About the Studio

We provide effective, long term physiotherapy solutions, personalised Pilates classes and restorative group exercise, all from our bright, intimate studio in Adelaide’s Eastern Suburbs.

Physiotherapy

Our highly trained physios will work with you to eliminate your aches and pains and get you back to work, school, sport and play as soon as possible. Our therapists have a minimum of 15 years clinical experience with further training in a variety of areas including womens health, dry needling, SIJ dysfunction, low back and pelvic pain, hip pain, headaches and neck pain, jaw and TMJ issues.

Pilates

Our Pilates based exercise classes are lead by our experienced physiotherapists and combine our Pilates training and our physiotherapy knowledge to ensure each exercise is tailored to your body on the day. At Milkwood, we cap our restorative exercise classes at 4 participants so we can keep a close eye on your technique and maximise the benefit to you. You will never do the same class twice thanks to our huge repertoire and your body’s changing needs!

Meet Our Team

Janie MacDonald

B.App.Sc(Physio)

  • A physiotherapist with twenty years experience in the health industry, Janie firmly believes that the body is made to move, and has specialised for many years in movement and biomechanics. Janie discovered many years ago that the site of pain is often only the tip of the iceberg. Her methods acknowledge the link between the various body systems and address restrictions in all tissues of the body.

    Outside of the clinic, Janie loves to hang with her husband and three active boys. You'll often find them kicking balls around at the local park or hiking the walking trails close to their home.

    Janie’s Specialties: Hip and pelvic pain, low back pain, headaches, migraine, jaw pain, visceral manipulation

Vanessa Smith

B.App.Sc(Physio)

  • A desire to learn more about the body and help others led Vanessa to study physiotherapy. She has extensive experience in a variety of settings from hospitals to orthopaedics and private practice. Vanessa continues to expand her knowledge through further study, most recently in Craniosacral Therapy, a method used successfully in treating headache and migraine as well as persistent musculoskeletal pain.

    Vanessa is passionate about Pilates for both its physical and mental benefits. She loves sharing her Pilates knowledge which, together with her mindfulness and meditation training can work on the breath, brain and body connection to improve overall wellbeing.

    Away from work you'll find Vanessa enjoying time with her husband and two sons, or finding a quiet moment to read and enjoy some Pilates and Yoga herself.

    Vanessa’s Specialties: Jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction, teeth clenching, headaches, neck pain, back pain, stress management, exercise therapy for general strengthening, the growing and sporting teenager

Melli Tilbrook

B.App.Sc(Physio)

  • Melli has over 15 years experience, working interstate and in the UK before settling in Adelaide. She places great importance on good posture and biomechanics, with a strong interest the Pilates method. Melli continues to keep abreast of clinical evidence and has done further studies in Muscle Energy Techniques, dry needling and visceral manipulation. Since having her daughter, Melli is especially passionate about women’s health and has done further training in this area, equipping her with the skills to treat women and men with pelvic floor weakness, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain and incontinence.

    Living locally, Melli relishes hills walks as well as Pilates, family and friends, cheese and wine!

    Melli’s Specialties: Women’s health, postnatal and antenatal care, men’s health, pelvic girdle pain, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, prostate surgery recovery. Also strength and balance in the older population

Louise Moore

Reception

  • Louise is our operations manager, receptionist and social organiser! Louise is the friendly voice you’ll hear on the phone and the smiling face that will greet you as you walk through the door. She joined Milkwood early in 2022 having returned from 4 years in Dubai with her family.

    Louise holds a Bachelor of Health Science and a Certificate IV in Health Care, so a healthcare setting is the perfect fit for her.

    Outside of work, Louise enjoys keeping fit, travelling, dining out and hanging with her two teenage girls.