About instinct

Thomas Wigg

Physiotherapist

Tom has completed a Master of Physiotherapy Studies at The University of Queensland after completing a Bachelor of Health Science at La Trobe University.

After working in the private practice setting for the past year in Queensland, he has returned home to Melbourne to pursue his interest in Sports Physiotherapy. Tom became interested in physiotherapy at a young age when he was plagued with soft-tissue injuries that prevented him from his sport. He understands how disruptive injuries can be and enjoys helping clients get back on track with confidence to move freely without issues.

He was the Head Physiotherapist for Hockey Victoria men’s team during the National Indoor Hockey Tournament. He has also been the Head Physiotherapist for his local Queensland AFL team in recent years. He has been involved with several VFL teams during their games when touring in Queensland, as well as West Coast Eagles in the AFLW.

Tom has strong interests in youth & adolescent sport through his own experience with injury as a teenager. He has a strong appreciation for how the body moves and will show you how to get back to what you love with the use of hands-on treatment and self-management strategies. He believes exercise rehab and strength training are great ways to not only improve your health but also prevent further injuries and will give you simple strategies to follow through your rehab journey.

When he’s away from work, Tom likes to stay active and can be found playing field hockey or tennis. When he can, he enjoys spending time outdoors bushwalking along Wilson’s Prom or searching for the next best hiking trail! If you ask him about AFL he will tell you all about the greatest three-peat in history led by the Hawthorn Hawks.

Sophie Rubira

Physiotherapist

Sophie graduated with her Masters of Physiotherapy from University of Sydney after previously completing her Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science. Since 2017 she has been working in different private practice settings, within football clubs as well as teaching Clinical Pilates classes. She has gained extensive Pilates knowledge through teaching classes but also by doing Pilates herself to help rehabilitate from shoulder and back injuries when younger. She also has experience working with patients post-operatively after orthopaedic surgeries (e.g. ACL, joint replacements, shoulder surgery, ankle surgery, etc).

Sophie has also completed further study and continues to undertake further studies in the area of Women’s Health/Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. She has a passion in helping women throughout different stages of their life, in particularly pre and post natal care, and working closely with her patients to improve awareness of the pelvic floor and related conditions (e.g. incontinence/pelvic pain/endometriosis/pre and post natal care and return to exercise/sexual pain)

Having been involved in sports throughout her whole life, competing in swimming at a state and national level and therefore being exposed to injuries, she understands what is required to help patients return to their sport, exercise routine or simply tasks around the home. Sophie believes in a wholistic approach to help her clients, personalising the treatment to what each individual patient needs to help them achieve their goals.

Outside of work Sophie enjoys all things sports, in particular AFL (Go Cats!), loves catching up with friends and family, and enjoys discovering new places to explore. She will also take any opportunity to chase the sun and beach!

Mitch Cunningham

Associate Physiotherapist

Mitch completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy at University of South Australia and has since moved to Melbourne from Adelaide. He has experience in the private practice setting and also has spent time working at Royal Adelaide Hospital as an Allied Health Assistant. Mitch’s earliest interest in becoming a physio came from his own personal experience with two ACL reconstructions. He learned a lot from this as a patient himself, and continues to take pride in guiding patients through their rehabilitation and return to the activities they love.

He has a strong interest in sports performance and has worked with West Adelaide Football club in the SANFL as well as other local teams in Adelaide. Since arriving in Melbourne, he has taken on the role as Head Physiotherapist at Old Carey Grammarians in the VAFA and is also part of the Physiotherapy team at Collingwood in the AFLW.

Mitch likes to help clients achieve their goals through a combination of education, hands on treatment and self-management strategies to empower clients to take charge of their own health and well-being. He is also passionate about strength and exercise training, and believes this is a fantastic adjunct to enhance effects of manual therapy in clinic.

Outside of Physio, you’ll usually find Mitch immersed in sport. He has played basketball and football from a young age and has recently found a new obsession on the golf course. He also loves to travel, especially when he is able to hit the slopes on a snowboard. During down time, Mitch enjoys spending time with friends and family, getting away for a weekend wine tour, and cheering on the mighty Adelaide Crows.

Sarah Giangiulli

General Psychologist

Sarah is a General Psychologist, and holds a Master of Professional Psychology.

