Our Physiotherapists
Donna Sanderson-Hull
Senior Consultant Sports Medicine Physiotherapist & Practice Owner
Concussion specialist management specialist
Donna has been qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist for 32 years with a Post-graduate Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Medicine, which she passed with distinction in 2006. She was a course tutor and lectured on the MSc programme at Cardiff Metropolitan University until 2018.
Over her career, Donna has practiced both in New Zealand and in the UK. She has worked in hospitals, private practice and for various sports teams. Donna was well known for being the Bristol Rugby Physiotherapist for 6 seasons and was also contracted to England Rugby for 2 years in the run up to the 2003 World Cup. After leaving professional rugby, she worked with Jonathan Webb a Bristol based orthopaedic surgeon, whilst studying for her Masters. In 2007, she was ready to start her own private practice.
In 2000, Donna wrote a training manual for Swiss ball exercises and for 10 years ran courses on using the ball in the management of musculoskeletal dysfunction for physiotherapists, personal trainers and army medical personnel around the country. The Swiss ball Manual is also available for purchase.
Donna is now working with completeconcussions.com as Head of UK Programme Development. She is also on the board of Love of the Game, a not for profit organisation headed up by Simon Shaw MBE (ex British Lion) and Laurence Geller CBE (Minister for Concussion in Sport). The mission is to improve concussion management for all those injured in UK, whether it is sport related, workplace or road traffic accident.
Donna is available on a Consultant basis to assess, diagnose your Sports injuries, pain and musculoskeletal issues. Please note that that appointments are charged at Senior Consultant rates for the initial appointment.
Donna is a member of the CSP, HCPC, Physiofirst and ACPSM. She is fully approved by all Health Insurance providers.
Donna is available Mondays and Fridays at our Clifton clinic, Wednesdays in the Ashton Practice and Tuesday and Thursdays in our clinic in Blagdon.
Claire Reed
Senior Sports Physiotherapist
Claire qualified in 2001 from the University of London and worked at St George’s Hospital in London. She moved to the South West in 2007 working in private practice, Bristol University and then Bath University.
Claire has always had a strong interest in treating and rehabilitating sport-related injuries in adults and children. She also has a keen interest in reducing the risk of injuries. She completed her MSc in Sports Physiotherapy in 2009 with distinction and is a gold accredited member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine.
Her wide-ranging sports experience includes leading the Physiotherapy team for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, and work with British Swimming, GB Rowing and both Bath Super League and England Netball Squads. She has further experience of working with elite athletes at the English Institute of Sport and Bath University.
Claire also practices acupuncture, which she uses as an adjunct to her manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation skills.
Claire is a member of the CSP, HCPC, and Gold Member of ACPSM.
She is fully approved by all Health Insurance providers. is available Tuesday and Friday 10am-2pm at the Winford Practice
Sean Lewis
Senior Sports Physiotherapist & Concussion Specialist
Since training as a Physiotherapist in Edinburgh, Sean has gained extensive experience working in the public sector in the NHS, private practice and with semi-professional Rugby and Football teams.
Having recently moved to Bristol he is looking forward to utilising his knowledge of lower limb biomechanics, post-operative rehabilitation and sporting demands to help people recover from injury and return to play. Sean is also a concussion specialist
Specialising in Musculoskeletal conditions and concussions, Sean is passionate about providing a first class service to help you overcome aches, pains and injuries, providing diagnosis, prognosis and structured rehab to get you better.
Sean is a member of the CSP and HCPC and is fully approved by all Health Insurance providers.
Sean is available all week at the Ashton Practice on Tuesdays and Fridays
Justine Waloch
Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Lymphoedema specialist
Justine has been committed to helping people achieve their goals since qualifying as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1995. Her enthusiasm for helping as many people as possible has sparked an interest in a holistic approach that benefits the sporting elite as well as those struggling with chronic pain.
Acupuncture has been one of her many useful tools since 2005 and a growing appreciation of the role of the immune and lymphatic systems in pain and healing inspired her to complete a qualification to manage complex lymphoedema problems in 2011.
Over her career she has been fortunate to work in centres of excellence both in the UK and abroad in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. She was also encouraged to become a yoga teacher while in Dublin and the experience of seeing progress mentally and physically with long-term practise including breathing awareness has been a great inspiration for her.
Justine is HCPC registered and is a member of the CSP, Physio First, AACP, BMAS & MLDUK. She is fully approved by all Health Insurance providers.
Justine is available for thorough assessment or triage diagnosis of all musculoskeletal problems. Treatment programs are tailored to your needs and goals.
Justine is available on Wednesdays at our Clifton Practice on Wednesdays in Abbots Leigh
Natasha Da Silva Bjornstad
Chartered Physiotherapist
Natasha has vast experience treating a variety of musculoskeletal, neurological and other chronic conditions with work experience from Scandinavia, Australia and the UK. Natasha is also currently studying a master of Neuro Physiotherapy at University College London.
