About us
An experienced team of physiotherapists that are leaders in hip and groin injury diagnosis and rehabilitation.
What is The Hip & Groin Clinic?
Physiotherapists Andrew Wallis, Alesha Coonan, Michael O’Brien, Phoebe Skinns and Mia Spencer from The Hip & Groin Clinic are particularly skilled at managing complex hip and groin problems. The team work closely with many of Melbourne’s leading surgeons and sports physicians.
What will an initial assessment involve?
During your initial appointment our goal is to identify the underlying cause of your complaint and provide you with an outline of your treatment options.
At the start of the session, we will discuss the history of your complaint followed by a thorough clinical examination. Ultimately, we aim to identify the cause of your symptoms and provide you with specific treatment options and a management plan that best supports your day-to-day needs and physical goals.
What can I expect after my initial assessment?
Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment and management may include any of the following:
- Education regarding activity and lifestyle modification
- Competency based progressive strength program
- Movement pattern retraining to address any biomechanical faults
- Graduated return to sport or activity of choice
- Manual therapy eg. Soft-tissue massage, joint mobilisation, neural mobilisation
- Referral for X-Ray, Ultrasound or MRI scan if required
- Discussions with a GP or Sports Physician
- Facilitating referral to Sports Physician or Orthopaedic Surgeon if appropriate
How often will I need to visit?
This will vary depending on the nature of your injury and your desired goals. We focus on an exercise-based program and hence visits are less frequent than you may expect. Visits are ideally structured around functional progressions with your exercise regime graduated towards return to sport/function.
If you are an international, interstate or rural patient, we offer traditional face to face appointments or Telehealth options if this is more convenient.
Is a referral required?
No referral is required for an appointment at The Hip & Groin Clinic.
Can I claim this service as an extra on my health insurance policy?
A session may be claimed on private health insurance depending on your level of cover, please check with your private health insurance provider.
Meet the team
Andrew Wallis
Andrew is an APA Sports and Manipulative Physiotherapist who works privately at Melbourne Orthopaedic Group Sports Medicine. Over the last 20 years, Andrew has worked in both a clinical setting and within the elite sporting environment at the St Kilda Football Club, Melbourne Victory, Adelaide Thunderbirds, SACA Redbacks, V8 Supercars, triathlon and athletics.
Andrew works closely with several of Melbourne’s leading surgeons and Sports Physicians and over the years has developed a special interest in hip and groin pathology. This has led to the development of an evidence-based assessment and treatment model. This may include conservative management of conditions such as femoroacetabular impingement and hip dysplasia or post-operative rehabilitation following hip arthroscopy, peri-acetabular osteotomy, total hip replacement/resurfacing, femoral osteotomy etc.
Andrew also enjoys treating problems related to lower limb biomechanics, knee, ankle and foot pathology.
In addition to clinical work, he works as clinical supervisor on the Master’s program at La Trobe University.
- Graduated from The University of South Australia in 1995.
- Completed a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy and Masters in Manipulative Physiotherapy in 1999 & 2000.
- Established The Hip & Groin Clinic in 2010.
- B. App. Sc (Physiotherapy)
- Master of Physiotherapy (Sports & Manipulative)
- APA Sports & Manipulative Physiotherapist
Alesha Coonan
Alesha Coonan is a Titled Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist consulting privately at Melbourne Orthopaedic Group Sports Medicine. With more than 15 years experience in elite women’s sport, she has worked extensively at the highest level, including roles with the Australia women’s national soccer team (Matildas) and Cricket Victoria.
Alesha has developed a particular clinical interest in the assessment and management of hip and groin pain. Her clinical focus includes hip dysplasia, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), and complex presentations associated with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). She is particularly experienced in managing challenging and long-standing cases, combining evidence-based practice with practical, patient-centred rehabilitation.
In addition to her clinical work, Alesha contributes nationally to professional education in hip and groin management and has presented at the Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference. She is actively involved in hip dysplasia research in collaboration with La Trobe University, and has contributed to peer-reviewed publications in this field.
Beyond hip and groin conditions, Alesha manages:
Complex tendon conditions of the hip, knee and foot, including gluteal, patellar and Achilles tendinopathy
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
Rehabilitation following hip and knee joint replacement
Alesha holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (2008) and a Masters of Sports Physiotherapy (2015).
