Jennifer Callaghan- Sports & Musculoskeletal Physio
- Master of Physiotherapy – Musculoskeletal (University of Queensland)
- Master of Physiotherapy - Sports (University of Queensland)
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with Honours) (University of Queensland)
- “Titled Musculoskeletal and titled Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist”, recognized by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Jennifer consults from the Blackburn clinic.
After qualifying as a physiotherapist, Jennifer completed 2 years of post graduate study in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy. Her extensive experience includes working as a physiotherapist in hospital emergency departments right through to the elite sporting context.
This means that she understands a patients’ journey from the very initial assessment and management of their injury, through to the return to activities and sports.
Her goal is to find the source and all contributing factors to a patient’s presentation – not just the symptoms. She is motivated by helping patients achieve their desired outcomes – whether it's improving athletic performance, relieving pain, or rehabilitation of chronic conditions.
Jennifer’s specific physiotherapy interests include:
- neck pain and headaches
- shoulder rehabilitation: cuff tears, bursitis, impingement, instability and pain with overhead / throwing activities
- elbow and wrist conditions - tennis elbow, wrist instability and forearm pain
- Non-specific neck and arm pain, including nerve pain
- tendon injuries and tendinopathy (upper limb and lower limb)
- thoracic pain and stiffness
- low back pain, sciatica, radiculopathy
- hip and groin pain and injury
- knee and ankle injuries
- osteoarthritis management - from degenerative joint disease, as well as caused through trauma and sports injuries
- physiotherapy for osteoporosis
- physiotherapy rehabilitation in the context of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Orthostatic Intolerance / Hypotension (OI / OH)
- non-operative and pre-operative rehabilitation of ACL injuries
- post surgical rehabilitation
Jennifer has practiced physiotherapy across many sectors of the health industry.
Sports
Jennifer’s sports experience includes the assessment and management of elite athletes in sporting programs with Tennis Australia, Surfing Australia, US Open (Tennis) as well as community and semi-professional AFL, rugby league and soccer players.
Private Practice
Jennifer has worked in multiple private practices with a focus on musculoskeletal, sports, upper limb and hand physiotherapy.
Artistic
In addition, Jennifer has managed performing artists including Queensland Symphony Orchestra and New York City Broadway Musicals. She has served on the Board of the Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare.
Public Service
Hospitals Jennifer has also maintained employment in public healthdepartments across Queensland and Victoria. She has worked in Emergency Departments, Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Physiotherapy Screening Clinics, Outpatients, Geriatric and Neurological Rehabilitation.
As well as clinical work with patients, Jennifer is passionate about education of physiotherapists and physiotherapy students. She is an active and recognised teacher of physiotherapy skills within the physiotherapy profession.
- Jennifer is a current presenter of spinal physiotherapy courses for the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
- Jennifer has taught and performed clinical supervision for undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy students for La Trobe University and the University of Queensland.
- Jennifer is an experienced private tutor and mentor for undergraduate students, postgraduate physiotherapists and overseas trained physiotherapists seeking registration in Australia. For more information, visit www.callaghanphysiotherapy.com
Jennifer returns to Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy in Blackburn in 2021, after a break to have 2 children. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys tennis, surfing, reading, sewing and gardening.