Ascot Vale Team

Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at James Cook University in 2012 and went on to complete a Master’s of Sports Physiotherapy in 2019. Michael is a currently recognised as an Australian Physiotherapy Association Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist and is a member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. Since graduating from his bachelor’s in 2012, Michael has worked largely in private practice and sporting teams, working with clubs such as Melbourne Victory W-League, Football Federation Victoria, Coburg Lions FC and most recently Heidelberg United NPL and WNPL.

Michael has a strong interest in injury prevention, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning and athletic performance. He believes the best cure to an injury is prevention, thus he utilises an objective approach to establish baseline data of your injury which will allow for evaluation of future improvements. As sports and exercise is a passion of Michael’s, he incorporates an active approach to his treatment to ensure future injuries and recurrences are prevented. Recently, Michael completed his level 1 accreditation to become a strength and conditioning coach.

When it comes to clinical injuries, Michael has an interest in treating; acute injuries, tendon injuries, stress fractures, shoulder/hip/knee injuries, running injuries, post-operative rehabilitation and overload injuries.

Michael hopes to continue expanding his knowledge in 2021, where he aims to become a certified golf specialist Physiotherapist where he will be able to work with coaches and offer golf specific screenings and performance programs.

Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Otago University in 1983. He completed a number of musculoskeletal courses before graduating with a Masters in Manipulative Physiotherapy at Latrobe University in 1997.

Andrew has a strong interest in traumatic and musculoskeletal conditions as well as sport-related injuries. Since graduating, Andrew has used his skills to work in both private and hospital settings in three different countries. He has worked in the Ascot Vale area for over 20 years and has a strong understanding of the local community and sporting organisations. He spent eight years working at VFL level with the Werribee Football Club and the Western Bulldogs. He also has a strong interest in working within the horse racing industry. Andrew also has a wide range of experience in the Occupational physiotherapy industry and understands the importance of co-ordinated return-to-work programs.

Andrew puts strong emphasis on hands-on, manually based treatment. He is passionate about the latest orthopaedic research and takes a scientific approach to his work. His professional goal is to combine treatment, education and instruction in self-management to enable the optimal outcome for his patients.

Outside of work, Andrew enjoys being active, travelling and learning about new cultures and languages. He has an active interest in many weird and wonderful sports and enjoys the theatre of horse racing.

Nathan completed a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy degree Sydney. Soon after completing his degree, Nathan embarked upon his private practice career at Symmetry Physiotherapy in Melbourne.

Nathan has developed a strong interest in rehabilitating acute and chronic sporting injuries, running biomechanics and exercise prescription. Throughout the last few years Nathan has gained experience working with NPL level soccer clubs as well as local football clubs in the WRFL. Nathan currently works with Melbourne City as an Academy Physiotherapist.

Nathan has further developed a passion for paediatric physiotherapy through his experience working with youth soccer teams and university placements in paediatric hospitals. Nathan is always looking to give back to the sporting community that took him in from a young age by getting involved with community sporting teams. During his school-age years, Nathan loved soccer, cricket and athletics.

After spending several years in Sydney and Wollongong, Nathan developed an avid passion for surfing and is always looking for an excuse to head down to the surf coast. Since moving to Victoria, he was forced to switch football code allegiances to AFL, his team of choice is now Essendon. Nathan enjoys a healthy lifestyle that includes Yoga, going for runs and playing soccer. Nathan has recently taken interest in cooking and baking, stemming from his fluent French language skills.

Natalie is passionate about forming strong relationships and working with her clients to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. Natalie achieves this through exercise rehabilitation, education, and manual therapy to help clients live active and pain free lives.

Natalie’s passion for physiotherapy began through her journey of being a competitive dancer and enduring multiple injuries. At the age of 15, Natalie suffered a hip injury requiring surgery and it was during her rehabilitation that she realised she wanted to help others return to the things they enjoy doing. Natalie is committed in helping dancers return to dancing post injury through utilising a graded return to class and performance and ensuring they are also strong enough to prevent future injury. As a dance teacher in multiple genres, she has an intricate knowledge of the techniques and its demands. She had the privilege to dance overseas at Universal Studios and Disneyland, and has completed a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Dance, graduating with Honours First Class.

Natalie has completed a Masters of Physiotherapy Practice and a Bachelor of Exercise Science at La Trobe University. She has gained invaluable experiences in various hospital settings and developed a further interest for post-surgical rehabilitation and working with all ages across the lifespan. Natalie was also fortunate enough to undertake a placement with The Australian Ballet where she was exposed to the strength and conditioning management of professional dancers.

Symmetry Physio has assisted Natalie return to sport and everyday activities post injury, and she hopes to be able to provide the expectational and individualised care to her clients just like many Symmetry practitioners have provided to her over the years.

In Natalie’s spare time she enjoys staying active through taking dance and Pilates classes, and chasing waterfalls. Natalie also enjoys watching musicals and owns three beautiful Samoyed show dogs, her ‘fur babies’; ask her nicely and she’ll show you a photo!