Exercise Physiology

An ESSA accredited Exercise Physiologist is a highly trained and qualified clinician who designs and delivers personalised exercise and lifestyle programs if you are living with a chronic condition or other disabilities. They have a key understanding of how different bodies respond to exercise, which is vital when working with people with complex disability or with challenging neurological symptoms.

Why is exercise important?

Engaging in exercise can be very difficult if you are living with a chronic condition. Support with a well-designed exercise program delivers a wide range of benefits. Exercise can help you by:

Improving troubling symptoms like pain, fatigue and poor sleep
Boosting your motivation and mental wellbeing
Making it easier for you to complete daily activities by building endurance and energy levels
Connecting with other people, whether at a club, gym or just getting outdoors
Reducing cardiovascular risk factors
Establishing positive routines that help with weekly structure

Our team of Exercise Physiologists work alongside other healthcare professionals – such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dieticians – to ensure that your exercise program aligns with all the other aspects of your treatment or care.

There’s no doubt that having a chronic condition can have a huge impact on your general motivation. With a supportive health professional like an Exercise Physiologist in your corner, it’s much easier to overcome any lack of motivation and keep you on the best path so that you can reap all the benefits that exercise has to offer.

Working in close collaboration with the wider team, our Exercise Physiologists spend their time between our clinics and your home, visits with our clients, delivering a mix of one-on-one and group classes in a location convenient to you.

Very broadly, here’s what to expect at a typical exercise physiology session:

An assessment – including your difficulties, how you move and your goals
Prescription of a tailor-made exercise program to improve your physical and mental wellbeing
Education about the importance of physical activity
Support with sticking to the program and flexibility in our delivery
Advice and support on long-term care management and behavioural change
Helping you find ways to participate in social activities, community programs or trying out a new inclusive sport or recreation activity

By seeing an Exercise Physiologist, you are seeing a professional who understands you, your condition and the impact this has on your life. With this information along with a thorough assessment, they will work closely with you to improve both your physical, and mental, capacity and wellbeing.

ARC DISCIPLINES

Neurological Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Exercise Physiology
Neuromuscular Orthotics
Allied Health Assistants

OTHER DISCIPLINES

Speech
Pathology

LOCATIONS

In Clinic
Therapy at Home
Online Therapy

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

Online Enquiry Form

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Diagnosis for which treatment is being sought?

Select the services you are interested in.

What is your preferred location for therapy?

How can we help? *

Captcha validation failed. If you are not a robot then please try again.

We also offer regular online EP focused educational webinars for our clients provided by our therapist team that you are welcome to join in.

See All Webinars

Rehabilitation for a
better tomorrow

Giving you the best neurological rehabilitation possible.

Advance Rehab Centre focuses on you as if it was our own family.

Make an Enquiry

CLINIC HOURS

Mon – Thurs	8 – 7pm
Fri	8 – 5pm
Sat	8 – 4pm

+61 (02) 9906 7777

Melissa Harrison

Cultural and Professional Development Manager & Neurological Physiotherapist

BSc (hons) Physiotherapy, University of the West of England, UK
Msc Neurorehabilitation, Brunel University, UK

Melissa has worked in the field of neuro physiotherapy since early in her career. She specialised as a senior neuro physiotherapist in the UK for a number of years - working across a variety of specialities including neurosurgery, neuro medicine, stroke and both inpatient and outpatient neuro rehab. This experience has given Melissa a solid understanding of the journey people go through from receiving their initial neurological diagnosis, through to much later stages of their rehab.

Melissa went on to complete a Masters in Neurorehabilitation in London, gaining valuable analytical and research experience and completing her own research project exploring the rehabilitation services available to people with brain tumours. Melissa has a special interest in neuro-oncology, as well as stroke and a wide range of post neurosurgery and neuro medical conditions. This experience led to her being invited to review and contribute to the Cancer Council's 'Understanding Brain Tumours' information booklet in Australia in 2019.

It is her time working as a physiotherapist at ARC that motivated Melissa further to remain living in Australia! Over her time working at ARC, Melissa has become a PD Warrior certified instructor and trainer - delivering practical courses to other allied health professionals across Australia.

She loves her job for continuing to develop the ARC team as it grows. Melissa enjoys supporting the team through change and growth, ensuring the highest quality of therapy is maintained, as well as the team culture that staff and clients thrive from at ARC. Melissa can be contacted at ARC Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and welcomes feedback on the service clients are receiving.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys ocean swimming, tending to her rapidly growing plant family and making the most of the abundance of beautiful walks Sydney has to offer!

Lisa Meng

Hurstville Deputy Exercise Physiology Team Leader and ESSA Accredited Neurological Exercise Physiologist

Bachelor of Exercise Physiology, University of New South Wales

Lisa completed a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology at the University of New South Wales. Lisa started at ARC in 2018 and is passionate about assisting individuals in building a healthy life long relationship with exercise, no matter the impact of their disability. She believes that movement and exercise is a privilege that should be and can be enjoyed by all.

She has been involved in a number of Stand Walk Run intensives, an ARC driven program that involves the Multidisciplinary team to apply the principles of neuroplasticity to a client's program. Through this experience, she has been part of many client journey's that have seen clients with neurological impairments return back to sport, running, work and travels.

Lisa is the co-chair for the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) special interest group. She has extensive experience working with FND clients and assisting them with understanding their condition, offering creative and sustainable management strategies and helping them re-integrate into physical activity.

Lisa is a cheerleader for her clients, not only in a therapy setting but for all further pursuits that aid in them living a fuller and more meaningful life. She has played a key role in supporting a Parksinson's client, Dean Laws, in completing two marathons and promoting the work of the Dean Team, which aims to improve the lives of all those living with Parkinson's.

Lisa has delivered an evening lecture to health professionals about the Role of Exercise Physiologists in Cardiometabolic risk factor management for the neurological population. Lisa is invested in assessing Neurological clients thoroughly, understanding the various risk factors and secondary health conditions that are related to Neurological conditions. She uses her treatment approach and education components to ensure clients understand their condition and empower them to follow a trajectory that leads them to improved overall health.

Lisa works full-time in our Hurstville clinic. She loves her time on the gym floor getting the most out of her clients, but also supervising the EPs on her team as she believes ARC is one of the best environments for a Neuro EP to thrive.