Our Gymea Physio Team Is Here To Help You
The team at Gymea Physio Focus covers a range of practitioners to comprehensively address the full range of therapies potentially required for your injury or condition.
Our physios are experienced and highly qualified to diagnose and treat your problem. A commitment to ongoing professional development ensures we stay current with the latest advances in research, evidenced-based practice and technology developments.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are unsure if physiotherapy is for you! You don’t need a referral to visit.
Our Team
Chris Hickey
Physiotherapist
Chris is an officially accredited NSWIS Physiotherapist and a Physiotherapy Provider for AIS. He has toured with the Australian Olympic Snowboard Team as the team physio. He has a special interest in football, snow sports and surfing injuries, and extensive experience with sports injuries in children.
Chris has been a practising physiotherapist since 1995. He has been the Head physiotherapist to the AIS/ARL Rugby League Development Squad since 2002. He was the Head Physio for the Cronulla Sharks NRL Squad in 2003. Chris opened Gymea Physio Focus in 2008.
Harrison Dale
Physiotherapist
He completed his Masters of Physiotherapy in 2011 after gaining his Bachelor of Exercise Science in 2009.
Harry prides himself on the quality of his rehabilitation whether it be for an acute injury, post operatively or a long-standing biomechanical imbalance. Harry is constantly trying to implement the latest techniques and methods used in the physiotherapy and sports medicine world to better his treatments for the best possible outcomes for his patients.
He is a strong believer in stability training for the management of all musculoskeletal ailments. Harry is at the forefront of the latest research and data. He is technically minded and aims for the highest level of achievement in the outcomes of his patients.
Harry has been professionally involved with Southern District R.U, St. George/Illawarra R.L, State Oztag, and the Sutherland Shire Netball Association.Harry is always keen to answer questions on the latest research in the sports medicine world.
Gemma Vale
Physiotherapist
Gemma joined the Gymea Physio Focus team after graduating in 2013 from Sydney University with a Masters in Physiotherapy and an undergraduate degree in Health Science. Since then she has continued her professional development in sports Physiotherapy and dry needling.
Gemma has professionally been involved in work with the Sutherland Shire Netball Association, Southern Power Australian Football Club and the Australian Women’s Rugby team, Head Physiotherapist at Greater Western Sydney Giants Women’s Super Netball and AFL. Personally she has a long history of playing with the St George District Netball Association and is a keen snowboarder year round. Her aim of treatment in the clinic is not only about focusing on the site of the pain but a holistic approach addressing all aspects of biomechanics and dysfunctional movement.
Luke Annesley
Physiotherapist
Luke completed the Bachelor of Exercise Science Degree in 2008 at the University of Wollongong before completing the Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney in 2010. Currently he is completing the final year of the Masters of Sports Physiotherapy at La Trobe University.
Luke has a keen interest for all things sport. He has experience as the physiotherapist for the NYC under 20’s Cronulla Sharks Rugby league side, Cronulla Sharks NSW cup side and in 2016 will be the physiotherapist for the Newtown Jets NSW Cup rugby league side.Currently Luke is the “South Sydney Rabbitohs assistant Physiotherapist”
Qualifications
Masters In Sports Physiotherapy
Masters Of Physiotherapy
Bachelor Of Exercise Science Degree
Apart from sport, Luke has a passion for management of headache and migraine pain and has achieved some very promising results. Using the Watson Headache technique, Luke has developed the ability to target the source of the headache pain which for almost 90% of sufferers is the cervical spine. Using simple sustained mobilising techniques with no manipulation necessary, the once debilitating migraine/headache pain can finally be resolved.
Lauren Heneghan
Physiotherapist
Lauren graduated from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology in 2017 and Masters of Physiotherapy in 2019.
Lauren has a special interest in managing sport-related injuries and preventing reoccurrences. Growing up, Lauren competed in high-level women’s artistic gymnastics for over 10 years and is still actively involved in judging competitions. This both allows her to understand the physical demands and requirements of the sport, as well as the importance of optimal management and ensuring individuals are safe to return and participate in their sports. Lauren has also been involved in providing physiotherapy sports coverage for the Sutherland Shire Netball Association since 2018.
