Coolum Sports & Spinal is located on the beautiful Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast, conveniently located near Peregian Beach, Yandina, and Mudjimba.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists are allied health professionals providing exercise and lifestyle therapies to prevent and manage chronic disease, injury, and disability.
An Exercise Physiologist (EP) is a 4 year, University-trained Allied Health professional who is an exercise prescription expert. They will work with you to design a specific exercise program tailored to your injuries, health status and goals.
Our Exercise Physiologists at Sports & Spinal can help your condition by working with you to formulate an appropriate treatment plan to assist in reaching your specific goals. Exercise Physiologists use movement and exercise in conjunction with specific education and motivational guidance to treat and manage your conditions.
Sports & Spinal’s accredited Exercise Physiologist can assist with Diabetes & Obesity, General Health & Wellbeing, Mental Health Issues, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Neurological Conditions, Strength & Conditioning, Women’s Health, Aging, Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Paediatrics and Cancer.
Exercise facilitates changes within the body that increases its efficiency. This allows us to be able to manage conditions or diseases, that can cause our bodies to not function to the best ability.
You can expect our Exercise Physiologist to listen to your personal story and ask questions, so they can work with you to guide an appropriate treatment plan. Our Exercise Physiologist will complete a detailed, goal-focused, clinical, and functional assessment.
Treatment will vary and be specific to you but will likely involve modified movement and exercises to build your capacity and function through strength, fitness, balance, and more. Treatment will change and progress while working alongside your Exercise Physiologist. Our Exercise physiologists will provide education on health, conditions, injuries and what to do and what not to do may take place in different environments, including our onsite gym, your regular gym and pools, depending on your interests and goals. Our Exercise Physiologist believes in a multi-disciplinary approach and will work with other health professionals to help manage your condition.
Coolum Sports & Spinal is NDIS registered and accepts Medicare rebates and HICAPS health fund claims. EFTPOS and credit card facilities are also available for payment.
services & FACILITIES
- On-Site Parking (5 spaces)
- Street Parking
- Gym & Pilates Equipment
- NDIS Registered
- Medicare Rebates
- HICAPS Health Fund Claims
OUR TEAM
Mariella Bernard
Exercise Physiologist - Neurological Rehabilitation & NDIS
Sophie Wilkins
Women's Health Exercise Physiologist
Gemma Egan
Chronic Disease Management Exercise Physiologist
Mariella Bernard
Exercise Physiologist - Neurological Rehabilitation & NDIS
Mariella recently relocated to the sunshine coast after completing her clinical exercise physiology degree at the University of Queensland. Mariella pursued further studies as an exercise physiologist after her experience as a Physiotherapist in Sri Lanka.
Mariella brings experience in both disciplines and enjoys working with all conditions and disabilities with her main interests being Neurological and Cardiac rehabilitation as well as working with NDIS clients. Mariella’s passion is to promote and facilitate exercise in an engaging and unique manner, upon fostering strong relationships with clients.
Mariella continues her professional development in all areas of exercise physiology and developing her knowledge and skills through practice. She also has an interest in delving into exercise prescription and programming for Women’s and/or Men’s health.
Mariella is available for Exercise Physiology appointments at our Coolum clinic.
Sophie Wilkins
Women's Health Exercise Physiologist
Sophie is passionate about all things Women’s Health! This includes Pre- and Post-natal exercise and specific exercise prescriptions for Osteoporosis, Menopause and Pelvic Health. Sophie strives to be a positive role model and believes that exercise can improve all aspects of health, including physical, mental and social health. Sophie will help you achieve your goals with an individualised treatment plan and exercise prescription. She believes that exercise should be a fun and enjoyable part of everyday life, so she will take time to educate you on the multiple benefits of a sustainable healthy lifestyle.
Sophie’s interests are in Women’s Health. Strength & Conditioning & Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Sophie is available for Exercise Physiology appointments at our Coolum location.
