Dr Anthony Hilkemeijer (Osteopath)
Bachelor Applied Science (Clinical) & Bachelor of Osteopathic Science (1998-2002, RMIT Melbourne)
Anthony has an interest in neurological and spinal concerns of the body and has undertaken numerous neurological courses and also lectures around the world. He pioneered the Dural Tissue Therapy (DTT) treatment with plans to further research into this field. He enjoys global connections with other colleagues, neurologists, general practitioners, physiotherapists around the world.
DTT is a unique low intervention technique that is showing to be very effective at treating deep spinal pain and dysfunction particularly if it has originated from a high velocity injury, such as a whiplash like event. Even if the pain and injury has been resistant to other forms of treatment. It is also showing to be very effective at the treatment of concussion and post concussion syndrome. The reason for the effectiveness of treatment is the inclusion of the brains ventricles with the spinal or brain injury and addressing the CSF flow.
With a background in Rehabilitation Pilates, Anthony had the opportunity in his practice in Melbourne to learn from other passionate physiotherapists and osteopaths who are leaders in their fields of Rehab Pilates.
Anthony and his wife Shannon relocated to Port Macquarie in 2014 with their 4 children. Anthony grew up in beautiful Port Macquarie and loves being back at the beach. Prior to moving, Anthony was the founder and creator of Faraday House Health care centre in Melbourne.
Dr Shannon Hilkemeijer (Osteopath)
Bachelor Applied Science (Clinical) & Bachelor of Osteopathic Science (1998- 2003 RMIT, Melbourne)
Graduate Certificate Neonatal & Infant Paediatric Manual Therapy (Victoria University 2010)
Shannon has an interest in all facets of Osteopathy and can easily draw from all Osteopathic therapeutic techniques. She also practices Dural Tissue Therapy DTT which can treat spinal and disc/ nerve related injuries with low intervention therapy.
She is currently seeing all ages of patients and has over 20 years experience in private practice as an Osteopath.
Over her professional career Shannon is constantly learning and improving and has undertaken numerous professional development courses in:
Cranial Osteopathy for head trauma, concussion, headaches and migraines, TMJ (jaw) sinus, neck, ear and throat pain, congestion, tightness and restriction.
Shannon spent over 10 years training to become a cranial osteopath with the Sutherland School of Osteopathy, completing all levels into advanced and Biodynamics. She also worked at RMIT university as the cranial tutor for many years.
Qualified Paediatric (baby) Osteopath for remedy of whole body birth related trauma including plagiocephaly and torticollis. Neck, jaw, infant feeding issues, lactation and tongue-tie related issues and treatment. Settling and sleeping issues. Also reflux, digestive and stomach/ colic discomfort in babies.
Pregnancy related musculoskeletal pain; Breathing retraining courses; and Scoliosis diagnosis and management.
She has also been trained in Polestar Rehabilitation Pilates Diploma.
Shannon likes to support her patients health naturally with Homeopathy, Nutritional supplements and Medical Kinesiology.
Shannon is an Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) and Emotional Code practitioner.
Whilst in Melbourne, Shannon was a lecturer and examiner of Osteopathic techniques at RMIT University. She also undertook research on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) including the Vagal system as a post graduate Masters.
Shannon is a passionate practitioner and finds it incredibly rewarding to help people and babies with pain, injuries and their natural health and wellness.
Shannon talks a lot about Homeostatis- where the body is in balance (emotionally and physically) and able to self- heal and self- regenerate. THAT is wellness and that is what she aims for in every single patient.
In her spare time Shannon enjoys baking and is very proud to have won a Zumbo baking competition with one of her sons. She is also a watercolour artist and a mother of 4 children.
Dr Francine Nunneri (TCM, NET)
(Traditional Chinese Medicine, Neuro Emotional Technique)
Francine Nunneri brings years of Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, NET (Neuro Emotional Technique), Remedial Massage and Breathe work experience to Body IQ.
Francine is passionate about her work and is a traditionally taught practitioner of 20 years experience, having worked in Melbourne and more recently at Imperial Health in Port Macquarie. We are now very lucky to have her consult out of BodyIQ.
Francine enjoys assisting with all health and energy concerns, including women’s health and fertility.
Francine believes in holistic mind & body treatment. In which the body is integrated with the mind and emotions. She has an interest in traumatic shock resolution eg. after cancer diagnosis or injury. Her clients are wide and varied in age and conditions.
Francine’s Qualifications:
Chinese Medicine Physician (BA Applied Science Traditional Chinese Medicine)
Diplomate in Canonical Chinese Medicine (DCCM) with Institute of Classics in East Asian Medicine - ICEAM)
Certification in NET (Neuro Emotional Technique) Australia and USA. This works beautifully to release emotional stress stored in the body. Francine’s ability to balance meridians makes this technique even more special
Breathwork Facilitator- Breathless Instructor Training and Master Instructor Training, Oxygen Advantage Advanced Training with Patrick Mckeown, Fundamentals and Advanced Fundamentals with Dan Brûlée
Diploma Remedial Massage, including Relaxation, Sports, Pregnancy and Aromatherapy (NSW School of Massage)
Francine is the instigator behind the sunrise Ice baths held at Port Macquarie beaches and she has the most contagious smile. Available Tuesdays and Fridays.
