Practice Principal

&

Senior Osteopath

Travis is an Osteopath and the founder of CSSM.

Coming from a family of bean counters, Travis says he chose health as a career because he didn’t want to become an accountant. “The irony now is that as practice principal at CSSM I do spend a lot of time looking at spreadsheets.  So maybe I was trying to avoid the inevitable!”

Travis chose osteopathy because he has always liked the hands-on approach to treatment. “That, together with the high level of study and knowledge in areas such as anatomy and movement, which is inherent within the osteopathy program, really excited me.  I had already done four years of study in health before commencing osteopathy and I had the opportunity to do other things.  But I chose to pursue osteopathy, and another five years of study because of the ability of the skills I learnt to help people in a meaningful way.”

Travis enjoys treating most injuries of the “active” person.  “One of the biggest areas of interest is treating teenagers.  There is a perception that kids and teenagers are just little adults – this is a massive misconception. Growing athletes have a unique set of needs.  We are seeing a lot of kids and teens suffering significant injuries from a young age.”  Recent studies have shown that in Australia, the highest increase in knee reconstruction surgery has occurred in teenagers between the ages of 12 and 16. “The impact of that on their future is scary.”

After working at a few other clinics, Travis found that health care suffered from a lack of direction and, CSSM was born. “Osteopathy was a relatively small profession with just a few hundred of us in Australia.  I saw the opportunity to bring osteo to the masses.”

Ever since, Travis has been keen to make osteopathy accessible as a health service that can deliver a patient focussed approach to care, giving meaningful evidence-based treatment and management to patients.

“We started as a one man show, and have grown to a team of over 20.  As part of this growth and expansion we have added a team of other modalities such as physio, podiatry, myotherapy and Pilates to the clinic – a ‘one stop shop” for the management of musculoskeletal injury.”

Travis describes CSSM as an extension of his family. “I am just as passionate about our team and the people that we treat as I am about few other things.  Doing what we do and doing it well is my biggest objective.”

The CSSM philosophy is to provide a level of care that exceeds the norm and ensures the best outcome for patients.  “Our standard appointment is what most other clinics call an extended appointment. It is a source of amusement to us when we see other clinics promote their guarantees of extended care.  From our perspective, you do not need to guarantee it, if it is what is ingrained in you.”

Just as families continue to grow, Travis hopes CSSM will too and continue to serve the community. “As a larger clinic, we are able to offer more specialised services to our patients, such as our running gait analysis and pre-pointe assessments.  We hope to continue to grow this suite of programs (golfers and cyclists stay tuned).  From there, we also hope to spread our reach to other locations when the opportunity presents itself.”

When he’s not bossing everyone around, Travis looks forward to catching up on some much needed sleep. “CSSM is all-consuming but nothing is more important than watching my kids do their thing and celebrating their achievements. If I get the time, I do enjoy hitting the trails with some mountain biking and trail running through the Dandenong’s. I love the solitude of being out there working up a sweat, lost in my own thoughts.”

Myotherapist & Remedial Massage

17 years of dance training, 12 years of tennis and 7 years of competitive rock climbing fuelled Kelsey’s interest in sport and associated injuries. “I’d always been interested in health and fitness and Myotherapy was a great transition from Personal Training into the treatment and rehabilitation of a lot of the issues I saw in the gym. It came with a stronger understanding of the human body.”

While sport is her passion, Kelsey believes that creating solid foundations of strength and rehabilitation are key components in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, whether you work in an office or as an elite athlete. “Having participated in a fair few sports over the years it’s given me a better understanding of the demands the body can be put through, the movements required to succeed and the difficult task of taking time away from the sport you love when injured.”

Kelsey employs a hands-on approach when treating muscular pains and joint dysfunction, complementing treatment outcomes with modalities such as cupping, dry needling, trigger point therapy, and taping. “Shoulder joint issues really fascinate me because they can be unpredictable and complex. I really enjoy the process of breaking down why the injury has occurred in the first place and rehabilitating the joint structures.”

