Meet The Couple Helping Locals Stay Nimble, Flexible + Strong At The Edge Physiotherapy

After meeting at uni while both studying physiotherapy and working in private practices over a number of years, Andrew and Samantha decided to take the plunge and start their very own clinic, The Edge Physiotherapy,  in the heart of Bowral in the middle of 2021. 

We caught up with them to chat about the why behind what they do, what patients can expect from this new, inviting and energetic clinic in the High Street Arcade, and what it’s REALLY like running a business with your spouse.

1 :: Let’s start with how it all started for you guys. Why physiotherapy?

Andy :: I did my work experience in high school with a physiotherapist, and even got to sit in on orthopaedic surgeries which was pretty cool to do as a 15-year-old.

I’ve always been interested in the human form and human movement, so I did a medical science degree which heightened my interest in healthcare – that’s when I decided to study physiotherapy.

And that’s where I met Sam while I was studying. 

Sam :: I came to physio a bit later in life.

I did an Arts degree and worked at the Department of Health but wanted to spend less time at a desk and do something more tactile.

Physiotherapy is a very hands-on career, physically and also emotionally.

And that’s another reason I wanted to study physiotherapy.

I wanted to help people learn about their bodies and teach them how to take care of their bodies – that’s empowering for them.

2 :: How did you come to the decision to open a physiotherapy clinic together? 

Sam :: We moved to the Highlands seven years ago after I got a job at a local physio practice.

I took time off while I had our children and have been doing physio work in private clinics and also teaching at Western Sydney University. 

Andy :: I was practising at a clinic in South West Sydney so still doing a bit of commuting.

We had a chat one day about joining forces and starting a clinic that reflects our own values and experience, with one of the main factors being a better work / life balance.

We love exploring the Highlands with our two children and two dogs, so this was a way we could see that happening.

3 :: So, tell us a bit more about the clinic and what you’ve created there? 

Sam :: We wanted to create a clinic that was all about the patient.

Andy and I both treat our patients holistically – seeing them as a whole person, not just an injury. 

Andy :: We’ve custom built the clinic, so it flows really well, and the patient experience is positive.

It’s a bright, inviting space that we put our heart and soul into, and that shows. 

Sam :: When people come to see a physio, quite often they’re not in a good mental space.

They’re injured, in pain and are feeling a little let down by their body, so it’s important they have a positive experience with us.

The functionality of the clinic does that as does our approach to each individual.

4 :: While you treat all ages and injuries at The Edge Physiotherapy, both of you also have specialty areas. 

Sam :: Yes, I specialise in providing physio guidance and support for dancers.

It’s a big dancing community in the Highlands and it’s something I’ve been passionate about since I danced myself as a kid.

Actually, that’s another reason I wanted to become a physio.

I danced a lot from an early age and by my early twenties, I was getting injuries and falling apart, so I wanted to find out why. 

Preventative health is so important with dancers – I prefer to see them before they get injured and empower them to manage their bodies through the stress dancing places on their joints, muscles and limbs.

Pre pointe strengthening and conditioning exercises helps with that.

Of course injuries happen – I see a lot of foot and ankle injuries in dancers – and I’m here to help with that at the clinic or via telehealth.

I had a patient who was interstate recently doing an intensive with the Australian Ballet Company – she ended up with a foot injury, so we did a telehealth consult because it’s so important for dancers to touch base with someone quickly before the injury gets worse.

5 :: And how about you, Andy? Sports physiotherapy is an interest, isn’t it? 

Andy :: I grew up playing every sport you can think of – from touch footy to mixed netball to water polo – although AFL was my predominant sport of choice. 

When it came to swimming, one of the things I found really interesting is that when you do swim assessments, you’re not looking at a particular part of the body – you’re looking at the entire flow and form and how it works together to propel the swimmer through the water.  

So let’s look at butterfly, for example. They have so much extension range through the thoracic spine and their shoulders, rotation through the hips and the angle of the knees – it’s all so complex but is amazing when you see the body flow in form together. 

I also have an interest in shoulders and injuries of the lower limbs. 

And while we have our specialty areas, we really do treat everything and everyone. Last week my oldest patient was 87 and my youngest was 15.

6 :: Tell us a bit more about the holistic way you treat patients.

Sam :: Our patients come to us for advice and education as well as treatment for injuries.

We don’t want people to feel like they’re on a conveyor belt.

Our initial consults go for up to an hour and we ask a lot of questions about all parts of their lives – sometimes its about connecting the dots and digging a bit deeper. 

Andy :: Sam had a patient recently who presented with leg pain.

She’d seen all these practitioners with no answers.

Sam felt there wasn’t anything normal about the leg pain and had a gut feeling about it.

She sent her back to her GP immediately. Turns out she had DVT, a life-threatening blood clot, that needed urgent treatment. 

Sam :: We know that patient and her family really well and they were so appreciative we helped find the underlying cause of the problem.

I got a bit teary, actually.

That’s why we’re physio’s – to make a difference to people’s lives.

7 :: And we have to ask! How has working together as business owners and husband and wife been? 

Sam :: It’s definitely harder to keep work at work and we’re definitely learning to be colleagues as well as husband and wife.

I’m actually really enjoying spending time with Andy on a professional level and seeing him work. 

Andy :: I feel the same.

It’s great to watch Sam treat her patients and while we have slightly different styles in the way we work, we often discuss and bounce ideas off each other about the progress of a patient. We sometimes do joint treatments. 

Sam :: Two physio’s are better than one!

Plus, you’re getting a collective 17 years of physio experience when we work together on a case.

8 :: So what do you love about living and working in the Southern Highlands?

Andy :: It’s such a great place for young families like ours and everyone is so friendly.

We really like how locals support local businesses and when we did the fit out for the clinic, we purposely used local trades and businesses. 

Away from the clinic, we have an outdoors-y lifestyle, which the Highlands is great for. 

Sam :: It’s a very rich environment for our children to grow up in.

When we head out, the kids will see everything from echidnas to cows and sheep.

Our daughter happily heads out bushwalking with her butterfly net!

Andy :: We’ve also really enjoyed getting to know other business owners who are so passionate about what they do.

For the first year or so when we moved here, our best friends were the local barista’s! People like Jake at The Press Shop and Station House, and Diego and Yuli at Berrima General Store saw a LOT of us. 

And supporting local businesses is what keeps the Highlands community so vibrant – we love being part of that.

A relaxed, inviting and energetic clinic in the heart of Bowral, The Edge Physiotherapy is family run and owned.

Andrew and Samantha have created a space that promotes self-care, healthy lives, wellbeing and personalised physiotherapy services. 

Find out more information about this buzzing new space in the Southern Highlands here. You can book online or call 0466 212 771 to have a chat to Andy and Sam.

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