PHYSIOCURE® - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Physiocure Wins Ehlers Danlos UK Community Champion Award
Anna completed her BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy at the University of Liverpool and became a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1997. After graduating, Anna worked within the NHS until 2000 when she moved into the private sector, specializing in sports injuries and musculoskeletal problems. She also has had experience in lecturing to third year physiotherapy students at Huddersfield University as a guest lecturer for three years.
Anna regularly undertakes specialist post-graduate training, keeping up to date with current treatment techniques and research. Her treatment techniques include acupuncture, muscle imbalance, trigger point therapy, connective tissue manipulation and myofascial release, joint mobilisations, sports massage and pilates.
Her specialist areas are the shoulder, spinal care, hyper mobility and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
She become involved with HSD and hEDS after suffering with a poorly understood illness herself during pregnancy. This gave 9 months of being, and feeling, incredibly isolated. Many of the HSD and hEDS community too have these issues. Invisible illness can lead to much more than physical symptoms and the mental strain can take its toll. Supporting such individuals has made Anna strive to understand and gain knowledge of HSD and hEDS. It also helps that her husband is on the HSD and some of her family!!
Anna also started a graduated strength training and fitness programme (written by Tom of course!) in 2017 and has just started to do the Couch to 5K. She used to sprint competitively at school and never dreamt in her mid forties she would be back to running! The strength work has enabled this and lifting weights is fabulous if done correctly.
Congratulations to Anna at Physiocure on being recognised as an EDS UK Community Champion! The award was presented to Anna by Lisa, our West Yorkshire volunteer along with Sally, a Leeds member who was one of the people who nominated Anna for the award."
Read the full story at https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/news/anna-higo-is-our-first-community-champion-of-2023/
Claire has been part of the Physiocure® team since 2019. She works part-time around her work at the local hospital.
She has a BSc Hons Degree in Physiotherapy from Leeds Beckett University. This is her second Degree, the first being in Sport and Exercise Science from Sheffield Hallam, in which she also gained sports massage and soft tissue therapy qualifications.
Following her Physiotherapy Degree, Claire has worked full-time firstly at Bradford NHS Trust and now at Leeds NHS Trust.
She is a keen runner, hockey player and has enjoyed coaching children at multi-sports activities through Kings Camps UK in the past.
Claire has 2 roles at Physiocure® -
Jo Mugan has over 20 years experience of working as a podiatrist within the NHS and private sector. For the last 18 years she has specialised in the field of Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Podiatry and for the last 12 years she has further specialised in the assessment and treatment of children (Podopeadiatrics) whilst continuing to treat adult patients. Jo has previously worked as Biomechanics Team Leader and more latterly, the lead paediatric podiatrist for Leeds North West PCT and Harrogate and District Foundation Trust providing support for Podiatrists across North Yorkshire. She has spoken at many society branch meetings and also represented her profession at national conferences on the subject of podopaediatrics and recently contributed to the College of Podiatry's new guidelines on Children's Podiatry. Jo continues to be one of a small number of highly specialised podiatrists in the UK experienced in the treatment of orthopaedic, developmental and inflammatory conditions specific to children and has a special interest in hypermobility spectrum disorder. Jo remains committed to her own ongoing professional development, providing evidence based treatments where possible and getting the best result for her patients regardless of their age or mobility.
In her free time Jo enjoys spending time with her family and their dog and keeping fit.
Jo aims to provide bespoke Podiatry treatments for the whole family ranging from the assessment of a child with an unusual walking pattern to the athlete suffering with recurring foot/lower limb pain during activity. The feet have a large influence on the rest of the body as they are the foundation on which we stand and walk. Many musculoskeletal aches and pains therefore can be caused or made worse by feet that aren't functioning correctly. Podiatry intervention depends on numerous factors i.e. the developmental stage of the foot, activity level, footwear etc. Successful Podiatry treatments may include, advice and reassurance, footwear advice/modification, exercise programmes, taping, mobilisation/manipulation, functional/accommodative foot orthoses (insoles) and silicone splinting. Effective treatment aims to reduce or resolve symptoms whenever possible, reduce the risk of future injury/deformity and promote mobility for all.
Exercise has always been a passion of mine, starting from playing hockey, netball and rounders at school, to joining my local gym after having my second baby where I discovered my love for group exercise. So much so, that after baby's 3&4 I decided to embark on a journey which has now lasted almost 20 years! First, I qualified in the YMCA exercise to music level 2, followed by aqua exercise to music level 2 and with this I began teaching at local private health clubs in 1999 when my youngest 2 children started school. I wanted to push myself further and take on a new challenge so in 2003 I qualified as a Body Balance instructor with distinction, I have never looked back since!
Teaching Group exercise is so rewarding and seeing people progress with fitness, strength and flexibility is a wonderful feeling. I am a big believer in 'if you don't use it you lose it' and even if you can only manage a little, it's good.
I have had first-hand experience with recovery from hip surgery with my daughter undergoing 2 lots of hip surgery in 2015, where her surgery meant that she was unable to weight bare. Jodie undertook hydrotherapy and physiotherapy under the care of the Physiocure team. Taking part in hydrotherapy meant she could achieve so much more in the water than on dry land and this helped her immensely, seeing the effects of the hydrotherapy was amazing.
