About.
Form & Practice is the next generation of elite level physiotherapy.
Dandenong Ranges Physiotherapy first opened for business in August 2004, and has since grown to offer four experienced physiotherapists and three myotherapists. Our Olinda practice offers a fully equipped Clinical Pilates studio, customised Orthotic Prescription, Myotherapy, & Occupational Therapy.
Our Staff.
Jerome Higgins
PhysiotherapistJerome began Dandenong Ranges Physio in 2004. After completing his Physiotherapy degree from the University of Melbourne in 1998, Jerome initially worked in hospital rehabilitation settings before embarking on a career in private practice and sports rehabilitation. He has had experience working with elite and not-so-elite athletes across Australia, having worked with high level football and volleyball teams. Jerome has a strong interest in lower limb biomechanics and the prescription of custom foot orthotics, dry needling for acute and chronic pain syndromes and GLA:D assessments and classes for hip and knee osteoarthritis.
Currently, Jerome is available for consultation:
Olinda: Wed & Friday 7am - 6pm, Saturday 7am - 2pm
Ben Croxford
Senior Physiotherapist, Clinical PilatesB.Phys (Hons), APAM
Ben Croxford is our ever-enthusiastic new Physiotherapist to join the team!
After graduating from the University of Melbourne in 2009 with Honours, Ben has over 10 years' experience as a Physio and team leader.
Ben can assess, diagnose and help treat a range of conditions including chronic musculoskeletal and spinal pain, headaches, sporting and running-related injuries, orthopaedic rehabilitation and all sorts of other movement-related problems.
Ben is passionate about using evidence-based treatment programs that can include manual therapy, Dry Needling, biomechanical assessments (especially running technique), exercise/rehabilitation and Pilates…but most importantly a treatment program that is tailored to your individual needs and goals.
An extremely passionate Essendon fan, bass-guitarist and pursuer of quality coffee and a good Australian Shiraz, Ben will happily chat for hours about these topics if you allow him to! Ben is also an avid runner and outdoor enthusiast – and loves to live by his golden rule for health and well-being: “Keep Moving”!
Available for bookings at Olinda and Mt Evelyn.
Jennifer Vardy
Physiotherapist, Women’s and Men’s Health Physio & Clinical PilatesJen graduated from The University of Melbourne in 1996 and has wide and varied experience working in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. She has interests in the management of Hip, Groin and Pelvic injuries, Women’s Health and Clinical Pilates and Exercise groups. Jen enjoys helping both Pre and Post natal Women with their health, wellness and fitness. She takes Birth Position classes with expectant mum’s and their support partners during their third trimester. She can assist with the management of DRAM (abdominal muscle separation), pelvic and lower back pain, pelvic floor weakness, incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Jen is a mother of four young children who also enjoys gardening, getting outside and being creative.
Jen is available for consultation:
Olinda: Monday 12-8pm, Tuesday 9am - 1pm Wednesday & Friday 9-5
Jen also runs Clinical Exercise (Pilates) classes on Mondays and Fridays in Olinda, and Pre & Post Natal Exercise Classes (check timetable for up to date schedule).
Liam Gellie
Physiotherapist, Clinical Pilates, Clinical StrengthLiam joined our team in November 2017 after graduating from Monash University, following on from high school at St Joseph’s in Ferntree Gully and a year studying paramedics in between. Liam has a strong interest in sports injuries & Strength & Conditioning for youths, and also practices dry needling and orthotic prescription for lower limb & foot biomechanics issues.
His focus is on bringing up to date treatment & rehabilitation knowledge to the clinic, educating the rest of the team on current best practice. A keen sportsman himself, he is currently the captain of the Upper Ferntree Gully senior football team and an avid golfer.
Liam is available for consultation Monday to Friday all day, and Saturday morning until 12noon. Liam also takes GLA:D assessments and classes for hip and knee osteoarthritis, & Clinical Exercise (Pilates) and Clinical Strength classes.
