Physiotherapy in Darley Abbey – Sports Injury & Massage Clinic Near Derby

Rachel set up Impact in 2000 and has loved 25 years of working within a great team.

As well as her commitments with Impact Physio, Rachel works with the Sport Rehabilitation & Physiotherapy undergraduates at The University of Nottingham as an Assistant Professor.

We’re delighted to offer opportunities for these students from Nottingham as well as The University of Derby Sports Therapy students who support us every year at our local events, the Robin Hood Half Marathon and the Derby 10k raising funds for local charities and good causes.

Louise qualified in 1991 and built a great base of knowledge working in the NHS for 10 years covering a wide spectrum of areas from A and E, to mental health, respiratory and paediatrics.

Chris has been part of our team since 2010. He has a holistic approach to patient centred care and an interest in lifestyle medicine.
His clinical role includes working as a Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioner within the Erewash Health Primary Care Hub.

He is a Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga teacher, also a certified Barefoot Movement Coach. Chris is trained in a variety of rehabilitation and manual therapies, also providing some complementary therapies to support wellbeing, including Reflexology, CranioSacral Therapy and Indian Head Massage.

In his spare time, he also enjoys stand-up paddle boarding, trail running and open water swimming.

“I like to understand the mechanisms which prevent an injury from recovering and use a variety of treatment techniques to correct any contributing factors, whilst targeting the source of the pain.”

Alan is based at both our Long Eaton and Derby Arena clinics and also part of our FCP team, based at Littlewick Medical Centre.

After qualifying as a chartered physiotherapist in 1999 Alan spent the best part of 15 years in the NHS covering a variety of specialities before settling into out-patient work in GP practices in Leicester. He spent over 10 years in the GP physio team, becoming Clinical Team Lead before relocating to Derby and to private practice.

In recent years Alan has worked in Occupational Health teams around the East Midlands focussing on keeping staff fit and working, or assisting them to return to work as soon as possible. He has a side-interest in performing arts medicine. Alan now works with us full-time at Impact, part of our FCP team and in clinic.

Based in Long Eaton & Pride Park offering physio and Pilates, Fiona is also currently studying a masters degree at Keele. Fiona also offers acupuncture for pain relief as part of her treatment.

Fiona qualified from Newcastle upon Tyne School of Physiotherapy in 1983 and then worked in Australia specialising in sports injuries and back and neck problems.

She worked at the Nottingham City Hospital as a senior before heading into private practice and joining Impact Physio in 2007.

Fiona is also a qualified Pilates Instructor at Pilates Body and performs acupuncture for pain relief.

“I enjoy updating my skills and relish a challenge”

Gregor graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy and specialises in MSK injuries and conditions.

Gregor comes from a background of competing internationally in Triathlon and applies his knowledge of elite sports with relevant patients. Since graduating, as well as working in the NHS Gregor has worked in a wide variety of sporting environments including premier league hockey and supporting international ultra-marathons with swimming clubs.

Alongside working Gregor is also completing a master’s degree in advanced clinical practice MSK management, which is widening his knowledge of assessment and treatment methods.

Improving the quality of life and self-management of pelvic health problems is of paramount importance to me. I know the impact pelvic health problems can have on your overall well being, so there’s no greater satisfaction when I’m able to share my knowledge and experiences to help you take back control.

With a wealth of experience in this specialist field, I enjoy working and progressing the Women’s and Men’s Health service at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Since graduating from the University of Keele (2003) with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy, I attained a Post Graduate Certificate in ‘Continence for Physiotherapists’ from the University of Bradford (2011).

I am a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP), The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a member of the Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) special interest group and The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP)

When not at work, I am usually to be found constructing something out of Lego or playing superheroes with my two young children!

Pete is a physio with over 20 years experience, he has spent most of his career working in a musculoskeletal setting for the NHS.

Pete has also worked in a variety of sports settings. He worked with us originally setting up our service at the University of Derby.

He then moved to The University of Nottingham working with our colleagues at the Sports Injury Clinic for a few years. Pete has also worked in Occupational Health and recently finished working as a First Contact Physiotherapist in a GP practice.

Currently Pete’s main role is in a Chronic Pain Team, working with people with long term and often very debilitating pain, as well as assessing patients referred to the Spinal Interface Service. Pete has recently rejoined our team to offer a clinic on a Monday night in Long Eaton, Home Visits in the Nottingham area and is part of our Pilates team.

In his spare time, he is a grassroots football coach (with his son’s team), and if he’s not ferrying his kids around to various sporting activities, he will be out running with his running group (or the dog).

I have a specialist interest in hand therapy and am aware of the importance that being able to use our hands independently has on our level of function.

I qualified with a BSC Hons in Physiotherapy from The University of Birmingham in 1996. I have worked in the NHS since then, initially at QMC in Nottingham.

