We are Balance North
Nestled in the heart of Preston, our integrated health and wellbeing centre offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support every facet of your health journey.
Our team of compassionate, qualified practitioners are dedicated to empowering you to live your best life. Whether you're seeking physiotherapy, psychology, dietetics, massage, or pilates, we are here to guide you with empathy, expertise, and wholehearted presence.
We are deeply grateful to walk alongside you, and it’s our privilege to help you move toward a healthier, more balanced version of yourself.
Meet the Team
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Jack Qin
Senior Physiotherapist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist & Clinical Pilates (Clinical Exercise) Instructor
Jack (he/him) is a Senior Physiotherapist and ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a Doctor of Physiotherapy and a Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology.
He has a special interest in vestibular rehabilitation, treating dizziness and balance conditions, including BPPV. Jack also provides GLA:D® programs for hip and knee osteoarthritis, alongside post-operative rehabilitation, chronic condition management, and return-to-sport care through personalised, evidence-based treatment.
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Grace Ure
Physiotherapist & Clinical Pilates (Clinical Exercise) Instructor
Grace (she/her) holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours and is passionate about helping her community move confidently towards their goals.
She combines evidence-based care, hands-on therapy, Clinical Pilates, and exercise to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. With experience in chronic pain management, Grace helps clients reduce pain, improve function, and confidently return to work, sport, and the activities they enjoy.
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Robert Hock
Physiotherapist & Clinical Pilates (Clinical Exercise) Instructor
Rob (he/him) holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and is passionate about helping people overcome injury and persistent pain so they can return to the activities they enjoy.
He combines manual therapy, clinical exercise, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy™ to support long-term recovery. With experience in Clinical Pilates, strength and conditioning, and post-surgical rehabilitation, Rob takes a practical, personalised approach that helps clients reduce pain, improve function, and build confidence in movement.
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Ellie Anderson
Senior Accredited Practising Dietitian
Ellie (she/her) is a specialist gastroenterology dietitian with a Bachelor of Nutrition Science and Master of Dietetics from Monash University. She is currently undertaking her PhD alongside the Monash FODMAP team, researching food-related quality of life and non-diet therapies for gastrointestinal conditions.
Ellie is passionate about providing evidence-based nutritional care for clients with complex gastrointestinal conditions, as well as adolescent and adult eating disorders. Her approach is non-judgemental, supporting clients to build a body-positive relationship with food and their bodies.
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Melissa Rubin
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Mel (she/her) is passionate about helping people improve their health and wellbeing through food, with a focus on chronic disease management. She supports clients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, bowel health concerns, and liver and kidney conditions.
Her approach is holistic, inclusive, and non-judgemental, helping clients build sustainable habits through mindful eating and self-compassion. Mel's research in the Mediterranean diet, mental health, and gut health has further strengthened her interest in chronic disease prevention.
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Alana Russo
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Alana (she/her) is a dietitian with a Master of Dietetic Practice and experience in public healthcare and overseas settings. She provides evidence-based, personalised nutrition care, with expertise in gastrointestinal conditions including GERD, IBS, IBD, diverticular disease, coeliac disease, gallbladder conditions, and gluten-free dietary management.
Alana takes a practical, food-first approach that makes nutrition enjoyable and sustainable. She works collaboratively with clients to make informed choices that support their goals, health, and lifestyle.
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Kristina Christou
Clinical Psychologist
Kristina (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist with a Master of Psychology (Clinical). She believes therapy isn't just for when things are hard, but for anyone who wants to better understand themselves, feel more in control of their life, or improve their relationships.
Kristina has experience in private practice and public mental health, with a background in eating disorders. She supports adults and older adolescents through a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, creating a safe and supportive space tailored to each person's goals.
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Lefteri Thomopoulos
Registered Psychologist
Lefteri (he/him) is a Registered Psychologist with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Psychology (Clinical). He has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, and is passionate about helping people navigate life's challenges and create meaningful, lasting change.
Lefteri creates a warm, welcoming, and non-judgemental space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported to build self-understanding and work towards their goals with confidence.
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Luka Giles
Remedial & Relaxation Massage Therapist
Luka (he/him) is a qualified remedial massage therapist dedicated to providing thoughtful, personalised treatments that prioritise client comfort and overall wellbeing. He tailors each session to individual needs with a calm, supportive approach.
Luka combines hands-on treatment, education, and individualised care to help reduce pain, improve movement, and support clients in returning to their daily activities with greater awareness and strength.
The Space
Our centre is a sight to behold—bathed in natural light and thoughtfully designed to inspire calm and clarity. From our state-of-the-art facilities to our carefully curated environment, every detail is here to serve your journey toward better health.
Each consulting room is mindfully styled with warm, welcoming décor to help you feel safe, supported, and truly at ease during your session. It’s a space where comfort meets clinical excellence—because we believe healing happens best when you feel cared for on every level.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not at all. You’re welcome to see any of our wellbeing practitioners without a GP or specialist referral.
We also accept GP Chronic Condition Management Plans (GPCCMP), Eating Disorder Care Plans, Mental Health Care Plans and Type 2 Diabetes referrals. A gap payment applies, and we can process your Medicare rebate on-site—please bring your Medicare and EFTPOS cards.
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Yes, we welcome clients with current care plans from their GP including GP Chronic Condition Management Plans (GPCCMP), Eating Disorder Care Plans, Mental Health Care Plans and Type 2 Diabetes referrals.
You may be eligible for Medicare rebates on select services. Gap fees apply and rebates are processed at the time of your appointment. Please bring a physical Medicare card and EFTPOS card to receive the rebate. We do not bulk bill.
For detailed pricing, please refer to our Wellbeing Services page.
