The Female Collective

📢 EDUCATION NIGHT 📢

Get excited because The Female Collective, in conjunction with Kiama Junior Football Club, are hosting a female health education night on the 30th of July! We cover all things female health from the menstrual cycle, breast health and female specific injuries.

We are obviously a little bias but we believe this is an event you just can't miss! It's for girls, women, mums, dads, sisters, coaches and anyone who wants to learn about female health.

Kick off is 6pm at the Kiama Golf Club and to top it all off, it's FREE!

Follow this link for tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/project-fem-female-health-education-night-tickets-936092326347?aff=oddtdtcreator

🌻 MOTHER'S DAY 🌻

Everyday is Mother's Day at TFC!

We shouldn't really need a day marked on the calendar for us to show our appreciation for the amazing women of all shapes, sizes and ages that we call "mum". They have the biggest job description of anyone on the planet and don't get anywhere close to the amount of gratitude they deserve. To the mums, mums of mums, mums-to-be and mother figures, we see you and wish you the most wonderful day. To those who have experienced lost and those who yearn to be mothers, we see you too and send you all the love x

🚫 REDS 🚫
Athletes, take note. If you are a female athlete this is definitely something you should know about!

The rates of REDS is considerably higher in the female athletic population and depending on what sport you play, it can be as high as 60% of athletes. It can have a catastrophic impact on an athlete's performance as well as their health.

Know the signs and symptoms, look out for each other, act early and seek help from your coach, support staff, physio or doctor.

Image credit: BJSM

⭐️ Griffith Pre & Postnatal Health Education Event ⭐️

Join myself in collaboration with Physifitness Pea in a Pod Pregnancy Centre Griffith Wellness Clinic Kylie the Doula for a night of pre & postnatal health education!

• Weds 22nd May 6-7pm
• 13 Altin Street Griffith (Physifitness)
• FREE event
• Bookings essential- register via the link below

https://griffithwellnessclinic.com/funnel-2-3

🌈 HAPPY MARDI GRAS 🌈
I'm a little bias but this is without a doubt my favourite time of year! There is so much love in the air it's contagious and the sense of belonging, joy and community is absolutely sensational.

This week, I had the privilage of treating a few women who are '78ers, members of the first Sydney Mardi Gras, which looked a little different from the street celebrations we see today. I always get a little emotional talking to these incredibly brave women who have shaped the LGBTQIA+ landscape in Australia.

At The Female Collective, we treat based on anatomy, not gender. We will always be a place of safety and community for people, regardless of how they identify and who they love.

Love is love after all x

🤕 PELVIC PAIN 🤕

Almost 1 in 2 Australian girls, women and people assigned female at birth experience pelvic pain. For those that experience it, it can be crippling and debilitating to the point where they feel like they are at the mercy of their pain and it rules their lives.

Sometimes, the simple things can make the biggest difference.

SLEEP - we all know we should get it and most of us would like more of it. It is essential for assisting in controlling the body's sensitivity to pain.

NUTRITION - our body needs good fuel to function well. There are certain foods that are good and not so good for pelvic pain so having an awareness of what these are can help to control your pain. (More on this to come)

EXERCISE - one of the best pain relievers is in fact exercise. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just get your body moving for an all natural pain killer that also doubles as a chronic disease preventer.

STRESS - stress is basically an amplifier for pain in your body. Managing it can be easier said than done but definitely something to try and get a handle on for a positive impact on your pain. Exercise, meditation and connecting with friends are all great examples of stress relievers, whatever works for you.

RELIEF - do whatever makes you feel better. Everyone is different so it makes sense that there are heaps of different options out there such as heat/ice, massage, foam roller, stretches, oils, video games, dancing it out. The list is honestly endless.

BREATHE - This one links in with stress very nicely too. Don't forget to breathe. When we are in pain, most people tense up which tends to make the pain worse. Take those deep breaths and relax your stomach to help release the tension in your pelvis. Something like diaphragmatic breathing or tummy breathing is a winner here.

HELP - You don't have to put up with pain. There are heaps of awesome health professionals that can help you out and the best approach is a team approach. From your GP and your physio, to your psychologist and massage therapist, everyone has their own unique way of helping you live your best life, pain free!