Natasha’s treatment approach is holistic in nature, with the aim to maximize physical health, strength and endurance as well as improving the overall healthspan by implementing positive lifestyle changes such as optimising diet, sleep and good mental health.
Natasha’s philosophy is to empower others to return to their lives feeling stronger and better equipped to deal with the challenges of life. She has a keen interest in yoga and integrating a mind-body approach to treatment to optimise mind-muscle connection and mental-emotional wellbeing. Her interest in a holistic treatment approach for the last 15 years started due to suffering a near-fatal accident and therefore having herself participated in countless rehabilitation hours to regain her physical function.
Natasha will always give you all her effort to assess, treat and support you throughout your rehabilitation process as well as progress you to reach your goals and go beyond what you have thought possible.
When Natasha is not working, she will often be found teaching yoga classes and as a certified gym instructor and personal trainer spending a lot of time at the gym to practice what she preaches. Additionally, every evening she practices breathing and mindfulness which has helped her mental health and sleep quality flourish.
Natasha is a member of the CSP and HCPC and is fully approved by all Health Insurance providers.
Natasha works mainly in our Ashton clinic, with one day a week at our Blagdon clinic. She works closely with Alex Ryan (Sports Rehabilitator) to provide you with high-quality and collaborative rehabilitation approach.
Nikos Arvanitis
Sports Physiotherapist
Nikos graduated his physiotherapy course from the University of East London (UEL) and is on his way to completing a Masters degree in Sports Physiotherapy. He has worked privately with athletes from different sport backgrounds and semi-professional football teams.
His experience in muscle injuries, his hands-on approach and his ‘return stronger’ mentality give patients the best chance at a quick return to sports with future injury prevention.
Nikos is a member of the CSP and HCPC and is fully approved by all Health Insurance providers.
Nikos is available on Mondays at the Ashton Practice
Sam Finn
Senior Physiotherapist
Sam graduated at Keene University and has worked in a variety of Musculoskeletal fields, from a professional football academy, the NHS and more recently further afield in a specialist running and cyling Sports Injury Clinic in Christchurch, New Zealand. Here, Sam worked with a variety of elite runners and cyclists as well as a mix of athletes and weekend warriors, from rugby to ballet. Sam particularly enjoys treating all manners of sporting injuries with a vested interest in runners, whether novice or ultramarathon runners, from run-specific strengthening to running analysis and all things related to teams sports. Sam takes an approach largely based on exercise with an emphasis on making sure that everyone gains a good understanding of what and why the injury has occurred and how to improve in the short and long term for tip top performance.
Sam is a member of the CSP and HCPC and is fully approved by all Health Insurance providers.
Sam is available all week at the Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the Ashton Practice
Dave Mercy
Senior Musculoskeletal and Manual Physiotherapist.
Workplace/DSE assessor
Dave is based at our Clifton and Ashton clinics and it is a return to the West Country for a boy that trained in Bath over 25 years ago. He has worked in a variety of clinical settings including NHS teaching hospitals where he was a Clinical Educator to students from the University of Lincoln as part of his senior management role.
Specialising in musculoskeletal outpatients very early on, his post-graduate education includes Acupuncture, Clinical Pilates, Ergonomics, Orthopaedic Assessment and Manipulative Physiotherapy.
Dave has been working in private practice for the last two decades, including a spell in Harley Street alongside renowned sports medicine specialists. He has a particular interest in the management of running and tendon injuries. Dave’s assessments are tailored to individual needs including bespoke exercise and progression back to full function.
In his spare time, Dave is either on his bike or taking photos of Bristol´s amazing scenery and sometimes both!
Dave is a Member of the CSP and is HCPC registered. He is fully approved by all the major health care insurers.
Dave is available by appointment only for Home visits or Office ergonomic assessments.
Specialities
As well as physiotherapy, our clinics offer a range of other specialisms that can help you get to the root of your problem
Alex Ryan
Sports Rehabilitation and Massage Specialist
After qualifying at the University of the West of England (BSc Sports Rehabilitation), Alex has since worked in professional sports at Glamorgan and Scotland cricket, as well as semi-professional football. In addition to providing sports massage, Alex particularly enjoys helping people get over their pain through creating a fun environment designed to meet sport/lifestyle-specific demands, whilst also encouraging autonomous rehabilitation.
Whether you are a 5-a-side football player or a professional athlete, Alex will address pain and functional impairments alongside maintaining sport and lifestyle-specific needs to allow a safe return to sport and activity through individually tailored rehab programs.
Alex also enjoys providing pitch-side first aid and has experience in doing this in cricket, rugby and football across South Wales and South-West England. He was head therapist at Weston-Super-Mare RFC and looks forward to continuing his involvement in sport after playing a high standard of rugby for his university and Bristol Bears academy.
