Edition 10- The Activate Edge
The inside word on movement, communication, and better living. Stay up to date with the latest in exercise physiology, speech pathology, occupational therapy and health science.
Edition 10- April 2026
Welcome to the tenth edition of the Activate Edge!
The team at Activate HQ is excited to connect with our community in a whole new way. Each month the team will look to bring to you in behind closed doors to the world of Allied Health.
This month check out:
Our feature vlog on Back Pain
What’s On- MS Walk, Run + Roll
A Client Spotlight with … Tai
Get to know our very own Olivia A
Building Strength, Not Fear: A Back Pain Success Story
When Ned first came to Activate, he’d been living with back pain for half a decade. He’d seen multiple health professionals, tried lots of approaches, but nothing seemed to shift his symptoms and his confidence had taken a hit.
So we took a different path:
✨ No scary language.
✨ No “your spine is damaged” talk.
✨ No long list of things to avoid.
Instead, we focused on building Ned’s confidence and getting him moving again; safely, gradually, and with purpose.
Ned started with simple strength work in the gym…and now he’s running, swimming, biking, and smashing triathlons.
It can be hard to visualise how exercises in the gym can translate to real world activities. This can be especially true when dealing with chronic pain. However, your Exercise Physiologist always has a plan and bit by bit you'll return to what you love doing.
To view the full interview and training videos of Ned please view the link below:
What’s on- MS Walk, Run + Roll
Sunday May 31, Albert Park Lake.
We’re Walking, Running, and Rolling for MS!
The Activate Allied Health team is proud to be taking part in the MS Walk Run + Roll in Melbourne to support the 33,300+ Australians living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
No one should face MS alone.
MS is a chronic and often invisible disease that affects the central nervous system, turning everyday tasks into daily battles. It impacts vision, mobility, sensation, and independence—and 3 in 4 people diagnosed are women.
That’s why we’re showing up, moving together, and fundraising to provide life-changing support services like MS Connect, MS Peer Support, and MS Employment Programs. Plus, every step brings us closer to better treatments and potential cures.
Want to participate?
Training for an event like the MS Walk, Run + Roll is a great way to set an achievable and motivating goal. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, speak to one of our team members about the training involved.
The 5 km distance is a great starting point, and preparing for it can help improve your blood pressure, cardiovascular fitness, and even manage low back pain.
Want to support our team?
Visit our fundraising page here:
https://www.mswalk.org.au/fundraisers/ActivateAlliedHealth4875
Every dollar helps restore hope, connection, and quality of life for people living with MS.
Client Spotlight- Tai
Shout out to one of our amazing clients from our Activate Community, Tai. Tai has been doing weekly Exercise Physiology sessions and fortnightly Speech Pathology sessions since 2024.
Tai began both Exercise Physiology and Speech Pathology sessions aimed at addressing his NDIS goals related to increasing his overall health and wellbeing, improving his communication and independence when accessing the community. Tai has been supported to attend sessions with his support workers and family.
Initially Tai was quite reserved when he attended our clinic space but he has quickly become a very popular member of our Activate community, greeting team members with handshakes, smiles, hugs and the occasional arm wrestle challenge with Jack.
Tai has been able to smash his Exercise Physiology goals, losing over 30 kgs and now pushing 100kg on the leg press machine. He has also been able to build his confidence when communicating which has allowed him to develop and maintain different social relationships as well as use these skills in some of our school holiday groups to interact with peers.
Tai shares about Activate; “It’s my favourite place. The people are great here, very friendly, lots of chatting and very kind. I feel pretty strong and tougher and being way better than Jack.”
Great work Tai!
Did you know? 🗣️
Self-regulation is a foundation for learning, behaviour, and social participation in the classroom.
Before children can focus, engage, or learn, they need to feel safe, regulated, and supported. For many children, particularly those who are neurodivergent or have sensory differences, meeting the demands of a school environment can be challenging.
Simple, proactive strategies can make a big difference, including:
Regular movement breaks
Visual schedules to support predictability
Access to sensory tools
A safe calm space to reset when needed
Importantly, regulation is about supporting a child’s nervous system so they can participate, learn, and thrive.
Get to know… Olivia A!
Olivia completed a double undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sports Science and Nutrition Science in 2023, followed by a Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2025 at Deakin University. Throughout her studies, she gained experience working with a wide range of populations, including professional athletes, clinical clients, and healthy individuals. Her passion for clinical work began during her first placement in 2021 and has continued to grow, driving her commitment to delivering individualised, evidence-based exercise interventions.
Olivia is dedicated to improving quality of life and supporting healthy ageing, helping clients maintain independence through exercise. She creates a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment, and approaches her work with compassion, empathy, and collaboration.
Things you might not know about Olivia!
Olivia loves watching The Office and her all time favourite ‘comfort’ movie is The Hannah Montana Movie
Olivia’s favourite food is anything Mexican accompanied by a Margarita or pasta
Olivia loves dancing, particularly Jazz and Tap and loves heading to the beach for a surf!
The Knowledge Hub
5 min guide to what we are learning about this month (click the picture below to read more):
Many Labral Tears Do Not Cause Pain
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