Elisabeth (Lis) Coffey
Physiotherapist & Clinical PilatesWith broad experience working in both hospital and private practice settings, Lis has a strong interest in Clinical Pilates and exercise rehab, and the GLA:D program for hip/knee osteoarthritis. Her focus in treatment is on patient goals and she utilises education, hands on therapy such as deep tissue massage & joint mobilisation and exercise to achieve best outcomes.
As a junior, Lis competed in track and field athletics and medalled at a National Level in the 800m, competing also in the 400m and 400m hurdles. She branched out to Marathon running in 2009 and is a keen snowboarder in the winter season. She is now a mum to four young children and a Mount Ev local.
Lis sees physio patients and runs Clinical Exercise (Pilates) and GLA:D classes at Mount Evelyn on Monday and Thursday afternoon/evenings and Saturday mornings.
Patrick Kirk
Physiotherapist, Strength & ConditioningPat has recently joined the Form and Practice team after graduating from the University of Canberra in 2019. A Canberra local, he grew up playing Cricket and Rugby Union, through which he discovered a passion for physical health and exercise.
He has experience working with multiple sports and athletes, including Cricket, Netball, Soccer and Aussie Rules, as well as niche sports such as Quidditch and Dragon Boating. In particular, Pat has worked with multiple Rugby Union teams throughout his studies, including the Brumbie's Youth Girls squads through 2018 and 2019.
With a passion for General Strength and Conditioning and a keen interest in rehabilitation for sports injury and high-performance Injuries and Rehabilitation, Pat is available for in clinic consultation in Olinda and runs Clinical Strength, Bones & Balance and Clinical Exercise classes in our Olinda studio.
Graeme Duff
Physiotherapist
Alicia Christie
MyotherapistAlicia has been with DRP since 2010 and has a cult following in the hills, not literally of course. She excels in deep tissue treatments including massage, trigger point therapy, cupping and dry needling. Alicia’s background in relaxation and spa massage also allows her to indulge clients who are after a more relaxing therapy.
Alicia is available for consultation weekdays except Wednesday, from 9.30 – 3pm.
Javiera Gavilan
Yoga & Pilates Instructor, PhysiotherapistJaviera is a Physiotherapist and Yoga Practitioner from Santiago, Chile. She is passionate about combining her knowledge of anatomy and evidence based medicine with her Yoga practice. The daughter of a Yoga teacher, Javiera has grown up practising Yoga. She was an elite gymnast for 10 years in Chile & as a result understands the frustrations and concerns of recovering from injuries, trying to get the best out of your body to achieve results and finding all important balance. She enjoys assisting the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and sporting injuries and enjoys working with all ages and in particular the young and young at heart! She is a holistic practitioner who strongly promotes the importance of mental wellbeing and emotional and physical balance.
Javiera is currently awaiting her Australian Physiotherapy Registration. We will keep you updated as she is an excellent manual therapist for those wanting a truly hands on physiotherapy treatment for their injuries and ailments.
Janelle Enlund
Reformer Pilates InstructorJanelle is a Mount Evelyn local with a passion for Pilates. After participating in classes intensively over recent years, she decided to take the next step and become a qualified pilates instructor.
Janelle’s classes will help increase your core strength and flexibility, as well as releasing stress and giving you a great workout.
Janelle runs our Wednesday evening, Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon Reformer classes at Mt Evelyn.
Celeste Botton
Remedial Massage TherapistCeleste is a Remedial Massage therapist and soon to be Clinical Myotherapist originally from France. She loves studying human anatomy and understanding the mechanisms behind people’s pain. As a passionate runner, skier, and athletic trainer for the Lilydale Soccer Club, she has a keen interest in managing sporting injuries, return to play, and helping people stay active and pain-free. Some of her modalities include deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, joint mobilisation, cupping and taping. She loves working with patients of all ages and all backgrounds to best achieve their wellness goals.
Celeste is available for Remedial Massage at Olinda on Tuesday and Friday afternoon/evenings