Gemma Egan
Chronic Disease Management Exercise Physiologist
Gemma has a strong belief that living an active healthy lifestyle improves both longevity and quality of life. She has completed a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Science and has gained accreditation as an Exercise Physiologist (AEP).
Gemma has developed a passion for spinal rehabilitation and improving the quality of life for those suffering from lower back pain. She has also worked with a wide range of conditions including but not limited to musculoskeletal injuries, obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, and osteoarthritis.
Gemma has a strong focus on prescribing programs that are individually tailored and that can be self-managed for future health and fitness.
Gemma’s interest is in Lower Back Pain, Diabetes, Chronic Disease & Osteoarthritis Exercise Physiologist
Gemma is available for Exercise Physiology appointments at our Coolum clinic.
WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF US
Healthy Gingerbread - Dietitian Approved ✅
▫️ 1 1/2 cups wholemeal spelt flour (plus 1/4 cup extra)*
▫️ 1/4 cup maple syrup
▫️ 2 tsp ground ginger
▫️ 2 tsp ground cinnamon
▫️ 1/4 tsp ground cloves
▫️ 1/4 tsp bicarb soda
▫️ 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
▫️ 2 tbsp milk (any type)
Method 🥄
1. Preheat oven to 150C.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the 1 1/2 cups flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and bicarb soda.
3. Form a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the oil, maple syrup, and milk then mix to combine.
4. If the mixture is sticky, add the extra 1/4 cup of flour.
5. With a rolling pin, roll the dough flat. Roughly 0.5cm thick.
6. Cut the dough out with cookie cutters and lay the biscuits on a lined baking tray.
7. Form a ball with the left-over dough and repeat steps 4-5 for the remaining dough.
8. Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden and then decorate however you wish!
* Can use Gluten Free or Buckwheat flour as an alternative
Makes 18 biscuits: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low fodmap, Vegan
Nutritional information per biscuit: Cal: 86 Fat: 3.5g Carbs: 11.6g Protein: 1.8g
Healthy Gingerbread - Dietitian Approved ✅
▫️ 1 1/2 cups wholemeal spelt flour (plus 1/4 cup extra)*
▫️ 1/4 cup maple syrup
▫️ 2 tsp ground ginger
▫️ 2 tsp ground cinnamon
▫️ 1/4 tsp ground cloves
▫️ 1/4 tsp bicarb soda
▫️ 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
▫️ 2 tbsp milk (any type)
Method 🥄
1. Preheat oven to 150C.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the 1 1/2 cups flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and bicarb soda.
3. Form a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the oil, maple syrup, and milk then mix to combine.
4. If the mixture is sticky, add the extra 1/4 cup of flour.
5. With a rolling pin, roll the dough flat. Roughly 0.5cm thick.
6. Cut the dough out with cookie cutters and lay the biscuits on a lined baking tray.
7. Form a ball with the left-over dough and repeat steps 4-5 for the remaining dough.
8. Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden and then decorate however you wish!
* Can use Gluten Free or Buckwheat flour as an alternative
Makes 18 biscuits: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low fodmap, Vegan
Nutritional information per biscuit: Cal: 86 Fat: 3.5g Carbs: 11.6g Protein: 1.8g
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month 💙
➡️ Swipe to see the men of Sports and Spinal Kawana show the love 💙
“November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month! Men’s mental health in Australia presents some scary statistics, with 1 in 8 men experiencing depression and 7 men committing suicide a day.
Inactive men are 60% more likely to suffer from mental health issues than those who are active. Exercise can do incredible things for your mental health as it releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain that help improve your mood and mindset.
Exercise is one of the simplest and easiest ways to help improve your mental health, and it can have a long-lasting effect on your overall health too.
However, exercise and movement are only so powerful.
If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s best to talk to a mental health professional. There are many confidential helplines you can reach out to such as Lifeline and Beyond” (@exerciseright_aus).
