Masters level training in Continence and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. My name is Melissa Harris, I have been a Clare Valley resident for 14 years and lived in Auburn for 13 of those. I started Rehab and Repair Physio clinic in 2014 with the aim to bring quality physiotherapy and health services to the southern end of The Valley. I have over 20 years physiotherapy experience in hospital settings an
d private physio clinics. My special interest areas include; hand and upper limb conditions, Women's Health and general musculoskeletal and sports conditions. My clinical treatment includes hands on therapy, exercise prescription and both 1:1 and group Pilates mat classes. I have previously worked in the Hand Therapy area both in Public Hospital and Private Practice for over 6 years. I spent 2 years in Royal Adelaide Hand Therapy unit (plastic surgery, orthopedics and burns) and subsequent to this 3.5 years in a private Hand Therapy clinic treating both acute and chronic upper limb conditions. I have skills in thermoplastic splint fabrication for the fingers, thumb and upper limb in addition to scar management and hand specific exercise prescription. I completed post grad qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety Management in 2012 and utilise the broader training this provided me when I treat and manage industrial injuries and provide occupational physio services. On request I can provide Worksite Assessments, manual task risk assessments, and assist in ergonomic workstation review. I have worked as a Physio in Clare for 3 years until my first child arrived 11 years ago. I had a short hiatus away from clinical Physiotherapy (for 6months) when I worked as a Return to Work Consultant for WorkCover but I missed the connection with my local community that I experienced as a Physio in Clare. For that reason I started up Rehab and Repair Physio in 2014. Since then I have been lucky enough to have a second little girl which has sparked my interest in a 3rd area; Women's Health. Over the last few years I have done further professional development training to hone skills in Pelvic Floor Muscle Assessment and training for prevention and management of related areas including; Post Natal Care, Urinary and Bowel Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse. To progress this expertise and competence, in 2022 I embarked in further study starting my Masters in Clinical Physiotherapy; Continence and Women's Health through Curtin University (Perth). I graduated with Distinction from the Masters in January 2024 and with the additional honour of obtaining Dux of my graduating year. Research we conducted as part of our masters was published in the International Urogynaecology Journal. I was also fortunate enough to present this research regarding Australian pessary management in the National Conference on Incontinence conference in 2023 and in the United Kingdom Continence Society conference in 2024. I have further plans to continue my study in prolapse management in 2025 and become qualified in providing pessary management as a non surgical option for local women with prolapse. As with so many conditions prevention is better then cure, and early management is better then delayed, so I encourage people with any questions or uncertainties regarding their pelvic floor function to make contact so we can optimise your pelvic health and keep you active, fit and functioning at your best!
