Welcome to the Rapid Recovery Newsletter. Each month we share articles and updates for our three clinic locations Healesville, Seville and Ferntree Gully.
In the October 2026 issue In this issue, osteopath Meave takes us through Plantar Fascitis, we say farewell to one of our treasured osteopaths and welcome a new member to Seville and Tara shares the secrets to remedial hot stone massage, and Phil has an update of his own to share.
As always, let us know if there's something you would like us to cover in future newsletters - email [email protected]
Plantar Fascitis: why your heel hurts
Stepped out of bed and felt that sharp stab in your heel? You're far from alone. Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel and foot pain, particularly in people who spend a lot of time on their feet, walk or run regularly, or have recently changed their activity levels.
While heel pain can be frustrating, understanding what may be contributing to it can help you make informed decisions about managing your symptoms and getting back to the activities you enjoy.
What is plantar fasciitis?
As our osteopath Meave explains, the plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, from the heel towards the toes. It helps support the arch of your foot and plays a role in absorbing and transferring load as you walk, run and jump.
Plantar fasciitis is associated with pain around the plantar fascia, usually near its attachment to the heel. Despite the name, the condition isn't necessarily caused by inflammation alone. Changes in the tissue can occur when the demands placed on the foot exceed its ability to adapt to that load.
Goodbye and thank you Emily
After two wonderful years with Rapid Recovery, we’re saying farewell to Dr Emily Laffin, who finished with us on Thursday 24 September. Emily joined Rapid Recovery on 30 September 2024 and has been an incredible asset to our practice ever since.
During her time with us, Emily made a lasting impact on our Osteopathy team — helping shape the systems, standards and clinical culture that continue to influence the way we work today. She supported her fellow practitioners, helped develop the team and, most importantly, consistently put the quality of patient care at the heart of everything she did. Her contribution has been felt not only by the team, but by the many patients she has cared for along the way.
Emily has now stepped away from clinical Osteopathy to join her family’s busy business, so this is really a farewell from the profession rather than a move to another clinic. We’re excited for her as she takes on this next chapter, even though we’ll certainly miss having her as part of the Rapid Recovery team. Emily has helped make Rapid Recovery a better clinic, and her influence will continue long after her final days with us. She leaves some very big shoes to fill and will be genuinely missed by our team and patients.
Thank you, Emily, for everything you brought to Rapid Recovery over the past two years. We’re incredibly grateful for your contribution, your care and the mark you’ve left on our practice.
Please join us in wishing Emily all the very best for this exciting new chapter.
Thank you, Em. We’ll miss you!
Welcome to Seville Dr Joel Lomas
We're excited to welcome Dr Joel Lomas to the Rapid Recovery team at our Seville clinic.
Joel is passionate about helping people recover from injury and get back to the activities they love — whether that's sport, exercise, work or simply getting back to moving comfortably.
With a background in sport and rehabilitation, Joel has worked as a sports trainer with Boronia Football Netball Club and Baseball Victoria, and particularly enjoys working with active people who are keen to return to what they love.
He has a special interest in headaches, neck and jaw pain, and has completed Level 1 of the Watson Headache Approach. He also enjoys working with people with hypermobility and supporting patients through exercise and rehabilitation.
Joel takes a relaxed and collaborative approach to treatment, combining hands-on osteopathic techniques with exercise and management strategies. He believes recovery works best when patients are involved in the process and have a clear understanding of their treatment plan and goals.
Joel became an osteopath after experiencing sporting injuries himself and seeing an osteopath, he became fascinated by how understanding the body could help people recover. Now he's passionate about being the kind of osteopath he wished he'd had when he was younger — Active. Approachable. Evidence-informed. Focused on getting you moving again.
Joel is now open for bookings exclusively at Rapid Recovery Seville.
Discover the benefits of Remedial Hot Stone Massage
Remedial massage is often associated with targeted work on areas of muscular tension, stiffness and discomfort. Hot stone massage, on the other hand, is known for its warmth and calming, relaxing feel.
Remedial hot stone massage brings these two approaches together.
As Tara explains, by combining remedial massage techniques with heated stones, the treatment can focus on areas that need extra attention while still creating a comfortable and relaxing experience.
It can be a great option for people who want more than a traditional relaxation massage, but don't necessarily want an intense or deeply focused treatment.
Phil has moved to Rapid Recovery Seville
You may have noticed we've been a bit busy at our Seville clinic, last month we revealed we have doubled the size of the clinic! Our brand new treatment rooms are now open for business, that means more services available more often.
With the expanded rooms, our senior myotherapist Phil has left our Healesville clinic, and will now be treating exclusively at Seville from early October.
That's it for this edition of our monthly newsletter. We will be back next month and let us know if you would like us to cover a topic or explain a treatment - it's all part of the Rapid Recovery service!
Cam Arnott
Clinic Director