About us - Freshstart Physiotherapy \ Pelvic Health, Women's Health

About Freshstart Physiotherapy

Formed by highly experienced and skilled physiotherapist Shelley Solomon, Freshstart Physiotherapy has grown significantly over recent years. Shelley has now brought together a dedicated team of experienced and passionate pelvic health physiotherapists to work with her across three Northland clinics in Whangarei, Kerikeri and the Far North. All members of the team are also registered ACC providers.

With a commitment to ongoing professional development, continual updating of skills and knowledge, and as a member of a number of professional organisations you can be assured of professional, friendly and expert service each step of the way.

Whangarei

Shelley Solomon

With over 20 years of pelvic health physiotherapy experience behind her, from her work in both New Zealand and in London, Shelley sees women, men and children in all areas of pelvic health. She is also a Lymphoedema Therapist. Shelley is the current secretary of the Pelvic, Women’s and Men’s Health Special Interest Group of Physiotherapy New Zealand. She is involved at a national level with topics involving pelvic health physiotherapy and presents regularly at conferences and meetings. Shelley also delivers training for physiotherapists and health professionals throughout New Zealand in the area of pelvic health. Shelley is a passionate pelvic health physiotherapist and feels privileged to work in this very rewarding area.

Nicole Dempster

Nicole graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Otago. She has been working back home in Northland for over 10 years in the private sector and with ACC clients. Nicole’s passion for pelvic health started after having her own children, and finding many others were suffering from very real and treatable pelvic conditions. She has a particular interest in pre and postnatal screening. Nicole is also a credentialed therapist in the McKenzie method treating back and neck pain. She has a love for hockey, Pilates and enjoys the balance of work and motherhood. Nicole enjoys treating patients of all ages and seeing them return confidently to activities they love.

Brandi Bridges

Brandi graduated with her Bachelor’s in Biology and then her Doctor in Physical Therapy from Western Carolina University in the United States. As a physical therapist, she worked in many clinical settings in the United States but found a real enthusiasm for pelvic health in every setting she found herself. She moved to Whangarei in 2018 and continued following her passion for pelvic health physiotherapy. She is committed to staying up to date with the latest research in a range of topics related to pelvic health physiotherapy and truly enjoys helping patients achieve their goals.

Kerikeri

Helen Blanshard

Helen graduated with an Honours Physiotherapy degree from Cardiff University in Wales. She worked as a physiotherapist in the United Kingdom in a range of areas from paediatrics to elderly care. Working in the community she became interested in falls prevention and continence care. After moving to New Zealand she joined a private physiotherapy clinic in Kerikeri and worked as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist for over 10 years. In that time her interest in pelvic health physiotherapy grew. After becoming a mother, she took the opportunity to further develop her skills in this area and attended internationally recognised courses and training in Australia and New Zealand before joining Freshstart Physiotherapy. Helen loves working in this area of physiotherapy and is very keen to improve inclusivity and access to pelvic health physiotherapy.

Far North

Laura Ewins

Laura commenced her physiotherapy career in the UK following her studies at Glasgow Caledonian University. With a desire to travel and further her career she moved to Australia, before deciding to settle in New Zealand in 2015. Laura has spent the vast majority of her physiotherapy career working in private practice, with a passion for empowering her clients through education and up to date treatment and management strategies, to maximise their outcomes. Having incorporated cancer rehabilitation into her skillset, Laura found herself wanting to expand her knowledge further to encompass pelvic health, to allow her to provide her clients with the best care she could. Laura recently relocated to the Far North in Coopers Beach with her husband and dogs and is excited to bring this much needed service to the area.