The Back Dr.

Doug Eldred

Natural Health & Wellbeing Specialist
Chiropractor
Owner of the Ryde Holistic Welness Centre

Hi I am Doug, the Chiropractor and owner of the Back Dr. Ryde.

I was born in QLD (go you Maroons) and moved to Sydney in 1999. I started seeing a Chiropractor when I was 14 and since my first adjustment knew I wanted to be one. I achieved a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Queensland and a Masters of Chiropractic from Macquarie University.

I graduated in 2002 and opened the clinic 5 years ago. I love my job because every new patient is a fresh challenge. I get to help children and watch them grow up. Using my hands I help people live pain-free and completely mobile lives from 2 weeks old to 90 years old. I become a regular part of my patients lives and through that process their friend.

I am a mad keen skier and enjoy playing guitar and socialising. I am a big fan of NRL football and support QLD and the Broncos.

Stephen Yoon - Chiropractor

My first experience with a Chiropractor came during Year 10 High school. Experiencing back pain I seeked the help of a Chiropractor. Afterwards I was pain free and felt great. Experiencing the great benefits of Chiropractic I decided to further my studies in the field.

During my studies at Macquarie university I have developed a keen interest in the treatment of problems common in the corporate work place, such as low back pain, tightness between shoulder blades, and neck pain. Rehab, in conjuction with Chiropractic, is a key a factor in recvovery. And I am able to develop a rehab program that's right for you

My spare time is taken up by numerous sports including basketball, surfing and cycling. I enjoy eating out with freinds, and catching a movie.

Ines Astudillo - Dietitian

I was born in Santiago, Chile and moved to Australia at the age of three. I have lived in Sydney all my life, with a few return trips to Chile to see my extended family and beautiful home country. Thanks to my mother’s strict rules allowing only Spanish to be spoken at home, I am fluent in spoken and written Spanish.

My passion for nutrition and a healthy lifestyle began when I was about 9 years old and very overweight. I always wondered how I could lose this weight that brought so many burdens with it. At the age of 17 and 95kg, I set out to lose weight and lost a life changing 30 kg. Here, I decided that I wanted to find the balance that would allow me to maintain a healthier weight and lifestyle for the rest of my life. I also wanted to share my experience and help others.

I attained a Bachelor of Science (Nutrition Honours) at the University of Sydney and am now a qualified diet and nutrition professional committed to helping people achieve their own nutritional and lifestyle balance. I have now maintained a healthy weight for almost 10 years.

I really enjoy the simple pleasures of life so I make time to read books, be in the company of family and good friends, and participate in a variety of sports such as Dragon Boat Racing, Combat Kempo, cycling, walking and running.

Sebastian King - Counsellor

I was born in Canada and moved to Australia in 2002 to marry my wife who is from Sydney.

I received a Post Graduate Degree in Psychotherapy from the Sydney Gestalt Institute. I have been doing work as a Counsellor in Sydney since 2006.

I first gained interest in counselling when in my early 20’s I had a Counsellor assist me through a near death experience I had from a car accident. Since this time I have seen the value of therapy sessions for assisting people with getting their lives on track and achieving their personal goals.

I find my work to be very satisfying. It has taken me to places I never would have thought of going to before. Most recently I spent a part of 2009 working in the north of India in a Tibetan refugee community. I spent my time there working for a Tibetan run organisation doing one on one addiction counselling, group therapy, and school presentations on substance abuse.

In my practice my focus is on the client and what works for them. Part of this approach has involved working with clients to identify their goals and objectives and then working with them to achieve these.

Some of the things I have assisted people with are; building positive relationships, being more relaxed in their lives, overcoming anxiety, chronic pain management, achieving life goals, and being comfortable with any personal concerns.

On a more personal note I spend my spare time enjoying a variety of activities such as; watching live music, reading a good book, going to see a movie, doing some bushwalking, and going out for or cooking a good meal.

Anthony Stanton - Sports Kinesiologist, Personal Trainer

Adam Grossel - Remedial Massage Therapist

G'day everyone.

