We sat down for a Q and A…….
1. Tell us a little about yourself — where did you grow up and what brought you to the
Tweed Coast?
I’m originally from the US—born in New York but raised in California. I initially made the move to Australia for postgraduate school, and like so many people who visit, I completely fell in love with the lifestyle and decided to stick around.
2. What made you want to become a Physiotherapist? Was there a moment you knew?
Growing up, I was always on the move playing sports, which naturally led to a fair share of
injuries. I spent a lot of time navigating my own rehab, and I found the mechanics of recovery fascinating. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone get back to doing what they love.
3. What do you love most about being a Physio?
It’s definitely the personal connection. Every person who walks through the door has a different reason for being there and different goals for treatment and getting them back to what brings them joy in life is the most rewarding part of my work.
5. What areas of Physiotherapy are you most passionate about and why?
I’m really driven by the “Return to Sport” journey—guiding athletes through the highs and lows of rehab until they’re back on the field or in the water. I also have a deep personal interest in supporting post-menopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis. There is so much misinformation out there regarding bone health, and I love empowering women with the evidence-based loading and lifting strategies they need to actually improve their bone density.
6. What conditions do you see most often in clinic?
It’s a real “mixed bag”! One hour I’ll be treating “run of the mill” lower back pain or an Achilles rupture, and the next I’ll be working with someone navigating vertigo. No two days are the same, which keeps me on my toes.
8. What’s your approach to treatment?
I believe hands-on treatment has a vital time and place, especially for pain management in the early stages. However, my long-term lens is always focused on education and exercise rehab. Manual therapy opens the door, but exercise and movement are what actually create lasting change.
9. How do you combine Physio and Pilates in your treatment plans?
I see Physio as the foundation—it’s where we manage the initial pain and regain mobility. Pilates is the bridge to long-term strength. It gets you moving and stable in the places you need it most. Exercise is what ultimately impacts your quality of life ten or twenty years down the line.
10. What do you think is the biggest mistake people make when it comes to managing
pain? The “Wait and See” trap. People often wait until pain is unbearable before seeking help, or they stop moving entirely because they’re afraid of “doing more damage.
” Usually, movement—prescribed correctly—is exactly what the body needs to heal.
11. What do you believe is the key to long-term recovery?
Consistency and progressive loading. It’s very easy to stop your exercises the moment the pain disappears, but that’s often when the real work begins. To prevent a problem from coming back, we have to build “global strength” that goes beyond just the injury site.
12. How important is strength and longevity in your approach?
It’s the baseline of everything I do. Without strength, there is no longevity. My goal is always to provide my clients with the tools and the confidence they need to maintain a happy, healthy, and high-functioning life for as long as possible.
15. What do you love doing outside of work?
If I’m not at the clinic, I’m almost certainly in the water! Surfing is my number one passion.
Beyond that, I love running, tennis, gym sessions, and long beach walks.
16. If we saw you on the weekend, where would you be?
In the lineup at Rainbow Bay
17. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I actually windsurfed in the Junior Olympics when I was twelve years old!
18. Favourites:
Coffee order: Iced latte with a touch of maple syrup.
Beach: My long-standing favourite is back home in the States, but here in Aus, it’s
impossible to beat Dreamtime at Fingal.
Book: The Women by Kristin Hannah.
Local café: Black Drop!
PART 5: Quick Fire Round
Early bird or night owl? Neither! I’m a big fan of sleep. But if forced to choose… Early Bird.
Beach or mountains? Both, but the beach has my heart right now.
Pilates or gym? The gym is my forever love, but Pilates is a close second.
Sweet or savoury? Sweet, every time!
Summer or winter? Autumn. You get the warmth of summer without the crowds.
Go-to recovery tool? Contrast therapy—a hot sauna followed by a cold plunge.
20. What do you love most about working at Pottsville & Cabarita Physiotherapy?
The energy! Patients and coworkers alike are so welcoming. It’s a place where people truly care about one another’s progress, and the proximity to the beach doesn’t hurt, either!
22. What would you say to someone who is nervous about booking in?
There’s really no need to be worried! We are here to listen and help, not to judge. If there’s
anything making you feel uneasy, just let us know. Our only goal is to help you feel better and get you back to the things that bring you joy
If you would like to book in with Emily you can do that online here