The Peak Difference

Our Mission:

Our mission with every client is to objectively assess and address pain or performance barriers to improve injury status and/or sporting performance. Our experts always aim to identify and correct the underlying movement dysfunction to improve the mechanical issue at hand, not merely to temporarily relieve painful symptoms.

Our Philosophy:

We believe strongly in quantifiable assessments, this way improvements can be tangibly seen in black and white. These facts allow us to address strength imbalances, movement dysfunctions and range of motion deficiencies to improve injury or athletic performance!

Additionally, we perceive rehabilitation and appropriate strength and conditioning as one and the same. Whether you want to lift heavy or merely be functional in everyday life free from pain you need to be equally strong to withstand it. Our clinicians have extensive experience and understanding in rehabilitation and training for performance, enabling them to not only return you to pain free function, but to improve athletic performance in the safest way possible.

Why Peak Health?

  • We are Honours and Master’s Qualified Clinicians and Practitioners
  • Our exercise technique knowledge is second to none
  • We understand training from elite level to grassroots
  • We will guide you to self-manage your injury/condition (meaning less $$$ spent!)
  • We utilise quantitative assessments so you can see your program is leading to your improvement in numbers, not just by “feel”
  • We have an unrelenting passion about all things treatment, rehabilitation and performance

No Gimmicks. Just Science.

Learn more about us and what we do at Peak Health!

Peak Health

Martin Kurz

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

MClinExPhys/BAppSc(Ex&SS)(Hons)/ESSAM, AEP, ASS
Martin Kurz established Peak Health in 2016 with the goal of providing an all-round service for anyone who wishes to improve their condition, whether this be returning to pain free daily function or improving athletic performance. Martin possesses not only a Bachelor Degree in Sport Science, but Honours in this area through research with the St. Kilda Football Club in 2010 and completed a Master’s Degree of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Exercise Sport Science Australia Accredited) in 2014 (making his services Private Health and Medicare rebateable). For the almost a decade Martin has worked with people from all walks of life to improve their strength, fitness and pain status, having gained first hand experience in the elite training and rehabilitation practices in many sports including Aussie Rules, Gymnastics and CrossFit.

In his athletic life Martin was a Senior International level gymnast, representing Victoria 8 times at the Australian Gymnastics Championships and played junior football at a representative level. Since his retirement from the Gymnastics in 2012, Martin developed into a senior coach at the highly regarded Schwartz’s CrossFit Melbourne (winners of the CrossFit Pacific Regional Games in 2012, 2013 and 2015 and Runners Up in 2016 and 2018) and has developed Melbourne’s premier Adult Gymnastics program at Peak Gymnastics.

Martin has presented strength and conditioning based seminars around Australia and internationally and is constantly progressing his own knowledge in all things assessment, strength, conditioning and rehabilitation, so you can be sure you are getting the best advice possible. In a rehabilitation capacity Martin has worked with elite athletes in Gymnastics, AFL, AFLW and professional performers from Cirque du Soleil and acclaimed stage shows. With many of his rehabilitative modalities steeped in strength and conditioning and as such, in science, Martin’s goals for his clients are not to merely “get you back to function” but to get you back to and beyond your target level of
activity.

Tertiary Studies:

  • Deakin University – Bachelor of Sports Exercise Science / Bachelor of Commerce (Sports Management)
  • Deakin University – Honours in Exercise and Sport Science
  • Deakin University – Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology

Qualifications:

  • Exercise Sport Science Australia Accredited Exercise Physiologist
  • Exercise Sport Science Australia Accredited Sport Scientist
  • Medicare, HICAPS, WorkCover & TAC Clinical Provider
  • Certified Level 1 & 2 Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) Provider
  • Certified Level 1 & 2 Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Provider
  • Certified Fundamental Capacity Screen (FCS) Provider
  • Certified Functional Breathing Screen (FBS) Provider
  • Certified Y-Balance Test (YBT) Provider
  • Strength System Certified Coach
  • Level 3 McGill Certified
  • Certified Massage Provider
  • Certified Upper Extremity Active Release Techniques Provider
  • Level 1 RockBlade Provider
  • Certified Level 1 RockTape Kinesiology Taping Provider
  • Level 2 First Aid, CPR & Anaphylaxis Accreditation
  • Level 1 CrossFit Coach Accreditation
  • Level 1 Stick Mobility Accreditation
  • Advanced Level Gymnastics Coaching Accreditation
  • StrongFirst Girya Level 1 Kettlebell Coach
Peak Health

Dr. Larson Paulding

Osteopath

B.Sc (Clin. Sc) M.HSC (Os322teo. Sc) / Strength & Conditioning Coach
Larson specialises in structural osteopathy & exercise-based rehabilitation, placing a high importance on understanding the patient’s clinical history, examination and medical testing to determine an accurate diagnosis for best management to achieve their goal. Education is also a key pillar which allows the patient to better understand their body and be proactive to make positive changes to
their health and well-being.

Larson gravitated to Osteopathy due to its holistic approach to patient management, respecting that nothing within the body functions in isolation. Healing is multifaceted process that requires a deep understanding of not only the physical ailment, but also appreciating psychosocial and environmental factors (including sleep pattens, stress, work demands) which can contribute to the
development of pain.

He adopts a structural approach to treatment after a comprehensive functional and diagnostic assessment, utilising manual therapy techniques including spinal adjustments, mobilisations, soft tissue and dry needling where required.