Just wanted to tell you all a little bit about myself. Im 22 years old and live in Bossley Park, Fairfield. I'm currently studying nursing at the University of Western Sydney, my goal is to one day be a paramedic with the NSW Ambulance Service. I've also studied Remedial massage for two years and obtained a diploma from Meadowbank TAFE in 2006.

In my spare time I like to go to concerts and listern to music. I'm into all sports no matter what it is but I love football (soccer) and on weekends you'll usually find me either playing it, talking about it or cheereing on my Sydney FC boys!

I decided to become a massage therapist because in school I always loved learning about human anatomy, I seemed to understand it more then maths or english. I also wanted something where I could work with people and actually see the progress that I was making with them.

Thats why I love working at The Back Dr. Not only can I work with people and see their progress, I can work in an interdisciplnary environment where patients recieve holistic care that I know is first class. It's also great because I tend to learn something new every day that I work.

Terry - Remedial Massage Therapist, Hot Stone Massage Expert

I was born in Japan and now live in Australia with my husband and my son. I love massage therapy and really enjoy releasing tight muscles. I have recently improved my qualifications and I am now a qualified Aromatherapist.

I am very serious about my work and truly enjoy helping people with my hands elbows and forearms.

In my spare time I enjoy Kendo & Aikido (Japanese martial arts).

I enjoy working at the Back Dr. because I can learn so much about other modalities to further my knowledge base.

Hiroko Amagaya - Remedial Massage Therapist, Thai Massage Expert

I have been practicing yoga for over 20 years was certified as an Iyengar Yoga teacher in 1995. I attended my first yoga class in my late teens but it wasn’t until I discovered BKS Iyengar and his book Light on Yoga that I became dedicated to the practice of yoga. That passion has grown stronger throughout the years.

Having spent six years living in the South Coast I have now relocated to Sydney. I was the first person to introduce Iyengar yoga in the Sutherland Shire and owned and operated Southside Yoga and Fitness for 10 years.

I believe that anyone can practice yoga regardless of age or ability. The asanas (postures) can be adapted according to a person’s needs. I have taught Yoga to athletes wanting to improve their performance and reduce injuries including dancers, footballers, cricket players, gymnasts and swimmers.

I have practiced Yoga throughout my pregnancies and really enjoy teaching prenatal yoga classes as I have experienced the benefits yoga brings throughout pregnancy and birth itself.

I have visited the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune India to study with the Iyengar family and further my yoga experience.

I maintain a strong personal yoga practice and participate in professional development and further study each year.

When I am not teaching or practicing yoga I enjoy an outdoor life, swimming, bushwalking and spending time with my husband, family and my beautiful grandchildren. Most of all I am passionate about Yoga and want to share that passion with my students. Yoga has enriched my life throughout all the ups and downs that life presents.

The best thing about working at the Back Doctor is all practitioners share a passion and commitment to their chosen occupation.

Sophie Whittle - Animal Chiropractor

Sophie’s lifelong desire to improve the health and welfare of animals led her to specialise in Animal Chiropractics and Animal Remedial Massage.

Before joining The Ryde Holistic Wellness Centre, The Back Dr. Sophie grew up on a semi – rural property in South East Queensland, where she spent her youth riding horses and looking after a menagerie of pets.

Following this passion for animal health Sophie graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor Degree in Animal Science. As a keen horse rider and pet owner Sophie employed a range of specialists to understand the cause of discomfort and reduced movement in her animals. After witnessing the positive reaction a chiropractic veterinarian gave to a very sore horse, Sophie then investigated the possibilities to study Animal Chiropractics.

Following recommendations Sophie relocated to the United Kingdom to pursue a Masters degree in Animal Chiropractics at the McTimoney College in Oxford.

On returning to Australia Sophie has formed a partnership with the team at The Ryde Holistic Wellness Centre The Back Dr. and looks forward to meeting new clients and their animals.

Shannon Carr - Receptionist & Animal Massage Therapist

Gillian Chapman - Holistic Kinesiologist & Remedial Massage Therapist