Natalie McConochie
Founder and Physiotherapist
Natalie graduated from the University of Sydney in 2003 and commenced work at Dubbo Base Hospital in 2004, covering a variety of roles as a generalist physiotherapist, including both inpatient and outpatient services.
In 2008, Natalie had a traumatic first birth. This was the catalyst for her to change career paths within physiotherapy and thus she commenced training in pelvic health. By 2010, she was successful in her bid for funding to create and set up the Level 4 Senior Women's Health & Paediatric Physiotherapy position at Dubbo Base Hospital. In 2014 Natalie joined the team at Macquarie Women's Health, a multidisciplinary women’s pelvic health practice in Dubbo with obstetricians and gynaecologists, a general surgeon, midwives, a dietitian, and physiotherapy services. This is where she has continued to practise until she founded Dubbo Pelvic Health Clinic in 2022.
Outside of her clinical role based in Dubbo, Natalie is an educator for the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s special interest group “Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health” and has previously undertaken the position of Vice Chairperson for the New South Wales Committee. Natalie has also had the very privileged position of working for Ms. Taryn Hallam (Physiotherapist) as a tutor for Women's Health Training Associates, both within Australia and internationally. She has also lectured with Urogynaecologist Professor Peter Dietz teaching on the topic of “Clinical Assessment of Levator Ani Avulsion”. Natalie has been an invited guest lecturer and tutor at the Australian Catholic University and Charles Sturt University on the topic of pelvic health for their undergraduate physiotherapy students.
More recently, Natalie has represented the Australian Physiotherapy Association as the physio advisor to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare developing the Clinical Care Standards for 3rd and 4th Degree Perineal Tears (associated with birthing). And this year, Natalie has been invited to be part of an international panel of experts undertaking a Delphi Study to develop running guidelines for postnatal women.
Ms Natalie McConochie is a preeminent industry leader with expert knowledge and skills in pelvic health, and hence has been a keynote speaker at the Continence Foundation of Australia Conference presenting on the topics of ‘Conservative Management of Levator Avulsion: Pessaries, PFMT, Lifestyle’ and ‘The elusive pelvic floor: Getting a consensus on anatomy, innervation, ligamentous support – changes through the life stages’. Natalie was also part of a panel of experts discussing birth trauma.
Natalie was an invited speaker at the Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference ‘Thrive’, and presented on the topics of ‘The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare: Clinical Care Standards for 3rd and 4th Degree Perineal Tears’ and ‘Levator Ani Avulsion’. Additionally, was an invited speaker to the Urogynaecological Society of Australasia Conference and presented on 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears associated with birthing.
Natalie is passionate about all things pelvic health - whether it be the truly inspirational stories of her patients, or the amazing physiotherapists and health professionals she has had the privilege to teach and mentor over the years.