Meet The Practitioners

Dr. Lyka Aya-ay, PT, DPT

Physiotherapist; Doctor of Physiotherapy

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Sports/Direction of Preference + Myofascial Release

Meet Dr. Lyka!

Lyka received her Physical Therapy degree in the Philippines. She is licensed both in the Philippines and in the state of New York, USA. She has experience working as the Chief Physical Therapist at a private hospital in the Philippines. She received her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at Arcadia University, USA.

Lyka is certified in:

  • Clinical Pilates

  • Kinesio Taping

  • Dry Needling / Cupping

  • Myofascial Releases

    • IASTM Blade Therapy

Lyka has been practicing physiotherapy since 2017. She has expert experience in:

  • Manual Therapy (Mobilizations & Manipulations)

  • Sports Taping / Sports Rehab

  • Geriatric Care

  • Clinical Pilates

  • Dry Needling / Cupping

  • Myofascial Releases

She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and New York Physical Therapy Association (NYPTA).

Lyka in her spare time likes to create miniature food models, sculpting, painting, dancing, cello, and gym

 

Dr. Mardi Mangus, PT, DPT

Physiotherapist; Doctor of Physiotherapy

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Sports + Chronic/Complex Pain

Meet Dr. Mardi!

Dr. Mardi received her doctorate degree from the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.

Her clinical interest is within the world of chronic pain; “I hold intense passion to treat patients who have fallen through the cracks of health care. These individuals end up seeking multiple providers to cure their pain via injections, surgeries, device implants and medication; all to no avail. While their locus of control shifts from them to their care providers and pain remains, what are they left with? Part of my purpose is to guide these individuals in cultivating a life not dictated by pain by incorporating extensive pain neuroscience education, pain reframing techniques and graded exposure to activity.”

Dr. Mardi has currently completed the following MDT certifications:

  • Lumbar Spine

  • Cervical and Thoracic Spine

  • Advanced Lumbar Spine and Extremities - Lower Limb

  • Advanced Cervical and Thoracic Spine & Extremities – Upper Limb

Dr. Mardi is fully certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT). MDT focuses on organized patient classification, successful outcomes and research supported intervention. She particularly loves the emphasis of patient education and self management that MDT delivers, which greatly assists patients in gaining control over their pain experience.

Dr. Mardi has expert experience in utilizing advanced neurodynamic techniques for the treatment of chronic pain and sports injury and the management of complex pain conditions such as:

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

  • Conversion Disorder

  • Functional Abdominal pain

  • Scleroderma

  • Cauda Equina Syndrome

  • migraine

  • Ehlers Danilo’s Syndrome

  • Scoliosis

  • Neck & shoulder pain

  • Low back & hip pain

  • Sport injuries

 

Dr. Jillian Zitny, PT, DPT, ATS

Principal Physiotherapist

Doctor of Physiotherapy, Athletic Training Specialist

Pronouns: she, her, hers

The Spine (back pain, neck pain, headaches) + Functional Mobility

Meet Dr. Jillian!

Jillian gained interest in physiotherapy early in life.  She recovered from sport injuries by completing intense physical therapy, which encouraged her to volunteer at physical therapy clinics throughout grades 10-12, to learn more.  Jillian received her Bachelor of Science in pre-Physical Therapy: Kinesiology at Cal State University of San Marcos (CSUSM), while working at various physical therapy clinics throughout.  She studied abroad at Victoria University for her last year of this degree, and worked with AFL teams under a previous trainer of the Western Bulldogs.  She continued on to complete her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at University of St. Augustine of Health Sciences in California (2013).

During her doctorate degree, Jillian specialized in Manual Therapy, as well as completed extra Manual Therapy Certifications in the following:

  • S1 - Spinal Evaluation & Manipulation: Impairment Based, Evidence Informed Approach

  • S2 - Advanced Evaluation & Manipulation of Pelvis, Lumbar & Thoracic Spine Including Thrust

  • S3 - Advanced Evaluation & Manipulation of the Cranio Facial, Cervical & Upper Thoracic Spine

  • S4 - Functional Analysis & Management of the Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip Complex

  • E1 - Lower Extremity Evaluation & Manipulation

  • E1 - Upper Extremity Evaluation & Manipulation

  • E2 - Extremity Integration

  • Myofascial Manipulation

  • Intermediate Cranio Facial

  • Advanced Cranio Facial

  • State of the Art Cranio Facial

  • LSVT BIG (Parkinson’s Disease)

  • ATS – Advanced Training Specialist

Dr. Jillian has been working as a physio in the field since 2009.  She has expert experience in:

  • Manual Physiotherapy (inc. mobilizations/manipulations)

  • Orthopaedics

  • Headaches

  • Neck & shoulder pain

  • Back & hip pain

  • Sport injuries: (especially dance, AFL, soccer, and swim)

  • Athletic training/strength & conditioning (body weight, gym equipment, Pilates, Barre)

She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) including full membership, Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and Oregon Physical Therapy Association (OPTA).

When Jillian isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities such as biking, hiking and swimming, yoga, dancing, playing guitar, arts & crafts, and traveling.

Meet The Front Office Staff

Meet Alexandra!

Front Office Manager

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Alexandra is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource Management).

Alexandra was a dancer for 14 years (doing jazz, tap & ballet), but has had a change of heart and is now playing footy!

Alexandra cannot wait to travel across Europe & see the world.

Meet Madeline!

Front Office Receptionist

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Madeline is currently living in Melbourne after moving from Leeds in the UK.

In her spare time she enjoys reading and is even attempting to write her own novel (slow progress!)

She is looking forward to seeing the sites of Melbourne and trying lots of amazing coffee.