About us

Nottingham Sports Injury Clinic is the flagship and founding clinic of the PhysioNeeds group which now consists of three practices across Nottinghamshire

Meet the team

Our clinic employs Physiotherapists and Sports Therapists with a wealth of knowledge and experience, all with a keen interest in wellbeing and the healing process.

Mrs. Helen Tomlinson MCSP

I am the founder of PhysioNeeds and after graduating from Nottingham University in 1979, with a MCSP Grad Dip in Physiotherapy, I specialised in spinal and sporting injuries.

Helen Tomlinson Physiotherapist

I have years of experience treating a wide variety of injuries and a wide range of patients including famous people like Stephie Graph, Stuart Pearce, Brian Ferry and Jane Torville. I opened my first private physiotherapy practice in 1982. Torville and Dean then opened the Nottingham Sports Injury Clinic in 1995.

I retired from clinical work in 2020 and I am enjoying my retirement and having more time to spend with my grandchildren, horse riding and walking my dog Willow. I also enjoy reading, listening to music as well as theatre and travel. I believe that hands on physiotherapy is very important and I make sure all my staff are trained and deliver the best quality hands on treatment possible.

Brodie Howatson

I love all sports, but my number one sport is rugby. I have played locally since 2007 and previously for Saracens U20’s, Herts and Notts Counties and National 3 sides. Since becoming a father in 2016 and again in 2018 I have managed to continue playing albeit with slightly less energy.

Brodie Howatson Physiotherapist

I graduated from Nottingham University in 2007 in Physiotherapy (BSc Hons) and have since gained a Masters in Manual Therapy (MSc MMACP) in 2015 including an Advance Practice Module allowing me to deal with more complex cases.

I have practiced acupuncture since 2007 and I am AACP qualified. I am also able to perform shockwave therapy and have had great success with this. I have attended numerous training courses over the years ensuring my clinical knowledge is up to date and as informed as possible.

When it comes to physio, I specialise in differential diagnosis of complex cases and spinal rehabilitation and sports injuries. I used to work in community rehabilitation for the elderly specialising in mobility and have worked in hospital rotations as well as professional sport as a physio for West Ham United for both the senior and academy squads. I started in private practice in 2010 and have loved treating a wide spread of injuries over this time.

Abigail Tomlinson

I studied BSc Physiotherapy at Northumbria University and graduated with a First Class honours degree and I have worked in private practice ever since. I also work at the PhysioNeeds East Bridgford, which gives me a wide range of experience.

Abigail Tomlinson

My keen interest within physiotherapy is musculoskeletal and I enjoy treating people of all ages. I always like to focus on people's own goals whether that's returning to high level sport or simply being pain free doing the hoovering. I find my job very rewarding when I get patients back to the activities they enjoy and getting them better!

I have undertaken many postgraduate training courses to enable me to continually develop my manual skills. I am a fully qualified Sports Massage Therapist (ITEC) and I treated runners at the Great North Run for the NSPCC for 3 years when I was living and training in Newcastle. I am trained in Acupuncture which can have amazing results and it's always fascinating me. I also have a keen interest in Pilates, having undertaken APPI Pilates training to Intermediate Level and I run Pilates Classes at the Nottingham Sports Injury Clinic.

I enjoy riding and I represented England in 2006-2008, competing in Ireland for the British Young Riders dressage squad on my pony Billy. After university, and a spot of travelling, I have returned to competing but I now do British Eventing on my horse Hugo. With my knowledge of equestrianism I am part of PhysioNeeds Equestrian which looks at a riders posture/position and how this may be effecting your riding or your horses way of going. Please see the section on PhysioNeeds Equestrian for more information.

Nicole Butterfield
Sports Therapist

I have had an immense interest in sport for as long as I can remember. I achieved my 1st Dan black belt when I was 14 years old and competed in World Championships in Australia. I have also played football at county level, and continued playing football and Futsal throughout University for the women’s 1st team, in which my team achieved many successes.

Nicole Butterfield Sports Therapist

My passion for sport is what inspired my career choice. I studied Sports Rehabilitation and Exercise Science BSc Hons at the University of Nottingham and graduated with a 2:1. I also work for Nottingham Forest FC as a Sports Rehabilitator for the academy teams. My main interest are lower limb injuries, including hip, knee and ankle.

Through my academic career and post-graduate experience, I have learnt a vast range of treatment methods including soft tissue massage, kinesiology and sports taping, and neck and back spinal mobilisations. I am also first aid qualified after completing my Immediate Care in Sport (ICIS) Level 2 last year.

Anneliese

I graduated from the University of Sydney in 2015 with a Master of Physiotherapy degree, following a Bachelor of Health Science. I have had a keen interest working with athletes since graduating, in particular I gained experience working with a professional rugby league team in Sydney prior to relocating to Nottingham in 2020.

Anneliese Physiotherapist

To further develop my knowledge and skills in sports physiotherapy I have recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy at La Trobe University. I have been fortunate to commence further studies here in the UK and am working towards completing my Master of Specialist Physiotherapy Practice at Sheffield Hallam University.

