Meet Clare

Qualifications

BSc Hons Physiotherapy, Certified Pilates Instructor

Specialist Fields

Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor

Background

I have been working as a chartered physiotherapist for fourteen years since qualifying in 2003. Over that time I have been lucky enough to work in a variety of clinical settings which has given me excellent insight into a wide range of patients, conditions and rehabilitation techniques. I started out in the NHS where I worked for five years, going on to specialise in musculoskeletal disorders, (problems with joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves and bones) and trauma and orthopaedics (surgery involving these same structures). I then spent time in private practice gaining experience in treating sports injuries before moving on to work for The Fire Fighters Charity, a residential rehab centre in Devon offering services to fire fighters and their families.

I have completed a large number of post graduate courses in manual therapy, functional movement, hydrotherapy, kinesiotaping, orthopaedic medicine, clinical education and Pilates.

I am a certified matwork Pilates teacher, experienced in teaching all ages and abilities. Pilates is an amazing way of restoring normal movement and as a physiotherapist I use my knowledge to modify the exercises so it really does have something to offer everyone.

In 2015 I spent a fantastic year in Melbourne, Australia, and it was here that I discovered Large Equipment Pilates. Large Equipment Pilates involves performing Pilates movements on pieces of kit known as the reformer, the split pedal chair, the arc barrel and the trapeze, also known as the cadillac. Having used this method to rehab my own back injury, (thank you twenty nine hour flight), I began my formal Pilates equipment training in Melbourne. I have recently returned to work following the birth of my little boy and myself and my colleague Jo Roberts run the Large Equipment Pilates Service at The Courtyard Clinic.

In my spare time I love to keep fit and active. I am an ex retained fire fighter for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and was a volunteer for the State Emergency Service in Australia. My future plans are to volunteer for UK-Med, a charity developing and deploying clinicians and allied health professionals to support international emergency response.