Nordic Walking

Learn the Nordic Walking technique

Make an Enquiry

Nordic WalkingKT_Carroll2025-05-19T01:12:10+00:00

Nordic Walking

Nordic Walking (NW) is an intensive form of walking that uses poles that create resistance to engage your upper body, posing some extreme benefits for people with a neurological condition. As well as targeting fitness, mobility, arm and trunk strength and balance, there are some additional key benefits specific to helping those with a neurological condition. Our exercise physiologists can run dedicated Nordic Walking sessions as part of your ongoing therapy or teach you the technique in bespoke sessions.

Key Benefits Include:

Nordic Walking is superior to ordinary walking in improving gait pattern due to the focus on upright posture, arm swing, stride length and trunk rotation.
The Nordic Walking poles provide extra stability, meaning people with a mild to moderate balance impairment can push themselves further.
Compared to regular walking which targets the lower limbs only, Nordic Walking is a whole body workout. This is achieved by engaging the upper body when pushing through the poles.
Nordic Walking technique can be tricky to learn but with some initial coaching by our Nordic Walking Certified Instructor, you can get to a point where you can practice solo…or with a group of friends.
The Nordic Walking technique can be modified to target your specific impairments and areas needing improvement. For example, stride length, arm swing, posture, walking symmetry or even endurance.
Nordic Walking can increase your calorie burn up to 45% compared to regular walking.
Nordic Walking is sociable and is done in our beautiful outdoors!

If you have a walking goal and are an NDIS participant, we may be able to utilise your funding to get you going Nordic Walking.

If you would like further information about our Nordic Walking services please contact Jason King on jason@archealth.com.au

OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

Home Based Therapy
Telehealth
At Your Gym
Beach Access Days
Nordic Walking
Hydrotherapy
Independent Living
Equipment
Mobile Seating Clinic
Return To Sport

LOCATIONS

In Clinic
Therapy at Home
Online Therapy

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.

Alice Bond

Neurological Physiotherapist

Bachelor of Science(Neuroscience), Otago University, New Zealand

Bachelor Physiotherapy, Otago University, New Zealand

Alice joined the ARC team in 2022 after spending seven years in New Zealand, where she worked extensively with people recovering from traumatic brain injury, concussion, and spinal cord injury. Since joining ARC, she has expanded her expertise across a broad range of neurological conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and related disorders, and Functional Neurological Disorder.

Alice has a particular passion for vestibular rehabilitation and concussion management. Building on her extensive experience in the concussion field, she has completed numerous professional development courses focused on treatment of dizziness and post concussion symptoms including dizziness, migraine and imbalance. She enjoys helping people understand their symptoms and regain confidence in activities they may have been avoiding due to dizziness, fear of falling, or changes in strength and mobility.

What Alice loves most about neurological rehabilitation is that no two people are the same. She enjoys working alongside clients to tackle complex challenges, celebrate meaningful milestones, and develop practical, evidence-based strategies that support independence and quality of life. She is a strong advocate for multidisciplinary care and values the unique perspectives each team member brings when working together to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Based full-time in our Hurstville clinic, Alice provides both neurological physiotherapy and vestibular rehabilitation services. She also leads ARC's Concussion Special Interest Group, helping to drive best-practice care and continually improve services for people experiencing concussion and persistent post-concussion symptoms.

Outside the clinic, you'll find Alice playing hockey, experimenting in the kitchen, exploring new hiking trails, or planning her next travel adventure.

Nordic Walking

Learn the Nordic Walking technique

Nordic Walking

Key Benefits Include:

OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

LOCATIONS

Neurological Physiotherapy

Occupational Therapy

Exercise Physiology

Housing Solutions

Allied Health Assistants

Speech Pathology

Pyschology

Neuromuscular Orthotics

Rehabilitation for a better tomorrow

CLINIC HOURS

+61 (02) 9906 7777

Caroline Takla

Laurel Thompson

Sarah Sargeant

Ceri Greco

Melissa Harrison

Natalie Watson

Anna Jones

Jo-Anne Benett

Lynn Tullock

Stuart Blair

Sharon Ngai

Catherine McCartney

Meredith Wong

Vivian Lam

James Hunter

Hayley Yong

Rose Smith

Melanie Bourke

Ellen McGowan

Roisin Larkin

Robyn Keyser

Angela Maier

Ariarna Ross

Nicole Joffe

Anna Singer

Lauren Gosbell

Amber Cormack

Emma Auinger

Abby Kinsella

Michelle Peel

Katie Corish

Kirthana Parbhoo (Kitty)

Sophie Olding

Olivia Lewin

Nigel Shenoy

Kate Shaw

Aisling Carolan

Jack Goulding

Ashleigh McNee

Sophie Dahl

Hayley Sparkes

Katharina Hellstrom

Zoe Blackburn

Sophie Andrews

Niamh Seery

Bethany Darlow

Katharine Mason

Hannah Wallbank

Erfaneh Ranjbarkermani

Aoife Cunningham

Amelie O’Sullivan

Michelle Khan

Nikki Blakey

Merryn Checkley

Jayne Mulhaney

Jennifer Daly

Chelsea Tanner

Alice Dixon

Leah Henry

Kristi Thoroughgood

Ella Simmons

Cerissa Dimarchos

Julian Diang

Rehabilitation for a
better tomorrow

Marnie Stanton/h2>
Receptionist

.