Meet The Team
Jacquelyn Schirmer
Osteopath (New Zealand)
Clinical director EDS Wellness
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 Cranshaw
Clinical Director of The Hypermobility Clinic in Christchurch
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.
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.
Lindsay Best
Chiropractor
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.
Sharon Erdrich
Master of Health Science (Hons)
House of Health
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
Dietitan. NZRD, PhD Grad. Dip Phys
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.
Leigh O’Brien
Dietitan. NZRD, PhD
Leigh is a New Zealand registered dietitian, she graduated from Otago University in 2003. She believes that personalised nutrition can help people make positive dietary changes to improve their health. Leigh practices evidence-based nutrition and loves research.
In 2023, she completed her PhD and holds a research fellow position at the University of Auckland. Her main research interest is nutritional management for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Leigh has also been involved in numerous studies, investigating the effectiveness and improvements in quality of life for those with IBS following the low FODMAP diet. She particularly enjoys helping clients with IBS, chronic diarrhoea, chronic constipation, food intolerances, optimising nutrition and managing gut symptoms for those with EDS and helping older adults achieve optimal health through nutrition.
Professor Murray Barclay
Gastroentrologist and Clinical Pharamcology
Christchurch hospital
Professor Murray Barclay is a medical specialist in Gastroenterology and Clinical 
Pharmacology at Christchurch Hospital, where he has worked for the last 35 plus years. His extensive expertise mixes a deep concern for patient wellbeing with a breadth of practical and research-based knowledge.
A Clinical Professor with the University of Otago, Christchurch, Murray is a research leader in New Zealand and internationally with over 200 research publications across several medical disciplines.
Murray is committed to improving Gastroenterology and Pharmacology practice in New Zealand. He has been President of several medical organisations including the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology, NZ section of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), which is New Zealand’s senior doctors union.
Murray grew up in Balcultha, South Otago and trained in Medicine in Dunedin, Christchurch and Adelaide. He regularly undertakes ongoing professional training.
Dr Tim Ewer
(MB ChB, MMedSc, MRCP(UK), FRACP, FRNZCGP, DCH, DRCOG, Dip Occ Med, FACNEM)
Tim is vocationally qualified as a physician and general practitioner. Additionally, Tim has been working as a specialist in integrative medicine for the last 30 years. Prior to that, he was a hospital physician for 10 years after gaining his medical degree and specialist qualifications in the UK. Tim has trained in a variety of modalities including nutrition, environmental medicine, acupuncture (London College of Acupuncture), medical hypnosis, mind-body techniques, bio-energetic medicine, laser and photomodulation therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen medicine. He has been an advisor to the WHO on natural medicine and to the NZ government on CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine).
Tim has been the vice-president of the AIMA (Australasian Integrative Medicine Association, www.AIMA.net.au) and is a member of the teaching faculty of ACNEM (Australasian College of Nutrition and Environmental Medicine, www.acnem.org.au). He has also taught tai chi, qi gong and meditation.
Tim has particular interests in chronic complex illnesses, including chronic fatigue syndrome, long Covid, fibromyalgia, auto-immune diseases, cancer management and allergies.
Dr Clare Halford
(MB ChB, Dip Paeds).
After completing her medical degree from Liverpool, UK, in 1997, Clare has worked in hospital emergency medicine for twenty-four years, all the time studying and implementing other health-giving modalities to improve her own and her patients’ well-being, which included training and working as a Qigong teacher, learning about nutrition and delving deep into the psychospiritual aspects of good health.
In 2021 she began working full time with clients using medicinal cannabis. Now a part of the team at Te Ora, she is completing her Fellowship in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine and is excited to offer a wider range of different approaches to help people get to the roots of their health issues and to reach a new level of both meaning and well-being in their lives as a whole.
Dr Stu Thomson
Musculoskeletal Medicine and Pain Specialist, Sports Doctor(MBChB, FAFMM, FRNZCGP, FSMNZ, PGDip Musc Med, PGDip Sports Med.)
Musculoskeletal Medicine and Pain Specialist, Sports Doctor(MBChB, FAFMM, FRNZCGP, FSMNZ, PGDip Musc Med, PGDip Sports Med.)
Stu Thomson is a Musculoskeletal Medicine and Pain Specialist and Sports Doctor with over 30 years experience.
He has been the doctor for numerous sports teams, including the Kiwis (NZ Rugby League) and Blacksox (NZ Softball), was head of the New Zealand medical team at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and continues to be involved with local and representative sport.
He has been on the medical teams for numerous events including the Wellington Sevens, World Mountain Biking Championships, Touch Nationals and 2000 Sydney Olympics.
He established the Hutt Sports Medicine Centre in 1991 and currently works at the Motion Health/Sports and Pain Clinic and Petone Physio. He was chairman of Sports Medicine New Zealand 2010-2015, and is current chair of Emergency Medical Services Ltd. He has a particular interest in sports injuries and musculoskeletal pain.
Veronika Hegedus-Gaspar
Clinical pharmacist/pharmacologist
Veronika is a skilled and versatile clinical pharmacist/pharmacologist. She has a proven track record of adapting to various roles in various business, clinical and community settings.
She takes pride in being on the forefront of adopting best business and clinical practices. Her organisation skills allow her to implement new guidelines while contributing to a happy team in a streamlined practice offering a high standard of service.
She enjoys working with teams to support businesses, patients to improve their health outcomes, and, based on the feedback she gets from colleagues,patients and prescribers, her input has proven to be valuable.
Dr David Doig
General Practice with special interest in chronic conditions
General Practice with special interest in chronic conditions – Havelock North – Te Mata Peak Practice
Aimie O’Hara
Paedatric Physio
New Plymouth
Aimie is a paediatric physiotherapist and neurodevelopmental therapist. She graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the AUT in in 2008. She has worked exclusively in paediatrics since 2011, and has worked at the world renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital for children (London), Starship and Kidz First hospitals (Auckland) and Sidra Medicine (Qatar), amassing a broad range of experience in Neurological, Neurodevelopmental and Musculoskeletal paediatric physiotherapy. Aimie enjoys helping children reach milestones and participate as independently as possible.
Aimie has a post graduate diploma specializing in Health Management, and is trained in Dynamic Movement Intervention and Electrical Stimulation Training. Aimie was an author of the published guidance document Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy for Tamariki. This document is used nationwide, and is the first of its kind to support physiotherapists working with children and young people in New Zealand.
Clinically, she enjoys working with children and adolescents and getting to know them and their families. Aimie strives to get an accurate diagnosis and work through a treatment plan. She loves to continue to expand her skills and experience, and is excited to pass this on to the rest of the team at Active+ Taranaki.
Outside work, Aimie is an extremely busy wife and mother of 2 children, she is on the committee of the Paediatric Special Interest Group (PSIG) of Physiotherapy New Zealand, a member of the PSIG musculoskeletal work group and is on the clinical advisory panel for Ehlers Danlos society of New Zealand.
