Meet the team

Dr Steve SaundersFounder / Director / Physiotherapist

Steve is a renowned Physiotherapist with over 30 years experience in the treatment and management of musculoskeletal injury and dysfunction. He is recognised internationally as a leading Clinician and High Performance Manager. Steve currently consults to numerous elite sporting teams around the world, reviewing complex athletic cases, educating staff and shaping athlete management systems / protocols. Steve is currently the Science and Medical Coordinator for the Adelaide Football Club, chief scientific officer and Director of KangaTech and Director of Saunders Physiotherapy.

Steve recently returned to Adelaide after 7 years as High Performance Manager (Director of Sports Science and Medical Services) at the North Melbourne Football Club. He is now reviewing patients at Saunders Physiotherapy, consulting to multiple AFL, NBA, English Soccer and Elite athletes, while undertaking research projects with the University of SA, Flinders University and the University of Victoria.

Steve completed his PhD in 2007 at the University of Queensland investigating the motor control mechanisms underlying control of the lumbo-pelvic region during human locomotion in normal and low back pain subjects. He has published works in internationally peer-reviewed journals and continues to develop management strategies based on scientific evidence-based practice.

Steve’s combined background in scientific research and elite athlete/patient care has facilitated the development of KangaTech, a world leading injury prevention and performance system. KangaTech technology is now being utilised in the AFL, NBA, English Soccer (EPL and CL), NHL, Australian Cricket, extreme sports and research institutions.

Craig FountainPhysiotherapist

Craig Fountain - Physiotherapist

Craig Foundtain

Craig has been a Physiotherapist at Saunders Physiotherapy since 2002 having graduated at the University of South Australia in 2000. His friendly and caring nature has been an integral part of the clinic during this time. Craig is available to treat patients ranging from children to the elderly and enjoys treating both sporting and non-sporting injuries.

Craig’s interest in Physiotherapy is the diagnosis and management of sporting and musculoskeletal injuries. He focuses on determining cause and effect with regards to biomechanical reasons responsible for injury. This is specifically applied to dysfunctions of the spine, pelvis, and hip with associated injuries of the lower limb such as hamstrings, knees, calves, achilles, and groins. Craig is also interested in postural issues that may lead to neck dysfunction, headaches, jaw problems, and shoulder injuries.

Craig has developed a strong hands-on approach using a number of manual therapy techniques such as deep tissue massage, joint mobilisation and manipulation, dry needling, craniosacral therapy, and visceral manipulation. He also utilises technology such as KangaTech, real time ultrasound, and shockwave therapy. Exercise therapy is a major component of Craig’s approach that assists with injury management and improving biomechanical dysfunctions.

Craig has worked with organisations such as Athletics Australia, Athletics South Australia, and the North Adelaide Football Club. He has previously been team Physiotherapist for a number of athletics teams touring nationally and abroad such as the Australian Youth Olympic and World Championship teams as well as South Australian state teams. Craig has also presented lectures to a number of groups on varying Physiotherapy topics and has assisted Dr Steve Saunders in running workshops on the lumbopelvic area and running injuries.

Craig’s sporting background is in Athletics where he competed in 200m and 400m sprinting, high jump, and long jump. He continues to have a passion for treating and managing running injuries at the elite and recreational level. These days, Craig remains fit and active playing golf and tennis as well as attending the gym.

Alex McVeighAPA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist

Alex McVeigh – APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist

Alex graduated from the University of South Australia in 2013 and returned to complete a Masters of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Sports) in 2018.

He has worked in sport for many years with state-level soccer and netball teams and is currently physiotherapist for the Adelaide Crows FC.

Alex has a special interest in hip and groin injuries having been involved in research studies in this area and his clinical practice. He also enjoys treating lumbo-pelvic disorders and lower limb injuries.

Consultations with Alex involve detailed assessment to find the cause of issues, a variety of pain-relieving hands-on techniques and quality exercise prescription to maximise long term recovery.

Lucy ThomasPhysiotherapist

Lucy Thomas - Physiotherapist

Lucy graduated from the University of South Australia in 2017 with First Class Honours in a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Lucy enjoys the broad spectrum of physiotherapy from sporting injuries through to workplace stress-induced injuries in people of all ages.

Lucy has enjoyed working with several sporting teams. She was the South Australian Team Physiotherapist for the Australian Junior Athletics Championships held in Sydney in 2018, and has worked extensively with the South Australian Cricket Association and the North Adelaide Football Club Women’s Team using KangaTech to screen and train players. Combining her love for travel and for physiotherapy, Lucy also spent a month volunteering in Paediatric physiotherapy at a hospital in Arequipa, Peru in 2017.

Lucy is strongly committed to evidence based learning, understanding patient values and on-going professional development. She utilises a combination of manual therapy, dry needling, exercise and education as part of her treatment philosophy.

Kym SiddonsAPA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist

Kym Siddons - APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist

Kym Graduated from the University of QLD in 1996 with honours in Bachelor of Physiotherapy and returned to complete her Masters in Sports Physiotherapy in 2007.

Kym has worked in Private Practice for over 20 years, having directed Sports Physio clinics in Brisbane and worked with many elite sporting teams. Kym was the Head Physiotherapist for the Australian Women’s Cricket team and the Queensland Women’s Water polo team for many years. She worked as a Physiotherapist for the QLD Academy of Sport for Water polo and Soccer. She has enjoyed the challenge of assisting many elite squads and their athletes prepare for, and achieve, World Cup wins and Olympic/ Commonwealth Games medals.

Kym has a keen interest in the assessment and management of shoulder injuries, as well as lumbopelvic disorders and overuse/ biomechanical injuries. She particularly enjoys helping people learn more about their bodies, keeping themselves pain-free and regain their active lifestyle.

She is highly skilled and experienced in applying various hands-on techniques for pain relief and optimising biomechanics to improve function. Kym is committed to providing appropriate and progressive therapeutic exercise programs to best rehabilitate clients and lots of encouragement along their journey to recovery.

Since moving to Adelaide with her husband and family in 2015, Kym has gained certification and experience in Occupational Health Physiotherapy. She is passionate about empowering workers to better health and productivity through targeted exercises, posture & movement education and good ergonomics.

James MillsAPA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

James Mills - APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

James Mills is a Titled APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist who has extensive experience in sports injuries. He completed an APA Level 3 Sports Physiotherapy qualification at the Australian Institute of Sport and was physio for the Port Adelaide Magpies for 10 years, State SANFL teams, and State junior cricket and volleyball teams. James has undertaken further studies in many areas including Pilates, Feldenkrais, Dry Needling and High Performance for Elite Sporting teams. He has also been a clinical educator at the University of South Australia and Latrobe University and has also worked onsite in preventative and treatment programs at Australia Post, Mobil, Bluescope and Qantas. James spent 25 years running his own practice and has now decided to get back to his real passion which is clinically focussed, helping people achieve their goals. He believes in listening to his patients and helping them reach their goals in the most practical way, incorporating the best research available. James interests includes, but is not limited to:

Sports injuries
Tendon management
Orthopaedics
Musculoskeletal physiotherapy
Pilates
Strength and conditioning
Dry Needling
Massage
Exercise Rehabilitation management
WorkCover
Motor Vehicle Accident, including Whiplash
Shockwave therapy
Physitrack
Kangatech

James enjoys spending time with his family, likes to travel when possible and get away to Kangaroo Island. He leads an active lifestyle himself playing tennis, going to the gym, jogging and also enjoys gardening.

Staff

Meet the team