a fair bit of pain right through the Achilles, around the ankle and down under my foot.

While I know that is very normal, it is still tough to be constantly in pain for days on end. And while I know better, as I have seen it overcome on so many occasions by the incredible people I have got to work with over the years, it still doesn’t stop the mental demons coming in of “what if it is like this forever” and “what if I can never get back to what I want to without pain”? Interestingly, the discussion of potentially going back to basketball has even come up quite recently and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought “but what if I am not capable of getting back to it” or “at what cost/level of pain”.

This led me to a discussion with some of my colleagues following an event at Deakin University last week. We were discussing that even though we do our best to sympathise with our patients, we can’t truly empathise unless we have lived it. There are times where no amount of knowledge seems to be able to overcome those thoughts that creep into your head. We even suggested that maybe the first year of any health professional’s degree should include “Significantly Traumatic Injury 101: Your experience of what your patients go through”. At the first class every student receives a traumatic injury that they then need to recover from (obviously kidding), because everyone of us that have been fortunate/unfortunate (depending on how you look at it) enough to have suffered a significant injury feel we are much better at what we do as a result.

So, on the plus side, I still have a heap of learning to go through!

Watching people stepping back to accelerate (how I did the injury) I still cringe/feel my Achilles. The idea of sprinting and jumping feels so far off, so to tick off those boxes I’m sure will be a surreal experience. Thinking back, It wasn’t so long ago, that I had my foot up on the couch in plaster having just had the surgery.

I am sure it will all go incredibly fast.

Hi, my name is Robyn Green and I am a 46 year old mum of 3. I live in Ferntree Gully and work as a nurse at Knox Private Hospital. I had a crazy idea in my head that for my 40th birthday I was going to do a ½ Ironman. I come from a recreational running background but hadn’t been swimming since I was a kid and that only included doing bombs in the pool, diving to the bottom to collect sinky toys or making whirlpools. The last time I had ever been on a bike was when I received one from ‘Santa’ at Christmas as a 7 year old and promptly swapped it for a black and white TV with the neighbour. I then purchased a bike on ebay to start riding, in order to fulfil my dream, only to find out after my purchase, that there are sizes of bikes and the tall I had purchased, was a little too big for my 160cm body…I know, rookie mistake! So as you can see, not a lot of hidden talent to tap into, but anyway, I pressed on. I decided to join the local triathlon club, Knox Tri Club, where I hoped I was going to learn to swim and ride. The club was amazing for their coaching, friendship and support and I am proud to say I am still a member today, having made some lifelong friends and learnt some skills along the way. One of the clubs sponsors was Rowville Sports, now known as Rise Health Group, and this is where I first met Stuart, Leigh, Nick, Stacey and a number of the other physio’s who helped keep my body in check while I worked towards my goal. I spent 7 months learning to swim at Knox Leisure Works on a Tuesday and Thursday morning at 5.30am, had bike riding training on a Tuesday evening where I learnt not only sizing of bikes but that bikes had gears, and how to use them and went out on early morning (4am!) rides on the weekend to make sure I was back in time for kids sports. Then there was run training which started with Stacey taking us for a 30 minute pilates session prior to our run training. This was the first time I had met my glutes and it has been a love/hate relationship ever since!!

I was lucky enough to successfully complete my ½ Ironman at Shepparton, as I swam 1.9km through Lake Kiala, where you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face for muddy brown water, rode the back streets of Shepparton for 90km and then ran around the local streets for 21km!! As I crossed the finish line I swore I would never, ever do a triathlon again as it was such a long distance and such a stupid idea!!! Fast forward a few years, as Mike Reilly yelled at me…..”You are an Ironman” as I crossed the line late into the night on the 21st March, 2015 at St Kilda, having just completed the Melbourne Ironman, double the distance of the ½, you can see that thought didn’t last long. Leigh Iacovangelo and his team has kept me moving forward throughout this whole journey to help me meet my goals. Many an evening has been spent with me in the furthest room away from the general public as I swear, cry, yell and scream through dry needling in my achilles, glutes, hamstrings and pretty much anywhere else you can put needles in the lower ½ of your body!! I then sheepishly slink up reception, apologising for my outcries, to which the girls always smile and say..”I heard nothing”, and make my next appointment.

But there was still one dream left to go…..could I be lucky enough to represent my country???? The World Triathlon race was coming to the Gold Coast in September 2018, in both Sprint (short and fast) and Olympic Distance. Qualifying races started in October, 2017 in Yarrawonga and were spread all throughout the country over the summer. I spent 4 months travelling with my partner Dave, from Sydney, to Adelaide to Canberra and back home, calling in favours from friends to baby sit the kids while we travelled and raced. In between trips I was at the physio where Leigh would work his magic, releasing my hamstring and glute tightness. Long story short…..I made the sprint team!!!!!!! Not bad for a mum of 46 who, when she told her kids she was trying out, got told by her 16 year old son….. “As if you will make the team Mum”. The child will be kissing my green and gold butt, don’t worry!!!

