About Us

Our physiotherapists have a broad range of experience and expertise in the treatment and management of a comprehensive range of injuries and conditions. Our practice is based on tailored personalised care and treatment. Whether you have a complex long term condition or an acute injury our physiotherapists will be able to work with you to customise your treatment and rehabilitation. Please have a read below and explore the special interests of each of our physiotherapists. If you have any queries about who would be the most appropriate physiotherapist to treat your injury or condition please give our reception a call on 8271 8622 and we will be happy to guide you.

Andrew Clarkson

Andrew Clarkson is an experienced and highly qualified physiotherapist. He has a Masters Degree in Orthopaedic Physiotherapy and is a Titled APA Sports, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist along with being a member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

His special interests include the management of:

  • TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction) which means jaw joint and muscle pain, clicking jaws, clenching, including headaches and related conditions.
  • Sporting and activity related knee injury, knee arthritic pain and disability, post orthopaedic knee surgery conditions, including knee reconstruction, knee replacement and the treatment of kneecap and related front-of-knee pain.  This covers all age groups from teenagers to seniors with knee pain.
  • Shoulder conditions including dislocation, pinching/catching pains and rotator cuff muscle/tendon injuries, post operative rehabilitation and the sporting shoulder.
  • Neck and back pain and rehabilitation.

Andrew believes strongly in educating people as to the causes leading to their problems and the ways in which people can assist in helping themselves.

Andrew worked at the SA Sports Medicine Centre from 1987-2020 and now as well as working at Physio@439 he also practices at Advanced Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in the Adelaide CBD. He has previously worked with the Sturt Football Club, State Hockey programs, Oakdale Netball Club and the Australian Beach Volleyball program including the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Andrew enjoys exercising, playing the keyboard in his band and drinking fine wine!

Helen Burfield v3

Helen Burfield is a Physiotherapist with a Post Graduate Diploma in Upper Limb and Hand Rehabilitation and over 30 years’ experience as a hand and upper limb therapist. She is also an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the Australian Hand Therapy Association). She lectures to Post Graduate Physiotherapists and is a past president of the Australian Hand Therapy Association.

With a focus and extensive expertise in treating the upper quadrant, Helen also treats general musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions.

Helen’s specific areas of expertise include:

  • Treatment of all hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder disorders / injuries
  • Exercise prescription
  • Dry needling
  • Custom made splinting of hands and elbows using thermoplastics, neoprene and/or leather. Also prescription of off the shelf splints and braces.
  • Treatment for Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis, extensor tendinosis) and Golfers Elbow (medial epicondylitis, flexor tendinosis) - Helen makes custom made rotational braces and uses new techniques in treating these often stubborn conditions.
  • Sporting injuries of the upper limbs
  • Work related neck and upper limb problems
  • Treatment and rehabilitation of fractures and soft tissue upper limb injuries
  • Arthritis of the thumb, wrist, elbow and shoulder
  • Neck (cervical disorders) and thoracic outlet problems


Helen is a patrolling surf lifesaver who enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family.

 

 

Luke Strempel

Luke completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia in 2006, returning in 2012 to complete his Master of Musculoskeletal & Sports Physiotherapy.  He is a titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with the Australian Physiotherapy Association and was an inaugural committee member of the South Australian Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Network.  He is a published author on elbow tendinopathies.  Luke has undertaken extensive professional development and has additional training in Dry Needling.

Throughout his career, Luke has combined outpatient private practice with acute inpatient hospital physiotherapy services, working closely with many of Adelaide's leading orthopaedic and spinal surgeons.  When not working with us at Physio@439 he works as a Senior Physiotherapist at St Andrew's Hospital, where he provides acute physiotherapy inpatient services for orthopaedic, spinal, neurological, vascular, cardiac, oncology and general medical patients.

Luke's areas of special interest include:

  • pre and post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation
  • acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions
  • acute post-operative physiotherapy rehabilitation

Now well retired from football with the Westminster Old Scholars Football Club, Luke spends his spare time with is wife and three young boys.

