About Esperance Physiotherapy
Esperance Physiotherapy was established in 1989. 
In 2001, the clinic moved to its current location at 5 William Street, offering onsite parking, easy access for individuals with disabilities, private consultation rooms, and a gymnasium for rehabilitation and work conditioning programs. It is in a charming older home, providing a pleasant atmosphere and view. Hydrotherapy services are available off-site.
In 1999 Esperance Physiotherapy won the Esperance Chamber of Commerce (ECCI) award for health education in the rural sector. You can read a interview with the ECCI about Esperance Physiotherapy here.
In 2011 Doug received an award for excellence from the Australian Physiotherapy Association for providing rural and remote physiotherapy services.
In 2009 and 2015, Esperance Physiotherapy was awarded Practice Accreditation status by Quality in Practice under its accreditation program.
Practice principals Melissa and Doug would like to welcome you to Esperance Physiotherapy and look forward to assisting you to achieve greater physical independence.
Physiotherapists
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
AHPRA is the national body responsible for regulating medical and allied health practitioners under the legislation. All Esperance Physiotherapy Physiotherapists maintain annual membership and professional development requirements as per AHPRA regulations. Doug provides medico-legal reports for AHPRA.
Melissa Cary (Practice Principal, Titled Sports Physiotherapist)
I became a physiotherapist in 1986 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy at Curtin University, Western Australia. This study was furthered by doing a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy in 1992. I have a genuine interest in assisting people with physiotherapy and physical health.
At this time, I was a keen sportswoman, playing State League Basketball for the Perry Lakes Hawks Basketball Club and being a club physiotherapist for the YMCA Classic League men’s hockey team. Esperance is a fantastic sporting community, and I am available to assist in diagnosing sports injuries, treating injuries, and helping people with rehabilitation to get back to their sport.
Another important part of physiotherapy in our community is assisting the older population of Esperance with their physical health and maintaining physical independence. There are many practical ways to improve strength, balance, and flexibility, which become increasingly more important with age. Many physical ailments can still be helped with physiotherapy treatment even as we age.
I am a titled Sports Physiotherapist.
Dr Doug Cary (Practice Principal, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Specialist, PhD)
As a youngster, I spent many summer holidays on my uncle's & aunt's farm in Kojonup. I am reminded (as I have no personal recollection) at family gatherings, how I expressed my love for the farm and not wanting to leave by planting a cricket stump in their new leather sofa and hiding in the pump house for 7 hours till nightfall. Later, my uncle sent me a sheep's heart via Australia Post for a science project, and I cycled over to work during the January crutching season for fun. You can imagine how I felt moving to Esperance :)
I qualified from Curtin University as a Physiotherapist in 1987 and spent the next few years travelling. I spent much time outdoors, learning skills in scuba, rock climbing, bushwalking, and triathlons in Tasmania, Canada, the USA, and Patagonia.
In 1992, I returned to Australia to learn more. I completed my Postgraduate Diploma in Manipulative Physiotherapy at Curtin University and, in 1995, a Postgraduate Diploma in clinical acupuncture at the Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine, Perth. I was the inaugural WA chair of the APA Acupuncture & Dry Needling Group and the WA representative on the APA Acupuncture Working Party, which finalised the Guidelines for Safe Acupuncture.After 2 years of study and exams, I completed my Specialisation in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in 2009 and happen to be the only rural and remote physiotherapist in WA who has achieved specialisation in any field of Physiotherapy. After 9 years of part-time study, I completed my PhD (Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation) at Curtin University in 2020, studying sleep patterns and their relationship to spinal pain and stiffness. Details about my research can be found here. I have presented by invitation at the APA biennial conferences in 2011, 2013, and 2019.
Book an online appointment with Doug
Miss Abbey Stewart
My special interests include women’s health, antenatal and postnatal care, and sporting injuries. These interests have developed from a practical placement focusing on women’s health and maternity and working with various footy clubs across the state. Abbey is studying her Clinical Masters in Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapy at Curtin University.
I am also looking forward to helping people with other injuries and conditions.
Outside of physio, you might find me playing basketball, strapping at the local footy, or walking my dog, DJ, on the beach. I grew up on my family’s farm northeast of Esperance and I love heading back out the farm when not working to spend time with my animals.
Tracy is a remedial massage therapist, structural bodywork therapist, yoga and meditation teacher and breathwork instructor.
Tracy has been treating clients since 2013 and takes a whole-body approach to treating symptoms to ensure my clients get the best results on the day.
Tracy has worked in physiotherapy clinics in Perth and Broome and has provided treatment in recovery clinics in several major sporting events, such as the Busselton Ironman and the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Tracy uses various treatment techniques including myofascial release, scar tissue work, trigger point therapy, dry needling and deep tissue massage.
Structural bodywork is a whole-body fascial treatment that aims to bring balance, alignment and ease of movement to the body. Over the three sessions, the whole body is treated to bring about pain-free movement, increased energy and improved wellness.
Scar tissue release is a gentle fascial-based approach to releasing the adhesions caused by scar tissue. Tracy has worked on old surgical scars, burns, and clients' post-mastectomy to bring ease back into body movement.
Book an online appointment with Tracy
Administration
Nikki Hughes
I transferred to Esperance from Perth, where I had been a practice manager for two years with LifeCare.
Nikki has a wealth of experience and can assist you with administrative enquiries. All good things come to an end, and Nikki will move towards a new challenge in 2025, but not before training our next practice manager, Elle.
Watcharin LaBrooy (Elle)
I have been living in Esperance since 2023. Living here is a perfect fit for how I would like my children to grow up: in a safe, relaxing, and beautiful natural environment.
I enjoy the very simple things that life has to offer, whether it’s the colourful sky at sunrise or sunset or how the beautiful flowers on the side of the road that you might get annoyed from hearing me saying. Outside my working hours, I love spending time with my children. We love outdoor activities like walking, riding, going to the beach, and exercising.
I enjoy working with Esperance Physiotherapy as I get to meet many people who attend our clinic and I’m looking forward to providing friendly services to all of our clients.