Practitioners
Clinical Director
Chris Boynes (BEd Hons PE, Grad Dip Phys, MCSP) is a very proactive and experienced chartered sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist with a previous degree in Physical Education. For six years he was Club Physiotherapist to London Irish RFC, before leaving to establish PhysioActive at its current premises in 2001. A former lecturer in Sports Rehabilitation at the University of Surrey, Chris lectures on sports injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to chartered physiotherapists, osteopaths, coaches and players, both in the UK and abroad. He is qualified to teach the FA First Aid for Sport course and is a tutor in Emergency First Aid. He also runs classes on core stability and muscle balance work. He has worked with athletes, both amateur and professional, in sporting disciplines as varied as rugby, soccer, ice hockey, netball, tennis, martial arts, gymnastics, dance, athletics, boxing, sailing and windsurfing. He also works with PGA golf professionals as a consultant specialising in the management of golfing injuries and how to prevent them. He is licensed to treat with acupuncture and uses needles and electro-acupuncture with great effect for pain relief and in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions, as well as the more traditional methods of treatment such as mobilisation, manipulation, soft-tissue massage, electrotherapy and exercise therapy. Chris is Commercial Secretary on the ACPSM (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine).
Chartered Physiotherapists
Musculoskeletal & Sports Injury Specialists
Jim Hopkins (BSc Hons, MCSP) has a sports science background and previous degree in Human Movement Studies, which he combines with several years’ experience working as a musculoskeletal chartered physiotherapist. For two seasons Jim was physiotherapist to the London Knights Ice Hockey players and currently oversees the physiotherapy cover for local team Old Colfeians Rugby Club. Jim has established a good local reputation for his work with young athletes in all sporting disciplines, particularly soccer, rugby and gymnastics. He has also worked with a local supermarket chain, providing advice and treatment in the workplace. Jim is licensed to treat with acupuncture, which he uses in conjunction with the more traditional methods of treatment such as mobilisation, manipulation, soft-tissue massage, electrotherapy and exercise therapy.
Eirian Rees (BSc Hons, MCSP) has several years experience in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic physiotherapy, specialising in myofascial release which he combines with mobilisation and manipulation. Eirian has a rugby background and has worked with teams in Toronto, Canada, as well as Reading and South London. He is trained in acupuncture for pain relief, which he uses in conjunction with more traditional methods of electrotherapy and exercise rehabilitation.
Alastair Thrush (MSc, BSc Hons, MCSP) originally qualified with a degree in Sports Science from the University of Birmingham before studying for a Masters in Physiotherapy in Glasgow. After working for a number of years within the NHS in Scotland, Alastair spent two years in New Zealand and Australia building up a wealth of experience in manual therapy and sports injury rehabilitation. Alastair is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine and has previously worked with the Scottish FA and Scottish Rugby Union youth squads. More recently in New Zealand he was physiotherapist to Canterbury United FC, Merrivale-Linclon RFC and the New Zealand Touch Rugby squad. He now provides physiotherapy cover for Old Colfeians RFC. Alastair is a keen sportsman and has a love for outdoor sports such as snowboarding, mountain biking and climbing. He also enjoys running and successfully completed the 2007 Great North Run.
Solomon Canevaro (MSc Manipulative Physiotherapist, BSc Hons, MCSP, AACP) is originally from Florence in Italy. After qualifying as a chartered physiotherapist from the University of East London in 2003, he gained valuable experience as an outpatient physiotherapist in the NHS before leaving for Australia to complete his masters in Manipulation at the University of Queensland. He then returned to the UK and started working as a private physiotherapist.