As I write this email, I have 10 minutes to go before I head down to Humphries Way to see Leigh for the last time before I race. I can’t thank Leigh, and his team enough for all the help, support, spikey balls, resistance bands, glute bridges, clams, heel raises etc. etc. that has got me through to this point. I am forever grateful!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me on September 13th……..

Robyn

At no point of this process did I think I would have thoughts that my life may be at risk. I tore my Achilles tendon and had it surgically repaired, no big deal in the scheme of health issues. However, after visiting my surgeon for a regular review 6 weeks post op, and him suggesting he won’t call me an ambulance provided I go straight back to hospital, I would be lying if my mortality hadn’t become quite real. And with a wife and children at home, that was an incredibly scary experience.

On the Friday morning of the 3rd of August, I woke up with significant pain in the calf. And having increased my activity, at first I thought I had just done too much in a day. But across the course of the day, the pain got significantly worse, I developed some swelling behind my knee and it was quite hot. Luckily being a health professional I understood what this might be, and I was off to the hospital to see if I had developed a DVT, or a clot in my leg. This was confirmed later that night and I was sent home after an injection to come back in the morning to have an ultrasound to find out where it is and come up with a plan, with the one warning, to come straight back if I developed chest pain.

The next morning I headed back to hospital to have my ultrasound, feeling pretty comfortable with this latest bump in the road. However, as I sat waiting for my ultrasound, I started to develop the chest pain, and soon after shortness of breath. I advised the team at the hospital and they did some blood tests and some other brief tests and sent me home as where my clot was highly unlikely to have broken off and gone anywhere else in my body (obvious concern being my heart and lungs). They put the chest pain down to anxiety with the process.

I then proceeded to head down to watch my team’s first final and provide some support. During the second quarter I felt my phone start ringing over and over in my pocket. I handed it to Nicole (my wife) and asked her to answer it. One of my blood tests had come back suggesting something was potentially damaging my heart, among other potential things and I was to come back the next day to have further tests. But as the chest pain only got worse I headed back on the Saturday night. After spending all day Sunday there and a few more tests completed, this time seeing the cardiologist, I was again cleared to go home with a diagnosis of inflammation of the lining of my heart (pericarditis), which should settle over the course of a few days.

A few days past and on Thursday the 9th of August I headed back to my surgeon, Otis Wang. The chest pain and shortness of breath seemed to have only gotten worse, despite being on medication and was due for a regular review of how my Achilles was going. It didn’t take long for Otis to make up his mind on what to focus on and he was on the phone to colleagues to get their opinion of what may be happening with my chest, and before I knew it, they were organising me a hospital bed. The concern he showed for me was something that stuck with me and made the urgency of returning to hospital very apparent. So back I went. However, after 3 more days, and a bunch more tests to clear everything that could be life threatening I was again able to go home, this time with the piece of mind of how thoroughly I was investigated and looked after. They were still unsure of what may have caused it, and I was now to be followed up outside of the hospital, so at least I could head home and resume life as normal while it is figured out.

My symptoms have improved significantly and I have started feeling like myself again over the past few days. And as scary as the past couple of weeks were, sometimes getting to experience those brief flashes of your mortality makes you question why you do what you do with your time and so what you do with the days you have. It sounds cliché but it has motivated me to make the most of the time I have and so has made the past couple of weeks quite fulfilling.

I was also able to remove my boot and start to walk around in shoes! Which has also meant that I am able to drive again! After nearly 2 months I am able to walk to my car in a shoe and drive myself to where I need to go. No more calling on friends and family to be my Uber (thanks Leigh, Nikki, Mel and obviously Nicole!). The independence feels amazing. I still need to wear the moon boot at times, when I am in the gym at Rise, or at the MCG etc. but to not have to wear it all the time is amazing. I have really come to appreciate the little things. Taking a shower without wrapping a leg in garbage bags and hanging it out the door, driving myself around, sleeping with nothing on my foot, I am starting to get my life back.

I have even started to see a few more patients at work. Obviously my demonstrations aren’t great but I get the message across. It’s inspiring to get back to doing what I love. Helping empower people to improve their health, instead of worrying so much about my own. I feel like I am starting to turn the corner and it is amazing.

For my entire career I have attempted to sympathise with my patients and the anxiety they feel coming back from injury or illness. And until you get to walk in their shoes (again, pun intended) you really can’t comprehend it.

