Pregnancy & Post Pregnancy Pelvic Health Hamilton & Waikato

BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy; PGDipHSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy; MPNZ

Laura began working at our Ulster Street clinic in 2008 after completing her Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Physiotherapy, in Northern Ireland in 2006 and then travelling the world before settling in New Zealand. Since then, she has completed her Post-Graduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in 2015, furthering her evidence-based practice in this area. More recently, Laura developed an interest in Women’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy and has completed various courses to develop her knowledge in this area.

Over the years, Laura has worked with sporting teams, including football, rugby and representative level netball teams. She has enjoyed having a mixed case load in the clinic involving people of differing ages and with a variety of injuries, including sporting and work- related injuries, rehabilitation post- surgery, pre- and post- natal conditions, and has an interest in working to prevent further injury.

Laura’s strong Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy background and realisation of how important both the core stability and breathing systems are in rehabilitation and exercise, and how intricately linked they are with pelvic muscle dysfunction, led her to her interest in Women’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. Laura understands first-hand the physical and psychological aspects that are involved in what can be intensive and extended recovery processes after completing a lengthy rehabilitation to return to sport herself, after first having an ACL reconstruction on her knee, and then postpartum recovery following the births of her children. Her real interest within this field lies in treating pre- and post- natal conditions, including posture advice, pregnancy related musculoskeletal conditions, pelvic girdle pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, bladder or bowel leakage, frequency or urgency, DRA (abdominal separation), functional strength assessment. Laura’s passion is in individual and group exercise and Pilates prescription through pregnancy, and for return to activity, running and sport post- partum

Laura currently works part -time and enjoys spending the rest of her time looking after her two young children. Laura has a passion for water-skiing and competes in New Zealand National tournaments each year. She also enjoys participating in a “mum bootcamp” regularly, running with her dog, has completed a few half marathons, and is a bit of a snow bunny in winter: skiing and snowboarding.