#sportsandspinal #mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #exercisemotivation #alliedhealth #physiotherapy #exercisephysiology
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month 💙
➡️ Swipe to see the men of Sports and Spinal Kawana show the love 💙
“November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month! Men’s mental health in Australia presents some scary statistics, with 1 in 8 men experiencing depression and 7 men committing suicide a day.
Inactive men are 60% more likely to suffer from mental health issues than those who are active. Exercise can do incredible things for your mental health as it releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain that help improve your mood and mindset.
Exercise is one of the simplest and easiest ways to help improve your mental health, and it can have a long-lasting effect on your overall health too.
However, exercise and movement are only so powerful.
If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s best to talk to a mental health professional. There are many confidential helplines you can reach out to such as Lifeline and Beyond” (@exerciseright_aus).
#sportsandspinal #mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #exercisemotivation #alliedhealth #physiotherapy #exercisephysiology
Disability Action Week! 👩🦽
All this week we celebrate Queenslanders with disability and acknowledge the contributions they make to their families, workplaces, and communities.
Sports & Spinal is proud to be able to work with and treat Queenslanders with disability!
Disability Action Week! 👩🦽
All this week we celebrate Queenslanders with disability and acknowledge the contributions they make to their families, workplaces, and communities.
Sports & Spinal is proud to be able to work with and treat Queenslanders with disability!
Last month Maroochydore Exercise Physiologist, Blair Austin graduated to local celebrity status!
Blair took part in an interview on ABC radio 🎙discussing ‘bungalow legs’ - a term referring to muscle wastage in the legs as a result of not regularly using stairs🦵It is often experienced by elderly people who move into a single story dwelling. 🏠
Maintaining leg strength is important as we age, to ensure mobility and independence is maintained.🕺 A lack of leg strength can greatly increase the risk of falls and injury.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing weakness in the legs, causing difficulty standing up or with general mobility, contact your local Sports & Spinal clinic and see how one of our Exercise Physiologists can help!
Last month Maroochydore Exercise Physiologist, Blair Austin graduated to local celebrity status!
Blair took part in an interview on ABC radio 🎙discussing ‘bungalow legs’ - a term referring to muscle wastage in the legs as a result of not regularly using stairs🦵It is often experienced by elderly people who move into a single story dwelling. 🏠
Maintaining leg strength is important as we age, to ensure mobility and independence is maintained.🕺 A lack of leg strength can greatly increase the risk of falls and injury.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing weakness in the legs, causing difficulty standing up or with general mobility, contact your local Sports & Spinal clinic and see how one of our Exercise Physiologists can help!
✨PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2023 ✨
THE THEME FOR 2023 IS CONNECTION THROUGH CONVERSATION 👯♀️
At Sports and Spinal we offer Women’s Health classes which allows you to connect and relate with other mums and build a supportive community around you 💕
“Honest and compassionate conversations about perinatal mental health are life changing 💥 Whether you’re experiencing mental health challenges yourself, or if you’re concerned about a loved one we know that reaching out and talking about the way you’re feeling can be really hard ‼️It can feel tricky to find the right words. You might be worried about the way the person you’re talking to will react, and there’s a lot of fear around getting it wrong 🤦🏼♀️
That’s why this Perinatal Mental Health Week, we want you to know that everyone needs help at some point in their lives, and everyone deserves compassion and support 🙋🏾♀️
Reaching out, truly listening and making a connection is more important than getting the words completely perfect.
The PANDA Helpline provides counselling, referral and peer support from parents who have been through similar challenges. When someone calls, they will speak with a counsellor who understands the challenges of being a new or expecting parent. PANDA counsellors and peer workers listen with kindness and compassion, help callers explore support options, and can also provide information about appropriate specialist services” @pandanational
PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306 | Mon - Sat 9am — 7.30pm AEST/AEDT
#sportsandspinal #PMHWEEK #pmhweek2023 #activemums
✨PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2023 ✨
THE THEME FOR 2023 IS CONNECTION THROUGH CONVERSATION 👯♀️
At Sports and Spinal we offer Women’s Health classes which allows you to connect and relate with other mums and build a supportive community around you 💕
“Honest and compassionate conversations about perinatal mental health are life changing 💥 Whether you’re experiencing mental health challenges yourself, or if you’re concerned about a loved one we know that reaching out and talking about the way you’re feeling can be really hard ‼️It can feel tricky to find the right words. You might be worried about the way the person you’re talking to will react, and there’s a lot of fear around getting it wrong 🤦🏼♀️
That’s why this Perinatal Mental Health Week, we want you to know that everyone needs help at some point in their lives, and everyone deserves compassion and support 🙋🏾♀️
Reaching out, truly listening and making a connection is more important than getting the words completely perfect.