Kelsey believes we never stop learning and is currently studying physiotherapy. “I’m keen to incorporate my myotherapy knowledge into what I’m learning as a student physiotherapist. I don’t want to abandon my myotherapy roots, but use them to better my outlook and understanding of treatment and rehabilitation.”

Away from work, Kelsey is an avid participator in rock climbing and has competed in both state and national events. “I can also be a great couch potato when I need some down time and enjoy meeting up with friends.”

Like many practitioners, Jaimi was drawn to the health care industry after experiencing first-hand how osteopathy helped treat the many sporting injuries she endured growing up.

“Seeing how an osteopath can work with you and help you to get back to your pre-injury self is something that inspired and appealed to me and made me want to study osteo.”

For Jaimi, it’s the holistic approach of the discipline she enjoys the most. “The impact you can have on one area of the body can influence other areas. I love being able to see the positive effects you can have on a patient when treating them as a whole rather than just focusing on their symptoms.”

Previously, Jaimi has worked as a sports trainer at a football club as well as in a podiatry specialty shoe store where she was regularly involved in lower limb gait analysis.

Jaimi believes that a multidisciplinary clinic like CSSM gives practitioners the opportunity to work alongside other disciplines to achieve the best outcome for patients.

Away from the clinic, Jaimi enjoys spending time with her English Staffordshire bull terrior. “I like being active, going to the gym, playing netball and taking my dog on runs.” In summer, you will find her enjoying her spare time at the river with family and friends.

Sally’s interest in physiotherapy began at a young age. Growing fast and with a large training load as a junior athlete meant that she was exposed to the profession early. “I admired my physio’s passion and knowledge and how they were able to keep me performing at my best.”

With a love of all sports including soccer, Sally studied at Charles Sturt University in Albury before moving to Melbourne to play for Collingwood in the VFLW in 2019.

“It’s a great showcase of women’s athletic ability and strength and it’s a game which requires a wide range of athletic abilities. I loved soccer but now I get to tackle too which is fun! A lot of people think that women’s bodies aren’t designed for contact sports like football, but every day hundreds of women and girls show that they are strong, athletic and capable. I love being a part of that.”

“I think women’s football is only going to continue to grow and get bigger, and with that will come increased skill. There’s been such a massive boom already, I don’t see that slowing down.”

Channeling her philosophy in sport to her patients, Sally’s goal is to help every person reach their goals and return to doing what they love. “I love seeing people of all ages and backgrounds become the fittest, strongest and healthiest versions of themselves”.

Sally enjoys all aspects of physiotherapy but has a particular interest in the musculoskeletal side of the profession most and this interest has directed her career so far.

Having previously worked in the disability industry, Sally found it extremely rewarding to help empower people with disabilities to reach their goals.

Away from the clinic, she enjoys playing sport, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Educated at the University of South Australia, Vaughan has gained a wide range of clinical experiences since completing his studies and moving to Melbourne in 1998. Sporting and family commitments helped to shape his core range of clinical interests.
Originally drawn to Podiatry after having his own knee pain cured by orthotic management, Vaughan values how much more enjoyment can be gained from sports when you have no pain associated with playing them. Likewise through watching his three children’s development, Vaughan is determined to minimise any pain associated within childhood development.

Vaughan’s philosophy regarding treatment is to address the cause of the pain biomechanically, and instill a treatment plan that will enhance every patient’s enjoyment of life’s endeavours.

Senior Osteopath

Alice initially studied nursing before her interests diverted to Osteopathy. “I quickly realised that nursing wasn’t for me, but I enjoyed healthcare. I did a bit of investigating and found that osteopathy gave me the opportunity to work autonomously, stay in health care and chat all day!”

Studying, performing and competing as a ballet dancer from a very early age has given Alice a unique perspective and keen interest in dance and other sports related injuries and rehabilitation.

