Marize Newnham
Marize Newnham is a neurological physiotherapist with a keen interest in early Parkinson’s and stroke rehabilitation. She spent over 15 years as a Senior Clinician in public and private hospitals and now works with individual, group and Zoom clients through her Melbourne-based private practice Regain Life Physiotherapy, and part-time in rehabilitation across Eastern Health public hospitals.
Marize completed a Masters in Health Science (neurological rehabilitation) in 2000 at University of Sydney – this course had a strong emphasis on brain plasticity and sparked Marize’s passion for empowering her patients to optimize abilities and maintain independence. She is a PD Warrior trainer and in 2015, established the still ongoing Early Parkinson’s 10 week Program at Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital, one of the few outpatient programs that can be funded through a person’s hospital cover. In 2020 she completed her instructor training certificate in Nordic Walking. Marize incorporates an eclectic mix of exercise modalities including yoga, tai chi, postural alignment, dance , resistance training, cardiovascular exercise – all emphasizing specific Parkinson’s exercise principles to deliver a patient centered approach.
Marize’s evidence-based approach has evolved as she adapts research for use in clinical practice. In April 2020 she incorporated photobiomodulation into her Parkinson’s rehabilitation program, finding that improvements in non-motor symptoms as well as motor signs can markedly lower barriers to exercise while improving mood and self belief.
Marize is also a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association Neurology special interest group and the Parkinson’s Victoria special interest group.