15 Jan What is Exercise Physiology?
Providing You with Confidence:
Welcome Helen Goldschmiedt to Brighton Spine & Sports Clinic
We are delighted to welcome Helen Goldschmiedt, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, to the Brighton Spine & Sports Clinic allied health team.
With 20 years of experience across the allied health and fitness sectors, Helen brings a compassionate, evidence-based and highly personalised approach to care. Her passion is helping people who feel limited by pain, injury or medical conditions to rediscover confidence in their bodies and return to meaningful movement.
Helen understands that chronic pain and long-term health conditions often lead to fear of movement, uncertainty and frustration. Her mission is to ensure every patient feels heard, supported and empowered through carefully tailored exercise programs that restore independence and quality of life.
What Is Exercise Physiology?
Physical inactivity is now recognised as one of the most significant contributors to chronic disease worldwide. For example, depression, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers, just to name a few, have been directly linked to physical inactivity.¹–³ More than 50% of a person’s health status is influenced by lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity.
Despite this, many people struggle to act on the advice they receive from their GP or specialist. There remains a significant gap between what is prescribed and what people feel safe and confident doing, particularly when pain or complex medical conditions are present.⁴
This is where Exercise Physiology plays a vital role.
The philosophy of “Exercise is Medicine” recognises that physical activity is one of the most powerful tools available in healthcare. It has a unique ability to positively influence almost every organ system in the body. As Manini states:
“There is no medication treatment that can influence as many organ systems in a positive manner as physical activity.”⁵
Unlike general personal training, Accredited Exercise Physiologists are university trained allied health professionals who complete five years of tertiary education. They use exercise as a clinical intervention, consider a person’s medical conditions, medications, injury history, pain levels and lifestyle to ensure programs are safe, effective and sustainable.
Who Helen Supports:
Helen provides care for people managing a wide range of health concerns, including:
- Chronic pain and complex conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, IBD and persistent musculoskeletal pain.
- Metabolic and cardiovascular conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and respiratory illness.
- Bone health, balance and mental health, including osteoporosis, falls risk, depression and anxiety.
Her programs aim to improve physical function while also restoring confidence, independence and quality of life.
What to Expect in Helen’s Care:
Helen’s approach is holistic and client centred. She provides not only an exercise program, but the education and support required for long-term success.
All programs use a gradual and progressive approach, known as progressive overload, allowing strength and capacity to improve safely without triggering flare-ups, fatigue or injury.
When you see Helen, you can expect:
- A comprehensive initial assessment of your medical history, movement capacity, lifestyle and goals.
- A personalised clinical exercise program tailored to your specific needs.
- Behaviour change strategies to help you build confidence, consistency and independence.
The aim is to help you move with purpose and enjoy life with greater ease.
Get to Know Helen:
Outside the clinic, Helen enjoys lifting weights, going for long walks and hikes, cooking with her husband, and spending time with her three children.
Ready to Move with Purpose?
If pain, injury or health concerns have been holding you back, Helen is here to help. If you need any further information, or would like to book in, give our reception team a call on: 03 9596 7211
You can also book online via our HotDoc page.
It is important to note that the specific interventions and strategies employed by any medical practitioner will depend on the individual’s unique needs. Each practitioner in a care team will work collaboratively with each other to provide comprehensive care and support for the individual.
If there is a part of your condition or injury that you are struggling to understand, be sure to seek clarification with your medical professional. None of the information in this article is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always seek advice from your trusted medical professional regarding your health and/or medical conditions.
References
- Schuch FP, Vancampfort D, Firth J, et al. Physical activity and incident depression: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175:631–648.
- National Institute of Mental Health. Major depressive disorder: Prevalence of major depressive episode among adults.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2017.
- Thompson WR, Sallis R, Joy E, Jaworski CA, Stuhr RM, Trilk JL. Exercise is Medicine. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Year;14(5):511–523.
- Manini TM. Using physical activity to gain the most public health bang for the buck. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2015;175:968–969.