2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
My name is Kylie Rankin. I am a mother to an incredible 13-year-old daughter, Lily, wife to my partner Jo, and I am the proud founder, director and owner of Pivotal Physiotherapy and Pilates in North Adelaide.
// Favourite inspirational quote
“Wherever you go, go with all of your heart”.
// Let’s get to know you
I have been a physiotherapist for the past 24 years and launched my business 14 years ago. I have grown the physiotherapy practice from a team of three to a team of 8 employees and have developed an inclusive physiotherapy specialised practice in pelvic health and rehabilitation. I treat all genders and offer specialised service in the areas of incontinence(bladder/bowel), pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse conservative management, fitting of vaginal support pessaries for prolapse, sexual health, pre/postpartum preparation and recovery and Pilates rehabilitation.
I am currently finishing my Masters in pelvic health and will have my Titling by mid this year. I am hoping to start Specialisation towards the end of this year and gain further training in sexology and sexual therapy. I currently am a lecturer and tutor for the Australian Physiotherapy Association and am involved in mentoring and supporting the upcoming physiotherapists in pelvic health. I have also been an educator for Polestar Pilates Australia over the past 14 years.
My business has become ingrained as part of the North Adelaide community and my team and I assist in improving the quality of people’s lives throughout all their life’s stages. I work closely with a wide range of specialist urologists, gynaecologists, colorectal surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, and GPs and collaborate with our patients for the highest standard of patient care.
// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
I feel it is an absolute privilege to hold safe space for people in my care. I love running a business that helps support and improve individual’s lives. Every day I wake up and look forward to being at work with my amazing team and even though my days are long (7am-6pm 6 days a week), I have so much gratitude to be doing something that brings me so much joy and happiness. I love inspiring my team and helping to impart knowledge to my team members and my patients. I want my physios to be their best and I want to empower my patients with the most evidence-based information to help them make informed choices about their health.
// Tell us more about what you are doing in your corner of the world that you are passionate about. What makes you stand out?
I love helping people. The people that come in to Pivotal to see me are really impacted by either pain or pelvic dysfunction, so this area of health care requires not only advanced knowledge from the practitioner, but an ability for them to support a person in their time of need with the utmost professionalism but also empathy, sensitivity and to be able to successfully collaborate with an individual to reach and meet their therapy goals. I believe that I stand out because I can hold safe space and really listen to a patient and their needs. I give comprehensive evidence-based information to allow empowerment and the ability for them to make informed choice regarding their health options. My practice has organically grown through word of mouth, and I feel so lucky to be able to provide a meaningful service that changes people’s lives.
// What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
I am really excited to accomplish my set goals and to keep building and educating my team of like-minded health care professionals in 2024. I am happy with the team size but have plans to slowly add a diverse health care team over the next 2 years. I look forward to seeing my business growth improve each month and I look forward to continuing my work and engaging with all of the different allied health/medical peers regularly in regard to the health collaborative management of our patients.
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
Working the in area of women’s health there is currently a gap in availability of postpartum health care for every woman. All postpartum women, I believe, should have 5 subsidised health care visits to a pelvic health physio made available to them after birth regardless of type of delivery. Women are often lost through the cracks of postpartum screening, and those who are in high risk for the development of prolapse, nerve injury, incontinence etc, following a traumatic delivery, miss out on early intervention that could minimise or avoid a progression of symptoms if managed earlier. Highlighting these issues and making services more affordable and accessible to all women will help improve the standard of health care in this population of women.
For Australian girls entering their teens, more diverse education regarding body autonomy, sex education without shame or stigma should also be given across the state. Knowledge is power and empowering girls through the adolescent period I believe is vital for reducing fear and body dysfunction later in life. The Pelvic Pain Foundation is currently running more programs about endometriosis and pelvic pain that has had a significant difference in reducing fear regarding pelvic pain in this cohort. Education is key and working together as educators, parents, carers and as part of the diverse fabric of our state, we can make such a positive change for the better quality of life for girls and women.
Get in touch with Kylie:
LinkedIn: Kylie Rankin
Website: www.pivotalphysio.com.au
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.