After completing the core rotations at QMC I then worked as a locum at various locations for 2 years before starting as a rotational MSK physiotherapist at LRI in Leicester in 2002. I have worked in the MSK outpatients department at LRI for 2 years and then specialised in hands, burns and plastics in 2004.

I am still based at LRI as a clinical specialist in hands, burns and plastics. I am qualified to use acupuncture and have also completed many courses in hand therapy. I am keen to use my specialist knowledge in upper limb pathologies to provide a valuable service. Due to the links with plastic surgery I am also interested in post op care for those following breast reconstruction after a mastectomy and also in care and rehab following neck dissection for head and neck cancer.

Rachel offers visits to the home for those who are unable to attend our clinics and also is based part-time at our Long Eaton site.

Rachel graduated from Cardiff University in 2000. Since qualifying she has worked within both the NHS and private sector to treat musculoskeletal conditions, this has allowed her to gain a wealth of experience when treating people with a variety of conditions. She currently works treating musculoskeletal conditions in an out patient setting and rehabilitating people post injury / post operatively both immediately in a ward setting and in an out patient rehabilitation gym.

In recent months she has taken these skills and is able to offer home base domiciliary treatment for those people that would prefer treatment in the comfort of their own home.

Fran has been a physio for almost 20 years, qualifying from The University of Birmingham in 2006.

Fran’s passion was always to work in sports physiotherapy. She spent the foundational years post graduation working across two different NHS trusts in the Midlands, largely specialising in Outpatient Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy to consolidate a really strong foundation.

Alongside this NHS work she worked within cricket with Disability teams (visually impaired and physical disability) as well as in the Women’s and Girls pathway.
She did further study to focus on sport completing an MSc at Sheffield Hallam in Sport Injury Management and Therapy. For the last 8 years has worked full time in elite sport within Men’s County Cricket and currently in Women’s Football.

Fran loves all things sport related, both watching and playing (having picked up golf recently). She also loves a good coffee or beer, sunsets and hiking as well as getting out and about with her camera!

George comes from a background of competing internationally in Rowing. He has a keen interest in endurance based activities and uses this knowledge in relevant patient groups.

George graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc (hons) in Physiotherapy. Since graduating George has worked mainly in the NHS in a range of settings. This has given him experience with providing excellent care to patients with upper limb and spinal, lower limb, rheumatological and post operative problems.
George is a keen advocate for always utilising a holisitic approach to treatment and patient experience.

George is passionate about helping people get increasingly active and working collaboratively with patients of all levels in order to achieve their personal goals.

Sara graduated from Brunel University in 2007 with a BSc in Sports Technology, she moved to Loughborough and completed a MSc in Sports Biomechanics in 2009.

She has since qualified in Sports and Remedial Massage Therapy level 5 and is a full member of the Institute of Sports and Remedial Massage, ISRM.

Toby graduated from the University of Nottingham with a 1st class BSc (Hons) in Sport Rehabilitation. His degree included training in soft tissue therapy, allowing him to practice at and beyond the level of a Level 4 Massage Therapist through his BASRaT registration.

Toby joins the clinic as a Graduate Sport Rehabilitator and Sport Massage Therapist, with a strong interest in injury rehabilitation and athletic performance. Alongside his MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine, he has worked with the Nottingham Panthers’ medical team as well as the University of Nottingham Rugby Union and Hockey teams.

With a sporting background in Football and Futsal and having ran the Robin Hood Half Marathon, Toby brings his personal insight into injury management taking a person first approach to his practice.

Sally is a registered and practicing Physiotherapist, Movement Coach, and an ex Professional Dancer.

Sally trained in the UK and has been practicing physiotherapy since 2002. She started her Pilates journey in 2003, setting up her own mat classes in London, and has been teaching ever since. She has been based in Sydney for the last 19 years, where she set up her business ‘Pro-align’ which provided physiotherapy, exercise rehab classes and personal training services.

Sally combines her continuing love of exercise rehab, fitness and physiotherapy knowledge to provide innovative and results driven sessions for her clients.

Sally’s motto is “Movement is the key to health!”

Abbie graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2023 with a 1st class degree, BSc (Hons) in Sports Rehabilitation. Abbie also gained her Level 3 Sports Massage Qualification.

Abbie offers a sport massage clinic at the Derby Arena on a Friday afternoon / evening. Abbie has also joined our Pilates Instructor team and covers classes at Long Eaton on a Tuesday evening.
She also is the Graduate Sport Rehabber for Derby County Community Trust’s new Female Talent Pathway offering support with pitch side trauma and players rehabilitation from injury.

