Nadia McLeod – Acupuncture and Massage
Director of Five Elements
Bachelor of Health Science – Acupuncture | Certificate IV Remedial Therapies – Oriental Massage
0411 962 489
Nadia discovered the benefits of acupuncture through her own journey to good health. When Western medical protocol kept leading to dead ends she thought that there must be something more; an alternative form of treatment to what was being offered. When acupuncture and herbal medicine resulted in alleviation of symptoms that was considered impossible without surgery or drug therapy, Nadia changed her path of study and spent the next 4 years at the Melbourne College of Natural Medicine.
Since her time in the student clinic, Nadia has had a special interest in women’s health, pre-conception and pregnancy care, and post-natal support. Also a mother, Nadia has had insight into the experience, fears and challenges that can present in motherhood, enhancing her practical ability and opening the door to working along side the MAMA midwives in Kensington in 2012. During the last 14 years in private practice, Nadia has used acupuncture to support hundreds of women through their journey from pre-conception to birth and beyond. She has also had extensive experience treating musculoskeletal issues, mood disorders, digestive complaints and sleep disorders. Nadia uses both Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and 5 Element Acupuncture.
Kristen Burgess – Remedial Massage Therapy
Diploma of Remedial Therapies
0402 134 107
Kristen is one of those lucky people who loves her work. She started massaging at a young age when she would give homemade gift vouchers to her family. What she didn’t foresee is that it would become a life long passion.
Kristen studied at The Melbourne College of Natural Medicine, and gained a Diploma of Remedial Therapy from The Melbourne Institute of Massage Therapy.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Kristen specialises in deep tissue therapy & sports massage, whilst drawing on other modalities such as myofacial release and cupping. She particularly enjoys treating neck and upper back pain caused by injury, chronic conditions, or postural issues associated with desk work.
Kristen brings a thoughtful and open approach to each treatment, tailoring each massage to your individual requirements.
Matthew Daniel – Craniosacral Therapy
Diploma of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy | Registered member of the Pacific Association of Craniosacral Therapists
0490 194 860
Through Craniosacral Therapy, Matthew Daniel offers a caring and safe space where the whole person is heard, inviting change and a stronger connection to health.
He has a particular interest in helping people suffering from anxiety, stress, pain, emotional challenges and the effects of trauma. He also completed advanced training in somatic psychology (the connection between the body and mind) and working with mothers and babies. From his own experience receiving Craniosacral Therapy, and by supporting his clients, he’s seen how helpful the therapy can be. He enjoys supporting his clients to walk their own unique path back to wellbeing.
Matthew’s passion for health and growth has evolved from his exploration of the body and mind through practices such as voice and body improvisation and group facilitation. Matthew is an active social service designer, facilitator and musician.
Find out more about Craniosacral Therapy.
Hugh Bevege – Chiropractic with Kinesiology
0409 851 368
Hugh has been a registered chiropractor since 1982. His original training was in Sydney as an osteopath in the early 70s. He trained and qualified as a general nurse and has postgraduate training in Acupuncture and Craniosacral Therapy, together with the chiropractic techniques of SOT (sacro occipital technique) and applied Kinesiology. He has also undertaken his own journey and studies in psychotherapy, spiritual healing and shamanic practices.
Hugh’s Chiropractic techniques and treatments range from gentle to more active adjustments, depending on the client’s needs and preferences. By utilising Kinesiology (muscle testing) as a Biofeedback tool, the body’s structural, functional and emotional disturbances can be understood and appropriate treatment applied.
Hugh has a particular interest in uncovering the stress patterns that are inevitably associated with disturbances in our body and psyche. Neuro Emotional Technique is used to help locate and correct these patterns, and this may be accompanied by the use of flower essences and photobiomodulation (laser/light therapy) to assist the brain to develop new pathways.
Alex Beckingsale – Body, Birth & Baby
Registered Nurse |Bachelor of Midwifery |Postgraduate diploma in Prescribing for Midwives
0408 569 919
Alex is a Registered Midwife and Nurse. She completed her course at La Trobe University in 2012, after moving to Melbourne from a small town in regional Victoria. She has been working at a large public hospital in Melbourne for over 6 years. In this time, Alex has cared for hundreds of women and their families in pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatally- including home visits. She spent 2 years working as a caseload midwife in a continuity of care model which really opened her eyes to how beautiful and sacred the bond between mother and baby is. Alex is so passionate about working with women to educate them about the changes they are experiencing with their body and in preparing them for their baby’s birth, but also looking past the birth to assist women and their families to have some idea of what to expect when you take your baby home. The more you know, the less surprises there will be.
Alex is a firm believer that for most women, pregnancy, labour, birth and breastfeeding are a normal physiological process. Her mission is to help women feel empowered and for them to feel confident in taking responsibility for their bodies, their births and their babies. Alex will aim to arm you with all the knowledge and skills you need to feel like the superwoman that you are. YOU’VE GOT THIS!
When Alex is not working, she loves getting along to yoga classes, meeting friends for brunch, going for long walks, enjoying mother nature, experimenting with essential oils, shopping at her local farmer’s market, spending time with family and working out in the gym with her personal trainer. Alex would usually add in here that she’s a massive coffee snob, but she has recently taken a break from coffee so a turmeric latte it is!
Amber Gibson – Body, Birth & Baby
Registered Midwife | Postgraduate diploma in Prescribing for Midwives
0431 547 855
Amber has been a midwife for six years now and has spent the majority of her career working in a caseload program at a large tertiary hospital in Melbourne. Through her years working in a continuity of care model where she was the primary caregiver for women in pregnancy, labour and birth and postnatal care, including home visiting, she gained expertise in educating women how to have an optimal pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding/ postnatal experience. It made her want to provide more women in the community with this education and knowledge… which is why she started Body, Birth & Baby. She was lucky enough to find an amazing partner Alex. Amber and Alex are both passionate about educating women about having an active and healthy pregnancy, to take the fear out of birth and set them up with knowledge and preparation for successful breastfeeding. Amber is a strong believer in knowledge is power and aims to empower women to make informed choices that align with them.
On a personal level Amber is extremely passionate about health and wellness. She loves yoga, reformer pilates, gym workouts, going for fresh air walks, listening to wellness podcasts and she love reading books about nutrition and personal development. She enjoys her weekly trips to the market, where she buys an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables and she is very passionate about cooking nutritious meals and guilt-free treats. Amber’s favourite way to socialise is with a weekly infrared sauna with her friends, chai latte dates, and catch ups over coffee and smashed avo with poached eggs!
Josie Penn – Holistic Nutrition
Naturopathic Nutritionist | Member of BANT UK and CNHC UK
0450 283 123
Josie has had 7 years of clinical experience working as a freelance Nutritional Therapist in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. From 2017, she shifted her focus to specialise in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum recovery and weaning nutrition. The move was primarily driven by the lack of accessible, evidence based information available to new and expectant mothers and families.
Josie’s own experiences and challenges throughout this period were an additional catalyst to working in this field. Josie’s approach is fad-free, focusing on current research to guide her use of traditional healing foods and nutraceuticals with mindful consideration of each client’s means and time limitations. She is also an experienced speaker, leading educational talks and workshops for expectant and new parents both privately and from MAMA Melbourne. She also works alongside New to The Tribe, an accessible parent’s education service focused on reaching members of the community who would financially be otherwise unable to access such information.
Areas of special interest include;
– Optimising fertility through diet and lifestyle
– Optimum nutrition for pregnancy
– Supporting healing and recover post birth
– Nutritional repletion of the postpartum mother
– Hormonal balancing post birth
– Nutritional support of breastfeeding