Frauke Tyack

Owner and Principal Physio at the Physio Fit Studio

My humble beginnings…

I graduated as a physiotherapist in 1998 in Germany and have been working in private practice since. After 2 years in a high-flying Sports Physio clinic in Germany I found it to be time to do some travelling and to learn English in Australia.

What influenced my life and my Physio approach…

Upon arriving in Australia I found a job as a Chiropractic Assistant in the largest multi-disciplinary clinic in Queensland. Not only did I love it there, I also fell in love!

After a year of working as a Chiropractic Assistant, I went on to get my Australian recognition as a Physiotherapist. I continued working in the same clinic for 8 years as a recognised Physio. During this time, I worked closely with Chiropractors and Osteopaths, learning their approach and treatment techniques, which I still incorporate into my treatments today.

I am passionate about…

My main interest is solving musculoskeletal problems with a combination of manual therapy, joint and nerve mobilisations, muscle release, Laser and massage, and through prescription of stability exercises and stretches.

Clinical Pilates suits my interest perfectly and I became an Instructor in 2003. Since then, I have been running classes. My classes are a very successful and enjoyable part of my physiotherapy career.

Before or after work you will find me…

Hanging out with my family! We are very active, so you might run into me at the creek or on the beach (with my dog ‘Pepper’).  I also love cooking – you might see me at Woolies with a trolley full of healthy stuff ready to cook up a storm![/vc_column_text]

Ian Falconer

Physiotherapist

My humble beginnings…

As a sports-loving high school student at Murwillumbah High I aspired to be a Physical Education teacher. During my PE teacher training however, I was exposed to anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and sports injury management and wanted to know much more. So I completed my PE degree and then…enrolled into physiotherapy at Sydney Uni in 1989, married my wife in 1992, and graduated in 1993 when my life & career really kicked off.

What influenced my life and my Physio approach…

A year after graduation I started work in a private practice in Sydney where a manipulative physiotherapist and Sydney Uni tutor mentored me.  During this time, I learned clinical reasoning and manual therapy skills to manage musculoskeletal problems with a specific emphasis on acute and recurrent low back and neck pain.   

Seven years later I opened Blue Mountains Physiotherapy, a clinic where I enjoyed being part of a small, well-connected community again and established many enduring friendships.

Working as a sole therapist in my own clinic I continued to crave professional development and contact with colleagues.  Within the constraints of operating a business I embarked on a 5-year plan to complete a Masters of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.  While studying I was exposed to new modalities in managing musculoskeletal pathologies, which include dry needling/acupuncture and neurodynamic techniques.  I also learned more about managing complex shoulder pathologies.

I am passionate about…

Learning, and have spent the free time I have had to develop manual therapy skills and knowledge to assist patients affected by recurring and chronic spinal conditions.  I’m passionate about empowering my clients to gain control of their musculoskeletal problem and restore lost function by developing a personalised rehabilitation program of manual therapy, specific stretching tasks and strengthening exercises

Instilling in my clients the message to keep moving in order to stay well, which is easier to achieve in one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal areas than in many other places.

Before or after work you will find me…

Enjoying a swim or paddling my surf ski in Cudgen Creek, or riding my bike along the coast road. After exercise I enjoy sitting in the sun at a local cafe or eating Southeast Asian cuisine either prepared at home or in one of the local restaurants.  When not being active I’ll be reading a good book somewhere with my wife or playing trains with my brother! [/vc_column_text]

Rebekah Lewthwaite

Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor

My humble beginnings…

Another friendly face from over the ditch! I grew up in the Beautiful North Shore of Auckland where I completed a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy. After two years of working in private practices in Auckland, I decided to make the move over to the Gold Coast for a bit more sunshine and the Australian dream!

What influenced my life and my Physio approach…

I never knew what I wanted to do throughout school but I knew I loved to move and I love helping people. Growing up a dancer, I found myself at the physiotherapist a bit too often and by doing so accidentally fell in love with the occupation. I love the concept of not only assisting healing injuries but enabling clients to live the life they want to live to the fullest and feel honoured to play a role in that. I know first hand how much of an impact a supportive physio can have and I strive to be that person in my clients lives. 

I am passionate about…

Truly making a positive impact in those around me and facilitating living life to the fullest – not allowing injuries (or niggles!) to impede this. I enjoy implementing manual therapy and mobilisation techniques with exercise-based rehabilitation to help clients have control over their rehabilitation, enjoy the process of healing and get back to what they love. I have specific interest in musculoskeletal issues and figuring out the nitty gritty of what is going on and what could be contributing to prevent it from happening again. 