Last week I was able to take my first steps putting some weight through my foot, 3 weeks after my Achilles repair. That feeling of apprehension, which lasted several hours, is something that I’ll never forget. No matter how hard I tried to tell myself to put “25% of my bodyweight” on my right foot, I could force myself to not carry all my weight through my crutches.

But what a difference a week makes. 7 days later and I can walk with minimal assistance of the crutches. I am feeling much more confident in my leg, at times standing with all my weight on it. In all honestly, at time I still feel a fair bit of anxiety when it pulls or stretches when I load a different way. Even though I have the knowledge to know that it is nothing to worry about, and they will be normal feelings as I start to do more, it is hard to overcome the “reflex” of worry (for want of a better term). It feels quite strange but I’m excited by the progress. The highlight being today with the excitement in my 4 year old sons voice at how well daddy was doing. I am also hoping that being able to load it more will help with some of the aching that still happens, particularly earlier in the morning and much worse at night.

More importantly, I was also able to take a normal shower for the first time in a month! No wrapping my leg up in bags to keep it dry etc. I’ve definitely come to appreciate some things I normally take for granted!

The next phase for me is to remove the heel lifts I have in and then be out of my cam walker*. This will mean I can walk normally again, can drive myself around and generally stop being a burden to everyone around me! I am sure there are some people more excited for this than me. This should mean over the next couple of weeks I will be able to return to relative normality, get back to contributing more at home, being able to help improve people’s health at work, be able to drive between those locations etc.

However, the past month has gone surprisingly fast and I attribute that to my incredible family and friends that have supported me through this time. I have said it in every blog so far but I continue to be amazed at how well supported I have been, even all of our incredible clients/patients at Rise that have emailed me, or stopped me in the street etc. to ask me how I am and wish me well has meant the world to me so thank you to you all.

* Random side note: Health professionals, if you have never spent anytime in a cam walker, try to spend an afternoon in one, or for the real competitors, try spending a whole 24 hours (including sleeping) in one.

It’s amazing how perspective can hit you like a truck. 2 weeks ago I was working my backside off trying to make a difference in the lives of my patients/clients while trying to grow a business to provide market leading health care to the people of Rowville, while playing basketball at a semi-professional level. The business of life had meant that I had not stopped to see the forest from the trees.

Nicole and I moved our family from the Mornington Peninsula to Rowville for the opportunity to work for Rise Health Group 5 and a half years ago. With Nicole originally being from Echuca, it meant that we had no family or friends outside of “work colleagues” within almost an hours drive. But sometimes you need to have it forced to see the supports you have around you.

In the past 2 weeks that I have been at home on bed rest, not a single day has gone by that at least someone hasn’t offered to drop in for a coffee, or drive me to East Melbourne appointment (thanks Nikki!) with the record in one day being 6 people offering to stop in! We spend more time at work than we do at home with our families and fortunately I am incredibly lucky to work with a bunch of people that are my friends.

It has also had me appreciate just sitting on the couch, spending otherwise meaningless time with my children, that are priceless moments to me.

When we aren’t injured we take for granted what are bodies are capable of. 2 weeks ago I was counting down the games left till finals. There was no doubt that the season had become a grind and heading to training was a chore. The weekends, often with games on both Saturday nights and Sunday, taking away from time with my family.

Having been taken out of my cast and starting to do some exercise now (see the video), I am a long way removed from playing basketball with my mates (50 weeks to go!). Those trainings that were a chore, I now miss hanging out with the best bunch of team mates that I have had in all my time in basketball.

While it would have been nice if the circumstances were different, it has made me slow down and appreciate the people and the little moments in my life. How lucky I am to have such an amazing family, such awesome friends, a lot of which I get to work with, my team mates and the little moments with these people that are priceless.

As I drove home from the surgeons office reality set in. 2 weeks on full bed rest, 8-12 weeks on crutches and not being able to drive and likely 12 months before I can play any sport or sprint around playing with my kids. Being an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and the Manager of Exercise Services at Rise Health Group, the rehab was the least of my worries.

On Saturday the 23rd of June, while playing basketball in Geelong, I went to push off to run towards our basket and felt someone boot me in the back of the leg. However, as I fell over, I realised there was in fact no one around me. I knew instantly what had happened. They stopped the game and my coach came out to me. He said “are you alright mate?” to which I said “I’m pretty sure I’ve snapped my Achilles”.

I calmed down quickly and was fortunate enough to be assessed by one of our colleagues from Corio Bay Health Group who was there for the opposing team. He confirmed what I thought and it was off to the hospital to be put in a cast before heading home.

