OUR TEAM
experienced and caring
Mandy Avery - Founder of The Physiotherapy Clinic - Physiotherapist
MCSP, HPC, MMACP Grad.Dip.Phys, AACP
Qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1980, Mandy worked for 10 years in the National Health Service specialising in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. She qualified as a Manipulative Physiotherapist in 1986 and worked energetically in post-graduate education programme as a clinical supervisor, lecturer and adviser for the Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) until the mid 90's.
She set up her Private Practice in 1990 moving to its present location in Gosling Sports Park, Welwyn Garden City in 1992. Although experienced in the treatment of spinal pain , her work with professional and international players and riders through her association with The Lawn Tennis Association, The British Equestrian Federation, and The Womens England Volleyball Team has given her a great insight into the demands and stress put on the body through sport and the knowledge of how to achieve and maintain a high level of fitness for competition and when injured.
Her qualification as an Acupuncturist has been very complementary along side her other physiotherapy skills in the management of pain through injury with all her patients.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joanne Avery-Smith - Physiotherapist
MCSP, HPC, Grad.Dip.Phys, AACP
Jo trained at the Middlesex School of Physiotherapy, qualifying in 1992. She then continued at The Middlesex and UCH hospitals where she began to develop her interest in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She went onto take a postgraduate diploma in sports physiotherapy, which included working for two seasons with Richmond Rugby Club.
Jo then worked as a senior Physiotherapist at Chase Farm Hospital before deciding to go into the private sector. She has since worked as a private practitioner attending many specialist courses including acupuncture and clinical Pilates, which she regularly uses in conjunction with her physiotherapy techniques.
Jo has a particular interest in complex spinal problems treating them with a wide range of spinal and soft tissue techniques together with comprehensive maintenance programmes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beverley Brocklehurst - Physiotherapist
MCSP, HPC, MMACP, Grad.Dip.Phys
Beverley trained at the Queen Elizabeth School of Physiotherapy in Birmingham and qualified in 1990. Her first job was at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel where she developed an interest in the physiotherapy management of musculoskeletal injuries.
She used her considerable physiotherapy experience to work abroad in both the Seychelles and Brisbane Australia over the next 12 months. On her return she continued as a musculoskeletal specialist and undertook post graduate examinations in manipulation to gain membership of the Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MMACP) in 1999.
Beverley worked at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage for six years, achieving the post of Clinical Specialist. This role involved co-ordinating and developing the physiotherapy department, training for both staff and students.
She joined The Physiotherapy Clinic at Gosling in 2001 where her wealth of experience has benefited both the staff and patients and has helped to develop a Satellite clinic for acute injuries of staff and pupils at a local Secondary school in Hertfordshire.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerris Clarke - Physiotherapist
MCSP, HPC, Grad.Dip.Phys, AACP
Kerris qualified as a physiotherapist in 1991 from The Middlesex Hospital School of Physiotherapy. She worked in the NHS prior to having children where she specialised in neuromusculoskeletal problems, during this time she became the hand specialist for the regional hand unit based at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, working closely with both consultant hand and plastic surgeons. She was involved with the clinical education of both undergraduate student training and that of junior staff.
Kerris has been working here at the clinic for the past 10 years, treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems. With an interest in sports injuries she began working with Welwyn Rugby Club and has been team physio for the past 5 years gaining invaluable experience in acute injuries.
She has also worked for a local retail outlet as the company physio providing her with experience in ergonomic and occupational health physiotherapy. Throughout this period Kerris has been trained in the use of acupuncture which she finds invaluable for both pain relief and relieving muscle spasm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diana Whiteley - Physiotherapist
MCSP, HPC, BSC Hons Phys, AACP
At the age of 28 Diana decided to change her career completely in order to fulfil her ambition to be a Physiotherapist. She left her job in recruitment to start on the four year training at Hertfordshire University. Once qualified Diana worked at the Luton & Dunstable hospital becoming a Senior Physiotherapist after about 18 months. She worked in the Outpatient Department until she took a career break to have her daughter in 1999.
She returned part-time and quickly realised it was the right time to work in the private sector. Diana has now been working at the Physiotherapy Clinic for five years whilst also working at other clinics in Hertfordshire. During this time she has trained in Acupuncture which she finds very useful in the physiotherapy treatments.
She is also a qualified Pilates Instructor and runs group and one to one classes. She finds Pilates extremely valuable for those patients who suffer reoccurring back problems or ladies needing to regain muscular stability after having a baby. Diana is a member of the CSP and the AACP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarah Perry – Physiotherapist
MCSP, HPC,BSc Hons Phys, AACP,PPA
Sarah qualified from the Middlesex Hospital School of Physiotherapy and University College London in 1995. She started her career in York before moving back to London to specialise in musculoskeletal outpatients.
She also has a special interest in ergonomics and work related injuries. Sarah has worked as a Back Care Advisor, undertaking work station risk assessments and training staff in back care, ergonomics and manual handling. After the birth of her eldest son she moved back ‘home’ to Hertfordshire and worked for North Herts and Stevenage PTC providing treatment in units for the community, where she still works part time.
