Mike Chisholm
Chartered Specialist & State Registered Physiotherapist
Qualifications
BHSc., MSc., MMACP, MCSP, HCPC.
Mike has been a Chartered Physiotherapist for the last 23 years. He has always been a therapist who constantly strives to further his knowledge and skills and absolutely loves what he does. He is passionate that his patients should have an exceptional treatment experience and understand how they can work together in a partnership to get back to where they want to be.
Throughout his career, Mike has worked extensively with elite athletes in situations where performance and teamwork matter. This has influenced Mike’s approach to physiotherapy. He brings an extensive ‘toolkit’ of manual skills and treatment methods to every session born out of a desire to achieve the best results for his patients. This enhanced experience alongside his own learning means that as well as helping you recover from injury or pain, he promotes self management strategies for injury prevention and works with you towards performance enhancement.
This work with elite performance athletes started in 1999 when Mike was a physiotherapist with the Royal Ballet Company, becoming Head of Physiotherapy in 2001. In 2002, he left the company to pursue his interest in sports physiotherapy but since this time he has continued to work extensively with dancers and actors from West End shows.
In sport, Mike first worked with the GB Rowing Team in 1999 and has worked as a contractor with British rowing over a span of 15 years. The London 2014 Games was his 4th Olympic cycle working with the squad. In 2005, Mike accepted a post with the English Institute of Sport (EIS) at Bisham Abbey in Marlow. He worked for the EIS for 9 years both as a full time member of staff and as a contractor and in that time has treated athletes from 31 Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and Home Nation disciplines. In 2007, he was appointed Lead Physiotherapist to the GB Paralympic Rowing Team and accompanied them to the Beijing games.
In more diverse roles, in 2011 Mike started working with a front row Formula 1 team for whom he still provides physiotherapy services to the wider team both at Grand Prix races and at the factory. He has also worked on The Social Network during filming at Henley Royal Regatta.
Since completing his MSc. and MACP (Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapists) post graduate qualifications in 1998, Mike has continued to enhance his clinical practice by learning from those at the forefront of manual therapy and exploring alternative methods of treatment.
He has recently become a Neuro-kinetic Therapy (NKT) 'Master' clinician with many hundreds of hours of study and teaching of the technique under his belt. NKT looks at the 'wiring' the body has and how this affects the way that muscles interact with each other to produce patterns of movement. This 'wiring' circuit can become disrupted by pain. NKT uses specific exercises to re-programme the muscles.
In 2007, Mike was first introduced to the use of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) and found it to be unparalleled in its effectiveness in treating the musculoskeletal system.
He continued to develop his own understanding of IASTM by learning as much as he could about the body’s fascial network. His research and studying reached fruition in 2012 when, in collaboration with Donna Strachan DC and Kay Pearce DC, Kinnective was born. Since its inception Kinnective has gone on to provide training to the physiotherapy teams at a number of prestigious institutions including:
England Rugby Welsh Rugby England Football English Institute of Sport The Royal Ballet Company.
As well as instructing for Kinnective, Mike has lectured and taught nationally on the fascial system at a number of conferences. He is also involved in research at Leicester University.
Mike is also trained in acupuncture for musculoskeletal conditions and in 2013 qualified in Intramuscular Stimulation (Gunn I.M.S) a system of acupuncture developed for the diagnosis and treatment of soft-tissue pain and is registered with the AACP.
Mike is director of The Physio Studio in Binfield, Berkshire alongside his wife Rebecca who is also a physiotherapist, specialising in Neurology. They also have two young sons. As well as running the practice, he continues to teach NKT and Kinnective techniques to other therapists at weekends as well as working as a contractor for the Red Bull Formula 1 Racing Team.
Before pursuing physiotherapy, Mike was a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Air Force. It was part way through his Navigator training in 1992 when a cruciate knee ligament injury forced him to reconsider his career options. It was through his rehabilitation that he saw physiotherapy as his chosen career path.
Suzanne Gibson
Chartered Specialist & State Registered Physiotherapist
Qualifications
Bsc. (Hons) Physiotherapy 1996. MCSP, HCPC, Chartered and State Registered Physiotherapist
Suzanne has been working as a physiotherapist for over 21 years graduating in 1996. Having worked extensively within the NHS and the private sector she has a particular interest in the neck, upper limb and hands. Suzanne is also a trained Acupuncturist and Pilates Instructor, as well as treating the full range of conditions from back problems to sports injuries and post-op rehabilitation.
Suzanne brings an extensive range of manual skills and treatment methods to every session with the aim to achieve the absolute best outcome for every patient. She is especially focussed on posture and how the whole body works in unison, having treated a wide range of people from elite team GB athletes, to the elderly, and people disabled with chronic pain.
