The Sydney Spine and Pelvis Team
Our physiotherapy team includes Barb Hungerford, Peta Gosbee, Shelley Howle and Elizabeth Evans. All our physiotherapists are highly experienced and qualified in manual therapy techniques, sports physiotherapy, muscle re-education and exercise rehabilitation and are committed to professional development to ensure that we remain at the forefront of our field. All our physiotherapists are also involved in clinical research as a means of improving our treatment and our results, and are members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Karen Anderson, Jan Nelson and Ange Thorn run the administrative side of Sydney Spine and Pelvis Centre and are available at reception from 8am Monday to Friday.
Dr Barbara Hungerford PhD, B.App Sci (Physiotherapy)
Barbara Hungerford, Director of Sydney Spine & Pelvis Physiotherapy Centre, has been a physiotherapist for over 25 years. Her inspiration to improve her own ability to treat peoples backs came from the many patients she saw in the early 1990's whose low back and pelvic pain had overtaken their capacity to enjoy life. Her own studies led her into teaching, and she founded Advanced Manual Therapy Associates P/L in 1995 as a vessel to provide educational courses for physiotherapists and medical practitioners. Barbara continues to provide these courses both in Australia and overseas. In 1997 she undertook a PhD that investigated the alteration of pelvic biomechanics and muscle recruitment in association with pelvic dysfunction. This was accepted in 2002 and she has since published this research in International Peer reviewed journals (link to amta). Barbara is also regularly asked to present her research, and ideas about treatment of back and pelvic pain, to medical conferences and physiotherapy groups internationally.
The opening of Sydney Spine & Pelvis Physiotherapy Centre in 2003 was a major achievement for Barb, as it provided an opportunity to create a centre of excellence in which the latest science of treatment could be combined with the passion to heal and help people regain control of their life and ease their pain.
Shelley Howle B.App Sci(Physiotherapy)
Shelley graduated from Sydney University in 2002 with a degree in Physiotherapy. She completed her graduate year at St George Hospital in Sydney before accepting a position at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where she worked for 2 years, primarily in Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. In 2006 Shelley traveled to the United Kingdom and spent the following 3 years working as a Locum Physiotherapist in Scotland, Kent and London. For the majority of her time in London she was employed by the British Military, where her role included the treatment of acute and chronic injuries suffered through both training and tour duties. Whilst in the UK Shelley also trained with the Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute in modified Pilates and is qualified to instruct in both Matwork and Equipment.
Shelley has achieved both Level 1 and Level 2 Sports Physiotherapy Certificates. She has a personal interest in numerous sports and has enjoyed working with a varied of teams including NSW Softball, NSW Netball, AFL and Rugby.
Since joining the Sydney Spine and Pelvis team Shelley has trained intensively with Barbara Hungerford. She has a particular clinical interest in the treatment of lumbo-pelvic pain and sporting trauma injuries. She uses a combination of muscle energy techniques, soft tissue release, joint mobilization, Real Time Ultrasound and exercise therapy including Pilates in her day to day treatment of injuries and pain.
Peta Gosbee M. Physiotherapy, B.App.Sci (Ex. Sports Sci)
Peta holds a degree in Exercise & Sports Science and a Masters (Physiotherapy). She has a particular interest in the treatment of the pelvis and lower limb injuries, as well as pregnancy related issues, and has undergone intensive training with Barb Hungerford in order to be at the forefront of treatment for back and pelvic pain. Peta's treatments incorporate the latest evidence in manual therapy techniques and specificity in lumbo-pelvic stability retraining for pregnant mums, athletes, and people who have suffered an injury to their back or pelvis. She has also trained in the use of Real Time Ultrasound to assist retraining of the deep abdominal and back muscles, and the pelvic floor. More recent study has seen Peta work with the use of RTUS to assist retraining of gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles after injury, tendinopathy, and in relation to pelvic and hip injuries
Peta also has a special interest in treatment of sporting injuries, in particular track and field, gymnastics, rowing and dance related injuries. Her experience includes rehabilitation following lower limb injuries such as hip labral tears, ligamentous injuries of the knee and ankle, and achilles tendonosis. For the past three years she has worked as the physiotherapist for the NSW Trampolining team, and is regularly involved in sports coverage for gymnastics NSW. She is presently providing physiotherapy services for the PLC Croyden Rowing team toward the 2011 championships.
Elizabeth Evans B.App Sci(Physiotherapy)
Elizabeth graduated as a Physiotherapist from the University of Sydney in 2004. She has gained valuable clinical experience over the past 6 years working both in private physiotherapy clinics and Hospital settings throughout, Australia and UK. Elizabeth has developed a passion for treatment of all musculoskeletal conditions in particular, those related to the pelvis and spine as in the assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor.
Elizabeth applies her knowledge in the assessment of the spine and pelvis that she has developed through extensive training undertaken with Barbara Hungerford, as well as through the skills she has gained with years of treating pregnancy and postnatal pelvic girdle pain. Elizabeth has undertaken further training and has a special interest in the management of pelvic floor related conditions such as; incontinence, post natal tears, constipation and straining, pelvic floor weakness, prolapse, and pre and post gynecological surgery.
Elizabeth incorporates manual therapy, trigger point release, muscle energy techniques, neural mobilization, exercise prescription and Real Time Ultrasound in her treatment approach. She has completed a Level 1 Clinical Pilates certificate which is used in her rehabilitation to correct muscle dysfunction and imbalance developed by patients through injury and prolonged pain, as well as for long term management and prevention of further injuries.
Kathryn Stene B.App.Sci(Physiotherapy)
Certified Pilates Instructor
Kathryn graduated with distinction from CURTIN University, Perth (Bachelor of Science, Physiotherapy, 2004). She started her career in Western Australia at a clinic that has a specific focus on sports physiotherapy, gaining valuable experience in a wide range of treatments. There she treated athletes from elite sporting teams including the Kookaburras (male hockey), Perth Orioles (now West Coast Fever, State netball) and Perth Glory (A-League soccer). Kathryn was also an on-site physiotherapist at the Hopman Cup for successive years.
This experience culminated in taking the position of Team Physiotherapist for Perth Glory in 2007-2008. Moving to Sydney in 2008, she continued with her passion for working with athletes by assisting with the Matildas (Australian women's soccer team) and the Young Matildas.
From her experience working with elite athletes and their injuries, Kathryn felt the need to focus more of her attention on the treatment of the hip, pelvis and spine. Kathryn has studied in Pilates, Real-Time Ultrasound, Dry Needling and further specific training with Barb Hungerford for pelvic and SIJ dysfunction, and incorporates these skill sets in treatment of her clients. Motor control retraining and exercise prescription along with manual therapy are a focus of treatment for clients.
Kathryn was a member of Perth Orioles Netball Team and WAIS when living in Perth and her extensive experience, both personally and professionally, with elite athletes and professional sporting teams continues to be an asset when treating sporting injuries.
