Michelle Saunders

Michelle at the Dusi Canoe Marathon 2007

A brief biography:

After obtaining an A aggregate during matric (high school) in 1997, Michelle went on to study Physiotherapy at the University of Cape Town. She was awarded two study scholarships during this time and went on to win the Gordon Cup for her final thesis presentation in 2002.

Michelle's studies went on to include Pilates (stretching and power excercises) while she gained her initial experience at Montebello Hospital doing community service work.

Michelle is an avid sportsperson too, enjoying  mountain biking, hiking, surfing, surfskiing and river paddling (she has completed the Drak, Fish and Dusi canoe marathons). Michelle has been involved with sports events since her student days up until the present. This experience has turned her interest towards sports medicine where she is involved in rugby as well as the development of her Pilates training. She has since gained the status of Pilates Instructor.

In Michelle's own words...

"I consider myself to be easy going, friendly and confident, having the ability to communicate with people on many levels.  I am flexible and patient, and listen to what others say, but remain firm in what I believe. My work has taught me the importance of reliability, responsibility and organisational skills, and I like to ensure that tasks and projects are completed thoroughly and efficiently.  I am hardworking and enthusiastic, and committed to achieving the goals which I set for myself.
I have a special interest in sports physiotherapy, and work on the holistic management of both acute and chronic sporting injuries.  I have adopted the approach of “prevention is better than cure”, and aim to encourage sports people to take more responsibility for their own well being, through better education, training programmes and ongoing rehabilitation programmes."

Here's a full list of Michelle's credentials......

SCHOOLING
School certificate    KwaZulu Natal Education Department, 1997
Matric exemption - A  aggregate                                   

HIGHER EDUCATION
University of Cape Town, 2002, BSc (Physiotherapy)
UNISA, 2003 – 2004 - Bcom 1st year
2006 - 2007 – BCom     2nd year

Awards:
·    UCT Entrance Merit Scholarship, 1998 - 1999
·    Jeanette Goldman Trust Scholarship Recipient 1999, 2001, 2002
·    Gordon Cup (best final year thesis presentation) - 2002

WORK EXPERIENCE

Date        Organisation                    Job title
2003        Montebello Hospital                Community service physiotherapist
2004-2009    Kings Park Sports Medicine Centre        Physiotherapist
2007        Kwazulu Natal Womans Rugby        Physiotherapist
2008        The Pilates House                Pilates Instructor

Voluntary Work
2000- 2002    Cape Argus Cycle Tour            Student physiotherapist
2002        Cape Argus Cycle Tour Expo            Student physiotherapist   
2001 - 2002    2 Oceans Marathon and Expo         Student physiotherapist
2000 - 2002    UCT Internal League Rugby             Student physiotherapist
2003 - 2005    Amashovashova                Physiotherapist
2004 - 2008    Comrades Marathon and Expo        Physiotherapy Station Manager
2004        U19 Rugby World Cup            Physiotherapist
2004 - 2006    Duzi Canoe Marathon                Physiotherapist
2004 - 2007    DHS Old Boys Rugby Club             Physiotherapist        
2004 - 2008    Surfski series                    Physiotherapist
2005 - 2006    Sani 2 Sea MTB race                Physiotherapist
2006        Legends Rugby Tournament            Physiotherapist
2006 - 2007    Dusi Mfula Mountain Bike Race        Physiotherapist
2006 - 2008    SA Paddler “good medicine” articles        Physiotherapy advice

POST GRADUATE COURSES
Dry Needling 1                Steve Stavrou
Myofascial Release                Charles Liggins
Sports Update                    Anthony Kaplan
Common Knee Problems            Afzal Osman
SASMA meetings                Various
Integrated Lumbar Spine            Toby Hall
Biomechanical Approach to Lumbar
Spine and Pelvis                Shari Rosenberg
Pilates Introductory Course            Andri Marais
Pilates – Technically Correct            Andri Marais
The Amazing Connective Tissue System    Willie Fourie
Sports Course 1                Various
Sports Course 2                Various   
Sports Course 3                Various
Advanced Neurophysiological Taping    John Langendoen
Thomas Metzger   
Dry needling anatomy course            Bruce Barker
New York Pilates Method
-    Basic instructor        Andri Marais
Currently completing
-    OMT South Africa 2009    Various
-    Pilates Intermediate
Instructor            Andri Marais