In Larson’s athletic life he was an elite level gymnast training in association with the Victorian High Performance Centre and Institute of Sport and competing internationally as a member of the Australian Men’s National Squad. Post his competitive career he entered into a coaching role at the Victorian High-Performance Centre where he was required to manage athletic performance via the
development and implementation of training programs.

Larson has a strong emphasis on strength and rehabilitation which has allowed him to assist to bridge the gap between acute injury management to return to performance. This has gained him exposure to a large variety of patients including, pre and post operative, return to sport/recreation and chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

In his spare time, Larson is an avid all-season surfer believing it is the best way for him to practice mindfulness, stating “Not much else matters when I’m in the water, as it allows me to disconnect from everyday distractions and be present in the moment. Things get a lot clearer when I exit the water.”

Tertiary Studies:

  • Bachelor of Clinical Science
  • Master of Osteopathy Science

Qualifications:

  • AHPRA Accredited Clinician
  • Osteopathy Australia Accredited
  • Medicare, HICAPS, WorkCover & TAC Clinical Provider
  • Certified Level 1 & 2 Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) Provider
  • Certified Level 1 & 2 Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Provider
  • Certified Fundamental Capacity Screen (FCS) Provider
  • Certified Functional Breathing Screen (FBS) Provider
  • Certified Y-Balance Test (YBT) Provider
  • StrongFirst Kettlebell 101 Credentialled
  • Australian Strength & Conditioning Association Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Certificate III & IV of Fitness
  • Certified EXOS Fitness Specialist
  • EXOS – Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Framework Certified
  • Advanced Dry Needling Certified
  • Movement Assessment Technologies Running Level 1 Certified
peakhealth

Matt Farthing

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

MClinExPhys/BAppSc(Ex&SS)/ESSAM, AEP, ASS
Matt is an accredited Exercise Physiologist and Strength and Conditioning Coach with a passion for musculoskeletal rehabilitation. He believes that rehabilitation is not just an opportunity to return to sport or activities, but an opportunity to turn weaknesses into strengths and achieve beyond baseline results. Matt strongly believes that education and empowerment are valuable assets in rehabilitation, and that teaching the ‘why’ will empower clients to take control of their own body.
Matt has experience working in multiple private practices and gyms training individuals from all walks of life. Through this he has helped people improve acute and chronic pain status as well as best manage neurological, cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.He has also developed programs training individuals over the age of 65 to improve physical function and prevent injuries.
Matt also has experience in the elite strength and conditioning industry having worked with International, National and State level junior swimmers. Through this, he was able to develop skills in junior athletic development, as well as learn how to rehabilitate a variety of swimming-based injuries. This crossover knowledge has allowed Matt to find his passion bridging the gap from rehabilitation to high performance.
Outside of work, Matt has a strong sporting background in football, cricket and golf. Through multiple sporting injuries as a youth, he quickly realised the importance and power of structured and specific exercise training to develop resilience from injury.

Tertiary Studies:

  • Deakin University – Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Strength and Conditioning)
  • Deakin University – Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology

Qualifications:

  • Exercise Sport Science Australia Accredited Exercise Physiologist
  • Exercise Sport Science Australia Accredited Sport Scientist
  • Medicare, HICAPS, WorkCover & TAC Clinical Provider
  • Australian Strength & Conditioning Association Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Certified Level 1 Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Provider
  • Certified Level 1 Selective Functional Movement Assessment Provider
  • Certified Functional Breathing Screen Provider
  • Certified Level 1 Titleist Pro Institute Clinician
  • StrongFirst Kettlebell 101 Credentialled

Sophie Kane

Clinical Nutritionist

BSc (Food and Nutrition)
Sophie is passionate about helping people build healthy and sustainable habits that allow them to reach their individual goals and improve their relationship with food.

Sophie specialises in disordered & binge eating and sports nutrition and believes there is no “one size fits all” approach to nutrition. As such, she is constantly educating herself on the latest research and science to expand her own knowledge of all thing’s health to help inform and empower her clients. Sophie works collaboratively with her clients in developing personalised and sustainable nutrition plans and offers ongoing support to help them become the healthiest version of themselves.
Outside of work, Sophie enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, and playing tennis. She absolutely loves food, cooking and its culture and believes eating should be enjoyable, stress-free, and nourishing for everyone. She’s motivated to help others embrace mindful and intuitive eating habits
to create healthy and peaceful relationships with food, mind & body.

Tertiary Studies:

  • Swinburne University- Master of Dietetics (currently undertaking)
  • Deakin University- Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Sciences

Qualifications:

  • Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) Member
  • First Aid & CPPR Certificate
  • Working with Children Check
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Peak Health

Peak Health provides the highest calibre of service across all areas of health. Regardless of where you sit on the continuum of pain to performance our Treatment, Rehabilitation, Nutrition, Personal Training and Group Fitness methodologies will yield outstanding results! We achieve what we do by utilising University Educated clinicians, quantitative clinical assessment, and truly personalised service so you can achieve your goals in the safest and most efficient manner!

103 Gardenvale Road, Gardenvale Victoria 3185

Phone: (03) 9943 6321

peakhealth

Looking to try something different in fitness? Have a look at our sister company Peak Gymnastics! From absolute beginner to elite, we are equipped to help you achieve your gymnastic and fitness goals in a fun and safe environment!

3A William Place, Balaclava, Victoria 3183

Phone: (03) 7009 0313

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