This team is here to support our vision of knowledge, research and advocacy by providing EDSNZ with the most relevant information, and helping advocate and educate other medical
professionals.
Meet The Team
Jacquelyn Schirmer
Osteopath (New Zealand)
Jacquelyn’s journey into EDS began after completing her osteopathic training in 2007 in the UK. She encountered many patients with injuries resulting from over-stretching, particularly from yoga, and began to research on their behalf. This developed into a collaboration with HMSA in the UK for which she wrote on osteopathy and hyper mobility. Her Masters in Science proposal is on Clinical Pilates (which she has taught since 1998) and hyper mobility after realising that manual therapy alone wasn’t sufficient for best care management of these patients. After moving to New Zealand in 2013, she started networking to create a team of EDS aware practitioners and now runs a support group in the north of the country and is currently working with EDSNZ to develop an education framework for GPs. She has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (La Trobe University, Melbourne), Bachelor of Osteopathy (British School of Osteopathy, London) and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Research and Methodology (University of Bedfordshire, UK). Her current studies include post-graduate training in Biodynamic Osteopathy and she is studying for her IBCLC lactation consultant qualification. She is also a qualified Pilates and yoga teacher and uses her experience as an endurance athlete to inform work with her patients. Her time is spent running an osteopathic clinic in the north of New Zealand as well as spending much of her clinical hours treating paediatrics and pregnancy.
Anita Crawshaw is the clinical director of The Hypermobility Clinic in Christchurch, New Zealand. She has been a practising physiotherapist for the last 20 years, and has built a reputation as the leading New Zealand physiotherapist for clients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and other related hypermobility conditions. Anita believes in taking a holistic and empathetic approach, and is well known for advocating for her clients throughout the medical community. Anita graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Otago and went on to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health. In 2018, Anita along with Dr Jenny Keightley, spearheaded and formed a group of like-minded clinicians which regularly meet to upskill and share knowledge in this rapidly advancing field. Anita also participates with the Australian hypermobility clinicians group and enjoys conversing and sharing ideas with her Australian counterparts. People that work with clients who have Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes generally have a connection with it, either through themselves or family members. Anita is able to achieve transformative results for her clients, partly because she has had to learn how to overcome many of the challenges that come with living with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome herself. Her personal experience ignited a passion for helping and treating clients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. In 2021, Anita established The Hypermobility Clinic with the intention of elevating the level of support and knowledge for clients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Alongside musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Anita is well regarded for educating and treating the associated comorbidities that commonly occur with hypermobility related conditions.
Anita Cranshaw
Clinical Director of The Hypermobility Clinic in Christchurch
Patrick Yap
MBChB 2004 Glasgow; FRACP Paediatrics 2013; Clinical Genetics 2016 Paediatrician and Clinical Geneticist
Dr Yap is currently working at Auckland District Health Board. He graduated from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom in 2004. He trained in General Paediatrics in the United Kingdom and New Zealand and pursued further training, completing his fellowship in Clinical Genetics in Melbourne, Australia. Apart from general paediatrics, Dr Yap also has a special interest in rare inheritable genetic disorders. He has research affiliations with the University of Auckland and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Interest in EDS - The diagnosis of EDS-spectrum is complex and challenging but the joy of educating patients and learning from them is immense.
Languages spoken - English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Bahasa Malaysia
Affiliated Southern Cross Provider
CARON ORELOWITZ
Podiatrist
I graduated in 1994 and have been helping people of all ages who have problems with their feet, from the very young to the elderly, to sports people, and those who just want some TLC for their feet.
I completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine (Otago) in 2016, where my interest in Sports Podiatry was intensified. Over the years I have developed a special interest in children’s health and foot problems, particularly those with connective tissue disorders, neurodiverse individuals and those who are on the Autism Spectrum.
I am a Life member of Podiatry New Zealand, a member of Sports Medicine New Zealand and Sports Medicine Australia. In 2021 I was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for my services to Podiatry.
Dr. Lindsay Best
Dr. Lindsay Best knows how important the connection between the brain and the body is for controlling every tissue, cell and organ in the body. Knowing this, she works efficiently to find areas in the body of interference to this complex system; removes the interference by using several different chiropractic techniques to suit each individual need and preference.
As a Practitioner having an awareness of EDS and hypermobility has changed the way I practice. I can recognize the signs and symptoms and be able get people the help they need sooner, and provide tips and advice to help avoid further injury.
After graduating in 2007 from AUT in New Zealand, Renee worked in private practice and a hospital in Auckland where she gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. She published various papers from her research (author name: Renee Bigelow) for ‘Mulligan’s Mobilisation with Movement’ in the NZJP in 2008, and the JMMT in 2009. Her research was also used in Brian Mulligan’s new book: Mobilisation with Movement: The Art and the Science.
Renee's postgraduate development continued with the NZMPA and the McKenzie Institute, gaining credentials in McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. Renee has been doing Pilates since she was 16 years of age, and since university has been teaching mat, equipment and then ante & post-natal clinical Pilates. During and after university, Renee also worked with various sports teams including at national tournaments.
Renee then spent nearly 6 years in London where she worked at Six Physio, and part time in her final year at UCLH and Chelsea and Westminster hospitals in the women’s health team. She continued to gain qualifications in rehabilitation, pilates, acupuncture/dry needling with the AACP and women's health (gynaecological and obstetric management) with the POGP. Here Renee began her specialty in pregnancy related issues, pelvic and sexual pain, post-partum recovery, rectus abdominis diastasis rehabilitation, pelvic floor dysfunction, incontinence, prolapse, and overactive bladder.