“I have a strong interest in Women’s Health particularly pregnancy and post-partum related back and pelvic pain which formed the focus of my Master’s Project. The management of headaches is something that I also have a keen interest in, it can be life changing to get headaches under control.”

Away from CSSM, Alice sits on the Occupational Health leadership committee for Osteopathy Australia. “I feel that I’m doing my part to promote Osteopathy in Australia, and to develop the profession moving forwards. My hope for Osteopaths is that there will be a broad range of job prospects and that the community will see more osteopaths outside of private practice such as in  sporting clubs, hospitals and workplaces. It’s a fabulous profession. Watch this space!”

Ella has always been interested in the human body and the biomechanics of movement. “I thoroughly enjoy physical activity and sports and wanted to be able to help others recover from injury or pain so that they could return to doing what they love.”

Ella has a keen interest in sports injuries, neurological conditions such as stroke and post-surgery rehabilitation. Prior to joining CSSM, she worked in an acute hospital in Sydney where she further developed her interest in neurological physiotherapy. “I am fascinated by the nervous system and how it interacts with the musculoskeletal system and the entire body. It’s an area I would like to specialise in.”

Tailoring exercise and rehabilitation programs to suit each client and their goals is central to Ella’s approach to physiotherapy.  She believes in educating clients to help them understand their condition and encourage them to take an active role in their treatment and prevent further injuries. “I love working with people who are motivated to return to sport or a certain activity.”

Working with such a close team of practitioners at CSSM, Ella says the team consults and learns from each other to provide the most appropriate care for patients.

Away from the clinic, Ella enjoys playing netball, basketball and tennis, running, getting out of the city and catching up with friends and family.

Movement

is

Medicine

Kobi is a physiotherapist and a strong advocate for the role of exercise therapy in the prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions with a particular interest in lower limb injuries.

Kobi understands the importance of tailoring treatment and rehabilitation to each patient on an individual basis when returning to sport and activity. With this in mind, Kobi places high importance on actively involving her patients in the design and implementation of their injury rehabilitation.

“I really enjoy seeing someone through the ups and downs of long term rehabilitation, and get a huge sense of satisfaction when these patients are able to return back to their desired activity.”

In the future, Kobi hopes to continue to evolve armed with the latest research and treatment techniques.

In her spare time you’ll find Kobi at the gym, taking her dog for a walk, or completing DIY jobs around the house and garden.

As a physiotherapist, Peter relishes the opportunity to help his clients return to the things that mean the most to them, whether that’s sport, work or family. “A strong and healthy body maintains a healthy mind, which allows us to perform and work to the best of our ability.”

Peter is a strength and conditioning enthusiast with a unique understanding of the demands of high level competition and performance.  Having previously worked within the National Premier League Victoria (soccer) as well as part of the medical team for Futsal Victoria at their National Championships, he has a passion for treating all aspects of musculoskeletal or sporting pain with a particular interest in shoulders, hips, knees and ankles.

He is also a great advocate for the involvement of children and adolescents in sport, helping them develop healthy habits as they grow.

“It’s so important to stay at the forefront of the industry in terms of latest techniques, advancements, patient care and rehabilitation and use this information to continue to play a key role in patients’ recovery.”

Peter has valuable experience in pre- and post-operative care and has developed expertise in using Clinical Pilates to facilitate optimal recovery and performance.

“The challenge of pre and post-surgery and the journey between physiotherapist and patient to integrate them back into daily activity or sport in an even better condition than before their injury is what drives me.”

Whether it’s an acute injury or simply wanting to optimise performance, Peter has the expertise to diagnose and prescribe a program to get you back on track to achieving your goals. His unique combination of physiotherapy and high level coaching skills is a valuable asset in both the prevention and rehabilitation of injury – particularly in the areas of sports performance in the younger athlete.

Away from CSSM, Peter has developed a keen interest in golf, enjoys attending sports events, training in the gym and keeping up with the latest research and advancements within the physiotherapy industry.