Julia is a physiotherapist with a wealth of experience working in private practice musculoskeletal physiotherapy, managing a broad range of acute and chronic conditions including spinal presentations, biomechanics injuries, and persistent pain.

Her approach is centred around individualised, evidence-based rehabilitation, with a strong focus on building trust with patients and empowering them throughout their recovery.

Alongside her physiotherapy work, Julia has extensive experience working in an exercise and rehabilitation framework – prior to physiotherapy Julia worked as a group fitness instructor and a personal trainer in boutique fitness settings.

She is skilled in managing patients across both one-on-one treatment and class-based settings, and is particularly passionate about strength-based rehabilitation and helping people return to meaningful activity – whether that’s sport, gym training, or everyday life.

Julia’s philosophy aligns with the Universal Practice approach – integrating rehabilitation, movement, strength, and overall wellbeing to deliver high-quality patient care.

Julia works across our Fitzroy and Malvern Rd locations, Tuesday through to Saturday.

Emma is a Swedish Musculoskeletal physiotherapist and yoga teacher. She started her career working in rehabilitation following spinal cord injuries but she has for the last 19 years worked in private practice both in Scandinavia and Australia. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy at Lund University in Sweden and came to Australia in 2002 to specialise in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She completed her Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at Melbourne University in 2002 and she is a member of the Australian College of Physiotherapist. 

She has an interest in all musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain management and uses her manual therapy skills in combination with exercise prescription. At Universal practice she offers physiotherapy assessment and treatments, clinical pilates and yoga classes, both in group and individual sessions. 

Emma has a personal interest in yoga and has practiced Iyengar yoga since she moved to Melbourne. Emma has completed her yoga teacher training with an Indian traditional yoga school and as she has experienced the healing qualities of yoga for herself she enjoys incorporating yoga and breathwork with clients. 

When Emma is not in the clinic she enjoys music, the outdoors and spending time with her two children and cats.

Alex is a Lead Physiotherapist at Universal Practice Malvern Rd. Alex graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2012, completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours. In 2018, she finished her Postgraduate Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy and completed her Masters in 2020.

Alex has worked across various private practices and is passionate about delivering high quality care for musculoskeletal injuries. She takes a particular interest in Clinical Pilates, whole body movement patterns, and foot and ankle conditions. Alex has experience in post-operative Physiotherapy management and has worked for a number of foot and ankle surgeons in Melbourne.

Alex has worked for a range of amateur sporting clubs over the years, including AFL, hockey and dance teams. Alex was perviously the Head Physiotherapist for the Men’s Premier League Team at Camberwell Hockey Club.

Outside of work Alex is a mother of two young children, enjoys spending time at the beach, distance running, skiing and travelling!

Rachel is a qualified physiotherapist with a passion for providing holistic patient centred care to help people return to activity and achieve their goals.

Rachel has a keen interest in managing neck and back pain, through a combination of manual treatment and exercise prescription. She has a strong interest in sporting injuries working with elite athletes (Rach currently manages many AFL athletes rehabilitation around the hip, pelvis and spine) through to local football teams, whilst also having a strong following of older people who enjoy Rach’s detailed and whole person approach.

She employs an evidence-based approach utilising best-practice medicine alongside sequencing, breath-work and hands on facilitation, to ensure her patients achieve optimal outcomes.

In her spare time, Rachel enjoys going on hikes, camping and snorkelling down at the Mornington beaches.

Find Rachel across our Malvern and Fitzroy practice, Tuesday through to Saturday, offering physiotherapy appointments, clinical classes, clinical strength and reformer classes.

Carolina is a qualified physiotherapist and pilates practitioner.

With a background working a professional ballerina for over ten years, Carolina performed and worked at the highest level of ballet through Australia, South America and across the globe.

The rigorous and aesthetic nature of ballet has given Carolina an appreciation of movement, strength, exercise and rehabilitation that is the roots of her love of physiotherapy.

Carolina is particularly skilled in managing injury and pathology around the foot, ankle, hip and pelvis, with a passion for treating young athletes, dancers and those that enjoy a detailed and exercise-based approach to healthcare.

