Dr Brett Houlden (Chiropractor) and Dr Helen Sexton (Chiropractor) have a shared aspiration to improve the wellbeing of patients in their care and to promote health within their community.

Our Chiropractors

As owners and principal chiropractors, they also share a compelling motivation to continue the legacy of excellence in chiropractic care at the Bendigo Chiropractic Centre.

Both Brett and Helen have a longtime affiliation with the Bendigo Chiropractic Centre that extends way beyond their experience as the owners of this family business - both received chiropractic care in this very practice as children!

It's an interesting personal history that sustains their vision at Bendigo Chiropractic Centre, as they recognize the role that chiropractic care has played in their own lives. Together they have established a trusted partnership in delivering Chiropractic care in Bendigo.

All our chiropractors have completed a five-year university degree and are registered under AHPRA. In addition to this undergraduate training, our doctors of chiropractic have completed post-graduate studies in Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), a low force style of chiropractic. Our principal doctors are also certified in cranial techniques. At the Bendigo Chiropractic Centre, we have a commitment to ongoing professional development and the refinement of our skills.

Brett Houlden

Chiropractic has been part of Brett’s life for as long as he can remember. Brett grew up on a family farm just outside Bendigo. He watched his own siblings and parents benefit from chiropractic care.

These early experiences left Brett with a fascination for the complex connections within the body, the association between biomechanics and neurology which informs his own practice today.

Brett has been involved in teaching SOT throughout Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, USA and the UK over the last twenty years. He is a dedicated craniopath (working with the bones and joints of the skull) and continues to evolve his skills both in Australia and overseas. He continues to teach SOT and is an examiner for Sacro-Occipital Technique Australasia (SOTOA).

In 2013 Brett was awarded the SORSI (Sacro Occipital Research Society International) International Chiropractor of the Year award, acknowledging his contribution to world-wide education in the study of SOT. He has served as president of the SOT organisation in Australia, and has been awarded a life-time membership.

In 2008 Brett sat his American Chiropractic Neurology Board exams following the completion of a rigorous 2-year post graduate functional neurology program. He integrates these skills with over 30 years of clinical experience. His practice attracts a diverse range of people from different walks of life, and his passion and experience for whole body health including cranial adjusting has forged a reputation in providing gentle and effective care for whole families; newborns and young children to the not so young.

Raising kids and becoming involved in a whirlwind of sporting activities sparked Brett’s motivation maintain his own health and fitness. This personal quest drew him to the challenge of completing the New York Marathon in 2013, and more recently he has participated in half-ironman events. Brett has obtained the International Certificate in Sports Chiropractic (ICSC) and continues to foster his learning in the area of sports biomechanics.

Chiropractic philosophy has a resounding influence on Brett’s personal and professional life. The body’s incredible wisdom, healing capacity and the enormous potential that we are all capable of when our body and brain are in good relationship underpins this chiropractic message.

Brett feels the tremendous privilege of helping others achieve their health goals through chiropractic care.

Helen Sexton

Chiropractic profoundly influenced Helen as a child. Coming from a strong sporting family, her own introduction to this natural healing art was within the realm of sports performance. Chiropractic deeply resonated with all six siblings in her family, all of whom have studied Chiropractic.

As an adolescent she also began to understand the importance of a healthy nervous system during development and for general wellbeing. Pondering the big questions about health and wellness, mind-body interactions in all aspects of human behaviour, the study of chiropractic became an obvious and compelling career choice to Helen.

After completing her chiropractic studies at Philip Institute in Melbourne, Helen returned to her roots to begin an associateship at the Bendigo Chiropractic Centre in 1990 and bought the practice the following year.

Professional development and lifelong learning have marked Helen’s career in chiropractic. In 2006 she began the Functional Neurology Program offered by the Carrick Institute, a rigorous two-year program at the growing edge of the chiropractic profession.

Helen sat the American Chiropractic Neurology Board exams in Texas in 2006. She has since been involved in lecturing and continues to advance her studies in this area. Helen has served as an instructor for Sacro Occipital Technique Australasia (SOTOA), and she has also lectured in the recently established Diplomate Program for Chiropractic Neuro Paediatrics.

With over 25 year's experience living and breathing Chiropractic, Helen continues to be inspired by family practice. She believes now, more than ever, as science reveals even greater detail about the brain and body, chiropractic is uniquely placed to support families and individuals in their health care goals.

Liz Conlon

Liz joined the team at the Bendigo Chiropractic Centre in 2013, having studied Chiropractic at RMIT University in Melbourne obtaining a Bachelor of Health Science and a Masters in Clinical Chiropractic with distinction. Liz has a strong interest in family and paediatric care. Her ongoing professional development has been focused on gentle techniques to facilitate the chiropractic care of young, developing bodies. To further advance her knowledge in pregnancy and treating babies and young children she undertook a 2-year diplomate in paediatric neurodevelopment which was completed in 2020.

Liz has extensively studied Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT), acquiring basic, advanced and Craniopath certification. She is skilled in integrating cranial and myofascial release techniques to support the pre and post treatment of oral restrictions such as tongue ties. Liz remains committed to the continual refinement of her technique, skills and practice of Chiropractic. She is also certified in Activator Methods Technique and has completed the foundation course through the Tongue Tie Institute.

Having been a competitive equestrian most her life, Liz is passionate about helping other horse riders maintain an even, balanced seat. She does this through specific adjustments and targeted home care exercises. When Liz is not at work, you’ll often find her at home with her horses or out competing her large chestnut horse Beau representing the Bendigo and District Family Equestrian Group.

Georgia Ryan

When Georgia sought Chiropractic care for neck and shoulder pain associated with the postures and pressures of student life at high school, it became very clear she had also discovered her career path.

The philosophy of Chiropractic resonated strongly with Georgia, and she embraced her studies at RMIT, Melbourne completing a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Clinical Chiropractic, graduating with distinction. Georgia began professional life practising in Nunawading and Clayton. In 2018 she joined the team at the Bendigo Chiropractic Centre.

This practice has been a great personal and professional fit for Georgia. She has always enjoyed working with kids and families and has recently completed a 2-year Diplomate of Paediatric Neuro Development. This continued professional development in the paediatric realm underpins Georgia’s commitment to excellence in the chiropractic management of babies and children. This includes the assessment in different aspects of development, including posture, tone, balance and coordination. She has also successfully undertaken advanced certification in Sacro-Occipital technique and continues to study and develop her skills in this area.

Georgia is a versatile practitioner. She manages to draw broadly on a range of techniques and chiropractic approaches in providing outcomes for the people in her care. She has a warm, approachable style and welcomes patients from all stages of life.

Bridget Houlden

Bridget grew up in a family of chiropractors in Bendigo and this shaped her philosophy on health and life in general. After finishing her chiropractic studies at RMIT in Melbourne, Bridget ventured to the UK to sit her board exams and practice in London, before spending time in a busy paediatric and pregnancy-focused chiropractic centre in Newcastle, NSW. Bridget loves adjusting people from all walks of life, though she has a soft spot for kids, babies and pregnant mums.

Bridget's further qualifications include a Postgraduate Diplomate of Chiropractic Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics as well as being a Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) certified Advanced Practitioner