Following London, Renee spent 5 years in Dubai at Up and Running Integrated Medical Centre, a multidisciplinary private clinic in Dubai. Her roles included Senior Women’s Health, Musculoskeletal and Clinical Pilates Physiotherapist; Team Manager for Women's Health and Clinical Pilates Services; and Corporate Wellness Service Lead.
Renee has a unique understanding of how the pressures of daily life can impact pain, injury recovery, stress levels, sleep and overall well being. Realising the link between pain, mental health and the physical body she decided to train as a Mindfulness Teacher in 2017. Her broad holistic approach ensures her patients heal, thrive and remain functional.
Renee has a passion for health, wellness and exercise and considers physiotherapy as a challenging yet rewarding profession. She is 100% committed to finding the best outcomes, from research based treatment options to using the integrated referral system within her clinic, and the professional community whenever required.
RENEE MALYON
senior Physiotherapist, Women's Health, Clinical Pilates Instructor
BHSc (Physio), POGP (UK) certified Women's Health Physiotherapist, Credentialed McKenzie MDT Practitioner, certified Pilates Instructor, AACP certified Acupuncturist/Dry Needling Practitioner, certified Mindfulness MBSR and in the Workplace Teacher (UK Society of Holistic Therapists and Coaches)
Special Interests – Women’s Health (ante & post natal and gynaecology), musculoskeletal physio, return to sport and rehabilitation, clinical pilates, acupuncture/dry needling, corporate health, wellness and education, mindfulness for stress reduction and in the workplace.
Sharon Erdrich
Master of Health Science (Hons)
Sharon Erdrich is one of New Zealand’s leading natural healthcare professionals. With a Master of Health Science (Hons) and over 40 years experience in the health sector, she offers lifestyle, health and nutritional expertise to health professionals as well as to private clients.
Over the last decade she has specialised in digestive disorders, focusing on supporting people to normalise their diet and gut function and reduce food intolerances. Her extensive training and experience across a range of health modalities means she is well placed to support you to achieve your health goals.
Sharon has a busy clinical practice in Auckland. She has long had an interest in research, achieving the “Best Research Paper” award at the completion of her naturopathic studies for her dissertation on natural therapy options for management of high cholesterol. Her Master’s thesis at the University of Auckland was a dietary study, investigating the role of nutrition in men with prostate cancer, from which two papers have been published in peer-reviewed journals (see below).
Sharon is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney; her project is examining relationships between the oral and gastrointestinal microbiome and symptoms in people living with fibromyalgia.
Sharon Erdrich has developed a strong interest in digestive health over the years, which ultimately resulted in intense exploration of the causes and consequences of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and the subsequent establishment of SiBOtest.NZ. This is the only breath testing service in New Zealand to offer at-home breath testing for functional bowel disorders and sugar malabsorption syndromes such as lactose intolerance and fructose malabsorption. She is actively researching in this field to improve the accuracy of breath testing.
In addition to her busy clinic in Mt Albert, she presents at conferences and runs workshops and webinars, educating and up-skilling a range of health-focused practitioners.
With an abundance of health-related knowledge, accumulated over years of working with an inquiring mind in both complementary and conventional medical systems, Sharon is able to provide support and guidance for an extremely wide range of health conditions. This includes gut imbalances, stress, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, problems associated with mood and sleep, as well as weight management – particularly for the benefit in preventing diabetes and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and much more.
Sharon Peck
Throughout her career, Sharon has had a passion for orthopaedics and hip disorders in particular.
In 2007 she initiated the setting up and running of the Orthopaedic Joint Assessment Clinics in the Orthopaedic Department of Timaru Public Hospital, as first specialist appointment, for assessing, treating and prioritising the conservative and surgical management of lower limb arthritis.
In 2012 the National Health Board and the Ministry of Health produced publications (“Improving the System: Meeting the Challenge”) that advocated the national establishing of these clinics and Sharon was named as one of three national contacts for advice. Consequently, she has advised several physiotherapists across the country in support of the successful establishment of parallel clinics.
The experience gained from assisting others to initiate these services in their own DHBs made Sharon realise that earlier interventions were required to manage arthritis in the primary sector, before referral for a joint replacement was necessary. In 2011, a group of South Canterbury, publicly and privately employed physiotherapists collaborated to set up a community project to assess and manage patients with early to moderate stage lower limb arthritis. Sharon was elected Chairperson and Clinical Leader for this group; the Physiotherapy Primary Intervention Group (PPIG). For several years PPIG has run the programme under contracts for the South Canterbury District Health Board and for the Ministry of Health, consistently achieving very strong results for all stakeholders.
Sharon has attended both the pelvic instability and the tendonopathies courses run by Dr Alison Grimaldi. The lessons learnt from these courses have formed the fundamental principles of management; assessment and treatment of patients with hip pain in her practice.
Sharon also has a special interest in connective tissue disorders and hypermobility. Lower limb pain and dysfunction is a common problem for those suffering from over mobile joints and the management of this often requires particular attention. Sharon was one of the national physiotherapy advisors for the Hypermobility Syndrome Association in the UK and is now a professional member of the Ehlers Danlos Society New Zealand.
In pursuance of the holistic management of complex orthopaedic conditions, Sharon expanded her skills by training in viscerofascial manipulation. This treatment is focused on the releasing of scar tissue. Scarring can be the cause of some pelvic pain and restricted movement.
Considering all of these possible causes of pelvic and hip pain, enables Sharon to assess and manage complex hip pain holistically.