She has also worked in various private practices and hospitals in Hertfordshire, but has now joined The Physiotherapy Clinic at Gosling where her skills will highly complement the team of physiotherapists. She has a special interest in treating neck and back problems and finds her acupuncture a great asset.
Aside from her hands on treatment, Sarah feels getting to the root of the problem and giving sound advice is an equally important aspect of the treatment so that the patient and physio can work together to alleviate the symptoms.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruth Jenkins - Physiotherapist
MCSP, HPC, BSC Hons Phys, AACP
Ruth qualified in 1996, the first wave of therapists to emerge from the new course at University of Hertfordshire. She has worked in the NHS since then at Luton and Dunstable Hospital. Over the last 9 years Ruth has also worked at Private clinics and hospitals in Hitchin and Baldock and joined the team at The Physiotherapy Clinic in January 2007.
Most of the time Ruth works in a General Orthopaedic Outpatient department covering a wide range of conditions and injuries as well as working closely with an Orthopaedic Consultant in his lower limb clinic. In September 2000 Ruth started up a ‘Back to Fitness’ programme in the NHS for patients with acute and chronic low back pain.
She is also involved in a chronic pain management programme working closely with Psychologists, Nurse Specialists and Occupational Therapists. At present Ruth is training towards an Extende Scope Practitioner in the lower limb which involves sitting in on specialist Orthopaedic Consultant Clinics, attending study days and post graduate education.
On occasions Ruth does voluntary work with The Willow Foundation Charity looking after their fundraisers following events such as The London Marathon and London Triathlon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesley Sayliss - Physiotherapist
MSc, MCSP, FHEA, HPC Registered
Qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1986 after studying at The Middlesex Hospital School of Physiotherapy. Lesley has developed specialisms in Aquatic Therapy, Rehabilitation and Neurology whilst working in various NHS Specialist Hospitals including Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham and The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.
Lesley gained a Master's Degree in Physiotherapy (with Distinction) in 1995 from the University of East London, her research being undertaken in an aspect of Aquatic Therapy. She has been a member of the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists for almost 25 years and previously worked actively on the committee for 10 years.
Lesley currently also works as Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire (since 2003) and for Hertfordshire Community Health Services (NHS) - Neurological Rehabilitation Service, based in St.Albans and Welwyn.
Lesley originally established a Private Aquatic Therapy practice locally in Welwyn Garden City in 1999 and after a brief period of running this at a pool in Knebworth (2001-3) is now again delighted to be able to offer local Aquatic Therapy Services at Gosling Sports Park with the support of all the Therapists and Staff at The Physiotherapy Clinic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jonathan O'Neil - Sports Masseur
After a career spent in professional sport, working with major teams, events and facilities both in the UK and abroad, Jonathan took the decision to return to the performance side of sport by retraining as a sports and remedial masseur at the London School of Sports Massage (LSSM).
Having previously worked with international teams and athletes, including the Great Britain Cycling Squad during the Beijing Olympics, Jonathan quickly built up a reputation as a remedial masseur, particularly with professional cycling teams on races such as the Tours of Britain and Ireland. He also began to work with athletes from a range of sports in-between competition, helping them with recovery, injuries and muscle maintenance. As well as supporting the Metaltek pro cycling team throughout the season, this year Jonathan has worked with athletes at the London Marathon, Wimbledon and the London Triathlon. He currently advises the British Kendo squad.
As well as working with sportsmen and women at all levels of competition, Jonathan believes that sports and remedial massage can equally be of benefit to the less active, not only with injuries but helping them to maintain flexibility and movement and remain active longer, something he calls wellness maintenance. In an ageing population, and one in which desk-based computer working is the norm for many, Jonathan believes that keeping muscles in good working order through regular massage can significantly improve quality of life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bea Masters – Acupuncturist
BSc (Acupuncture), LicAc, MBAcC.
Bea qualified from the London College of Tradtional Acupuncture after three years' training. She has a Licentiate in Acupuncture and a First Class honours degree (BSc) in Traditional Acupuncture accredited by Portsmouth University. Her degree is validated by the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board BAAB. She is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and therefore bound by their codes of safety and ethics. She carries full professional indemnity, and public liability insurance cover.
Traditional acupuncture is a holistic therapy that works to balance mind, body and spirit. It has been used to stimulate the body’s own healing response for over 2000 years and nowadays more and more people are finding this long established therapy can be a valuable aid to improving their health.
She passionately believes that a person's state of well-being is best viewed from a holistic perspective. Chinese medicine theory provides this foundation upon which to base a solid and personalised treatment strategy for a patient's recovery. She has a wealth of experience in treating muscular disorders, particularly chronic disorders that are complicated with other health issues, working especially well with the physiotherapists in the team to offer patients the most suitable treatment.
Her particular area of interest is women’s health and she specialises in menstrual irregularities, fertility, pregnancy and menopause. More details of the conditions that respond favourably to acupuncture are available on her website www.beamasters.co.uk