Natalie Favaloro
Pilates Instructor
Diploma in Pilates, Cert 4 and Tensegrity training.
Nat started her Pilates journey in 2013. She is an intuitive and intelligent Pilates Instructor with a strong following. She has been been under Anthony’s mentoring since 2018 and has developed into a Pilates instructor extraordinaire.
She enjoys teaching all ages and abilities and personalising their programs. Nat is a mother of two children.
Irene Dowton
Physiotherapist, Bobath instructor and therapist and Clinical Pilates instructor
Senior Neuro Physiotherapist
Pilates Instructor.
Irene has over 30 years experience as a Physiotherapist.
She has extensive Neurophysiotherapy knowledge having worked in the neurological field in rehabilitation and acute stroke for many years as a Senior Physiotherapist.
She is experienced in Musculoskeletal and Biomechanical Physiotherapy, Vestibular (dizziness) Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Stroke and Neurological physiotherapy and rehabilitation and Paediatric physiotherapy.
Irene is a holistic physiotherapist who treats a wide range of conditions.
Irene also completed paediatric (baby) and adult Craniosacral Therapy (CST) courses amongst many others over her time. She works with lactation consultants to help with breast and bottle feeding and tongue- tie issues as well as developmental delays.
Irene is very comfortable treating ALL ages from newborn to elderly. She worked as a paediatric physiotherapist in Austria, treating babies in intensive and neonatal intensive care as well as children on medical and surgical wards before moving to Australia.
Her Pilates training is of the highest calibre, having trained in the extensive Rehabiliation Polestar course. She can read your body like a book and pin point exactly where you need to stabilise or stretch or BOTH!
Irene is also a Bobath Therapist and Instructor of the Bobath Concept. The Bobath Concept is particularly suited to treat neurological conditions targeting Postural Control and Sensorimotor deficits and aiding to improve selective movement patterns and sensorimotor integration.
Corey Flanagan
Physiotherapist / Pilates instructor
Corey is a Port Macquarie local, born and raised on a farm just west of Wauchope. He completed his schooling in Beechwood and Wauchope before beginning his journey into health as a Physiotherapy Assistant at Port Macquarie Base Hospital while finishing his HSC.
He went on to study Physiotherapy in Orange, returning to Port Macquarie for his final year and graduating in 2020.
Corey has a broad approach to physiotherapy, with a strong focus on musculoskeletal conditions and restoring natural movement patterns. He works with clients of all ages, supporting both acute injuries and more complex, long-standing conditions.
He works closely with Anthony, Shannon & Irene, supporting each client using an integrated approach. Corey has also been developing his skills in neurological rehabilitation, learning under Irene and her strong Bobath background.
Corey also integrates clients into Rehabilitation Pilates to support long-term strength, control, and movement.
Outside of the clinic, you’ll find Corey enjoying farm life in Beechwood with his wife and two young children, Eve and Paddy and loves spending time fishing, camping, and being outdoors.
Clorinda Falivene
Titled Women’s Health Physiotherapist
Clorinda has been working as a physiotherapist for the past 20 years after completing her Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) at the University of Sydney. She has worked specifically in Women’s Health for over 18 of those years. This has included 6 years at The Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick and 2 years at RPA in Camperdown, as well as several well respected private practice clinics during that time.
Clorinda completed her Clinical Master’s in Continence & Women’s Health in 2020 through Curtin University and was subsequently awarded her titling, allowing the use of the regulated title: Titled Women’s Health Physiotherapist. She was also invited to become a Member of the College of Physiotherapists (qualification-based, not a paid membership). In addition, she co-authored research published in the International Urogynecology Journal investigating women’s outcomes following obstetric birth injury.
In addition to this, Clorinda has completed training in the Bounce Back™ Spinal Strength and Stability System, which can help support specific motor control rehabilitation for lower back and pelvic issues. She has also completed training with Tami Lynn Kent in her Holistic Pelvic Care™ program to support women in deepening into the layers of pelvic health and healing.
Clorinda feels fortunate to have gained a broad depth of experience across many aspects of women’s health within the physiotherapy profession. She is passionate about supporting women to live their best lives and believes that supporting their health is such a vital part of this.
When she is not Physio-ing or ParentLife-ing, Clorinda can be found by the sea. Or a river. Or a lake. Or almost any body of water, really… just add water, basically. If she is not doing this, she can usually be found trying to cuddle baby animals (with their consent, obviously).
A fun fact about Clorinda is that her sole intention when starting her physiotherapy degree was to become an Animal Physiotherapist, having come from a background in veterinary nursing and discovering that such a wonderful profession existed. Along the way, life happened, and she also discovered that she would, in fact, have to learn physiotherapy with humans first.
During this plot twist, she uncovered her passion for women’s health and recognised how under-resourced the area was (especially back then), so she course-corrected, and here we are. That said, she still ended up working as a physiotherapist with animals at different times, including alongside the amazing and talented Animal Physiotherapist Helen Nicolson, as well as at several local veterinary hospitals.
Clorinda looks forward to being of service.