The PANDA Helpline provides counselling, referral and peer support from parents who have been through similar challenges. When someone calls, they will speak with a counsellor who understands the challenges of being a new or expecting parent. PANDA counsellors and peer workers listen with kindness and compassion, help callers explore support options, and can also provide information about appropriate specialist services” @pandanational
PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306 | Mon - Sat 9am — 7.30pm AEST/AEDT
#sportsandspinal #PMHWEEK #pmhweek2023 #activemums
National Diabetes Day 🍎
It’s time to know your risk and know your response.
1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes with 90% having type 2 diabetes. In many cases, diabetes can be delayed or prevented by implementing healthy habits.
It’s important to know your risk and what to do to support the prevention, early diagnosis ana timely treatment.
The multidisciplinary team at Sports & Spinal can help!
Our exercise physiology and dietitian team can help manage and assist with Diabetes. Get in touch with your local clinic today to learn more 👇
https://www.sportsandspinalphysio.com.au/locations/
National Diabetes Day 🍎
It’s time to know your risk and know your response.
1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes with 90% having type 2 diabetes. In many cases, diabetes can be delayed or prevented by implementing healthy habits.
It’s important to know your risk and what to do to support the prevention, early diagnosis ana timely treatment.
The multidisciplinary team at Sports & Spinal can help!
Our exercise physiology and dietitian team can help manage and assist with Diabetes. Get in touch with your local clinic today to learn more 👇
https://www.sportsandspinalphysio.com.au/locations/
Our newest clinic, Wynnum Sports & Spinal had it’s signage installed last week and it’s looking the part 💪🏻
Our newest clinic, Wynnum Sports & Spinal had it’s signage installed last week and it’s looking the part 💪🏻
10 BENEFITS OF EXERCISE YOU MAY NOT KNOW✨
Exercise is much more than just building muscles and losing weight! In this video, our Springfield EP Jarrod goes through 10 benefits of exercise you may not know! 😱🏃
Exercise can help:
- Boost your immune system
- improve insulin sensitivity
- reduce risk for cardiovascular and metabolic conditions
- reduce risk of colon, breast, uterine and lung cancer
- reduce risk of falling
- enhance bone strength
- improve quality of sleep
- reduce pain
- improve combination and decrease risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s
- reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression
Book in with Exercise physiology team today to learn more on how exercise may benefit you!
#sportsandspinalphysio #sportsandspinal #physiotherapy #exercise #exercisephysiology #health #alliedhealthprofessionals #physicaltherapy #healthcare #rehabilitation #rehab
10 BENEFITS OF EXERCISE YOU MAY NOT KNOW✨
Exercise is much more than just building muscles and losing weight! In this video, our Springfield EP Jarrod goes through 10 benefits of exercise you may not know! 😱🏃
Exercise can help:
- Boost your immune system
- improve insulin sensitivity
- reduce risk for cardiovascular and metabolic conditions
- reduce risk of colon, breast, uterine and lung cancer
- reduce risk of falling
- enhance bone strength
- improve quality of sleep
- reduce pain
- improve combination and decrease risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s
- reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression
Book in with Exercise physiology team today to learn more on how exercise may benefit you!
#sportsandspinalphysio #sportsandspinal #physiotherapy #exercise #exercisephysiology #health #alliedhealthprofessionals #physicaltherapy #healthcare #rehabilitation #rehab