Solomon specialises in spinal manipulation and core stability retraining which he uses to great effect in the treatment of both acute and chronic back and neck problems. He uses MET (Muscle Energy Techniques) to treat sacroiliac joint, cervical and thoracic problems and also specialises in treating sciatica and arm pain from a neural origin. Since joining PhysioActive Solomon has been running the Pilates/Core Stability classes, treating a variety of conditions including, neck, back and knee problems. Solomon gained sports injury experience working with the Dulwich College rugby team and running a lunch time sports injury clinic at the college. He also works with Old Colfeiens RFC. Solomon hobbies include swimming, running, cycling and boxing
Candice Sumner (BSc Hons, MCSP) gained her degree from the University of Cape Town in 2002. After a year of compulsory service in rural South Africa she started working in private practices throughout Cape Town and Namibia. Since studying post-graduate sports physiotherapy in 2005 she has been involved with amateur and professional sports people within football, rugby, athletics, gymnastics and inline hockey through private practice in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Candice moved to the UK in early 2007 and began at PhysioActive in September. She also works with the academy at Millwall Football Club and provides pitch side assistance to Eltham College 1st XV. When her schedule allows, Candice also volunteers with the charity ‘Ambassadors in Sport’, touring and coaching with amateur teams. Her clinical interests include Manual Therapy, Dry Needling and Rehabilitation.
Neurological Specialist
Carly Geraghty (BSc Hons, MCSP) graduated from the University of East London with a First Class degree in Physiotherapy in 2001. Carly initially worked as a Junior Physiotherapist at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup. She completed rotations in Neurology, Respiratory Care, Orthopaedics, Musculoskeletal Outpatients, Elderly Care and Rehabilitation, before specialising in Neurology in 2002.Carly has worked with patients who have suffered from different neurological conditions, including Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal cord injury, head injury and Parkinson’s disease. She has also worked with patients with balance disturbances and those at risk of falls. To supplement Carly’s clinical experience, she has attended Bobath Training Courses, specialising in the treatment of patients with Neurological deficits. She has also attended training courses and study days on Gait Re-education, Motor Control, Spasticity and Botox, to name a few! Carly is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology.
Sports Physician
Dr Ian Beasley (MBBS, MRCGP, MSc, Dip Sports Med, FFSEM) has worked in professional football for twenty years and is currently the Arsenal doctor. He worked in hockey from 1992-2002, has covered the Olympics in Atlanta and Sydney and the 1998 Commonwealth Games. He is a consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine (SEM) at Newham University NHS Trust and an honorary lecturer in SEM at University College London and the Royal London Hospital. He is Medical Officer and adviser to the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, the David Beckham Football Academy and Colfes School. Ian is also a Member of the Council of FSEM and co-author of the book “Soccer Injuries: Their Causes, Prevention and Treatment”.
Sports Massage Therapist
Sally Lalor (BA Hons, Sports & Recreational Science, Dip Sports Massage Therapy/Personal Training) graduated from Birmingham University in 1999 and spent twelve months travelling in Australia before returning to complete her Diploma in Sports Massage and Personal Training in 2001. She puts her experience as a fitness instructor and personal trainer to good use as a sports massage therapist, concentrating particularly on sports injury prevention in her treatments. Sally is a keen runner and fitness enthusiast and has been running for 16 years following knee surgery as a teenager. She regularly competes in races including half marathons and is hoping to run at next year’s London Marathon.
In addition to Sports Massage Therapy, Sally offers Swedish Massage which is a general treatment for the relaxation of the mind body and spirit, and Seated Massage, which is ideal for people who only have a limited amount of time available, or who find it awkward to get on the couch. Seated Massage concentrates on those tension areas of neck/back/shoulders and is fantastic for office workers who spend a lot of time at their desks.
Podiatrist
Simon Coe (BSc, MSCh, SRCh) qualified as a State Registered Chiropodist / Podiatrist in 1992. Initially developing his career within the NHS he then moved into the commercial sector in 1999, working for Boots where he became a lead clinical advisor. He established himself as a private practitioner in 2004 in the Dartford area joining the PhysioActive team in 2006. He has a specific interest in podiatric biomechanics especially in relation to sport and dance. He has a competitive swimming background having competed at national level and is a Qualified ASA Level 3 Swimming Coach. He is currently the Head Coach of Orpington Ojays Swimming Club.