Renew by Montefiore

Acupuncture and TCM

Acupuncture can be used to help relieve and release muscle tension, improve circulation, enhance immunity and balance the nervous system and hormones.

The fine needles rebalance your body’s energy and stimulate the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine to help balance the autonomic nervous system, influence hormonal release and induce neuroplastic changes in the brain, in other words fight the illness or symptoms. Acupuncture is part of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) which focuses more on the causes of disease and is based on finding patterns of disharmony and restoring health.

These effects make acupuncture a valuable complementary therapy for various health conditions, including

• Chronic Pain
• Arthritis
• Back and or Neck Pain
• Headaches and Migraines
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Knee Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Digestive issues
• Menstrual Pain or Hormonal Imbalance
• Sports Injuries
• Nerve Pain, including facial or TMJ pain.
• Fertility
• Cognitive decline

Exercise classes

At Renew by Montefiore we offer PE Classes (Physio Exercise) small, supervised classes, designed to suit your individual needs and capabilities.

These classes focus on injury prevention, safe techniques, balance training, general strength and conditioning whether you are recovering from an injury, aiming to prevent an injury or simply looking to improve your health and wellbeing.

Our 4 classes include:

Back On Track

Ladies Brain Power

Neuro Plus

The Renewables (Men’s Class)

To view our weekly PE timetable and class descriptions, click here

Pre-Screening
To create a program suitable for you a Pre-screening is required. This allows the Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist to identify the key areas you are wanting to work on and what flexibility or strength work you require.

Your progress is reviewed as prescribed and new exercises are introduced when you are ready to ensure you continue to progress with your overall fitness, flexibility, and strength.

Rehabilitation

We understand that every patient is different, which is why we provide tailored rehabilitation physiotherapy treatments. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a longer-term condition, or dealing with chronic pain, our physiotherapists are here to help with your rehabilitation.

Hydrotherapy Services

The warm water, helps relax sore muscles and loosen up stiff joints, improving range of motion, coordination and balance, muscle strength and reduces pain in a safe and enjoyable environment. The buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure of the water supports the body, taking the weight off any inflamed, injured and/or painful joints. Hydrotherapy is ideal for people with chronic disease, pre or postoperative surgery and general immobility. It is a popular, fun and therapeutic form of exercise.

Hydro classes are run as a circuit class. An initial assessment is required before commencing any classes. Classes are graded from level 1-3 (easiest to hardest) in intensity.

Private sessions are by appointment only and are one– on–one with a Physiotherapist. Popular for pre- and post- op rehabilitation, spinal pain, and neurological conditions.

A pre-screening Hydro form will be sent to you to complete prior to your initial hydro session.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Group sessions:
Morning      8:30 – 9:15am      Tues, Fri
Afternoon   4:00 – 4:45pm      Mon, Tues, Thurs
Afternoon   5:00 – 5:45pm      Thursday

Private sessions and initial assessments:
Morning      7:30 – 9:45am      Tues, Fri
Afternoon   3:00 – 6:00pm     Mon, Tues

To view our weekly HYDRO timetable and class descriptions, click here 

Onero™ Program 

Onero™ Program 

Renew by Montefiore is the only clinic between Randwick and Botany to offer the Onero™ Program, as part of our new Strength Clinic. 

• The Onero™ Program is a scientifically backed exercise program designed to enhance and preserve bone mineral density. It’s especially beneficial for individuals with Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, as well as anyone looking to maintain strong bones as they age. 

• The program utilises high-intensity resistance and impact training for individuals with low bone mass. It found that there was an increase in bone density compared to the more traditional low-intensity exercise program.

• Results of the Onero™ Program after 12 months of twice a week training show significant increases in bone mass at the lumbar spine and at the hip (femoral neck cortical thickness), increased back extensor strength, improved posture, improved function and balance and reduced falls risk. 

• Onero™ is an evidence-based exercise program developed from the LIFTMOR study, which was conducted at Griffith University in QLD and recently published in the Journal of Bone Mineral Research (2018). 

