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Kirsten - Physio & Health Coach

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Kirsten - Physio & Health Coach

Movement and exercise are fundamental elements for a healthy life.

Pain, injury and illness can get in the way of us being able to do that so I'm passionate about helping you turn that around. I have spent many years working with clients with a wide variety of injuries, health concerns or changes in their lives that have got them off track. I am passionate about helping you to improve your health so you can really enjoy the things that matter most.

03/11/2025

Recovery from injury or illness can be a really frustrating process so there's no need to make it harder on yourself.

I see this cycle so often with many of my clients...

Their current physical capacity means they can't do the things they want
They get really frustrated with holding themselves back
They push themselves to do stuff anyway
Their symptoms flare up meaning they have to take another step back instead of forwards
And around they go in this cycle....

Here's my top tip to get out of that spiral

Stop setting yourself up to fail!!

Your body isn't going to rebuild if you're exceeding your capacity on the regular
Your nervous system isn't going to back down either cos you're not listening to the signals it's giving you

I know how small actions can feel so insignificant at the time, it doesn't feel like progress. It's hard to be in that place.

But small wins compound and whilst it will probably still be frustrating, you may find you can create a smoother trend of improvement rather than then rollercoaster you've been riding so far.

20/10/2025

So many of my patients never get told about what physiotherapy could do for them and that's not good enough.

As we head towards the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month you've likely seen all the messages about checking your breasts (and hopefully you've taken some action on that knowledge too).

But I'm not here to talk about that right now, I'm here to raise awareness on how much physiotherapy can do for people with breast cancer.

So take a look at this great infographic from the Physiotherapy Research Foundation in Australia.

If you know someone with breast cancer and they haven't seen a physiotherapist yet please show them this! They may be able to get financial support to access Physiotherapy input through The Breast Cancer Foundation or through The PINC & STEEL Foundation.

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30/09/2025

The need for Health Coaching in cancer care is clear.

A health coach facilitates a person-centred, supportive process that helps patients explore and develop their whole health, physical, emotional, and spiritual while successfully navigating change, loss and trauma.

Health coaches can play a critical role in empowering patients by fostering self-awareness, supporting the development of health-promoting behaviours, and encouraging self-care practices that enhance emotional and physical well-being.

Through a collaborative, person-centred approach, health coaches work with individuals to assess their current state across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual domains, as well as their psychological response to diagnosis.

This process helps to determine the patient’s ability to embrace change and informs the development of personalised health goals and onward referrals to therapeutic and self-help resources. Based on these individual needs, reactions and circumstances, health coaches support patients in identifying appropriate support and self-help strategies, guiding them throughout the cancer care continuum into short and long-term wellness programmes.

Health coaching has also been shown to improve patient engagement with clinical care teams by facilitating improved communication with healthcare professionals and strengthening a sense of personal agency throughout the cancer journey. It promotes resilience, self-efficacy, and proactive health management, enabling individuals to live well during and after treatment.

Additionally, by guiding patients through a structured review of their health and life priorities, health coaching can alleviate psychological distress such as anxiety and depression by initiating and sustaining engagement in personalised health programmes and revised life priorities. This reflective process often supports the emergence of renewed meaning and purpose, potentially reframing the cancer experience as an opportunity for personal growth and a more fulfilling, health-oriented life.

*Taken from this excellent article by Rosy Daniel, Julie Bach & Izabella Natrins - The Case for Integration of Health Coaching within Integrative Oncology - Needs, Outcomes, Models, and Standards. See full article here 👉 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11912-025-01702-1

23/09/2025

A stage 4 diagnosis doesn't mean we have to give up.

This is probably some of the best feedback I've had from a client. They have metastatic cancer and their oncology treatment won't cure them. The reality is that they know they won't live as long as they had hoped.

But they're not imminently dying...if anything, despite some pretty gnarly treatment side effects this person is determined to get the most out of life right now. Multi-day bike rides, trail walking/running events and active holidays with their family are high priorities for them right now.

Whilst there are certainly situations where exercise is contraindicated if a person is acutely unwell. There are more times when we know that it is not only safe but highly beneficial for someone with cancer to engage in strength training and higher intensity exercise. The key is getting the dosage and intensity at an appropriate level for each person.

And that's why getting support from a certified cancer physiotherapist like me can be such a game changer. We come on board to help them live as well as they can for as long as they can.

If you know someone who might need this kind of support then don't hesitate to get in touch. If they're not in my area I'll happy connect them with someone who is.

17/09/2025

Proud to be a preferred provider for Harbour Cancer.

02/09/2025

The end of another coaching season is here 🏐🥳

So much of kids sport relies on parents to help out with coaching or managing teams. It can feel like a big ask on your time but it is so rewarding.

This is my second year of coaching netball for my daughter's year 3/4 team. A game I never played myself. Luckily I have a lifetime of sport experience to draw on and some awesome year 8 girls from our school who help me out at training and teach me the rules 😜.

We've had a really fun season and I'm so proud of that. We've lost games, won games, improved our skills and bonded as a team. Most importantly for me all the girls have said they would play again next year so I'm taking that as the biggest win.

If you're sitting on the fence about getting involved I'd highly recommend jumping in. You don't need as much knowledge or skill as you think you do. A fun and welcoming attitude and the ability to maintain their attention at least part of the time is all you need!

24/08/2025

Calling on all my workplace wellbeing and people leader contact! Stop scrolling because you need to do this learning module!

If you have supported an employee through cancer you'll know it can be really tough walking alongside them as they go through treatment and then navigate life afterwards.

I talk to lots of my cancer rehab clients about how they are going with managing their work commitments amongst all the other things! If they're well supported, their work role can provide them with a sense of control and stability, when everything else feels adrift.

If you think you could do with some upskilling in this area, the wonderful team at CGoals have delivered! I can't recommend their learning module enough.

Go check it out 👉
https://store.pipilearning.co.nz/local/staticpage/view.php?page=course-id-31-info

21/08/2025

The right support, at the right time, can change everything — helping people recover faster, feel stronger, and reconnect with life after cancer treatment.

Many people don’t realise that cancer rehabilitation exists — or they assume it’s something only available in hospital, or only for those already on the road to recovery. In reality, support can (and should) begin early, even during treatment, because it can be life-changing.

Whether it’s being able to get dressed without pain, walk the dog again, return to work, or simply feel like themselves — cancer rehab helps people reclaim their lives.

When people feel supported, they’re more likely to recover well, reduce long-term complications, and regain a sense of control.

Let’s make sure no one faces recovery alone.

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26B Ashfield Road, Wairau Valley
Auckland
0627

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