The next couple of days I was mostly just thinking about how confident I am in the team I had around me. I was incredibly confident in my surgeon Otis Wang from having worked with him and knowing the person he is. Stuart Imer, the Director of Foot and Ankle Rehab Australia had been an amazing support to me when I first did the injury. He is possibly the best foot and ankle physiotherapist in Australia and he would be taking me through the next phase of my rehab after surgery. I couldn’t have been in better hands.

However, until I left Otis’ office I hadn’t really thought about the full spectrum of what I was in for. With surgery on Wednesday morning, what have I got to do to organise my work schedule for this week? Who’s going to cover everything and take care of my patients and clients for the next few weeks? What about the projects/business development I’ve been working on? The conference I have this weekend? Can I get a refund for those flights and accommodation at least? Do I have enough sick leave? Then there’s all the personal side of it. How is Sam (my son) going to get to school? Is Nicole (my wife) going to be able to look after me as well with all she already does for our family? Are the kids going to understand? Why can’t daddy chase them around like he normally does? I’m generally not a fan of uncertainty and this was no exception.

It really had me appreciating what it must be like for our patients. Having never had a serious injury before, I didn’t fully appreciate the uncertainty that comes with it. My mind was all over the place, and at least I knew what my rehab would look like and fully trust the team around me. I imagine that must be even more concerning for people without the experience I have with the rehab process. It reinforces the need for us as health professionals, to clearly outline and display the treatment pathway for our patients and to help provide some certainty in a time where they desperately need that.

So on Wednesday morning, I checked in to Waverley Private Hospital to have my Achilles repaired. The surgery all went well and I was able to head home that afternoon. The one thing that has continued to blow my mind over the past week though is how much support and care I have had from the people around me. From my team mates on Saturday night after my injury, to my coach coming to the hospital to drive my wife and I home from Geelong afterwards, the offers to run a fundraiser on my behalf, my work colleagues that reassured me that I needed to focus on taking care of myself and making sure I did so, my surgeon calling Nicole personally to inform her that the surgery went well and I was in recovery as well as messaging me from his holiday the next day to check in on me, my friends and family and particularly my incredible wife Nicole, for everything from just messaging me support, to dropping in with coffee to have a chat. I have been amazed at how lucky I am to have the incredible people I have in my life.

Now it’s a matter of literally putting my feet up for the next 2 weeks to let the wound heal. I’ve timed it perfectly so I’ll get to spend some extra time with my children while my eldest son is off school and will no doubt find plenty of ways to keep myself busy. I may have a long road of rehab in front of me but I couldn’t be more lucky to have the support around me that I do.

Rise Health Group would like to congratulate Physiotherapist, Stacey Cherry, for the completion of her Masters of Sports Physiotherapy.

In light of her Masters completion, Stacey Cherry’s prices will increase according to the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s pricing recommendations.

The pricing increase is to reflect her extensive experience and level of expertise that she can offer patients.

Across all health insurance funds Stacey Cherry’s consulting prices will be as follows:

Assessments - $120.00

Subsequent Appointments (20 Minutes) - $95.00

Subsequent Long Appointments (40 Minutes) - $140.00

We understand that this price increase may not be suited to everyone, therefore, if you have any issues or inquires about how this price increase will affect you, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic on 9763 9233 or message our Facebook page.

Price changes will come into effect as of Monday the 9th of April 2018.

The team at Rise Health Group pride themselves on taking an evidence-based approach to the treatment and management of our patients. Therefore, the Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology team at Rise Health Group have teamed up with Deakin University’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences to collaborate on a variety of projects. With this approach in mind, Rise Health Group have taken on course advisory roles within the University to both inspire and encourage future Exercise Scientists and Exercise Physiologists to take an evidence-lead approach to assessing, treating and managing their patients.

Rise Health Group’s Matt Pollard is currently teaching within the University, whilst Exercise Physiologists Keegan Ziada, Zoe Ruth and Thomas Lariba-Taing work closely with Deakin University students through mentoring them in the field. Our internship program is designed to create first-hand experience for students by allowing them to apply their knowledge with athletes and patients under the guidance of our exercise team.

“We are very excited to formalise our partnership with such a prestigious University. We look forward to continuing to explore opportunities to continue to work together for the betterment of the health and high performance industries,” said Matt Pollard when he was asked about the partnership.

With the impressive students that we have seen come through our internship program, such as our very own Exercise Physiologist Zoe Ruth, we are proud to be working in such close proximity with students at Deakin University.

With this partnership, moving forward Rise Health will be implementing and contributing to the newest and latest exercise research across all practitioners to ensure that our patients are receiving the best treatment possible.

As summer heats up, my go to for a quick and easy lunch is a DIY wrap. They’re convenient and the potential for tasty flavour combinations is endless… Plus they’re an easy way to get in a couple of serves of vegetables. Wraps are an ideal lunch idea, especially if you have training later on in the day, as depending on the ingredients you choose, they contain carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle recovery.