I enjoy working with people to achieve their goals, and strongly believe in equipping people with the knowledge and skills to overcome or prevent injury.

I have over 6 years’ experience teaching mat-work Pilates, and my clients have included elite athletes, pre and post-natal women, or members of the community wanting to get move their bodies and get stronger!

My other great passion is travelling and now that I am living in the UK, I look forward to doing a bit more of visiting, eating and drinking my way through Europe!

Niall Stevens

Since achieving a first class honours both in an MSc Physiotherapy and BSc Sports and Exercise Therapy Degree, I have worked within senior professional football clubs at Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United. Working within an elite environment has greatly enhanced my knowledge of sports injuries. The experience I have gained in injury rehabilitation and prevention has helped me to improve people's day to day life and performance.

Niall Stevens Physiotherapist

I am passionate about my career and find it very rewarding being able to help people achieve their goals. Being able to see the joy of a person’s face when they return to what they enjoy doing is one of my many motivating factors. To facilitate this, I believe that effective communication is key and therefore I will listen to you attentively so that I understand your needs. Appreciating that health is multifactorial, my aim is to not only help people regain their physical qualities but also improve their holistic health. Whether you require rehabilitation or advice on injury prevention, together we can work towards your goals so that you can continue to live a fulfilled life.

I am always keen to develop my own practice and have completed several courses to enrich my manual therapy, exercise prescription and electrotherapy skills. As a qualified pilates instructor I have been able to implement core stability, strengthening and postural techniques for all demographics as I believe it is fundamental to musculoskeletal health.

In my own time I enjoy going to the gym, walking in nature and socialising with friends and family. During this summer I will be completing the national three peaks challenge - here’s hoping the weather is kind to me!

I absolutely love being a physiotherapist and it is a privilege to see people improve and get better and happier after treatment. I especially enjoy working with sports injuries and Osteoarthritis and have a keen interest in extensive ACL rehabilitation after going through the rehab myself. Building relationships with clients and setting goals to aim for are some of the cornerstones of my practice.

Outside of the Clinic I love playing football and working with young people through various charities.

Sophie Matthews

I have a keen interest in analysing human movement in sport, and understanding how biomechanics can be used to prevent and reduce injury risk. In 2022, I graduated from Loughborough University with a Masters in Sports Biomechanics and obtained a first-class honour in Sport and Exercise Science (BSc) in 2021. As well as this, I qualified as a Level 2 Sports Massage Therapist in 2022, which further enhanced my interest in injuries and how they can be prevented and treated using a combination of biomechanics and manual therapy.

Sophie Matthews

Throughout my education, the study of human movement has interested me the most and I am very enthusiastic in how biomechanics can be used to identify where an imbalance of forces may occur which can lead to injury. I believe that tailoring treatments to each individual is essential for the most effective outcome, and understanding how an individual’s body moves is a crucial part of providing a successful treatment. I am very excited to be involved with the innovative Gait Analysis service at PhysioNeeds and to be able to use such high tech equipment!

Sport has been a huge part of my life growing up, and in 2012 I started sprint training and I have since been competing in sprints for over a decade. My main discipline is the 100m, but I also enjoy the 200m, 60m, long jump, triple jump and relays. During this time, I have competed at a regional and national level, where I was able to represent Wales in the 4 x 100m. Additionally, I was able to train in an elite sports environment with the GB Skeleton Bobsleigh team through a talent development program and competed in Cheerleading competitions during my undergraduate degree.

Sarah Willis

I have previously worked in a variety of sports and have an MSc in Sports and Exercise Medicine, which I completed at Queen Mary University of London. Following on from my MSc, I was then able to work at the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. I am also trained in Acupuncture and Physio- Led Pilates which are both useful tools in my clinical work.

Sarah Willis

I also have a special interest in running injuries. As a keen runner myself, I am a big believer that regular running is not only a great way to maintain cardiovascular fitness, but also great for boosting your mental health. I have done countless half marathons, and 4 full marathons including Paris, New York and London, with my most recent being London 2023. Having sustained several injuries in the process, I can therefore relate to athletes injured in the lead up to the event they have been training for. I am also able to advise on training plans, footwear, injury management and prevention.

Taylor Dart

I graduated from the University of Liverpool with a First Class honours degree in Physiotherapy and I am currently studying a Masters in Strength and Conditioning at Loughborough University. I have always loved sport and exercise, and this is why I chose a career within musculoskeletal physiotherapy to help everyone move and live to the best of their ability, from completing day-to-day tasks to performing at elite levels.

Taylor Dart

I believe that everyone should be treated uniquely and that a one-size-fits-all approach is not optimal – I feel effective listening and communication is essential to solving and treating each presenting condition.

I’m also a fully qualified Sports Massage Therapist and a qualified Gym Instructor. With this mix of qualifications, I aim to be able to provide a holistic approach to everyone to achieve the best possible results.

Away from work and studies, I’ve competed at high levels in a variety of sports including football, cricket, duathlons and cycling, with track cycling now being my big passion outside of work. I also am a big dog lover, and you will often find me walking or looking after dogs in my local area!

