Mary Shearer, Physiotherapist

Mary has worked in Newcastle since she graduated from Cumberland College in Sydney with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy, after a Bachelor of Science (Anatomy) at University of NSW. She started her career with general rehabilitation at Royal Newcastle Hospital and Wallsend District Hospital before pursuing her interest in Obstetrics and Women’s Health. At Newcastle Western Suburbs Hospital she worked with women during and after pregnancy and also enjoyed the opportunity to provide support for women in the labour ward whenever possible. She developed a program of community-based exercises classes for women to attend prenatally and with their babies after delivery. She became actively involved in the Birth Centre Action group and helped develop The Birth Centre at John Hunter Hospital.

In 1995 she took a position in Oncology and Palliative Care at The Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Waratah, and it provided an opportunity to become involved in the newly evolving field of lymphoedema management. She did basic training in 1998 and was an early member of the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA). She has witnessed the growth of their International Conferences and Symposiums that have reported on amazing developments in lymphoedema research and management. The ALA has also established The National Lymphoedema Practitioners Register (NLPR) that oversees lymphoedema training programs and helps to ensure that lymphoedema therapists maintain high standards of practice. Mary has maintained the required level of training to qualify for this register, which also helps people find suitably qualified therapists that work in their area.

In 2005 Mary trained in Bowen Therapy as a gentle way to help oncology and palliative patients to cope with physical discomforts. She subsequently trained in Vodder Therapy as it offered specific techniques for dealing with lymphoedema and it also provided very effective gentle techniques for managing musculo-skeletal problems. When she established a new practice at The Breast Centre in 2006, she called it “Gentle Hands Physiotherapy” to reflect the gentle therapies that she was able to offer.

Thanks to support from The Breast Centre, Mary has been able to offer the latest technology including use of Bio-impedance Spectroscopy. It is highly recommended as a screening tool for early detection of lymphoedema but is not readily available at many centres. By establishing baseline measurements and providing risk management strategies to newly diagnosed patients, Mary is able help patients with early management of any swelling problems and document progress objectively. The purchase of a LymphScanner allows specific measurements of swelling in areas that were previously difficult to quantify. A laser machine has greatly helped in management of thickened congestion and scar tissue after surgery and radiotherapy. Ongoing physiotherapy support during recovery helps to reduce the risk of developing chronic shoulder problems which can become an issue after breast surgery.

Mary enjoys working with the team of specialists at The Breast Centre, helping those attending the centre at this difficult time, to manage the problems that may arise from their treatments. Mary works very closely with the McGrath Breast Care Nurse and physiotherapy appointments are made to co-ordinate with specialist appointments whenever possible.

Mary enjoys gardening, walking and cycling and has expressed her creative skills for many years as part of the set construction team at Young People’s Theatre.

Read more about what to expect from your appointment with Mary here.