Physiotherapy, Staff•
on January 13th, 2021•
Nicole has specialised in exercise rehabilitation in the health & fitness industry for over a decade. She graduated in Physiotherapy from the University of Notre Dame in 2018 and has a background in Exercise & Sport science and post graduate study in Clinical Exercise Physiology.
Nicole has experience working across a range of disciplines including aged care rehabilitation, disability & neurological rehabilitation, sports injury prevention & management, and strength & conditioning.
She is focused on understanding her client’s needs; providing them with the appropriate tools to feel empowered and in control of their health, with an aim to enrich their quality of life and independence.

Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common lifestyle disease in individuals 65 years of age and older but can also affect individuals as young as 30 years.
Current national & international clinical guidelines recommend patients’ education, exercise and weight loss as first line treatment for osteoarthritis.
In Australia, treatment usually focuses on surgery but the GLA:D™ Australia program offers a better and safer alternative.
Can I Participate in GLA:D™
GLA:D™ Australia is a program for all individuals who experience any hip and/or knee osteoarthritis symptoms, regardless of severity.
You may participate in the GLA:D™ Australia program if you have a hip or knee joint problem that resulted in visiting a health care provider.
When you may not be able to participate in the GLA:D™
• You have other reasons for your hip and/or knee pain, including; tumour, inflammatory joint disease, result of hip fracture, soft tissue or connective tissue problems.
• You have other symptoms that are more pronounced than the osteoarthritis problems (for example chronic generalized pain or fibromyalgia).
GLA:D™ Australia Training Consists of
• A first appointment explaining the program and collecting data on your current functional ability
• Two education sessions which teach you about OA, how the GLA:D™ Australia exercises improve joint stability, and how to retain this improved joint stability outside of the program
• Group neuromuscular training sessions twice a week for six weeks to improve muscle control of the joint which leads to reduction in symptoms and improved quality of life
Background of GLA:D™
Research from the GLA:D® program in Denmark found symptom progression reduces by 32%. Other outcomes include less pain, reduced use of joint related pain medication, and less people on sick leave. GLA:D® participants also reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and increased levels of physical activity 12 months after starting the program.
This program is unique in that the education and exercises provided can be applied to everyday activities. By strengthening and correcting daily movement patterns, participants will train their bodies to move properly, prevent symptom progression and reduce pain.
Find Out More About GLA:D™
Podcast by Dr Norman Swan – “Everything you ever wanted to know about osteoarthritis”
www.gladaustralia.com.au/everything-ever-wanted-know-osteoarthritis/
SBS Insight Interactive: Joint Operation
www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/interactive/joint-operation
Channel 7 story – “Try exercise before considering surgery for knee pain”
www.au.news.yahoo.com/researchers-way-battle-australia-growing-084913932.html
Or contact us:
Attadale Physiotherapy Centre
520 Canning Hwy
Attadale WA 6156
9317 4777
[email protected]
www.health520.com.au
Physiotherapy, Staff•
on November 23rd, 2018•

Keith graduated as a physiotherapist in 1971 & completed the post graduate diploma in manipulative therapy in 1975.
He taught on the undergraduate & postgraduate programmes at Curtin 1973 – 80s.
He has been in private practice from 1976 – present and adds further diagnostic & treatment expertise to the Attadale Physiotherapy team to help settle your physical problem.
He is also passionate about taking control of one’s health with appropriate exercise, nutrition and diet.
What is Nordic Walking?
Nordic walking is a low impact walking exercise which results in a high fitness, total body workout.
Nordic walking originated as a form of cross training for elite cross-country skiers that has now been adopted world wide, for people of all ages and fitness levels, and across a variety of terrains.
The poles are specifically designed and used as a resistance tool to engage the upper body. This combined with the correct Nordic Walking technique results in a low impact total body exercise.
What are the benefits of Nordic Walking?
Research has demonstrated that Nordic Walking has greater fitness and health benefits than regular walking, trekking or jogging.
Benefits include:
- Activates 90% of the body’s muscles
- Burns up to 46% more calories than regular walking
- Increases aerobic effect by up to 25% compared to regular walking
- Decreases load and strain on the lower body
- Tones upper arms, shoulders and back muscles
- Improves lateral mobility of the spine
- Develops core stability and strength
- Promotes an upright posture
Who can participate in Nordic Walking?
Nordic walking is a suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. It is an exercise that can be enjoyed individually or as a group, and on any form of terrain from beaches, parks, trails, grass and footpaths.
Nordic Walking can benefit a wide array of people and assist in the management of acute and chronic conditions. These include:
- Cross training sports professionals
- Chronic disease management – diabetes, arthritis, neuromuscular and cardio related diseases
- Injury rehabilitation and post operative recovery
- Total body fitness
- Sustainable weight loss
Where can we learn the technique of Nordic Walking?
Attadale Physiotherapy runs both group and individual Nordic Walking classes. Contact us on 93174777 to book in or to find out more.
For further information see the Nordic Academy website – www.nordicacademy.com.au
What happens to our muscles as we age?
Do they become smaller? Weaker? Is this part of the natural process of aging that cannot be changed, or is it because we stop using them?
A recent study titled “Chronic Exercise Preserves Lean Muscle Mass in Masters Athletes“ investigated whether the muscle loss commonly associated with aging is as a result of the physiological changes of the muscles themselves, or as a result of muscle disuse (atrophy) due to a sedentary lifestyle.
To determine this, the study used MRI imaging to compare body composition and lean muscle mass across a number of different people of various ages and activity levels.
Here is what they found…

40-year-old triathlete

74-year-old sedentary male

74-year-old triathlete
The images truly reflect the benefit that exercise has on our muscles.
The conclusion drawn here is that with simple lifestyle choices based around exercise and nutrition we CAN preserve muscle mass and strength as we age.
Rather than accept frailty as a inevitable factor of the ageing process, participation in lifelong physical activities to maintain our muscle strength is the key – a true example of use it or lose it.