In 2017 I myself underwent a hip replacement after suffering with hip pain for a long time. My daughter was an inspiration to me and I aimed to follow her steps in my recovery, staying positive along the way. Getting in the water after surgery was just amazing and I believe that this was significant to my recovery, as well as the full support of the Physiocure team.
I am excited to share my experiences and the benefits of hydrotherapy with other patients and see them progress and develop. And to top it off, I will be working with such an inspirational team of people at Physiocure, it doesn't get any better than that!
Matt is a registered Sports and Exercise therapist, qualifying in 2010 from Leeds Metropolitan (now Beckett) University. He has been part of the Physiocure team for over 10 years and attends training courses and conferences with the Physiotherapy team. The last conference being Glasgow ISHA 2022 (International Society for Hip Preservation) which specialises in the field of hip arthroscopy, peri-acetabular osteotomy, femoro-acetabular impingement, hip dysplasia. Surgeons, Physiotherapists and Allied Health Professionals join together at these events to share and discuss research and current practice. Through his work with Physiocure and the orthopaedic surgery cases we see, this has enabled Matt to observe hip operations in theatre with local hip Surgeons.
Alongside his work at Physiocure, he works as a Sports Therapist with Leeds Rhinos Rugby Team, prior to this he was Head Therapist for Bradford Bulls. Matt is additionally a lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, teaching future therapist's skills and knowledge. This environment allows Matt to keep up to date with the latest research and treatments techniques allowing his treatment to be current and well backed with research.
With an MSc and BSc under his belt, Matt has worked in international, professional and amateur rugby union and league including England Rugby League senior squad, Leeds Rhinos, Great Britain Academicals and pioneers as well as West Leeds RUFC and Leeds Beckett rugby league.
In these roles, Matt has learned valuable skills such as injury diagnosis, prevention and management as well as pre and post event treatment. Treatment modalities such as deep tissue massage, acupuncture, ice massage, myofascial release and trigger point therapy, electrotherapy, taping and exercise prescription are some of the techniques deployed.
Matt has also been on 4 international tours including South Africa and Australia, and has also been involved with the North Queensland Cowboys (Australian NRL rugby league team) during the world club challenge which they subsequently became World Champions.
Matt's main passion when it comes to treatment is releasing tightness in muscles, aiming to improve posture, eliminate tension of specific muscle groups as well as dissipating aches and pains. Aches such as lower back ache as well as headaches and migraines are two of the common problems Matt treats with great success.
Matt has 2 roles at Physiocure® -
Job Titles:
- Chartered Physiotherapist
Nicola is a highly experienced Chartered Physiotherapist who qualified in 1994 and developed a special interest in musculoskeletal conditions, such as the spine, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle, lower limb problems and sports injuries.
The last 30 years has seen Nicola working in a variety of settings including the NHS, private hospitals, sports injury clinics and RAF Leeming; seeing in-patients and out-patients. She treats a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders which include spinal, shoulder, elbow problems in addition to her lower limb work, and sees many patients who have been referred to Physiocure by their Orthopaedic and Spinal Consultants or Sports Medicine Doctors.
Suzannah qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 2003 and is currently working towards her Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine. She works as a senior physiotherapist in the NHS and covers evening sessions at Physiocure®. Suzannah has completed post graduate courses in acupuncture and pilates and specializes in treating patients with musculoskeletal problems. Suzannah is a hand and wrist specialist Physiotherapist in the NHS and brings these valuable skills and experience into her private practice work at Physiocure®.
Job Titles:
- Physical / Injury Rehabilitation Trainer
- Physical Trainer / Injury Rehabilitation
Physiocure works alongside Tom Higo, Physical /Injury Rehabilitation Trainer and his team of Pilates, Strength Trainers, Personal Trainers and Corrective Exercise Specialists - also known as FITCURE. They are located in Bramhope, Leeds, a short drive from the Physiocure clinic, Cookridge, Leeds. Bookings to see the FITCURE team can be made through their website, where you can also view their profiles and find out more - click here.
Thomas qualified as a personal trainer in 2006 and has since developed a passion for the human body by regularly undertaking courses in exercise and nutrition. From the first one-to-one consultation he will be on hand, whenever you need advice, assistance, support, encouragement, or just a friendly ear.
Thomas has qualifications in BTEC National Certificate in Sports Performance and Excellence, CYQ Level 3 Personal Trainer, Level 3 Exercise and Weight Management, Level 3 Training Children and Adolescents, Level 3 Swiss Ball and Precision Nutrition Certified Nutritionist, UKSCA Foundation Spin Instructor.
In addition to the above qualifications, Tom has studied Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilisation (DNS), movement pattern assessment and correction strategies along with Postural Restoration approaches. He also keeps up to date with current research and techniques from all over the world and has been invited to present his specialist work with hip patients to Chartered Physiotherapists, Surgeons and Sports Doctors on many occasions.