Jenny Birckel

Jenny has been a physiotherapist for over 42 years. She is an APA sports physiotherapist and has worked with Pilates since the early 1990s introducing this type of strengthening to the dance schools that she works with. She now trains other Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists and Fitness Instructors in the Pilates Method through The Pilates Institute of Queensland.

Over 30 Years of Experience

• TITLED APA SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPIST
• CLINICAL PILATES INSTRUCTOR
• DIRECTOR OF THE PILATES INSTITUTE OF QUEENSLAND

Jenny graduated from Cumberland College (Sydney University) in 1979 and worked in public hospitals for 2 years (1 year was all Paediatrics) before starting her own practice in Murwillumbah which was full of sporting teams (rugby league, soccer, hockey, netball) and this necessitated her early entry into Sports Physiotherapy when it was in its infancy. She then moved to Lismore and established a dedicated sports injury practice and was president of a Northern Rivers branch of ASMF (now SMA).

From 1987-1990 Jenny worked for a copper mine in PNG (Bougainville Copper Limited) working with industrial accidents, sports and general physiotherapy and training the PNG staff in the gyms run by the mine to a proficiency to gain their Fitness Instructors Qualifications from Australia.

Returning to Australia Jenny chose Brisbane for a base and has worked in a few private practices here establishing Agility Physiotherapy and Pilates 17 years ago.

Jenny has worked with a wide range of sports- rugby, soccer, netball, tennis, gymnastics, cricket, track and field.

Sporting appointments include:

• Australian Women’s Rugby Team – 1995-1998
• Queensland Men’s under 21 Rugby team 1994-1996
• Volunteer at Sydney Olympic games 2000– sailing
• World Junior Ice skating – Brisbane
• World gymnastics – Brisbane

Dance injuries

Jenny started working with the Queensland Dance School of Excellence in 1990 with treatment and Dance assessment services and began working with the ADPI (Australian Dance Performance Institute) in Albion 15 years ago.

Her work with dancers led her into the world of Pilates.

Pilates Trainer

Jenny is the Director of the Pilates Institute of Queensland.

This is a training organisation delivering Pilates courses to physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, osteopaths, and fitness instructors.

Jenny also has a special interest in Worksite injury, treatment and prevention and continues to work with companies providing pre-employment testing and injury rehabilitation / return to work programmes.

Sports

Jenny keeps fit doing outrigging canoeing on the Brisbane River and walking her energetic border collies.