Helen Hartley is an Australian physiotherapist with over 30 years experience in spinal, postural and musculo-skeletal care.  Having graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from University of Queensland in 1981, Helen went on to work in a number of hospital settings including Royal Hobart Hospital in Tasmania, Mt Isa Base Hospital in north west Queensland and St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Toowoomba in western Queensland.

In 1986, Helen returned to her home city, Brisbane, Queensland, where she worked in private practice for over 15 years with her main interests being in spinal care, musculo-skeletal dysfunction, arthritidies, ante-natal care, neurological rehabilitation and pain management.

Continuing Professional development has been an important aspect of Helen’s physiotherapy service delivery. 

In 1987/88, Helen enrolled in a graduate diploma in Health Management at the Queensland University of Technology completing modules in Health Management, Medicine and the Law and Health Statistics.

In 1999/2000, Helen completed a Masters of Physiotherapy (Qualifying) programme at the University of Queensland with her main interest being Pain Management and her thesis looking at chronic pelvic pain experienced by women with endometriosis.

In 2001, Helen enrolled in a Masters of Philosophy programme with Queensland Medical Research Institute.  Her research programme was looking at the benefits of core stability exercise programmes for women with chronic pelvic pain. Like all forms of chronic pain, Helen could see the relationship between chronic pelvic pain, avoidance of exercise, the consequent changes in posture, musculoskeletal imbalance and consequent compounding of the pain experience.  Unfortunately due to a family move to the UK in 2002, this project was put on hold.

Since moving to the UK, Helen has worked for 3 years in an outpatients setting for the NHS.  During this time, Helen trained with the Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute in London. The APPI (www.Ausphysio.com ) is a physiotherapy based Pilates training school that teaches modified Pilates techniques with a particular reference to preventative and rehabilitation based exercise programmes.  Since gaining her Pilates teacher certification, Helen has also attended professional development days at the APPI where she has looked at Pilates programmes for children and teenagers, and the use of equipment in enhancing exercise programmes.

Helen also has a keen interest in encouraging the over 60’s into Pilates based programmes in order to sustain independence into older age.  This is an area that she anticipates developing over time.

At the other end of the scale, Helen has run a Pilates based programme at the Chesham Bois school with 9 and 10 year old children. Being the mother of 4 children herself, all of whom have engaged in the ‘electronic  - IT age’, Helen has a particular concern that children in this and future generations will need encouragement to change postural habits and remain active.

Helen, her husband and 4 children are now resident in the UK.