Sarah is a warm and empathetic therapist, passionate about supporting individuals across the lifespan. With a client-centered approach, Sarah draw’s upon evidenced based interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Sarah prioritises creating a safe space for individuals and families to assist in achieving therapeutic goals and living a fulfilling life.

Sarah has experience working with a range of presentations including behavioral/social difficulties, self-esteem, neurodiversity, stress, adjustment, depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Key areas of interest: Anxiety
OCD
Depression
Stress
Self-esteem
Performance and sport

Sarah believes strongly in a collaborative approach ensuring that the client is equipped and well supported throughout their journey.

Outside of the therapy room, Sarah’s priority is self-care. She enjoys exploring Victoria’s walking trails, practicing some mindfulness as well as trying the newest food spots in Melb. In her down time Sarah loves spending quality time with her friends and family, her favourite season is winter as she loves to rug up in front of a fireplace. At times you will find Sarah travelling across the world exploring new places.

Matt Pallozzi

Director & Senior Physiotherapist

Matt founded Instinct Health in 2017 after several years working across a number of health-care settings. He first worked as a Physiotherapist for Eastern Health and experienced work in a number of acute and rehabilitation settings including Emergency Departments, Outpatient and Fracture Clinics as well as working in neurological rehabilitation. He then pursued in a private physiotherapy clinic in Blackburn before going out on his own and starting Instinct Health.

As well as his work at Instinct, Matt works for Collingwood as the Head Physiotherapist for their AFLW program. This is a great experience to work with the most elite female athletes in the country and is a great transferrable skillset that he has been able to bring back to Instinct and adopt with his clients in the clinic. Prior to Collingwood, Matt has also worked at the Carlton and Hawthorn football clubs in their AFLW programs. As well as working with sports related injuries, Matt has a keen interested in treating neck pain and back pain. He has always been a big believer in the effectiveness of Clinical Pilates in managing these conditions and preventing their recurrence in future.

Outside of work, Matt loves keeping fit and active. He has completed triathlons, marathons and but now gets his “kicks” on the golf course as a member at the Kew Golf Club. He loves skiing in the winter, and getting away to the coast in summer. When he’s got some spare time, he’s a keen family man and loves spending time with his nieces and nephews!

Chrissy Heeren

Practice Manager

Chrissy joined us in 2022 as our Practice Manager and has been a burst of energy and enthusiasm from day one. She is wonderfully adept at getting to know our clients and always shows a keen interest in them. Chrissy has a long history of working in office management and worked previously as the Practice Manager for a chiropractor. Her career has also taken her to working in account management for direct marketing agencies. She has also worked in outdoor media and worked a stint in Sydney for a print management company. Chrissy also knows a thing or two about running her own business - she worked for herself in garden maintenance before injury forced her out of the industry, but lead her to looking for the role here at Instinct Health!

Outside of work, Chrissy loves being involved in the local community! She completes volunteer work and helps out at a local Soccer club. She is a natural green-thumb and her house and garden are filled with tropical plants. Her time is often involved with her daughters' sport and school activities. She loves to travel, with Italy and Asia being favourite destinations. She also likes camping with her family which consists of her husband, two girls and pets.

Emily

Admin

Emily (Em) is one of our admin team members who can always be spotted at the front desk with a warm and bubbly presence. She loves getting to know both new and existing clients and is highly enthusiastic to help everyone in every way she can. Additionally, Em is always down for a chat and will always ask how someone’s day is going. 

Em recently moved into her first apartment in Melbourne moving from country Victoria, originally hailing from the little country town of Yea. She is a full time student and currently studying her Bachelor of Psychological Science at Deakin University. She then has ambitions to complete a Master’s Degree in Neuropsychology. On top of her studies and working here at the clinic, she is also a Teacher’s Aid back home at Yea High School. Em has a wealth of experience and knowledge in allied health, nursing and customer service areas.  

Em has a strong passion for challenging herself and has delved into a variety of community and volunteer projects both interstate and overseas. Some of her interests include painting, outdoor activities and spending quality time with her friends and family. Em is also a proud owner of 3 Hermit crabs named Leonardo DaPinchy, Bruce and Sheldon, all of whom are massive Hawthorn supporters!