Who we are:
DR KERRI L PEARCE
Principal Osteopath
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Dr Kerri Pearce has been caring for locals living in Lilydale and surrounds for more than 20 years. She started 25 years ago teaching kids to swim at the Lilydale Pool and joined Lilydale Osteopathy after graduating in 2002.
She purchased the practise 6 years later and now, after more than 15 years, she gets great pleasure from seeing the interns she mentors become talented and successful osteopaths - Dr Melissa Blakis and Dr Adrian Paoletti her most recent.
After 20 years Kerri has developed skills in a wide range of techniques, but after experiencing her own spinal injury in a car accident and benefitting significantly from dry needling, Kerri has been utilising this technique regularly now for more than 20 years.
She has a special interest in neck pain and headaches, (more recently utilising the Watson Headache® Approach) women’s health and digestive issues, and a good general knowledge of western herbalism.
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Last year, Kerri completed her Self Directed Healing Practitioner certification. SDH is a powerful emotional healing modality that releases deep emotional pain and limiting beliefs energetically through the physical body and the conscious mind.
Outside of work Kerri has a special interest in vintage VWs, and is heavily involved with the Volkswagen Club. She enjoys travelling and camping in her Kombi and attending the odd music festival - accusing her of being an “old soul” and a bit of a “hippie” wouldn’t be misplaced.
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DR SARAH SPADETTO
Senior Osteopath & Pilates Instructor
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Dr Sarah Spadetto has been at Lilydale Osteopathy and Natural Health Care since 2012.
Sarah’s interest in Osteopathy began when she completed her Bachelor of Exercise Science. She started working in rehabilitation as a physiotherapy assistant and conducting hydrotherapy classes. Sarah completed a Pilates course in 2010 and then became a Pilates instructor.
She has a passion for treating all conditions and enjoys treating using many different techniques but is particularly interested in Cranial Osteopathy, pregnancy, and indirect or gentle treatments. Sarah plans to further her study in Cranial Osteopathy and Paediatrics.
Sarah is a mum to three kids who keep her busy when she’s not at work!
She has a keen interest in her own pilates, running and enjoys going to the gym. She loves catching up with family and friends, and travelling.
DR ADRIAN PAOLETTI
Associate Osteopath
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Dr Adrian has begun employment at Lilydale Osteopathy and Natural Health Care in 2023, following the completion of his external placement at the clinic.
Adrian’s interest in Osteopathy grew from his experience managing his own injuries while competing as an amateur athlete throughout high school and university.
During his study Adrian completed a sports academy program at RMIT University, then applied his knowledge working as a sports trainer for the universities AFLW team and an EFL men’s team. Adrian also sought relevant employment in a primary healthcare role as a pharmacy assistant while at university.
Adrian enjoys treating all conditions, with a particular interest in sporting injuries. Adrian utilises a variety of hands-on manual therapy techniques in addition to lifestyle advice and exercise prescription to achieve positive outcomes for his patients.
Having grown up in Mooroolbark, Adrian is a Yarra Valley Local. When he isn’t working, Adrian loves keeping active at the local CrossFit gym, walking and playing with his Border Collie Zeppa and spending time with his family and friends.
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DR DREW SEMPLE
Senior Osteopath
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Drew is an experienced Osteopath who combines evidence based medicine in combination with his own clinical style. He completed his Bachelor of Clinical Science and Masters of Health Science (Osteopathy) from Victoria University in 2010 and since then has worked locally within the eastern suburbs. His background as a personal trainer and local sportsman has driven his passion into rehabilitation, injury prevention and correction of biomechanical dysfunctions.
Drew applies a wide range of Osteopathic techniques to work collaboratively with his patients in providing individualised treatment and rehabilitation programs. Drew utilises hands-on techniques including soft tissue massage, joint articulation and manipulation along with exercise based medicine, rehabilitation and working with the benefits of fitness and other lifestyle changes.
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Living in the local area, Drew spends his spare time with his young family enjoying the outdoors, sharing his love of animals and being involved in local sporting clubs with his children.
DR MELISSA BLAKIS
Associate Osteopath
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Dr Melissa Blakis (Osteopath) graduated from RMIT university with a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and Applied Science (Osteopathy).
Melissa completed her final year placement at Lilydale Osteopathy in 2022 and has begun full time employment as of January 2023.
Melissa’s interest in Osteopathy stems from years of receiving sports injury management by the practitioners at Lilydale Osteopathy.
Melissa has a passion for treating all conditions but has formed an interest in sporting injuries, pregnancy and in the future paediatrics. Melissa utilises a wide range of hands-on manual therapy techniques with lifestyle advice to achieve positive outcomes.
Melissa enjoys spending her free time keeping active by playing netball, going to the gym, running, and spending time with her family/friends and beautiful Kelpie Oscar.
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DR DANIELLE SAVIC
Associate Osteopath
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Dr Danielle Savic (Osteopathy) graduated from Victoria University in 2020 with a Master’s in Health Science (Osteopathy). Danielle started at Lilydale Osteopathy as a student before becoming part of the team at Lilydale Osteopathy.
Danielle’s interest in Osteopathy began after multiple tennis & basketball injuries throughout her schooling. She loves that Osteopathy focuses on treating the cause of a patient's pain, not just the symptoms.
Danielle used a multitude of direct and indirect treatment techniques with her patients, including dry-needling. Danielle has had her research into patient’s expectations of manual and non-manual therapy within an osteopathic consult published in the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. She believes this is important in getting patients the best results after treatment to achieve their goals and prevent future injuries.
Danielle has a passion for treating all injuries but has formed an interest in headaches, pregnancy, paediatrics and jaw issues. Danielle has prior experience treating babies and toddlers and recently completed the Caroline Stone & Lisa DeStefano paediatric Osteopathy courses.
Outside of work Danielle loves spending time with her friends and family, traveling & finding new places to enjoy a cup of coffee.
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