Get started today by booking an Onero™ Assessment at Renew by Montefiore. 

To view our weekly Onero timetable and class descriptions, click here

DementiaReady

DementiaReady by Montefiore provides personalised post-diagnostic support for all types and stages of dementia. Our aim is to support you or your loved one to feel empowered to live at home, engage with the community, and maintain independence after diagnosis.

The DementiaReady service is available to anyone who:

• Has been diagnosed with a form of dementia by a qualified health professional
• Is responsible for caring for someone living with dementia
• Lives at home in Sydney or surrounding areas
• Is willing and able to engage with the service

The DementiaReady service is tailored to your individual needs living with or supporting a person with dementia. Specifically, we offer:

• In-home assessment with our experienced Dementia Consultant
• Personalised strategies to support you or your loved one to stay at home longer and maintain independence
• Connection to other community resources and support services
• What to ask your GP about your or your loved one’s diagnosis and treatment
• Support with future planning
• Guidance throughout your loved one’s unique journey of living with dementia

Book a consultation online or contact us at 0436 335 841 or dementiaready@montefiore.org.au to find out how we can help you and your loved one.

Henry Chien

Henry has a very practical hands-on therapeutic approach and is driven to empower patients to be able to take control of their own health through his professional guidance, advice, and education.

Henry strongly believes in person-centred care approach and that it is a collaboration between the patient and clinician throughout the rehabilitation journey, working with patients to achieve outstanding patient outcomes.

Over the last 20 years he has gained a vast wealth of experience having worked in a variety of acute fast paced setting including St Vincents Hospital, Greenwich Rehabilitation Hospital, Westmead Private Hospital, Delmar Private Hospital, Montefiore Residential Care.

Henry has a passion for Physiotherapy and has keen interests in Neurological rehabilitation, Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal streams of Physiotherapy.

Special Interests

• Spinal Pathology
• Shoulder, LBP and SIJ Dysfunctions.
• Osteoarthritis management.
• Pain management
• Parkinsons Disease management (PD Warrior Program)
• Strength and conditioning exercise programming
• Biomechanical analysis

Qualifications

• BAppSc (Physiotherapy)
• Cert (IV) in Frontline Management
• Dry Needling (Level 1 & 2)
• Orthotics fitment and customisations
• Inter X
• PD Warrior Program
• Member of APA

He has previously supported student education programs as a clinical educator with Sydney University (School of Physiotherapy), ACU (School of Physiotherapy), UNSW Biomedical engineering faculties.

Penny Elliott

Penny is a very experienced private practice physiotherapist, exercise professional, and lecturer working with local and international clients and students.

Penny has a personal background in dance, and a particular interest in biomechanics and movement analysis, often working with hypermobility. Her dedication to specific exercise and rehabilitation as well as her commitment to expanding her knowledge has allowed her to excel in her own health and fitness journey. She is passionate, primed and ready to share her knowledge and experience with her clients.

Her career began at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital, moving into private practice 2 years later, at Sydney University. Working across a wide variety of sports, a highlight of her time there, was the opportunity of being Physio at the Australian Uni Games.

The Physiotherapy Posture and Fitness clinic was home for 20 years, where, as a senior Physio, Penny worked closely with well-known Physiotherapist, Francine St George, author of The Back-Pain Handbook.

After completing her Master’s degree, Penny’s other area of interest became the TMJ and craniomandibular region. She works collaboratively in this area along with other dentistry professionals.

Special Interests

• TMJ, craniomandibular pain and upper cervical spine
• Complex lower back pain
• Pre and postoperative management of complex lower back pain
• Hypermobility and dance-related injuries
• Lumbo pelvic and hip pain related to pregnancy and/or hypermobility

Qualifications

• BAppSc (Physiotherapy)
• Masters of Health Science in Manipulative Physiotherapy
• Cert IV WHS
• Member of APA

Natalie Simon

Natalie has a gentle, pragmatic and all-encompassing approach that supports and empowers individuals and carers to enhance their lives and wellbeing. In practice, Natalie listens first and then works with the individual to assess, formulate, plan and execute positive action.