The beautiful things about DIY wraps is that the flavour combinations are up to you. My go to combinations at the moment are:

Turkey slices or smoked salmon with raw spinach, cucumber and cream cheese or avocadoFalafel with shredded carrot, tomato, cucumber, slice of cheese, handful of mixed salad and avocadoGrilled tofu or chicken, shredded carrot, bean sprouts and coriander with a smear of crunchy peanut butter

As you can see, I pick a protein option, lots of vegetables and finish off with a flavour boost, such as the avocado or peanut butter. I’ve added a list below for some inspiration and I strongly believe in getting a little MasterChef-y and experimenting to find out what tickles your taste buds and fuels you well.

My top tips for wraps are:

Look for a wrap that contains more than 3g of fibre per serve as the fibre will keep you fuller for longer and plays an important role in keeping our digestive system healthyBalance it out by choosing an ingredient from each of the category above to help keep your body fuelled to take on the rest of the dayIf you’re making your wrap the day before, to avoid it getting soggy, add your leafy greens first, then your protein and any ingredients with a high water content (eg. tomatoes and cucumber) in the middle. Alternately, if you prefer, slice and dice all your ingredients the night before and pop them into a container with sections and construct your wrap at lunchWraps are prone to tearing if you’re too enthusiastic on the fillings front. I’ve found that a handful of leafy veggies, a couple of slices of cucumber/carrot and a couple of slices of my protein stacked neatly in the middle works best for me to keep my wrap intact. Since I can’t always get all the veggies I want in without destroying any wrapability, I pair my wrap with a side salad or punnet of cherry tomatoes to get in an extra serve of veg (I promise you can make friends with salad)With the weather heating up, food safety is key. Keep your food cool by adding an ice block or frozen water bottle to your lunch bag

I’ll be sharing more quick and easy food ideas in the weeks to come, so keep an eye out! In the meantime, if you’d like to have a one on one chat about all things food and nutrition, book in to see me by e-mailing jessica@risehg.com.au or calling 03 9763 9233. Happy wrapping!

Rise Health Group’s approach to exercise rehabilitation is impressive to say the least. Based in Rowville, Melbourne, Stuart Canavan’s practice, established in 2000, boasts an extensive multidisciplinary team comprising physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, exercise scientists, dieticians, podiatrists, myotherapists and a sports medicine physician.

‘I view exercise as the future of our profession and the future of medicine in many respects. We are going to have to be collaborative in our approach, moving forward with other evidence based professions, particularly with the exercise science community and the exercise physiology community,’ Stuart says. ‘At Rise, we’ve tried to take a very strong strategic step into that exercise space to make exercise a key feature of what we’re about.’

As well as catering to the general public, over the past six years, Rise Health Group has practised in partnership with the Rowville Sports Academy, at Rowville Secondary College, to provide complete physiotherapy and exercise science services to about 700 student athletes. The fitness, training and high-performance facility is located a short drive from the practice headquarters.

‘This has allowed us to significantly develop the scope of our exercise services. We now have a physical space that allows us to deliver a complete spectrum of exercise services; everything from exercise associated with injury management all the way to high-performance programs for elite athletes,’ Stuart says. ‘It’s quite a significant point of difference for us…we have considerable experience in the area of long-term junior athlete development and advanced rehabilitation protocols, particularly in the ACL space where we are incorporating high-performance testing and programming into rehabilitation design.’

The practice’s holistic approach to patient care stems from Stuart’s professional experience abroad about 20 years ago— aged 23, he was tasked with establishing a practice in Kentucky, United States. During this time, Stuart witnessed his American counterparts’ heavy emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach to exercise rehabilitation.

‘At that time, Australia was very much focused on manual therapy, and US-based clinicians were forging ahead with respect to functional exercise and advanced exercise programs,’ he says. ‘It gave us insight into where our profession was going.’

Once back in Australia, Stuart established a community focused physiotherapy practice to provide a patient-centred, multidisciplinary and strong exercise-focused offering to his clients.

'For us to continue to move forward, we have to recognise that we lack expertise, in certain areas, compared to other professions.'

‘We could see there was a need to expand beyond physiotherapy care and incorporate a multidisciplinary approach very quickly, but also moving towards the development of exercise and functional restoration programs in rehabilitation.’

The practice was initially named ‘Rowville Physiotherapy’, but just over a year ago Stuart made the decision to rebrand the practice. Rise Health Group, he notes, is a more adequate reflection of the evolution of his practice over the last 14 years and where it stands today.

