Our team at Victoria Physiotherapy Group is conveniently located within the Victoria Medical Group building in East Victoria Park. Matt Thomson is the managing director, possessing over 10 years of clinical experience in the physiotherapy field, specialising in the diagnosis and management of spinal and musculo-skeletal injuries.
Matt Thomson BSc-Physio, BSc-Hum.Mvt, DipEd (Managing Director)
Matt originally attained a Bachelor of Science in Human Movement at the University of WA, followed by a Diploma of Education (Physical Education). This formed the foundation of Matt’s interest into injury management and physical rehabilitation, which he further developed with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy. Matt expresses a keen interest in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal pain and sporting injuries, with swimming, golf and football being his passion areas.
Elesha Mcfarlane (Director of Clinical Exercise)
Elesha completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Curtin University in 2000, graduating with distinction. Following graduation, Elesha gained a wide range of experience working at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. In 2002, Elesha traveled to the United Kingdom and worked in both London and in Northern Ireland, gaining valuable knowledge from colleagues abroad. On return, Elesha entered into private practice and quickly developed a strong interest in Pilates. She completed a year long qualification encompassing both mat based exercises and studio Pilates using the reformer, trapeze table and wunda chair.
Elesha has also undertaken further training in Anatomical Acupuncture and Women’s Health. Elesha is an accredited practitioner in the Sarah Key method. This has provided an excellent framework for treatment, often employing the use of the heel to mobilise the lumbar and thoracic spines. Her specialist areas include the lumbar spine, the cervical spine and prevention of pain through exercise.
Melinda Byrne
Melinda graduated from Curtin University in 1994 and has since worked almost exclusively in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy both in Australia and the UK. She has been teaching clinical pilates since 2007 and has training in the Polestar Pilates method. She has a particular interest in dry needling, myofascial therapy and core stability training for rehabilitation of kinds of musculoskeletal problems.
Karlee Ridgewell
Karlee attained a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy at Curtin University, graduating in 2004 with distinction. Upon graduating, Karlee started immediately in private practice physiotherapy and has done ongoing training in Pilates, Acupuncture and Women’s Health physiotherapy. Karlee is enthusiastic about injury prevention and management, for both sporting and work-related injuries. She is focused on active treatment and exercise rehabilitation, and aims to include every client as a part of their own recovery.
Loretta Lee
Loretta completed a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) from Curtin in 1997 and spent 10 months as a new graduate working in a rural setting at Carnarvon Regional Hospital (WA). Following that she returned to Singapore and spent 2 years working in private hospital settings gaining extensive experience in paediatrics, geriatrics and Women’s Health.
In 2000, she returned to Perth and undertook post grad studies at UWA graduating in 2001 with Masters in Musculoskeletal Studies. Following that she spent 7 years in a private rehabilitation clinic with the main focus on musculoskeletal rehabilitation before joining VPG in 2009
Loretta has also undergone training in Clinical Pilates and Anatomical Acupuncture.
Charlotte Elliott
Charlotte graduated from Curtin University in 2016 and previously completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science through Edith Cowan University. She enjoys treating a range of different conditions with keen interests in musculoskeletal injuries, sports and women’s health. She takes pride in helping people to return from injury, prevent injuries and uses a combination of manual therapy and exercise to get the best results.
Charlotte has completed a Cert IV in Pilates and attends Pilates regularly. She also has a background in both dance and gymnastics.
Samantha Frost
Sam graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) in 2016. Since graduating Sam has been working at a private practice in the south west before returning to Perth. Sam has a keen interest in treating musculoskeletal conditions especially sporting injuries and low back pain. Sam has done additional training in clinical pilates, dry needling and strength and conditioning. In her free time Sam enjoys running, playing netball and going out for brunch.
Linda McKeon
Linda completed Physiotherapy at Curtin University in 2000 and a Bachelor of Business at Curtin in 1991. Since becoming a Physiotherapist, Linda has worked in both Private Practice and the hospital setting, first in Bunbury, then Karratha and now Perth. She has experience in treating sports and work-related injuries, pre and post-surgery rehabilitation and musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
Linda has used Clinical Pilates as a treatment and rehabilitation tool since 2002, and in 2019 repeated study of all levels with Dance Medicine Australia to gain Certification in this method. Furthermore, she is qualified in Dry Needling, having completed several courses in this subject and finds this to be a useful treatment for many injuries and pain conditions.
Previously a dancer, Linda has taught ballet and dance for the past 9 years and has a particular interest in treating and rehabilitating dance related injuries, and has experience with assessing for suitability for pointe work and tertiary entrance assessments.
Linda looks forward to working with clients to achieve optimum function in all aspects of life, work and sport.