Here’s health for the hills

Local residents and health professionals Byron Espedido and Rebecca Prewett felt the need for an Olinda-based health clinic offering a range of both conventional and alternative therapies in one central location.
Byron, a physiotherapist for seven years, said their primary aim was to provide a much-needed resource to local residents, with emphasis on effective treatment.
“Olinda Health’s holistic, multi-disciplinary approach means clients have a wider choice of therapies and practitioners can work together to achieve better outcomes for patients,” he said.
Current services include physio, naturopathy, nutritional therapy, myotherapy, massage, reflexology, acupuncture, TFT (Thought Field Therapy) and QXCI stress biofeedback.
Olinda Health also provides Pilates classes run by Byron and Rebecca, both qualified PIA instructors, seniors’ strength and fitball classes and a variety of health products.
Pilates is promoted as one of the best ways to increase energy, rebalance and tone muscles to improve posture, increase overall strength and stamina, build body awareness and coordination, improve sleep, decrease stress and increase flexibility.
Rebecca, who is also a QXCI practitioner, said Pilates was ideal for everyone from elite athletes to couch potatoes and promoted physical harmony and balance in men, women and children of all ages and physical conditions by providing a refreshing and energising workout.
“The response has been overwhelming, with all our January classes full and February classes filling quickly,” she said.
“It’s great to see so many husbands and wives, mums and daughters attending the classes together – it really is a lot of fun. Our youngest participant is 14 and the oldest is 81 and we have everyone in between.”
Massage therapists Vanessa Cortese and Annika Lindberg are proving to be a real hit with the locals, providing a range of massage services, as well as in-room massage and revitalising pamper packages for B & B guests.
Olinda Health and the adjoining Bodyhealth Pilates studio are at 1606 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda. Phone on 9751 0662.