Find Carolina in Malvern and Fitzroy, Monday through Saturday, available for physiotherapy appointments, clinical classes, reformer and strength.

Emma is a Physiotherapist with a strong passion for helping her clients to return to everyday movement, activities and sport with confidence. She holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) from Monash University. Emma has gained valuable experience in both clinic and sporting environments and is completing additional study in strength & conditioning.

With a keen interest in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and women’s health, Emma takes a holistic approach to rehabilitation, combining hands-on treatment with exercise-based therapy and education. She listens attentively to her clients’ goals, working collaboratively to give them certainty and a tailored plan back to the things they love.

Having previously competed in netball and track and field, Emma understands the demands of sport and is passionate about guiding athletes through rehabilitation and performance development. She has also worked with athletes at various levels of football and AFL, further developing her management of sporting injuries and return to play.

Outside of work, she enjoys training in the gym, exploring the Dandenong’s and Mornington Peninsula with her partner and cocker spaniel. Emma also has a creative side and enjoys tapestry weaving, macramé, and other art forms in her spare time.

Chelsea is a physiotherapist with a passion for working with and helping patients with a variety of conditions, ranging from those with sporting injuries, right through to people looking to improve pain and function for everyday life. Through a combination of hands on skills and exercise prescription, Chelsea aims to speed up your recovery to get you back to the things you love.

As a former elite gymnast Chelsea has an eye for detail and a passion for clinical and reformer pilates. Chelsea also enjoys working closely with clients of all fitness backgrounds to improve their strength and flexibility in our clinical and reformer classes.

Find Chelsea in Malvern and Fitzroy, Monday to Friday available for Appointments, Clinical Classes and Reformer Classes.

Roxy is a physiotherapist and pilates practitioner with over 15 years experience in the private practice setting. Her career spans South Africa and the Middle East, where she has worked intensively with a diverse caseload ranging from post-operative rehabilitation to sports injuries and general musculoskeletal conditions. Her approach combines manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education to achieve measurable improvements in mobility, strength, and quality of life. Roxy brings a strong and experienced blend of hands-on treatment coupled with exercise-based rehabilitation when ensuring holistic patient care.

Stef is currently on maternity leave.

Stef is a Physiotherapist and Clinical Pilates Practitioner with a passion for helping people achieve their optimal well-being. Since graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Physiotherapy Practice, she has worked across clinics in both Melbourne and Queensland. Prior to her studies in Physiotherapy, Stef also completed a Bachelor of Nutrition and Food Science.

Throughout her years of practice, Stef has treated a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries. She combines the benefits of hands-on treatment for pain relief, utilising techniques such as massage, dry needling and joint mobilisations, with the long-term benefits of exercise rehabilitation. In addition to her clinical expertise, she is experienced in teaching Clinical Pilates and Strength and Conditioning training.

Stef’s special interests include treating neck and running injuries. She is proficient in managing sporting injuries, having worked with a local football team.

Stef is a committed Physiotherapist who will take the time to get to know you and understand your goals and aspirations. Beyond her professional life, Stef is an avid runner and gym-goer, and she truly understands the joy and challenges that come with sport. She loves to spend time with family and friends, travelling and trying different cuisines from around the world.

Sammy is the founding director of Universal Practice, a Physiotherapist, Clinical Pilates Practitioner and Yoga Instructor.

Sammy has over 15 years experience in the physiotherapy profession, specialising in elite sport working with Gymnastics Australia, the Hawthorn Football Club, the Carlton Football Club, the Melbourne Football Club, and various Olympic Athletes. In 2019, Sammy developed the ‘Hip & Groin Program’ for the Carlton Football Club, to address stability, motor control and performance in their athletes. Sammy currently works as a physiotherapist at the Hawthorn Football Club.

Sammy is passionate about evidence-based, best-practice medicine and believes in providing accurate and clear diagnosis, as well as addressing the underlying clinical reasons that cause pain or injury.

She combines evidence-based physiotherapy, specific exercise rehabilitation and movement practices to deliver a best practice approach to medicine.

Sammy is also passionate about, and advocates for health on a global scale which includes the health of our communities, environment and planet.

Sammy is a mother of three young children, and balances her time between the practices and the Universal Practice Virtual Practice.