Suzanne has two children and ran her own physiotherapy clinic before moving to the area to get married. She enjoys keeping fit going to the gym, running and yoga. She has completed two half marathons, and in her younger days was a national swimmer.
Suzanne joined us at The Physio Studio in February 2018 as the clinic expanded.
Neha Kholia
Chartered Specialist Physiotherapist & Pilates Instructor
Qualifications:
BSc, MCSP, HPC, APPI Pilates instructor
Neha graduated from Brunel University in 2006 in Physiotherapy. After graduating, she worked for the NHS and later joined the private sector in 2011. Her experience working in teaching hospitals, community hospitals and private clinics has developed a broad base of expertise.
Neha specialises in all aspects of musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions and has a particular interest in treatment of TMJ pain, facial palsy & chronic pain. She recognised the rehabilitation benefits of Pilates and therefore went on to complete her training with the Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institution (APPI). Using this pilates training, she provides 1:1 sessions as well as group classes. She also completed postgraduate qualification in acupuncture.
Neha is keen to keep up to date with current research and evidence which she implements into her treatment with all patients. She works closely with consultants and other health care professionals to ensure appropriate and optimal care is provided.
Neha has been a member of the Physio Studio team for 5 years.
Michaela Smith
Chartered Specialist & State Registered Physiotherapist & Pilates Instructor
Qualifications
BSc (Hons)., Physiotherapy, MCSP, APPI Matwork instructor, Post-Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy, HCPC.
Michaela completed her degree and qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 2007. She then followed this up by completing a two-year Post-Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the Royal Veterinary College. Michaela now divides her time between working as a “human” Physiotherapist and a Veterinary Physiotherapist.
Michaela qualified as a Pilates Instructor with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute in 2008 and has been teaching regular classes locally ever since. Michaela’s classes involve gentle mat-based exercises designed to strengthen the core muscles of people who suffer with back pain or dysfunction and those recovering from back injuries and/or surgery. These classes are also suitable for anybody looking for a gentle form of exercise to improve their core strength, balance and general muscle function.
Michaela is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP) and the Health Professions Council (HPC) and a Category A member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT). Michaela’s work is covered by full professional and public liability insurance.
We are fortunate to have had Michaela in the team since 2 January 2016.
Rebecca Chisholm
Chartered Neurological & State Registered Physiotherapist
Qualifications
BSc (Hons). Physiotherapy, MCSP, HCPC
Rebecca graduated as a Physiotherapist in 2000, choosing to specialise in Neurology soon after. She has worked with neurological patients in specialist hospital rehab units and community neuro rehabilitation settings since then. Her extensive experience covers all aspects of neuro rehabilitation treating Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons Disease and any other neurological condition. She also uses these skills to treat more general elderly or falls rehabilitation patients.
Through post graduate study Rebecca has developed an enriched assessment and treatment approach. She brings together a range of evidence based techniques to each session and takes the time to listen and focus on each patients personal goals. This function based approach is underpinned by having completed her training in the Bobath Concept which focusses on restoring more normal movement patterns to make movements less effortful and of a better quality.
Rebecca is also one of only 26 fully certified clinicians in the UK to be trained in a method called LSVT ‘BIG’ which is proven in the treatment Parkinsons Disease and other neurological conditions. LSVT ‘BIG’ has its roots in the Lee Silvermann Voice Techniques (LSVT) well known to doctors and used by speech therapists with success in the treatment of speech difficulties in Parkinsons. Similarly, the LSVT ‘BIG’ method is an intensive 4 week whole body training programme that seeks to re-calibrate the brain’s sensory awareness. In Parkinsons disease, movements can become too small or lose freedom so the programme uses the principle that the brain can change and learn by having one simple goal to focus on – ‘THINK BIG’. It has been shown to radically change the way the body experiences and produces everyday movement to minimise the impact of the disease and allow you to move as freely as possible, for as long as possible.
Pilates can also be used in the treatment of neurological conditions and Rebecca has an APPI mat work certification to use Pilates with individual neuro patients on a 1:1 basis.
At the Physio Studio, we have ramp access and a large fully equipped gym and Pilates studio which provides a spacious and relaxing rehabilitation space.
Alongside her husband Mike Chisholm, Rebecca is also the Practice Manager and director of The Physio Studio. She splits her time between bringing up their 2 young sons and working clinically and as a Director. They enjoy their time off from the Studio by camping or visiting the Isles of Scilly!