Before or after work you will find me…

Going for stroll’s along the beaches of gold coast with friends usually with a coffee in hand! You’ll also find me at the gym finding my escapism for the day where I only need to focus on what I am doing and nothing else followed by dinner at a new-to-me restaurant (will take recommendations!). I am a bit of a sunset chaser, so you’ll catch me in my yellow truck and a tent in the back, scouting out where the next spot is! [/vc_column_text]

Kayla Marais (nee Mattiazzi)

Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor

My humble beginnings…

I come from a little town in inland Queensland called Stanthorpe.  I moved to the Gold Coast to study at Griffith University, completing a three-year bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, followed by a two-year Master of Physiotherapy degree.  Coming from a town of 20,000 people, the Gold Coast was just a bit too busy for me… I started at Physio Fit Studio in late 2020 and I absolutely love it!  I come from an Italian background- you’ll hear me before you see me.  I look forward to meeting you! 

What influenced my life and my Physio approach…

As an adolescent, people always ask what you want to do when you leave school.  It was a daunting concept and I often felt pressured to make a decision and stick with it.  Growing up, I always had an interest in the human body and the study of movement.  I had ants in my pants as a kid, I could never sit still.  I played a lot of sports growing up and was always doing SOMETHING active.  So I took a leap of faith and decided to go into my field of study when I finished high school.  

I am passionate about…

Throughout my studies I found my passion revolved around helping people get out of pain and move better.  I enjoy combining exercise therapy with a good hands-on treatment to help manage and prevent injuries.  It’s very fulfilling to help a client take control of their condition and find enjoyable, pain free ways to do the things they love again.  

I also have an interest in treating vestibular problems such as vertigo (BPPV), as many people spend a lot of time (and money!) trying to manage this condition with medication or other therapies.  It can often be managed effectively with Physio treatment and significantly improves the client’s quality of life.

I got into CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting when I moved to the coast, which has dramatically improved my strength, mobility and functional ability.  So I am always encouraging my clients to participate in exercise.  You service your car every once in a while, that’s something that can be replace.  You only get one body…service it with exercise and pay attention to pain and injuries!  Since starting at Physio Fit Studio, I have very much enjoyed teaching more Pilates classes and incorporating this into my clients’ rehab journey.  

Before or after work you will find me…

Most likely in the gym, having dinner at my Nonna’s place or making a quick trip out to Stanthorpe to see the rest of my family.  The gym is where I go to escape and think about nothing else except what I’m doing.  I mean really, you shouldn’t be thinking about much else when you’re living weights!  My family is the most important part of my life and I love spending time with them whenever I can.  [/vc_column_text]

Wesley Tyack

Principal Remedial Massage Therapist

My humble beginnings…

With a family of health professionals, I was simply born to be a Massage Therapist. My mum is a Chiropractor and needed an assistant – I learned many of my skills as her apprentice. In 2006 I graduated with a Diploma of Remedial Massage and have been a therapist ever since.

Before moving to the Tweed Coast early 2007, I worked full time in my mums multidisciplinary clinic in Brisbane. There I worked alongside Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Naturopaths and other Remedial Massage Therapists.

This has given me great exposure to different health issues plus an insight into the various possibilities of treating certain conditions. It helps me enormously with the assessment and treatment of my clients today.

I am passionate about…

I am passionate about any type of massage. I love helping people with Neck pain or Headaches. I am great at treating people with Hip, pelvis or lower back issues.

Being a sporty person myself, I also really enjoy helping athletes with a deep sports massage.

Before or after work you will find me…

I love to swim at the creek, high tide is my preference but until I retire, I just have to take it as it comes and the strong current sometimes adds to the challenge.

I am a farmer at heart and I love to go up to the family farm to grow veggies and fruit. [/vc_column_text]

Lara Zalmstra

Remedial Massage Therapist

My humble beginnings…

During COVID, I realised I was in a career I wasn’t truly passionate about, so I took a small break to rediscover what genuinely inspired me. That journey led me to study a Diploma in Remedial Massage Therapy, and three years on, I’m loving it more and more every day and can’t see myself doing anything else!

I am passionate about…

Helping people maintain their overall health and wellbeing through remedial massage. As an athlete myself, I understand how crucial it is to keep the body moving freely, without pain or persistent niggles, to perform at your best and avoid injury. Whether you’re training for a race, just looking to stay active and healthy or even just some rejuvenating self-care, I’m committed to supporting you in achieving a balanced, pain-free body so you can move and live with ease.

Before or after work you will find me…

Before work, you’ll find me waking up with a coffee in hand, watching the sunrise at the beach with my two dogs, and squeezing in a gruelling training session in the pool, on my bike or our running (yes, all before work!).

After work, winding down with my partner going for a sunset beach walk (sometimes with a cheeky beer in hand) 🙂

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