Helen qualified as a Physiotherapist (BSc Hons) from Coventry University in 1992 and has over 25 years experience of working with patients with Neurological disorders in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Helen continues to work part-time within the NHS whilst having an independent caseload as a privately practicing Physiotherapist.

Helen initially joined the Impact Physiotherapy team to cover matwork and equipment Pilates classes, she is trained with APPI (Australian Association of Physiotherapists practicing Pilates) doing level 1 and 2 matwork courses, 3D standing and hyper-mobility courses.

Helen is also available to see individual patients for assessment and treatment. She has a special interest is treating patients with neurological conditions, head injuries and balance disorders, especially patients with dizziness and imbalance; offering both vestibular and visual rehabilitation.

Helen has worked for the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME service in Derby since 2005 and has developed skills in fatigue management based on Graded Exercise and a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach, she is also experienced in the management of chronic pain alongside the Chronic fatigue syndrome with patients with a dual diagnosis of CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia.

Danni is an experienced physiotherapist in musculoskeletal physiotherapy with experience in treating spinal pain, arthritis and rheumatological complaints, chronic pain, hand injuries, women’s health, sports injuries and post-operative rehabilitation.

She has worked both in the private sector and in the NHS and is confident in working with specialist consultants, General Practitioners and other health professionals.

She has completed her Masters degree in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and her MACP (Musculoskeletal Association Chartered Physiotherapists) registration.

Pilates

Danni offers Pilates mat work classes at Long Eaton. She combines a masters qualification in Physio with special interest in pain management with Pilates exercise for those who prefer not to use the large Pilates equipment.

“For patients under my care, I have a sensitive approach to your needs but will set realistic goals in conjunction with your aims of physiotherapy to achieve the best results possible.”

Marcus is based at our Long Eaton clinic. Qualified for over 15 years with a SMA level 4. Marcus enjoys helping both sports and non sporting individuals.

Marcus is a highly qualified, versatile therapist and masseur with a decade of experience ranging from working in elite team sports environments to treating club-level sports people and members of the public.

He has an excellent sporting background as a nationally ranked Judo player, a discipline in which he has attained the rank of competitive black belt 3rd dan. His involvement in the sport taught him the importance of massage to aid injury prevention, as well as its benefits as an effective aid to performance and rehabilitation.

Between 2008 and 2011, Marcus was employed by Notts County Football Club as Head Sports Therapist and was a member of the first team staff during Notts’ League Two Championship winning 2009-10 season. His time managing the individual requirements of a squad of players through highly demanding football seasons gave him an insight into the psyche of professional sportspeople, as well as teaching him the importance of tailoring treatment to an individual’s needs.

Having worked at high profile events in the entertainment industry, Marcus is experienced at dealing with clients of all levels and needs. Performers have to be able to cope with the aches and pains of repetitive performance and relentless travel, and Marcus has worked with artists ranging from Iron Maiden and WWE Wrestling to Girls Aloud and the cast of ‘Chicago’!

Now working in private practice, Marcus gains a great deal of enjoyment from using his knowledge and skills to help other people, whether that’s by assisting their performance in competitive sport or helping them to cope with the stresses and strains of modern day life.

And now has forged further links in the Local Nottingham Sports Fraternity, Working with West Bridgford Rugby Club and the Jawaid Khaliq Boxing Club

Paul has worked clinically in a range of fields including musculoskeletal and acute sports rehabilitation and chronic pain management.

He has clinical expertise in areas of spinal pain and chronic and complex pain conditions.

Mariangela is a qualified Hatha Yoga instructor with a 15-year teaching experience.

Mariangela practiced initially in Italy as an Iyengar Yoga instructor, highlighting her attention to alignment and precision during the practice. She came over to England and joined our team 6 years ago.

Mariangela has always thought that Yoga shouldn’t be only for an “elite”, but it should be integrated in everyone’s everyday life. Therefore, she worked for 15 years to bring Yoga in schools (from nursery to high school) and to seniors, making sure that the practice was fit for each person and adapted to everyone’s needs. In her years of teaching, she has learned to help people overcoming physical issues (backache, joint pains etc.) and the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

She also worked on the athletic training of junior and master swim team for UISP (Italian Sport Union) in Orvieto.

“I believe that a strong bond between teacher and pupils is the foundation of a successful class, so I’m always eager to establish a connection with my students.”

When you first make contact with us at impact, its highly likely that you will speak / email / message this team.

Sandie is instrumental with ensuring things move smoothly and herding us physio’s!

When you first make contact with us at impact, its highly likely that you will speak / email / message this team.

We will do our best to book you a convenient prompt appointment or deal with any enquiries you might have.

Julie is part of the powerhouse, based at our Long Eaton hub.

If you contact us, then there’s every chance you’ll speak to Julie. Julie is based at our long Eaton clinic Monday to Wednesday.