Luke consults with us on Wednesday evenings from 5-8pm and on Friday afternoons.

Mark Mitchell v2

Mark joins Physio@439 with over 35 years of experience as a physiotherapist, with 2 post graduate qualifications in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy. Having held multiple positions dealing with chronic, complex, and acute compensable issues, working at the Headache Clinic with Dr Dean Watson, The Foot & Ankle Clinic, an abattoir (looking after injuries onsite), and running several businesses of his own. Mark has been pushing to develop a niche service addressing the problems arising with head and neck cancer.

Special Interests:

  • Headache / neck disorders
  • Stuck or unresponsive musculoskeletal problems
  • Chronic complex compensable presentations (WorkCover / Third Party)
  • TMJ problems (Jaw)
  • Dry needling
  • Lower limb biomechanics, including orthotic prescription
  • Mark assists in running a head and neck cancer support group

Mark has held a black belt in taekwondo for 34 years, plays bass at the local church and won’t pass up a good red. In his spare time, he is a taxi driver for his 2 teenage boys.

Alicia Fernandes v2

Alicia completed the post graduate diploma in Musculoskeletal physiotherapy and a master’s degree in Manipulative physiotherapy from the University of Otago, New Zealand.  Her passion for the game of cricket brought her to Australia around 9 years ago.

Alicia enjoys treating people from all walks of life/cultures and age groups and is holistic in her approach.

Alicia’s areas of special interest include:

  • Assessment & treatment of Jaw / TMJ problems or injuries
  • BPPV (vertigo) and basic vestibular rehabilitation
  • Headache Management - Dean Watson technique
  • Pilates rehabilitation
  • Basic and advanced Dry Needling - GEMT level 1 and 2
  • Certified in Integrative Acupuncture (Japanese meridian therapy) - level 1 and 2
  • Assessment & rehabilitation of movement patterns to assist injury prevention
  • Manual therapy & movement re-education
  • Specific exercise rehabilitation techniques to try to establish more optimal movement patterns

Alicia currently enjoys playing premier cricket and beach handball in summer and indoor cricket, bouldering, camping and hiking in winter.  She also finds time to practice yoga, meditation, and tai chi/chi kung to further improve the mind and body connection.

Urvashi Chhabria

Urvashi graduated from the University of South Australia in 2013, with a Masters in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy.  She has over 12 years of experience working as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist.  She also holds a title as Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist (as awarded by the APA).  Over the years Urvashi has worked with a wide range of clients with varied Musculoskeletal conditions and is now developing a niche in hand and upper limb rehabilitation.

Urvashi believes that every pain experience is unique and therefore follows a patient centred approach focusing on solving the problem from the root cause.  Using a combination of education, hands on and exercise rehabilitation, she strives to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients.

Urvashi's main areas of interest are:

  • Management of all neck, shoulder, elbow and hand related injuries
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Dry Needling
  • Post-operative rehabilitation - post joint replacements, muscle repairs and fracture management, neck and back surgery
  • Pilates and gym based rehabilitation

Outside of work, Urvashi enjoys baking, practicing yoga and spending time with friends and family.

Fiona

Fiona Atkinson 

Celebrating 25 years of massaging in 2022, Fiona has been able to incorporate

a breadth of experience into her massaging methods.

This includes:

  • Movement and Injury recovery
  • Primary teaching diploma (including coaching),
  • Sport performance at high level
  • Dance to an intermediate level

Fiona’s massage training is in…

Remedial Massage, Dr Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage & low level Laser therapy.

After severely injuring her back, Fiona noted that some people fell through the gaps of regular treatment. Her keen interest is in what enables people to return to their physical comfort and abilities.

Fiona works closely with the team at Physio@439 and is available most days.  Fiona makes her own appointments please call her on  0415 241 029 to make a booking.

 

Contact Us

439 Fullarton Road Highgate SA 5063
T: 8271 8622