Welcome to Body Balance Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic

Chartered Physiotherapists in Hertfordshire, 01707 284 910

Meet The Team

Our team of highly experienced Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists have excellent skills in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries, whether or not it is related to sports and exercise.

 

Nicki Combarro MCSP, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MSc, State Registered Physiotherapist
Nicki qualified from the University of Hertfordshire in 1996 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. Nicki is a Gold accrediated Member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine- an Internationally recognised specialised group ot Physiotherapists working in Sport.

 

Nicki initially worked in the NHS for 5 years with a focus on Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, including experience in outpatient clinics, orthopaedics, specialist hand unit, hydrotherapy and rehabilitation classes. After completing her MSc in Sports Injuries in 2002 Nicki left the NHS to work for the MOD at RAF Halton. Her 3 year stint as a civilian physiotherapist working in the Military proved to be an invaluable learning curve, allowing her to further expand her physiotherapy treatment skills and rehabilitation repertoire.

 

Nicki established Bodybalance Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic in 1999- initially a part time venture alongside her other work commitments. When the clinic moved to the new Hertfordshire Sports Village in August 2003, the clinic hours expanded to meet the new demands.

 

In addition to her commitments to Bodybalance, Nicki is also a Consultant Physiotherapist for the English Institute of Sport, based at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes, where she is responsible for the treatment of the elite International athletes in the East of England.

 

Over the past 10 years Nicki has also been involved with numerous International multisport events including being part of the successful England Team at 3 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Melbourne and Delhi. She has also worked with the 2001 European Youth Olympic Games in Murcia, World University Games in 2003 in South Korea and 2005 in Turkey and the 2008 Winter World University Games in China.

 

Despite reducing her International travel to have two children, Olivia in 2006 and Rafael in 2008, Nicki continues to provide Physiotherapy services for the English Institute of Sport and hopes to be part of the Physiotherapy network involved in London 2012.

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Eric Clarke MCSP, BAppSc(Physio) M(Sports Physio),State Registered Physiotherapist
Eric Clarke is a Sports Physiotherapist from Australia. He completed his undergraduate physiotherapy training at the University of Sydney in 1999 and went on to study for a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy at La Trobe University in 2006. He moved to the UK in 2007 and after working at a Sports Medicine clinic in the City, began working at Bodybalance in Hatfield and the Laboratory Spa &Health Club in Hendon.

 

In Australia, Eric’s experience in Sports Physiotherapy meant that he was awarded the APA Sports Physiotherapists title. Since arriving in the UK, has also recently been awarded the similar accreditation of a Gold level Member of the ACPSM. He has worked with both Austrailian and British International athletes from rugby, rowing, sailing, athletics, triathlon, martial arts, cycling, boxing, basketball and cricket.

Prior to moving to the UK, Eric worked at the Sports Clinic at Sydney University where he was involved with many elite and professional athletes across a variety of sports including being a team physiotherapist with Sydney University Football Club as they won 2 NSW Rugby Premierships.He also worked with the two Sydney based national basketball teams and the University’s national level rowing program.

 

In 2006 Eric was fortunate to be able to spend 2 weeks at the Australian Institute of Sport where he experienced the pinnacle of elite sporting environments. His short time there fostered his passion for continuing to work with world class athletes and in 2008 he was selected as a team Physiotherapist with the Australian Olympic Team at the Beijing Games where they won 2 Gold Medals. He continues to work with the Australian Sailing Team when they are in Europe as they prepare for London 2012.

 

Eric has developed a special interest in the rehabilitation of knee, ankle and hip injuries, and sees a large number of clients referred to him by Orthopaedic Consultants for rehabilitation following surgery. He also has an interest in the management of muscle injuries, particularly the hamstring.

He practices with an evidence based approach; using hands-on techniques (including mobilisation and manipulation, massage and acupuncture when appropriate) and exercise prescription. His understanding of biomechanics and the way the body works as a whole underlines a philosophy of addressing the cause a priority.

 

Eric lives in Hertfordshire with his English wife, Harriet, and their son, Thomas. When not busy with work, he likes to cycle and swim. Too many old rugby injuries means he no longer runs, but he has proudly completed 3 Marathons in the past with a PB of 3hrs 17mins.