💪 BURN & LEARN 💪

This week Jess was invited down to Fitstop Wollongong for a sweat session and a little Q&A with some of their members. The questions just kept coming on key topics such as return to exercise postpartum, Endometriosis, training around your menstrual cycle and bladder leakage.

It was so fantastic to hear some wonderful women sharing their stories and be able to provide some guidance around maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.

A huge thank you and shout out to Mitch, Georgie, and their awesome team at Fitstop Wollongong for being so passionate about the importance of female health and creating such a supportive and welcoming community.

👭CHRISTMAS CHARI-TEE 👭

and have whipped up these amazing shirts all in the name of charity. 100% of the profits are donated to , a volunteer run, non-profit charity helping women and children flee from domestic violence. So grateful that there are organisations like this in the world!

Domestic violence is far to common in Australia with 2 in 5 women experiencing violence since the age of 15. There are so many stats that highlight what is happening but the fact that women are at increased risk of experiencing violence from an intimate partner during pregnancy really hits home as a women's health physio.

Here at The Female Collective, we will always throw our support behind great people doing incredible things for such an important cause. Women supporting women is always where we stand.

🎅 HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS 🎅

Yes, we are open between Christmas and New Year with reduced opening hours.
Jess will be taking some time off but Kirra will be holding down the fort working Nowra and Kiama Downs clinics.

Business as usual from all locations from the 2nd of January.

Jess, Kirra and Kate wish all our wonderful clients, referrers and their families a Merry Christmas and sensational holiday break. We can't want to see what 2024 has in the works xx

🎄CHRISTMAS COMING IN HOT🎄

Last weekend the TFC team spent the day embracing the heat and celebrating the year that was with our work family and . Such a fantastic day with so much love in the air and very full bellies from the awesome crew at !

Wishing you all a sensational festive season and Merry Christmas x

😁 JAW PAIN 😁

If there is tension somewhere in the body, theres a fair chance there will be tension in other places too.

I have a lot of patients that come in for pelvic pain or pelvic floor dysfunction and I end up treating their jaw. There is a strong link between tension and gripping in the pelvic floor and clenching and grinding of the jaw.

We have to look at and treat the big picture to get the best result!

But, sometimes it's just a sore jaw, and we treat that too!

🙏 PHYSIOTHERAPY 🙏

It's not just about bladders and bowels at The Female Collective! Another huge part of what we do is general physiotherapy. From sore backs to calf strains, tennis elbows to jaw pains we do it all.

The body is just one big living thing so it makes perfect sense to treat more than just what's inside the pelvis, after all it often links together!

Book online via the link in our bio!

Female Collective home treatment and management for a range of women’s health conditions A community where every individual is provided with every opportunity Female-lead healthcare for the Illawarra and South Coast Play Video Book Appointment A community where every individual is provided with every opportunity treatme...

🎉 WE TURNED ONE 🎉

The Female Collective ticked over 12 months of business last Monday but I was still away hanging out with Fetu Samoa so we celebrated today instead!

From a little idea to create a practice with women in focus, with some heavy doses of encouragement from my people, TFC has evolved into something pretty special. We are now actually a "collective" with 3 employees and clinics in Wollongong, Nowra and Griffith. A huge achievement has been becoming the Female Health educator for all NRLW clubs during the 2023 season, something I never imagined would happen in our first year.

Thank you to all our wonderful clients, friends, family members and referrers for your support and good vibes in the last 12 months. To my incredible team, you are sunshine, I need you to grow and I am so lucky to have you. I am overwhelmingly grateful and very proud.

Let's see what's next for TFC x

🎉 NEW HOME 🎉

We have said goodbye to our clinic in Warrawong and moved into our wonderful new space in Wollongong. Same service, same smiles but a little more of a boutique vibe which I'm sure you will all love!

Come and check it out at 65 Auburn Street Wollongong!

🐉 Dragons need physios too 🐉

I'm so excited to announce that I am Head Physio of the NRLW St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2023 season! This a massive personal and professional milestone for me and clearly you can't wipe that grin off my face.

It's been amazing 7 weeks of preseason so far with an incredible group of young women.

I feel incredibly grateful to bring my combined skill set of women's health and musculoskeletal physio to the squad, a first for any NRLW club and a huge statement and investment by the Dragons. I can't thank the staff and players enough for welcoming me in and truly valuing what I have to offer.