Alex is a fully registered GSR and member of BASRaT who are monitored and accredited by the professional standards authority (PSA).
Alex is available all week at the Ashton and Blagdon Practices
Izzy Hill
Women’s Health Physio
Issy qualified as a Physiotherapist from Plymouth University and has also completed a Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy. She has worked as a MSK Physiotherapist in the NHS, Private practice and as a senior Physiotherapist in the British Army, where she was the lead Physio for the Army Enduro mountain bike team and one of the first physios to offer a women’s health service for military personnel returning to work post-partum.
Issy has developed a specialist interest in women’s health, she is passionate about helping patients throughout their pregnancy with aches and pains as well as post-partum with pelvic floor dysfunction and return to fitness.
Issy is available all week at the Blagdon practice in Yeo Valley HQ on Wednesdays
Tom Cooper
Sports Podiatrist
Tom graduated from the Cardiff School of Podiatry and has since quickly established himself as Senior Podiatrist at ACE- Feet in Motion.
ACE – Feet in Motion was established in 2001 to provide sports injury services using computerised foot pressure plate scanning equipment. The use of such scanners allow Tom to analyse the biomechanics of the foot whilst in motion and identify any irregularities in foot function. Such irregularities may give rise to various common injuries such as shin splints, foot, ankle, knee or hip pain. All types of corrective insoles are manufactured at our Cardiff facility, where they have state of the art CAD CAM equipment for fast effective production. The Cardiff facility also has a Specialist Sports Footwear Centre, which stocks a comprehensive range of trainers, walking shoes, rugby and football boots from many of the top manufacturers. Ace – Feet in Motion are the official Podiatrists to the Welsh Rugby Union and the Federation of Disability Sports Wales, they are also consultants to PUMA, working closely with them on boot design and function.
ACE – Feet in Motion have clinics in Swansea, Cardiff and Bristol, Tom is the lead clinician at the Swansea and Bristol Clinics. He has worked closely with many sports organisations including many of the Welsh Regional rugby teams, Swansea City F.C., Cardiff City F.C., Bristol City F.C. and Bristol RFC. Tom has a special interest in the “dynamic” foot and was instrumental in the design of a new concept in orthosis manufacture.
He is available for assessment and diagnosis of lower limb pathology using dynamic plantar pressure measurement and the prescription of functional insoles or for simple footwear advice.
Tom provides his services at our Ashton Practice on Mondays for self-funding patients and those wishing to claim on their medical insurance
Rachel White
Registered Dietitian
Rachel is a Registered Dietitian and a member of the British Dietetic Association, having graduated from King’s College London in 2016. She is a SENr (Sports and Exercise Nutrition register) accredited performance dietitian. She supports athletes (from recreational to elite) with all aspects of performance nutrition; from tailoring your nutrition to your training, event preparation and race day plans to injury nutrition.
Rachel currently also works part-time in the NHS as a cancer specialist dietitian. She has supported patients across a wide range of clinical areas including; oncology, critical care, surgery, weight management and nutrition support. Away from work, she has always been keen on participating in sports. Rachel can often be found running, from participating in the local weekly Parkrun to ultramarathons. She is also a keen cyclist, skier and surfer.
She has a wealth of experience and understanding about the balance of nutrition and hydration for health, well-being and sports performance. She can help you to achieve your goals whether it is practical dietary advice for medical conditions or maximising your sporting potential.
Rachel is available on Tuesdays at the Clifton Practice
Peter Greenhouse
Menopause & Women’s Health Specialist
Peter brings some 40 years experience in NHS women’s sexual health care to offer online private consultations on menopause, perimenopause, hormonal adjustments to improve premenstrual syndrome & PMDD, and associated health concerns.
He qualified in 1979 from Cambridge University Medical School, and was trained over ten years in perimenopause and menopause by his ex-wife, Dr Annie Evans, taking over her NHS patients after her departure from Bristol in 2010.
Peter spent much of his career helping the development of the current Bristol Sexual Health Centre and the WISH Centre at Weston General Hospital, which he retired from in 2020.
He was expert clinical reviewer for the FPA’s leaflet “Your Guide to Menopause”, and has produced his own explanatory notes on menopause and perimenopause including links to relevant research and information articles, which he shares with anyone making enquiries about consultations.
Peter is a qualified doctor and fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare.
Peter is available all week for online consultations.
More About Us
Our Clinics
Blue Sky Physiotherapy runs four locations across Bristol and North Somerset.
Treatments
Learn more about the treatments we offer and how they can help a range of issues.
Our Story
Since opening our first clinic in 2007, we’ve been dedicated to keeping our patients moving.
Latest News
Read about the latest news and updates from Blue Sky Physiotherapy, including posts from our therapists.