‘The scope of our practice had developed to the point where we were no longer just doing physiotherapy, and we were no longer just doing sports medicine services, such as podiatry and myotherapy,’ Stuart says. ‘The practice is far beyond just solely a physiotherapy practice.’

Another component to the practice’s holistic approach is an emphasis on diet. The practice has an in-house dietetics team available to assist patients with a variety of diet-based and nutrition strategies, from diabetes to weight-loss programs.

It has also worked with the Victorian government as a provider for the Life! program, managing patients at risk of preventable diseases. Such activity further underscores the importance Stuart places on an interprofessional approach to patient care and the role that digestive health has in well-being.

‘It would be remiss of our profession to think we have all the answers when it comes to dealing with the diabetes problem that we’re confronted with in Western society,’ Stuart says. ‘For us to continue to move forward, we have to recognise that we lack expertise, in certain areas, compared to other professions.’

And Stuart’s tip for other practice principals wanting to incorporate a more holistic approach into their business? Don’t be afraid to be different.

‘There’s so much opportunity in Australia to focus your practice on a complete holistic manner, and that’s where we need to focus our attention in healthcare,’ he says.

‘The pendulum needs to swing back towards preventing and reversing where our society now finds itself with respect to declining activity levels and issues that relate to diabetes, obesity, musculoskeletal dysfunction and poor nutritional habits.

‘Humans have complex integrated systems. I feel collaborative research, clinical reasoning and treatment approaches moving forward need to reflect that philosophy. I would encourage all physiotherapists to take a broad view to what constitutes well-being and the place that physiotherapists can fill in assisting all people across the course of their life.’

Rise Health Group is proudly supporting the Trail Running series by Rapid Ascent. This series provides runners with safe off-road tracks through many of the incredible natural landscapes that Melbourne's surrounding areas has to offer.

The Trail Running-series is a competition which began on June 18th with the first race in Westerfolds Park. With a series of races still to be held, these events are be incredible for runners that prefer trail tracks. This Sunday (August 6th 2017) will mark the 3rd race in the series. With race distances of 7.2km, 15km and 21km, there is a race for all abilities.

Located at Silvan Reservoir Park, it is just 52kms (1 hour) from Melbourne’s CBD, and 30 minutes from Rise Health Group’s facilities. The race will take competitors through Silvans park and forest areas on a track that is perfect for trail runners.

Rapid Ascent is also incorporating a kids run into this race day. This is a 2km run for kids aged between 4 and 10 years. Although this is not a competitive race, it is a chance for little kids to be able to run along some of the same trails that the adults went over.

Rise Health Group will be setting up a marquee at the event to showcase our services. Rise Health Group have services and experts in Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Exercise Physiology, Dietetics, and Exercise Science. With this diverse range of services, Rise Health Group is committed to helping both athletes and the community with pain management, general exercise and education.

If you are interested in the race this Sunday or any of the races still to come in the Trail Running series, you can register here.

Local woman, Samantha Mollica is challenging her rare and life threatening condition in the Run Melbourne event on July 30th.

In 2013, Ms Mollica was diagnosed with exercise-induced anaphylaxis, which causes her to suffer an attack from physical exercise or anything which may elevate her heart rate.

The 28 year old woman from Rowville suffered her first attack on December 31st 2013.

“I remember feeling extremely hot and my face was bright red radiating heat. My pulse was beating super-fast” Ms Mollica said.

The ambulance team that responded to Mollica took over an hour to stabilise her due to her low heart beat and an inability to register her blood pressure.

In 13 months, Ms Monica suffered from 5 attacks, with the majority of the attacks occurring directly after exercise.

“I use to run every day, but after my last attack my allergist had directed me to stop as that appeared to be my main trigger” said Ms Mollica. “Exercise was such a big part of my life and I felt that [my] freedom to exercise like everyone else was taken away from me.”

Ms Mollica is set to complete the Run Melbourne event on July 30th. In order to give back to Monash Health Allergy, she has been collecting donations from supporters in hopes to raise $3,000 for the department.

“I wanted to give back to the department that has given me a chance to try and live a normal life again” said Ms Mollica.

With the constant mental hurdle of waking up each day and thinking about the possibility of an attack occurring, Ms Mollica said “I wanted to [complete Run Melbourne to] prove that I can do it and that my condition doesn’t define who I am.”

Ms Mollica began seeing Rise Health Group’s Exercise Physiologist Matt Pollard after her last attack two and a half years ago.

“Matt challenges me both physically and mentally [by] pushing me to keep achieving goals that at times, I don’t feel are possible” She said.

If you would like to support Ms Mollica and her funding for Monash Allergy Health, you can visit her donation page here.

Rise Health Group is very excited to reveal our brand new website to the public! After months of consideration we believed that it would be best to completely redesign our website with an aim of having a website that was more user-friendly for the public as well as consistently up to date with the latest news and information.