Working as an accredited Exercise Physiologist since 2017, Lauren has become skilled in developing both short and long-term management plans to help minimise and prevent reoccurring and debilitating injuries, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Karl Jorgensen
Physiotherapist
Karl graduated from Sydney University with a Masters of Physiotherapy in 2016 and has also completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science at the University of Wollongong. During his studies he has developed a special interest in musculoskeletal injuries, sports medicine and strength & conditioning rehabilitation.
He has been invested in sport his whole life and enjoys the use of manual therapy combined with exercise rehabilitation to improve pain and function. Karl is professionally involved with the Sutherland Stingrays premier league netball team as the head physiotherapist and was involved in their 2016 championship winning season, he has also provided physio coverage with the Sutherland Shire Netball Association since 2015.
Karl is actively involved with our unique graded return to sport rehabilitation program following lower limb injuries such as ACL ruptures, patella dislocations and post-operative rehabilitation. Karl enjoys working with patients during the transition from regular strength rehabilitation to sport specific rehabilitation through agility, speed, balance and optimal landing mechanics to reduce the risk or re-injury.
Jake Sinclair
Physiotherapist
Jake completed a Masters of Physiotherapy in 2016 at Sydney University having completed an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences. He joined the Gymea Physio Focus team in 2017 and has been developing his musculoskeletal management skills ever since. Jake prides himself in giving you a clear understanding of your injury and then formulate a step by step plan for your recovery.
Jake has a passion for rugby league and a keen interest in the management of acute injuries. Moreover, Jake has a strong interest in helping individuals with disabilities, recently being fortunate enough to volunteer his time and knowledge to the Save Our Sons charity. Here Jake formed part of a physio team who aided participants in completing their 300km charity walk around Melbourne which raised awareness and funds for children diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Lauren Bouffler
Physiotherapist
Lauren completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science degree in 2010 at the University of Wollongong and following this graduated from a Masters in Physiotherapy in 2012 from the University of Sydney. She started her career working in various hospitals including Wollongong, Shoalhaven and Coledale hospitals in the surgical, post-op, rehabilitation and acute care settings. After this she decided to move on, working in private practice since, realizing this was her real passion.
Lauren has an interest in all things sport and exercise, playing netball for over 10 years and being involved in a surf club, both patrolling down the beach and competing in surf boat rowing. With this base comes the passion for identifying an injury and formulating a management plan, but also looking further to prevent recurrence or further injury from developing.
Sean Payne
Physiotherapist
Sean graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy from University of Sydney in 1991.
He is an officially accredited NSWIS physiotherapy provider. He has extensive experience in diagnosis and treatment of sports and musculoskeletal injuries for all ages, post trauma and overuse training.
Sean has previous experience as a team physiotherapist for the AIS Youth league soccer team, Netball NSW U17-19’s state teams, Bondi Roosters Metropolitan Cup Rugby League, Waverley College Schoolboy Rugby. He also currently covers the Sutherland Shire Netball at Bellingara.
Sean has recently joined the team at Gymea Physio Focus after 11 years in his own private practice Cronulla Physio Active. He has played local over 35’s soccer for the last six years, has three children playing a wide variety of sports, and enjoys rehabilitating people so that they can stay active, and do the things that are important to them.
Scott Burrell
Physiotherapist
Scott Completed his Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney in 2020 after completing a Bachelor of Exercise Science at Wollongong University.
Scott has a keen interest in musculoskeletal injuries and helping others achieve the most out of their rehabilitation and recovery. With a background in health and fitness Scott values exercise prescription and strength and conditioning rehabilitation to restore function and get you back to what you enjoy.
Keely Silva
Physiotherapist
Keely completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Western Sydney University in 2020 and has joined the Gymea Physio Focus team in her first role as a graduate. However, Keely has a long term relationship with Gymea Physio Focus having been connected to the practice as both a patient and receptionist since 2016.
Keely’s passion for sport and participation in various high level sporting competitions growing up, was the key driver to her studies and pursuit of having a career as a physiotherapist. Having played competitive junior netball and representative soccer in adolescence, Keely remains to compete in the top representative competition for open women’s in touch football, regularly competing in various competitions and tournament pathways during the year.
This experience allows her to understand what is required for various sports and developing an appropriate management plan, and also empathise with patients who are coming from a sporting background.
Keely has been involved with the Tarsha Gale U19’s Sharks Rugby League girls team, where she has treated and rehabilitated injuries over their pre-season and season this year (Dec 2020-May 2021). She has also provided coverage with the Sutherland Shire Netball Association since 2017.