Northern Beaches Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre

About Us:

Established in 1991 by Catherine Stephens, Northern Beaches Physiotherapy and Sports Injury centre has developed a long term following of people from all walks of life and all ages from Palm Beach to Manly.

The clinic now offers both Physiotherapy treatment and exercise classes for all adult ages, including

• Pilates
• Prenatal
• Seniors

and Balance and Falls Prevention for the Very Mature.
Through involvement with many sports teams on the peninsula over the years, we continue with the leaning to sports physiotherapy but realise sport should be available to everyone not just elite athletes.

Most importantly we are passionate about encouraging everyone to enjoy sustainable health – a little extra effort with self-care definitely generates a boost in happiness!

Our Team:

Catherine Stephens

Director, B. App Sc (Physio) MAPA

Cath has owned the practice since January 1991 and has worked in Dee Why since 1988. Her first passion was sports injuries and as such she was the Physiotherapist for Warringah Rugby Club for 16 years. That task has now been handed on to Franki and Angus to allow Cath more time for her growing family.

Cath continues to enjoy the accurate assessment and treatment of sports injuries, acute and chronic neck and back pain including the Sarah Key method. She has also added the teaching and use of Pilates techniques. Cath has combined her vast clinical experience, knowledge and teaching skills into the development of our unique Physiotherapist instructed small group Clinical Pilates/Core Stability classes.

As practice director, Cath encourages all our physiotherapists to participate in continuing professional development and enthusiastically shares her knowledge in our regular staff in-service programme.

Bene Sloan
B.App Sc (Physio) MAPA

Bene brings with her extensive experience in rehabilitation of hand and elbow injuries with a strong interest in ergonomics. In addition, Bene specialises in Pre and Post Natal Physiotherapy including running our Pre-Natal Pilates Class.

Bene graduated from Sydney University in 1990 and has worked at Sydney Hospital Hand Unit as well as in general practice treating a wide variety of orthopaedic and musculo-skeletal conditions. She spent 3 years in Mt Hutt, New Zealand working closely with ski teams treating all sporting injuries and developing comprehensive ankle and knee rehabilitation programs for their athletes. Bene is one of our Pilates instructors.

Katie Jenkins
B. App Sc (Physio)

Katie joined our team initially in 2011 as a part time Physio and Pilates Instructor. Luckily for us she decided to join the team full time.

Katie graduated from Sydney University in 2004 and has a strong interest in neck and back pain, musculoskeletal and sports injuries, Pre and Post-natal rehabilitation.  She has worked at St. Vincents Private Hospital and North Shore Private where she was the orthopaedic senior gaining experience in trauma, post surgical rehab, plastering and chest physiotherapy. Katie also has an interest in falls prevention for the elderly and runs our balance classes.

Katie has recently added the Mulligan’s manual therapy method to her repertoire of treatment tools. She is also one of our enthusiastic Pilates instructors.

Angus Tadman 
B. App Sc (Physio) 

Angus graduated from The University of Sydney with First Class Honours in 2012 and began his career working in a highly respected clinic in Sydney’s West. In this role he had a broad range of experiences, working with post-surgical patients in Nepean Private Hospital, developing return to work programs and treating injured workers onsite with Woolworths, and working with Penrith Panthers Rugby League Club’s development squads.

In 2013, Angus moved to Sydney’s North Shore and started working here at Northern Beaches Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic. During his time here he has continued to develop his expertise with injured sportspeople, working with the Warringah Rugby Club Colts for 2 years. He also developed his skills with Pilates, teaching 5-10 classes per week, and expanding on this experience with certified training in Clinical Pilates.

Angus has a keen interest in sports injuries, elbow and shoulder pain, lower back pain and acute ankle and knee injuries. Angus now lives nearby in Manly Vale. On a weekend you will find Angus surfing at Manly or Freshwater beach, enjoying a few craft beers with friends around Sydney and the Northern Beaches or dreaming up his next big adventure, either at home or abroad.

Ari Esterman
Doctor of Physiotherapy (DTP) 

Ari joined the Northern Beaches Physiotherapy Practice after graduating from the Macquarie University Doctor of Physiotherapy program. His interest in Physiotherapy stems from a love of sport and desire to help people attain optimal physical functioning

Ari’s focus is centered on both sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, concentrating specifically on  acute, chronic and overuse injuries.
Ari employs the latest evidence based manual therapy treatments, supplemented with both active as well as functional exercise regimes. He is an active member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association which allows him to participate in regular specialty professional development courses, which ensure constant exposure to ongoing advances in all fields of practice.

Ari has had experience with an Elite woman’s soccer team, the public hospitals system in addition to working at multiple private practices while studying at university. Ari has developed a wide variety of interpersonal and professional skills necessary to build a productive relationship with his clients.

Ari will work tirelessly to help you achieve your goals, to get you back on track, and excelling in life by attaining your personal best at all times.

