Karen Burns graduated with Distinction from Sydney University in 1991, with a degree in Physiotherapy. Her first experience in the physiotherapy field was at Concord Repatriation General Hospital from 1991-2000, where she held the position of senior Physiotherapist Grade 3 during this time. Karen was in charge of the Rehabilitation Service, the department’s OH&S activities and was involved in a number of quality management projects.
During her time at Concord Hospital Karen gained experience in a wide variety of areas including; Outpatients, Institute of Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation, Hand therapy, Aged and Extended Care, Orthopaedics, Amputees, Neurology, Burns, Cardiology, ICU, Cardiothoracics and Medical Wards. Karen developed an interest in OH&S and completed her Graduate Diploma in Safety Science from the University of New South Wales in 2000.
In 2007, Karen began working in private practice and joined Rathmines Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre where she developed an interest in Continence and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy. She went on to complete numerous courses in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and began working at Complete Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Newcastle.
Karen decided to join Physio For You in 2018. She is available Mondays & Wednesdays at our Tuggerah clinic and Tuesdays & Thursdays at our Woongarrah clinic.
More recently she has also incorporated her interest in chronic pain and how this impacts those with chronic pelvic pain but also other conditions such as painful bladder, and even mechanisms involved in urinary urgency.
Karen treats clients with incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, pelvic pain conditions as well as male pelvic floor clients and children.
Karen has attended a number of courses including:
- Pelvic Floor First – Exercise the Pelvic Floor workshop
- Continence and Pelvic Floor workshops, including female and male pelvic floor – Chiarelli Healthcare
- Continence Foundation Australia Conference – Melbourne
- IUGA/Continence Foundation Australia Conference – Brisbane, Cairns
- Pelvic and Perineal Pain – Women’s Health and Research Institute of Australia, University of NSW.
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse Workshop – Australian Physiotherapy Association
- Hunter Prostate Cancer Alliance Lectures
- Explain Pain – NOI Group
- Female Sexual Pain and Dysfunction workshop
- Continence Foundation Australia – NSW State Conference, Newcastle
Karen has completed a number of Australian Association of Physiotherapists (APA) courses as well as regular attendance at continuing education events and conferences.
Karen also tutors Physiotherapy students at University of Newcastle.
Areas of Special Interest
- Continence
- Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
- Bladder and Bowel Conditions
- Prostate Cancer Rehabilitation
- Pelvic and Sexual Pain
- Women’s Health/Men’s Health
- Musculoskeletal/Sports Injuries
- Chronic Pain
Qualifications & Affiliations
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) – University of Sydney 1991
- Graduate Diploma in Safety Science – University of New South Wales 2000
- Registered Physiotherapist – Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
- Member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), Continence and Women’s Health Special Interest Group, APA Pain Network
- Member of the Continence Foundation of Australia
- Member of International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)
- Registered Health Services Provider with WorkCover, Medicare, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, 3rd Party Insurers & all major Health Funds
Outside of work Karen enjoys spending time with her beautiful family, her pets and is an avid scuba diver.