OUR STORY
by Laurie Farrow, Founding Director

Since my early days at university in the early 1980’s, I had a passion to study the area of the functional implications of soft tissue medicine. This has grown to become a life long passion as I continue to train people and develop a legacy of occupational therapists working in the area.

The journey of the development of our clinics began with “Perfections” in the heart of the city of Perth in 1985, where we developed a soft tissue injuries clinic, with an aerobics floor and a beauty therapy area. Quite a combination, but the idea was to begin to normalize treatment, getting people to understand the wellness model. Twenty years later this concept is now a popular icon meaning a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. It means being much more than just disease free.

In 1990, I joined a group of chiropractors in a clinic in West Perth, from where we began the Colin Street Centre. This became one of the largest wellness centers in Western Australia, eventually becoming a multi practitioner clinic with Occupational Therapists, Chiropractors, Psychologists, Naturopaths and Podiatrists.

After spending some thirteen years working in a multi practitioner clinic, I decided that it was time to lay the foundations for my dream of a boutique occupational therapy clinic, and so began the journey in 2003.

The impetus was my absolute life goal of helping people in anyway possible to be the very best that they can be in all areas of their life.

And so in June of 2003, the first Health Central Occupational Therapy International clinic was opened in Mt Hawthorn. There were coffee tables, tea and coffee facilities, current magazines, aubergine and lime green walls, stretching rooms for the dance community with floor to ceiling mirrors on 3 walls, crimson couches and a feeling like you were in a really comfortable space. This was the vision that I had experienced so many years before.

The years moved on and the number of people visiting the centre increased so dramatically that we had to put on more administrative and treatment staff, and finally the decision was made to employ Sia Kozlowski who has been the Business Manager for the past four years.

In 2005 we decided that it was time to open up a clinic on the south side of the city, and so began the journey to find a suitable venue. We were amazed to find a facility in perfect location near the Ardross shopping region just off the Canning Hwy, and only two minutes from the freeway. This was to be our new southern home.

Once again the numbers of people attending the clinic grew, and the number of practitioners grew until now, where we have five occupational therapists and three administrative staff.

Throughout the six years of operation I have taught many post graduate courses. Ten years ago I met Jacque Cooper (nee Edser) whilst running a course in Brisbane at Qld university Occupational Therapy Department. It had always been Jacque’s vision to work in the area of soft tissue and after years of close association, we began discussions about developing a clinic in Qld.

For the past three years, Jacque had been co-presenter with me at the soft tissue post graduate course at James Cook University in Townsville. Her extensive knowledge in the area put her in good stead to lead the expansion into the East Coast of Australia.

In January of 2008, the clinic was opened in Currumbin Beach, which is one of the most delightful locations in Australia. The clinic is once again following the theme of consumer friendliness with its vibrant colors, great furniture and tea and coffee facilities. Jacque and the team have been successful in exposing Qld to what Occupational Therapists can offer in the area of soft tissue management.

So now we have three clinics in two States, thirteen Occupational Therapists, ten administrative staff, and around thirty five thousand client visits annually.

The next part of the vision is to continue to grow and service our clients at all times in a professional manner.

The staff and treating practitioners at our clinics have my highest respect. We have all participated to make this the largest discrete Occupational Therapy soft tissue facility in Australia.