Doesn't hurt to have a rockstar mentor either, hey ?

Bring on round 1🔥

🟢🔵 FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION 🔵🟢

Yesterday, I headed south to visit the Canberra Raiders inaugural NRLW squad. They were the lucky last stop on the Female Health tour and what a way to finish!

A massive shout out to the NRL for helping me share Female Health Education with all of the NRLW clubs this season.

🐴 FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION 🐴

Tonight, I spent the last leg of my Queensland club tour at the Brisbane Broncos and presented Project FEM to the 2023 squad and staff. These guys are absolute professionals and it was a pleasure to chat all things female health!

Thanks again to the NRL for shinning a spotlight on female health education.

⚔️ FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION ⚔️

The GC turned it on today for my Project FEM presentation to the Gold Coast Titans NRLW squad. Fresh off a trial match win, the wonderful players and staff kept the good vibes rolling! To top it off, we had a sneaky feature by crowd favourite NRL Women's Wellbeing and Education Manager Debbie Brewin.

A huge thank you to the NRL for understanding and prioritising the importance of female health education.

🐓 FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION 🐓

Yesterday, I headed up to Moore Park and presented Project FEM to the Sydney Roosters NRLW team. My mum, huge self proclaimed chookies fan, was geeing me up for weeks about this and they didn't disappoint! What an awesome crew of players and staff with top level banter, it was an absolute pleasure.

Thanks again to the NRL for helping me share female health education to all of the clubs this year.

🤠 FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION 🤠

Yesterday, I got to escape the cold in the Illawarra and head up north to Townsville and visit the inaugural NRLW North Queensland Cowboys. It wasn't just the weather that's nice up there, the players and staff are pure sunshine! Thanks for being such an awesome crew and I'm loving my new golf shirt!

Huge shout out to the NRL for making Female Health Education a focus for the 2023 NRLW season.

⚡️FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION⚡️

Today, I headed out to visit the Parramatta Eels and take their squad and staff through Project FEM. It was an absolute delight to spend a sunny Saturday with the Eels crew. Culture is king and the Eels are cooking up something pretty special.

Thanks to the NRL for helping me to educate all the NRLW clubs ahead of the 2023 season.

🐉 FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION🐉

Tonight I had the pleasure of presenting Project FEM to the St George Illawarra Dragons. Now I might have a bit of local bias going on but what a sensational group of young women! Up the red V!

A huge shout out to the NRL for backing how important female health education is for athletes and their support staff.

🦈 FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION 🦈

The inaugural Cronulla Sharks NRLW team were the 3rd stop on my Female Health Education tour last night and I'm still riding high on their good vibes! Such a wonderful group of humans that let me chew their ears off about key topics for female athletes.

Thanks again to the NRL for helping me share this information with all of the clubs this season.

🛡 FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION 🛡

Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining the Newcastle Knights NRLW team at their team camp to discuss female health and performance. The reigning prems and their staff are all class!

Thank you for having me team, and thanks to the NRL for valuing female health education.

🐯 FEMALE HEALTH EDUCATION 🐯

Tonight I was lucky enough to spend time with the inaugural West Tigers NRLW team and their staff to talk all things female health.

If their season is anything like their questions, they are going to be red hot! Thanks for having me team and thanks to the NRL for helping me share this super important information.

🌸 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 🌸

This is a day for all of the mothers in all of the forms that they take.

Mothers who have big kids and little kids. Mothers celebrating their first mothers day. Mothers who are about to become mothers. Mothers who are separated from their children. Mothers who have lost mothers. Mothers who yearn to be mothers.

All mothers are a huge part of so many things that we do at The Female Collective. We see you and love playing a small role in you being able to be the best version of yourself. So thank you for being you!

This is me with my mum back when tight perms were in and it was trendy for nonna to make all of your clothes. She is one of my biggest supporters and is always there with all of the cuddles when you need it. Love you, mum x

🔥 Milestone Moment🔥

It almost slipped by us but today marks 6 months since The Female Collective first opened its doors. We've helped just over 200 women and girls on the South Coast so far. With a clinic in Nowra and Warrawong and an outreach program starting in Griffith this week, we couldn't be more proud.

Thank you to all of our amazing clients, referrers, family and friends. Your support is everything!

From little things big things grow 🌻