Ali Nisbet (Pilates Instructor)
Pilates Instructor and physiotherapist
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy. MCSP, HCPC, AACP, APPI Fully Certified Pilates Instructor
Qualifying in 2002, Ali is a musculoskeletal physiotherapist with extensive training as a fully certified Modified Pilates and rehabilitation instructor through the APPI (Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute). She has worked in the NHS and private sector, starting her career at Heatherwood and Wexham Park NHS Trust, moving into private practice in 2009. She has a special interest in spinal rehabilitation and lower limb biomechanics using her core stability skills to assist the restoration of function through movement.
Ali enjoys her sport having completed the River Dart 10km swim in 2015 coming 4th in her age category and took part in the 57 mile walk ‘Race to The King’ in 2016 raising money for Great Ormond Street and The Kings College Hospital Brain Injury Unit
Stephanie Sanvitale (Pilates Instructor)
Pilates Instructor and Chartered Physiotherapist)
Qualifications
MCSP HCPC AACP, APPI Fully Certified Pilates Instructor
Stephanie is an experienced physiotherapist who has also trained extensively with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI) to become a fully certified Modified Pilates instructor – an additional tool which is invaluable in assisting recovering patients to help themselves enhance and maintain their fitness.
She is an experienced Chartered Physiotherapist who has worked extensively in both the NHS and private practice.
She also qualified as a musculoskeletal acupuncture practitioner with the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP)
Kirsty Hunter (nee Myles)
Chartered Specialist & State Registered Physiotherapist
Qualifications
MSc, BSc (Hons) MCSP, HPC Registered, MAACP
Kirsty qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist from Oxford Brookes University in 2009 and completed her Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health at University College London in 2019.
Since qualifying Kirsty has worked within the NHS, private practice and as a running coach. Kirsty has a keen interest in biomechanical dysfunctions and adopts an individualised problem solving approach to each patient. Exercise forms an integral part of Kirsty’s practice and she also utilises instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM), acupuncture and manual therapy techniques.
Kirsty has a strong sporting pedigree predominantly in rowing, representing Great Britain at junior through to senior level. Having been forced to retire with a back injury in 2011 she turned to triathlon in 2014. She successfully represented Great Britain at European and World Championship level from Sprint distance through to Ironman 70.3. Her sports rehabilitation background has been invaluable when working alongside active patients in rowing, running, rugby and triathlon.
As well as working at The Physio Studio Kirsty works as a contractor for the Great Britain Rowing Team and is an Associate Lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University.
Specialist Interest groups: Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP)
Michelle Pizura (Pilates Instructor)
APPI Certified Pilates Teacher
Qualifications
MSc Physiotherapy, BSc Physiotherapy, MCSP, APPI Pilates Certified, Schroth Best Practice Certified Practitioner
Michelle completed her undergraduate physiotherapy degree in 1995 and her Masters degree in 2003 – specializing in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and working in outpatients at Wexham Park Hospital and the Royal Berkshire Hospital. After taking a career break to bring up her two children, Michelle trained in the APPI Clinical Pilates method as a tool to assist musculoskeletal rehabilitation. She now teaches small classes with the emphasis on posture and functional exercises which help clients to maintain fitness whilst managing their conditions with appropriate exercises. Michelle has a special interest in adult scoliosis and is certified in the Schroth Best Practice method for the conservative management of scoliosis – a specialized exercise based approach to curve correction.
Diana Solberg (Pilates Instructor)
Diana Solberg BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, APPI qualified, MCSP, HCPC, Acupuncture qualified
Diana is an experienced senior physiotherapist who has experience with musculo-skeletal physiotherapy and Pilates using the Australian Pilates and Physiotherapy Institute method. She is fully qualified in Matwork 1, 2, and 3 with APPI. She has a special interest in treating spinal and shoulder patients and she has seen how Pilates and Pilates type exercises has helped people with these and other conditions. She is committed to keeping up her continuing education and learning new techniques.
Nikki Simpson
Chartered Specialist & State Registered Physiotherapist
Qualifications BSc (Hons) 2004, MCSP, HCPC Registered
Nikki enjoys treating all musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions but has a particular interest in sports injuries and acupuncture. She has extensive experience treating high level gymnasts / trampolinists and can bring her first hand experience of competition in the gymnastic field to her clinical practice.
Nikki also uses a wide ranges of of assessment skills and manual therapy ‘hands on’ treatment techniques. She has had an interest in pilates and rehabilitaiton for many years and has now built up considerable experience teaching Clinical Pilates all all levels, including special interest with adolescents and post-natal patients and those with hyper-mobility. Alongside this, she uses her expertise to develop individualised rehabilitation programmes emphasising the importance of good core stability and posture within all settings.