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Our physiotherapists support a broad range of needs—from spinal pain, joint conditions, and sports injuries to pregnancy-related care and post-surgical rehab.
If you're unsure whether physio is right for you, get in touch. One of our practitioners will be happy to discuss your concerns before you book.
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Dietitians offer expert guidance for a wide range of health conditions, with tailored nutritional advice and lifestyle strategies to support your goals.
If you’d like to know whether a dietitian can help, feel free to contact us for a friendly, obligation-free chat.
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Medicare rebates are available for eligible clients with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP), Eating Disorder Care Plan, Mental Health Care Plan or Type 2 Diabetes referral.
Please note a gap fee still applies. Please bring your Medicare and EFTPOS cards to your appointment so we can process your rebate on the spot.
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Yes, most of our services are eligible for private health insurance rebates (excluding non-physio-led reformer Pilates and relaxation/deep tissue massage).
We offer on-the-spot claiming through HICAPS—you’ll simply pay the gap. For details on your coverage, check with your insurer.
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We kindly ask for notice if you need to cancel or reschedule.
Wellbeing Appointments (excluding Psychology) & Clinical Exercise:
Should any client cancel or not attend a scheduled appointment without providing 24 hours’ notice, a fee equal to 50% of the consultation fee will be charged. Repeated no-shows may result in discharge from care.
Psychology Appointments:
Should any client cancel or not attend a scheduled appointment without providing 24 hours’ notice, a fee equal to 100% of the session cost will be charged. Repeated no-shows may result in discharge from care.Reformer Pilates:
Class cancellations must be made through the Mindbody app or website at least 6 hours before the scheduled start time.
Cancellations submitted via phone, email, or social media cannot be accepted.
Late cancellations will result in:
For casual or class pack bookings: the class pass will be forfeited
For unlimited membership holders: a $10 Late Cancellation fee will apply
A $15 No-Show fee applies to unlimited membership holders if you miss a class without cancelling. As a courtesy, unlimited members will have their first Late Cancellation or No-Show each month waived.
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A Provisional Psychologist has completed 4 to 5 years of study and is gaining practical experience under supervision before becoming fully registered. They work closely with experienced Psychologists and senior clinicians to ensure high-quality care. Provisional Psychologists are often highly engaged in learning and use evidence-based approaches in therapy.
These sessions are not eligible for Medicare rebates, so we offer them at a lower rate. The out-of-pocket cost is often similar to seeing a Registered Psychologist with a Mental Health Care Plan. Since not everyone is eligible for or interested in obtaining a Medicare rebate, sessions with a Provisional Psychologist may offer a more affordable option for these clients.
Registered and Clinical Psychologists at our practice are both fully qualified and experienced. However, Clinical Psychologists have completed additional postgraduate training, which involves further specialised education and supervised practice. Medicare recognises this additional training and provides a higher rebate for sessions with a Clinical Psychologist. This can result in higher upfront costs compared to sessions with a Registered Psychologist.
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Every individual is unique. Following your initial consultation, your practitioner will tailor a treatment plan outlining how many sessions may be beneficial.
At Balance North, we’re committed to thoughtful, results-driven care—not over-treatment.
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Just yourself. If you have relevant medical reports, scan results or referral letters, feel free to bring them—they can help your practitioner tailor your care.
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Wear comfortable, movement-friendly clothing—especially for physio and clinical movement sessions.
For lower body injuries, we recommend shorts. Your comfort and dignity are always our priority.
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Please call us on (03) 8657 4922 if you're running late or need to reschedule. We’ll do our best to accommodate changes while respecting the time of all clients and practitioners.
For reformer pilates, please note that class entry closes 5 minutes after the scheduled time for safety and flow.
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Yes, for physiotherapy we accept WorkCover clients with no gap fees.
When booking your appointment, please ensure you select the WorkCover physiotherapy appointment type, so you are scheduled with one of our registered WorkCover providers.
To attend under WorkCover, you will need an approved WorkCover claim and management plan. Please also bring your claim details to your first appointment. This usually includes your claim number, the name of your WorkCover insurer or agent, your employer details, and your case manager’s contact information if you have one. Our team will need these details to confirm your claim and process billing correctly.
If you are attending physiotherapy under a WorkCover claim, your employer is responsible for the first $876 of medical expenses (the employer excess for 2024/25). Until this amount is reached, you’ll need to pay for your sessions upfront and claim reimbursement directly from your employer using the receipt we provide. Once the excess has been met and your claim is approved, we can usually switch to direct billing with the insurer.
We follow the official WorkCover schedule of fees for physiotherapy services.
For all other services (including appointments with physiotherapists who are not registered WorkCover providers), appointments are self-funded. This means payment is made in full on the day of your appointment. You can then submit your receipt to your WorkCover insurer or agent to request reimbursement for any eligible expenses.
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We accept all major credit and debit cards, except American Express. Please note that we are a cashless clinic, and a small surcharge applies to all card transactions.
For your convenience, instant private health insurance rebates are available on eligible services through HICAPS.
For WorkCover, TAC, and DVA claims, clients are responsible for full payment at the time of service. You will need to manage and submit your claim directly with the relevant organisation.
We do not offer bulk billing appointments.
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Address: Level 1, 353 Plenty Road, Preston
By car: Street parking is available nearby on Plenty Rd, Gower St, and Townhall Ave. Limited parking is available at the rear via Townhall Ave.
By bike: Bike racks are located at the front and rear.
By public transport: Tram 86 stops right outside, and we’re a 15-minute walk from Preston station.
Gift Vouchers
Gift Vouchers
Our gift vouchers can be used toward a variety of Balance North services, including physiotherapy, dietetics, remedial and relaxation massage, and casual reformer pilates classes—perfect for someone in need of a little self-care.
Please note: vouchers are not valid for reformer pilates memberships or psychology services.