Jessica Schlaak                                                                   Physiotherapist (Germany)

Growing up in Germany, Jess’s inspiration for physiotherapy began at a young age while participating in high level competitive Athletics and Volleyball. Jess graduated from University of Aachen, Germany in 2004 and started working in a private hospital specializing in rehabilitation of professional athletes. During her time there, Jess focused on managing and tailoring rehabilitation programs for professional athletes in soccer, basketball, football, ice hockey hand- and volleyball specializing in Prehab, all the way to their return to high level sports.

In 2011 Jess immigrated to Australia and has since been working in Manly as she converted her degree to Australia. Recently she joined our team in 2016 bringing her expertise and friendly smile to the Northern Beaches Physio Team.  Jess is committed to bringing an individual approach to each patient to help them achieve all there physical and sporting goals.

Jess specializes in acute, chronic and overuse injuries including neck, back and pelvic pain with a special interest in knee and ankle pain and dysfunction.

On a more personal level, Jess is an ocean lover and enjoys being outdoors. In her spare time, Jess can be found walking, running, bike riding, playing volleyball, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding around the Northern Beaches.

Peggy Fisher – Consultant Paediatric Physiotherapist
B. App Sc (Physio)

Peggy has worked in the practice or consulted to Northern Beaches Physiotherapy for more than 15 years. She has also worked at ADHC early intervention and school age programs for children developmental disorders (Fisher Rd Special school in Dee Why) for 25 years treating and encouraging children with all range of movement issues.

She has extensive experience in minor movement disorders/abnormalities through to very serious problems associated with cerebral palsy, neuromuscular conditions and many other genetic disorders.

We are privileged to have Peggy still consulting with us for children with movement dysfunction. Her wealth of knowledge and experience in recognising, diagnosing and treating children with movement dysfunction is irreplaceable.

Peggy will work with parents and care givers, discussing their concerns. She knows these adults are the most likely to pick up minor problems with children’s movement patterns and encourages parents and care givers to have children assessed early to prevent small imbalances becoming a bigger issue,

Children with early balance issues are more likely to be overly cautious leading to lack of enthusiasm in participation in more challenging tasks and can affect confidence in kids.

Balance and movement control issues are best addressed prior to school age as they can lead to/have an effect on fine motor or pencil (handwriting) control.

In Peggy’s hands children will be given guidance to develop the skills of balance and control in a fun, play themed way.  Parents and care givers will be shown how to continue at home so progress is continuous.

A referral to Peggy is not necessary so if you have concerns about how your baby is rolling or crawling, a clumsy toddler, or a school age child with balance issues, phone for an appointment.

Peggy can also help with Torticollis (when a baby’s  head turns one way predominantly), flat feet, knock knees, sporting issues or injuries.

Nina Karaseva

Nina Karaseva is a professional massage therapist and physiotherapy consultant who has been practicing and teaching therapeutic massage for over 25 years.  Nina studied and practiced in Russia for many years before moving to Australia where she joined the team at Northern BeachesPhysiotherapy.

Education: Bachelor degree in nursing, diploma of remedial massage, diploma of therapeutic physical training, a masters degree in physical education and sports.

Northern Beaches Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre in Dee Why, Sydney, NSW is in the category of Physiotherapists specialising in services such as Physiotherapy, Soft Tissue Massage, Clinical Pilates.

Some other services offered by Northern Beaches Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre include Paediatric Physiotherapy, Remedial Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Acupuncture, Deep Tissue Massage, Dry Needling, Pilates Classes.

Call the staff at Northern Beaches Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre to make an appointment with our helpful staff.

Services

Physiotherapy
Pilates
Paediatric physio
Massage
Acupuncture
Waterproof Casts

Testimonials

“Had a horrible high neck injury 13 years ago – my Sports Rehab. consultant would only let me be treated by Cath and one other Physio in Sydney. Couldn’t recommend the practice more highly. 13 years later – all good – no problems, very grateful.”
Kersti Woolford

“After trying many physios and chiropractors over the years I came across NBP where Catherine Stephens was the first to get my back straight and functioning properly.  But then I was invited to join Pilates and I realised the fantastic benefit of having your qualified physio conducting Pilates classes.  This really is a brilliant integrated heath service they offer and after ten years I really wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
Bob Saunders, Beacon Hill

“I suffered two severely broken legs in a motor vehicle accident. The specialists believed my best result would be walking with a severe limp with the use of a walking stick. Catherine’s encouragement, determination and above all therapeutic skills had us work through many biomechanical problems, eight further surgical operations and stages in rehab to see me walking pain free without any limp and I am convinced I will never use a walking stick.”
Don Andrews, Cromer

“Cath Stephens was the physio at Warringah Rugby Club for many years. She provided the club with top quality physio with professionalism and the players were confident to trust her assessment and treatment to keep them ‘all safe and on the field as much as possible.’

“I can personally recommend Cath as I have had physio for 2 major shoulder surgeries and both times have been able to return to the game in predicted time.”
Shane Warman, 1st grade captain, Warringah Rugby Club