Eleanor Miller

I have a keen interest in musculoskeletal injuries and the wider biomechanics surrounding this. I strive to provide client-centered care to aid in achieving your goals, whether this be big or small, to return you to the activities you enjoy. Through working together utilising a mix of exercise rehabilitation, manual therapy, and/or education to ensure you continue living an accomplished life.

Eleanor Miller

I studied BSc Sports and Exercise Therapy at Loughborough, graduating with a First Class Honours degree. During my final year studying and following completion of the course, I spent time working with musculoskeletal injuries, neurological patients, and elite sporting teams. Providing me with a wide range of experience and leading to my employment in the NHS Community Hospitals, MSK Outpatient facilities. As well as working alongside the Medical team for Burton Albion Academy Football Teams.

I have continued my personal development through additional courses including Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy, First Aid for Sport and Exercise, and Kinesiology Taping and Strapping. All of which have aided in the advancement of my manual therapy skills crucial for repair and prevention of injury or conditioning development.

Outside of the clinic I enjoy spending time with my family/friends and at my leisure you'll find me in the gym or hiking outdoors, rain or shine. When I am not exercising, I can be found in the kitchen, as cooking is a key hobby of mine.

Sophie Lavy

I am an experienced Sports Therapist in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. I graduated from Coventry University in 2018 and have since gained clinical experience at Bakewell Physiotherapy Group, Care For Health, Alpine Sports Physio and Glossop Physio clinics. I have also run my own freelance Sports Therapy business since 2020.

Sophie Lavy

Outside of clinical work, I have worked in professional sport for 3 years, particularly in downhill mountain biking, road cycling and snow sports. During this time, I have attended over 20 UCI world cups, 3 UCI world championships, La Vuelta 2022 and the Tour De France Femmes 2023. I hope to go to the Paralympic Games with British Cycling in Paris 2024!

I am passionate about exercise-based rehabilitation and hands-on treatment, aimed at sporting injuries, age-related conditions or general lifestyle aches and pains. I believe in not simply relieving symptoms, but instead finding and targeting the root cause.

I regularly participate in continued professional development (CPD) courses such as dry cupping, sports nutrition, and attend conferences focussing on specific joints or treatment modalities.

Shree Savani

I qualified from the University of Birmingham in 2021 with a first class degree in Physiotherapy. I am also a qualified Sports Massage Therapist and specialise in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, having completed the Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine in 2022.

Shree Savani

I am a warm, caring person and practitioner and I'm extremely committed to working together to improve people’s pain and health. I believe in creating bespoke, goal-related treatment plans which focus on the individual holistically, including exercise-based and manual therapy.

As well as a Physiotherapist, I am a professional dancer and have been actively participating in freelance professional dance projects and tours for the last few years. I have been dancing since I was 2 years old but took things more professionally after my success in BBC Young Dancer in 2019. I am particularly passionate about health in sports and dance, but am always keen to help people with a variety of ailments.

In Pain?

Don't sit and suffer - give us a call on 0115 960 9553. Your call will be treated in confidence and we might even be able to fit you in today. Alternatively use our contact form.

Physiotherapy in Nottingham

Our Dedicated Clinics

PhysioNeeds Nottingham

PhysioNeeds Nottingham

Nottingham Sports Injury Clinic
736 Mansfield Road
Woodthorpe
Nottingham NG5 3FW

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PhysioNeeds East Bridgford

PhysioNeeds East Bridgford

PhysioNeeds East Bridgford
1 Main Street
East Bridgford
Nottinghamshire NG13 8PA

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Our dedicated and self-contained clinics are fully equipped and staffed with a highly experienced physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation team.

Clinic locations...

Dear Nottingham Sports Injury Clinic patients

We hope you are all keeping safe and you and your families are managing okay in these very unprecedented times.

Our clinic is open for Face to Face treatment! We assure you that we have put enhanced measures in place to ensure the protection of both you the patient, our staff and the wider public. A full risk assessment of the working environment has been undertaken. We are following Public Health England COVID-19 infection prevention and control guidelines.

We are asking patients to wear a face mask at all times when inside the clinic.

Please see our PDF attached outlining our SCREENING-CLEANING-PROTECTING protocols

COVID-19 SCREENING QUESTIONS: When booking a Face to Face appointment you will be asked to confirm that you or any member of your household IS NOT presenting, or HAS NOT presented with the following symptoms in the last 14 days:

If you answer YES to any of the above then you will not be able to be seen Face-to-Face but we can still discuss and treat your injury via Telephone/Video Consultations. We can also offer Telephone/Video Consultations for those patients who are still shielding.

We have also been posting lots of videos on our Facebook page and YouTube channel (PhysioNeeds) so do check those out to try and stay as active as possible. We have also been putting top tips on our Facebook page to help with prevention/management of injuries. If you have any questions, please do contact the clinic.

Stay safe everyone!

From all the team at PhysioNeeds

Screening, Cleaning, Protecting

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