Rise Health Group has had a range of changes over the past few months with the introduction of new staff such as Stuart Imer and April Hart, as well as new sponsorships and partnerships. Rise Health Group continually see incredible patients and hear of remarkable stories, therefore, with our new website we want to showcase the hard efforts of our clients and our clinical team.

News from our clinical team, sponsored athletes and the health and well-being sector in general will be shared here.

Although this website has been published, we still have many features and projects in the pipeline. Everyone at Rise Health Group are constantly considering how we can improve our services for our clients, therefore, we are excited about the potential that our new website holds.

If you would like to keep up to date with Rise Health Group's news, please feel free to leave your contact details in the form to the side of this webpage and we will add you to our mailing list. However, we do understand how horrible spam emails are, therefore, we promise to only send you important emails with news and exciting announcements.

We are very excited to release our new website, and hope that you enjoy it as much as our staff do.

From the team at Rise Health Group.

Rise Health Group prides themselves on helping the next generation of practitioners, therefore, we are currently taking applications for our next round of interns for our Rise Performance Internship Program.

This program is run in conjunction with the Rowville Sports Academy with a focus of athletic development.

If you are interested in becoming one of Rise Health Group's newest interns, please download our to see if you are eligible.

All applications must be submitted to Matt Pollard by close of business Wednesday 21st June 2017. Late applications will not be considered.

Rise Health Group Presents - the final installment of our three part series on, Zoe Ruth, a lifelong client and now staff member.

Although Exercise Scientist Zoe Ruth has had to overcome a series of medical challenges in her lifetime, she has continued to use her experiences and expertise to help others at the Rise Health Group Clinic.

Zoe Ruth has already completed a Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science) at Deakin University to become a qualified Exercise Scientist. Zoe Ruth’s next goal is to become a fully qualified Exercise Physiologist, which she is due to become in June after her completing her Master’s Degree of Clinical Exercise Physiology.

Zoe has been working at Rise Health Group since she was 21 both as an Exercise Scientist and a Customer Service Assistant. When asked about her future career aspirations Zoe explained that “when I got the internship [at Rise Health Group] and then the job, it was like my goal [had been] reached.”

“Before I started [my] internship [at Rise Health Group], I was like ‘that’s where I want to work, that’s where I want my job, that’s where I want my career.” Zoe continued to explain. “My plan right now is to stay [at Rise Health Group] long term.”

Rise Health Group prides itself on being a “health care provider for life”. Therefore, Rise is currently involved in running the Life! Program, which is funded by the Victorian Government and managed by Diabetes Victoria. Zoe Ruth has been the driving force behind organising the local course to be the most beneficial for all participants. The program aims to help individuals prevent Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It is free for most people and helps support individuals to live a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Further information about the Life! Program information can be found at www.lifeprogram.org.au.

Rise Health Group are currently in the process of organising a second group for eligible individuals to partake in the program within the coming months. If you are interested in completing the program with Rise Health Group, or would like to see if you are eligible, please email Zoe at zoer@risehg.com.au with your contact details, or alternatively call the clinic on 9763 9233.

Rise Health Group Presents - the second of our three part series on, Zoe Ruth, a lifelong client and now staff member.

Rise Health Group’s Exercise Scientist, Zoe Ruth, has had a lifetime of injuries and health complications beginning with breaking her left femur when she was eight years old. After Zoe had recovered from her leg injury, her teenage years were a never ending battle with chest infections. Doctors would dismiss these infections as various types of common colds such as the flu. It was only after Zoe was referred to a specialist that they diagnosed her with having Bronchiectasis’.

Bronchiectasis is a common lung disease which is caused by a chronic infection in the small airways. This disease can cause lung damage, scarring, dilating and infected mucus to build up in the pockets of the lungs. With treatment this disease can be managed, but it is rare for someone to be completely cured.

“[Doctors] found that I had a rare bacteria [in my lungs]” explained Zoe when asked about her diagnosis. The bacteria was identified as Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia. This bacteria was only able to be treated using one set of antibiotics which the body can become immune to quickly. The only option for Zoe was to use the antibiotics in moderation with other treatment methods.

Rise Health Group’s Physiotherapist, Kathryn Oldman, began working with Zoe in order to teach Zoe and her family the methods of Pummeling. “It is a way of creating vibrations through your chest to work out flem so it is easier to cough out” explained Zoe. Two hours was set aside each night for Zoe and her family in order for this Pummeling treatment to occur.

Zoe Ruth also acknowledged the work by the Royal Children’s Hospital, who helped with her treatment of Pummeling as well as helping the Ruth family treat her Bronchiectasis on a long term basis.