Natalie has been in practice for over 26 years and has gained vast experience working at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick, the former Prince Henry Hospital, NSW, as well as completing extended secondments in Albury Wodonga Hospital. With a special interest in sport and exercise, Natalie went on to become an Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist, a Director of Physiofit Rehabilitation Solutions Pty Ltd (an Exercises Rehab business that specialises in evidence-based exercises), and an Assistant Physiotherapist for several elite sporting teams, including the first grade St George Illawarra Rugby League Team.

Natalie has lectured both nationally and internationally in the areas of postural assessment, exercise rehabilitation, chronic back and neck pain and injury prevention.

Natalie holds an Advanced Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Sydney Institute of Chinese Medicine and has completed over 600 hours of training in Guangzhou Hospital and Anhui Hospital, China.

In practice, Natalie combines her Chinese and Western medicine background and years of clinical and community experience into her diagnosis and treatments.

Special Interests

• Chronic Pain (Fibromyalgia, Autoimmune Diseases, Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS)
• Neck and Back Pain and SIJ dysfunctions
• Headache and TMJ pain
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Chronic Fatigue
• Depression and Anxiety
• Sports Injuries
• Woman’s Health
• Tendinitis

Qualifications

• BAppSc (Physiotherapy)
• Advanced Diploma TC, (Anui and Guangzhou Internships)
• Member of APA and ANTA (Australian Natural Therapies Association)

Bev Berelowitz

Bev is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 30 years of social work experience in both the public and private sector. She completed her Social Work degree in South Africa and completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work Counselling at the University of New South Wales in 2016. She has been a long-standing member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and is committed to continued education in her field. 

Bev is passionate about supporting people at each stage of life and has extensive experience across a broad range of settings. The supportive counselling she offers includes: 

• General counselling and support
• Dealing with grief and loss
• Dealing with anxiety and depression
• Managing relationship challenges
• Dealing with separation and divorce 
• Adjusting to injury/rehabilitation counselling
• Coping with unexpected or bad news
• Coping as an “empty nester” 
• Adjustment to age related changes 

Bev prides herself on being professional, compassionate, and skilled. She offers a highly confidential service with a range of strategies and tools to help empower and support all clients. 

Bev is available at Renew by Montefiore on Mondays and Tuesday. 

Milena Katz

Milena is qualified Dietician with 22 years of experience working with complex and chronic conditions. 

She provides medical nutrition therapy for: 

• Osteopenia and osteoporosis
• Gastrointestinal illness
• Weight management
• Diabetes
• Healthy ageing
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart and metabolic function
• Inflammatory and autoimmune conditions 

Milena’s services are available via face-to-face appointments and telehealth services. Medicare and private health rebates are available. 

Qualifications 

BSc (Nutrition) (Hons I) 
BTeach 
Accredited Practising Dietitian 

Samantha Gentin

Samantha is a highly experienced and compassionate podiatrist with over 10 years in private practice. After graduating from the University of Newcastle in 2015, Samantha has dedicated her career to improving foot health and mobility for patients of all ages. 

Her goal is simple: to help you walk comfortably, live actively, and stay pain-free. She loves nothing more than seeing her patients regain their independence and confidence, one step at a time. 

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys regular exercise and outdoor activities, understanding firsthand how important it is to keep moving and maintain good health. 

Samantha’s services include general routine podiatry treatments: 

• Nail care (trimming, thickened nails, fungal nails)
• Treatment of corns and calluses
• Cracked heels and dry skin management
• Ingrown toenail care
• Foot hygiene and maintenance advice
• Basic diabetic foot care checks 

Samantha can also advise on a wide range of additional podiatry services, including: 

• Custom orthotics
• Biomechanical and gait assessments
• Footwear advice
• Sports injury management
• Diabetic foot care and long-term management
• Children’s foot health 

Appointments with Samantha are available every Thursday afternoon from 1pm – 5pm.