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Lisa Goodwin MCSP, State Registered Physiotherapist
Lisa is a success of the University of Hertfordshire gaining her Physiotherapy degree in 2003. She started her career working within the NHS in a very prestigious London Hospital before specialising in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. In addition to her Bodybalance clinics, Lisa continues to work part time in the NHS as an advanced A+E Physiotherapist

Over the years Lisa has gained extensive experience of sports injuries working for various sports teams, including Rugby clubs and a premiership football club. She has also worked in the areas of Womens Health and Orthopaedics. Lisa's specialist skills include acupuncture, pilates, manipulation, kinesio-taping and myofascial release. Currently Lisa is studying for the final year of a Masters Degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. This has included modules on upper and lower quadrant, x-ray and blood interpretation. Lisa enjoys the research side of the degree which enables her to keep up to date on all the latest techniques and ensures her practice is evidence based. Her Masters research project is investigating the effects of kinesiotaping on acute ankle injuries.

Lisa is a keen runner and enjoys swimming, tennis and wine tasting for relaxation! Her personal experience of sustaining a nasty ankle fracture last year and her rehabiliation from ankle surgery means that she is able to empathise wholey with patients and truely understand the 'patient journey'. Lisa is committed to using manual therapy treatment techniques in the provision of one to one patient focused care.

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Sue Pearson MCSP, State Registered Physiotherapist
Since qualifying in 1983 Sue has gained valuable experience working both in the NHS and in private practises. On completion of a Certificate in Occupational Health she went into full time work with Vauxhall Motors working with the company ergonomist. Implementing on site risk assessments effected immediate solutions to new problems which developed on a daily basis.

Currently she is employed with a large corporate firm providing physiotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders and on site work-station assessments. New acute disorders are seen within two days minimising sickness absence for the patient and the company. Sue works as a highly specialised consultant physiotherapist at Bodybalance Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic on a part time basis and has additional consultancy roles with other major local businesses

Having worked for Dagenham F.C and Old Albanian Rugby Club in the past Sue has a good understanding of the the sporting environment. . Sue is always keen to challenge her medical knowledge and enjoys reading the latest research to ensure that her treatment choices are always evidence based and based on best practice. To help achieve this she is a member of a local peer review acupuncture group and regularly contributes with case histories and medical paper reviews. Sue is also a member of the various Physiotherapy specialist interest groups AACP (acupuncture), ACPSM (Sports Medicine), ACPOHE (Occupational Health and Ergonomics), and is registered with the Health Professions Council..

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Kessie Soper, MCSP, State Registered Physiotherapist
Kessie qualified as a physiotherapist from the University of Southampton. Prior to joining Bodybalance, she spent several years working in the NHS, before moving to work within the private sector with Spire Healthcare. Within this role, she gained particular expertise in pre and post operative care for orthopaedic conditions.

Kessie has a particular interest in sports physiotherapy and has vast experience working in many different sporting environments both internationally and within the UK. Some of the highlights include; Southampton Football Club, Hampshire FA Girls’ Centre of Excellence, Havant Hockey Club, the London Marathon, and the Bedford International Games. She also works with British University and Colleges Sport, providing physiotherapy for their domestic programme and she attended the World University Games in Bangkok in 2007. She is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine and has achieved bronze accreditation through their CPD pathway.

Kessie is currently completing a master’s degree in Sports and Exercise Rehabilitation at the University of Hertfordshire. She has additional qualifications in acupuncture and the treatment of dizziness and vestibular problems. Outside of work, Kessie is always interested in a sporting challenge. She has proudly completed the London Marathon and a Solent Crossing swim.

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George Labor , MCSP, State Registered Physiotherapist
George qualified from the University of East London in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy which followed his BSc in Sports Rehabilitation and Sports Science from St. Mary’s University. He did junior rotations before specialising in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. In addition to his Bodybalance clinics and pitch side work George continues to work in the NHS.

George has significant experience with sports injuries across a wide variety of sports working with both teams and individuals. He spent a season as 1st team physiotherapist at London Skolars and works with Harlequins Rugby Academy. He has covered a number of events for UK Badminton and worked with University Netball and Hockey sides.

He is currently studying at the University of Hertfordshire for a Master’s in Sports and Exercise Rehabilitation. George practices the latest evidence based techniques including mobilisations, manipulations, soft tissue work and specific exercise prescription.

George when he is not doing something physiotherapy based enjoys spending time at home with his wife and son. He used to play rugby and hockey where was quite a useful flyhalf and right half.

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Karen Silverstone NLSSM (Dip) MISRM, MSMA Fully Qualified and Insured Practitioner
Karen qualified through the North London School of Massage with a Diploma in Sports and Remedial Massage. Having built up a client base in St Albans, Karen has experience working with runners, professional footballers (including Fulham FC), Personal Trainers together with a large number of occupational injuries as well as undertaking pre/post event work including The London Marathon. Fully insured, Karen is a full member of; the Institute of Sports & Remedial Massage, the Sports Massage Association and the General Council for Massage therapy

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