A symptom that Zoe suffered from was an extraneous cough. “I use to get the comments of stop smoking and smokers cough” Zoe said when reflecting on her time in high school, “I felt drowned”. Attention towards her deep coughs and appearance would be drawn to by her fellow peers. “I was quite underweight [at the time]” Zoe explained. Not only was Zoe constantly fighting Bronchiectasis but she was taking supplements in order to help her overall body weight and general health.

Through improving her overall health, and setting aside those two hours every night to work on the treatment of her lungs, Zoe Ruth was able to reduce her symptoms of the disease. “I went from having crappy, scared, full of crap lungs… to healthy ones like nothing had ever happened” explained Zoe. Moving forward Zoe Ruth has developed Asthma which she has been able to keep under control through her exercise.

“A lot of [people] do not understand the use of exercise and it’s therapeutic ways.”

Zoe Ruth continues to maintain a high level of general health through regular exercise and aims to help more people in similar situations as herself. If you believe that Zoe Ruth and The Rise Health Group team, could help with your treatment or health and wellnesss goals please visit our website www.risehealthgroup.com.au and arrange an assessment with our qualified team.

The original article was published in the Rowville Lysterfield Community News

Rise Health Group is a business that is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of all community members.

Through the development of the business, Rise has seen an extensive number of patients; each brings with them their own stories about their needs for care.

As a journalism student at Swinburne University and staff member at Rise Health Group, I, Breanna Harris, will be highlighting the stories of both patients and staff.

Each story will be told over a series of articles. The following is the first in a series about our Exercise Scientist, Miss Zoe Ruth.

“If I hadn’t [had] done it, I one, wouldn’t be working here; and two, wouldn’t have studied what I studied.”

Zoe Ruth started out as a patient, but is now a qualified exercise scientist who has gone on to complete her masters at Deakin University in order to become a fully qualified exercise physiologist as a result of her 14 years with Rise Health Group.

Zoe’s involvement with Rise Health Group first started when she broke the femur in her left leg.

At the time, Zoe was only eight years old, and when she believed that her cat was stuck behind a few slabs of marble, she had to do something.

“Because my dad worked in construction, we were banned from the side of the house.” Zoe explained.

Terrified about her cat she ignored the family rule and crept down the side of her house.

Zoe laid three slabs on her lap before a fourth one fell down, causing the break in her leg.

She was rushed to Dandenong Hospital and into surgery in order to implant two internal pins into her left femur.

While waiting in the emergency room, Zoe’s mum saw a similar situation telecast on Channel 7 — a young girl, about Zoe’s age, had been taken to Dandenong Hospital from Rowville with reports that she had broken her left leg.

It only came to Zoe’s mum’s mind that the news story was about her daughter when she began receiving a number of text messages and calls from concerned relatives.

Mrs. Ruth was mortified that Zoe’s story had been telecast nationwide and that her other two children had also been interviewed despite her wishes.

After Zoe was out of surgery and the Channel 7 ordeal had subsided for a moment, it was critical that they began her rehabilitation the next day due to the nature of her break and her age.

Her rehabilitation started in Dandenong Hospital and then moved to another local physiotherapist in Scoresby, but “they weren’t that great” for a young girl scared and having to learn how to walk again.

At this time, Rowville Physiotherapy, which is now called Rise Health Group, was only a new business in the Rowville area.

With about three physiotherapists, including practice owner, Stuart Canavan, the practice was small and without many patients.

Based solely on the corner of Taylors Lane and Kelletts Road, the practice was relying heavily on word of mouth and locals seeing their signed location.

Curiosity of the new practice in their area was what drew her mum to suggest trying Rowville Physiotherapy for her daughter’s treatment.

Beginning her rehabilitation with physiotherapist, Stuart Canavan, Zoe began to realise the full scope of her accident.

From this one injury she had to learn how to walk again, her legs started to grow at different speeds, she developed muscular atrophy (the reduction in muscle size) and her body changed its response to even the simplest of tasks.

“He was really good with assessing and treating,” Zoe said when asked about her rehabilitation sessions with Canavan, “[he was] really committed.”

Canavan reported that he can remember visiting Zoe one day after work in order to check up on her pain because “the nature of the injury that she had, was reasonably significant.”

“It wasn’t any different to what I would do to other patients who were in a really bad way,” he continued.

Although Zoe’s leg has now completely healed, she continues to be a valuable asset to the Rise Health Group team working as an exercise scientist as well as helping out with administration work and running the new ‘Life!’ program.

If you believed that Zoe Ruth could help with your treatment, please contact Rise Health Group on 9763 9233 or visit any of our facilities to organise assistant with one of the Rise team members.

The original article was posted in the Rowville Lysterfield Community News.