Emma Park is a highly experienced Clinical Nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner dedicated to supporting neurological recovery, rehabilitation, and long-term vitality through evidence-based, personalised nutrition and lifestyle care.
Emma’s clinical foundation is rooted in Functional Nutritional Medicine, an approach that seeks to uncover and treat the underlying drivers of illness, not just symptoms — including gut imbalance, metabolic and biochemical dysfunction, immune system challenges, and inflammation, all of which influence nervous system health and recovery potential.
Her professional journey began with a lifelong fascination with nutrition, leading Emma to complete a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutritional Medicine and step directly into clinical practice. Over the years, her expertise has naturally grown to include gut health, microbiome medicine, immune resilience, metabolic balance and regenerative health strategies — all integral components of supporting neurological healing and rehabilitation.
Emma’s commitment to whole-person care also drew her into training in psychotherapy and life coaching, deepening her understanding of how emotional regulation, stress biology and behavioural patterns intersect with recovery and wellbeing.
In addition to her clinical practice, Emma spent eight years as Clinical Educator for Qiara Probiotics, where she led education for health professionals in microbiome science, pregnancy and early life health — emphasising the foundational role the gut-immune-brain connection plays across the lifespan.
In late 2022, Emma’s clinical focus expanded even further following her partner’s severe spinal cord injury. Navigating the rehabilitation journey firsthand deepened her insight into the challenges faced by families and individuals living with neurological conditions, and inspired her to integrate targeted regenerative approaches into her clinical toolbox. Through this lived experience, and ongoing study, Emma now incorporates advanced modalities such as:
• Functional nutrition and lifestyle medicine tailored to recovery physiology
• Evidence-based peptide protocols (oral and injectable where appropriate)
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for cellular support and healing
• Plant medicines, including medicinal mushrooms and CBD
• Stem cell-activating phototherapy and other biomodulation tools
Returning to clinical practice in 2024, Emma combines these advanced strategies with deep nutritional insight and compassion to support clients at all stages of their health journey — from acute neurological injury to long-term recovery, performance optimisation, and healthy ageing.
At The Next Step, Emma’s work is deeply aligned with the TNS philosophy: supporting the nervous system to recover, adapt and thrive, prioritising resilience, participation and quality of life above limitations and diagnosis.
Through personalised, multidisciplinary care, Emma helps clients not just manage conditions, but pursue optimal health, vitality, purpose and joy, no matter where they begin.
Emma offers both Zoom and in person appointments, with in clinic sessions available Wednesday afternoons at The Next Step.
At The Next Step Recovery and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, our mission is to provide tailored programs and services for athletes recovering from spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions. Our Athlete Scholarship Program secures generous funding for athletes without financial support.