Outside of work, she is a proud mum to two young boys and enjoys travelling with her family.
Michael O’Brien
Michael O’Brien, PhD, is a highly skilled physiotherapist and researcher at the forefront of translating hip and groin research into real-world clinical care. With almost 20 years of experience, he works with active individuals and athletes presenting with complex and persistent hip, groin, and lower limb pain, including conditions such as hip dysplasia and femoroacetabular impingement.
His approach integrates detailed clinical assessment with contemporary research, allowing treatment to be tailored to both the diagnosis and the functional demands of each patient.
Michael completed his PhD investigating hip pain and hip dysplasia in young adults and has developed physiotherapy interventions for hip pain used in various clinical trials. He continues to integrate latest research findings directly into clinical care, ensuring treatment is evidence-based and individualised. In addition to clinical practice and research, Michael teaches on the La Trobe University Masters Physiotherapy programs (for both Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapists), delivers Professional Development workshops for clinicians, and presents regularly at international sports medicine conferences.
His experience spans all codes of football, basketball, and netball. Michael has worked in elite sport, including with Melbourne Victory Football Club. He has published research examining groin strength testing and its relationship with injury risk in A-League and AFL athletes, contributing to the understanding of injury prevention and rehabilitation in high-performance environments.
Michael works closely with Melbourne’s leading orthopaedic surgeons and sports physicians to provide coordinated conservative care and post-surgical rehabilitation. He currently consults from Melbourne Orthopaedic Group Sports Medicine, supporting patients with complex diagnoses and high functional goals.
Originally from New Zealand, Michael graduated from AUT in 2008, receiving the Elizabeth Michael Award for Clinical Excellence. He has worked across the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, and visited various sports medicine institutes and physiotherapy centres across Europe and North America. He is passionate about truly helping patients achieve meaningful goals and enjoys his career balanced between clinical practice and research.
Phoebe Skinns
After graduating with a Masters of Physiotherapy from La Trobe University, Phoebe has developed a strong interest in the rehabilitation of hip, groin, SIJ and lumbar spine injuries after being trained under Andrew Wallis. She also has significant experience in sports and exercise-based injuries.
Phoebe has developed a strong skillset in the assessment and treatment of hip and groin injuries such as hip impingement, hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, hip bursitis/tendinopathy and soft tissue injuries associated with the hip/groin region including adductor, quadriceps and hamstring injuries. She also works closely with hip preservation surgeons, sports physicians and radiologists to get the best outcomes for patients.
Phoebe has gained a special interest in Women’s Health after completing further training specifically relating to exercise and musculoskeletal conditions during the Ante and Postnatal period as well as exercise during peri-menopause and menopause. She also has extensive experience with exercise rehabilitation, both 1:1 sessions and small group classes incorporating both pilates and strength and conditioning principles.
Phoebe has worked in the sports industry in numerous roles, working with sports teams such as St Kilda FC (AFL), Melbourne United Basketball Club (NBL), Boroondara Express Netball Team (VNL) and Chisholm State Netball Teams.
Phoebe bases her rehabilitation and injury management around evidence-based practice, holistic health and incorporates a variety of hands-on, exercise-based techniques and education principles into her sessions to get people back to what they love doing.
Mia Spencer
Mia is a physiotherapist specialising in adult musculoskeletal care, paediatric physiotherapy and hip rehabilitation. She combines her clinical expertise with elite sports experience to deliver evidence-based, goal-focused care that restores movement, strength, and confidence.
She has worked in high-performance environments, including the Western Bulldogs AFL Club, supporting player rehabilitation and performance, and with Hockey Victoria, travelling with teams to national tournaments. Mia is also currently involved in AFL research projects, contributing to studies on injury prevention and rehabilitation, which further inform her clinical practice.
Her experience spans musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation for adults, hip and lower limb injuries, including post-surgical care, as well as paediatric physiotherapy and early intervention. Mia holds a Bachelor of Applied Movement Science and a Master of Physiotherapy from Victoria University. An athlete herself, she enjoys staying active, travelling, and spending time with family.