Our experts

Dr Ketkar graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1990. Following hospital training in Accident and Emergency and Medical Specialities, he completed training in general practice and joined Birmingham University Medical Centre in 1995. He gained experience working with elite athletes in the University teams and pursued his interest in orthopaedic and sports medicine by training with BASM. He completed the Diploma in Rheumatology at the University of Bath for which he was awarded a Distinction.

He has worked at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham as a Musculoskeletal Physician since 2004 and has also worked with the Armed Forces at the Regional Rehabilitation Unit in Lichfield, Staffordshire. He is a tutor and module lead on the British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine modular course.

He has special experience in the non-surgical treatment of sports injuries, back pain and other orthopaedic problems and uses a variety of treatments including manual techniques, acupuncture, injection treatments and prolotherapy to help patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Usamah worked for two years in two major Orthopaedic and Trauma centres in Germany and Switzerland before moving over to the UK in 1994 where he has since established himself as a full-time Sports and Musculoskeletal Physician. He previously worked part-time as an NHS Consultant in Musculoskeletal Medicine leading a spinal pain unit in the South of England. Since 2010, he works full-time in private practice. He has extensive training in Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (University of Bournemouth) and image-guided back pain injections (International Spinal Intervention Society). He also runs a busy Harley Street Practice where he sees sportsmen/sportswomen and athletes of varying sporting backgrounds for Ultrasound and CT-guided pain-relieving injections. Usamah has a special interest in marathon running and has, for the second year running, been lead Sports Doctor at the Advanced Treatment Centre at the Brighton Marathon finish line.

He has previously examined and tutored doctors at the Department of Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of Bath, and is now Appraiser and Examiner for the UK Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine. When he is not busy working, you will either find him running with his dogs, playing tennis for his local tennis club, or out sea windsurfing or sailing. He will be in Japan this summer with team GB at the world Ultimate Championships and looks forward to working as Sports Doctor at the Olympic Village for the 2012 London Olympic games.

Dr Creaney is a Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine. He is one of only 20 GMC accredited specialists in the UK. Doctor Creaney was the first doctor to complete the London training rotation in Sport and Exercise Medicine, and has worked as an NHS Consultant in Sheffield. He has previously worked in Rugby, Multi-sports Games and most extensively in the sport of Athletics. Doctor Creaney joined the Barbican team in October 2009, and has a special interest in Running and Football injures. When not at the centre he also works at the Department of Health to develop Sport & Exercise Medicine within the NHS.

Tom started out in General Practice in 1980 and opened a sports clinic in 1982. He gained a diploma (with Merit) in Sports Medicine in 1986 and in 1990 left to concentrate on sports and orthopaedic medicine. He has cared for many representative and national teams including England hockey, Essex cricket and London division rugby, and was the Chief Medical Officer to the British team at three World University Games from 1993-1997.

Tom is now a member of the Medical Commission of the International University Sports Federation. He provided medical care to the Olympic Training camp in USA in 1994, and was a Headquarters Medical Officer to the British team for the 1996 Olympic Games and in 2000 was Chief Medical officer to GB team at Sydney Paralympics. He was a member of the organising committee for the Commonwealth Games Manchester 2002.

John trained as a GP before specialising in orthopaedic and sports medicine. He ran a sports injury clinic in Milton Keynes for seven years, a medical osteopathic practice in Bermuda for four years and on return to the UK developed the Oving Clinic as a multidisciplinary practice in West Sussex. He has also worked as an Associate Specialist at Odstock Rehabilitation in the Pain Management team for 10 years and in orthopaedics at Worthing.

He has authored two books ‘Better Back’ and ‘Your Guide to Back Pain’. He pioneered the use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in tendinopathy in the UK, and has a special interest in chronic musculoskeletal and spinal pain, interventional pain relief techniques and psychological management. He is an instructor for the International Spinal Intervention Society and sits on the European Faculty; and set up a new course for postgraduate training for doctors in musculoskeletal medicine, teaching regularly throughout the UK.

Previously a GP, Michael is now a musculoskeletal and sports physician and has worked fulltime in musculoskeletal medicine since 1980. He founded and continues to work part-time at the Park Row Clinic in Nottingham which is dedicated to the assessment and management of musculoskeletal problems. Michael has been granted practising privileges at private hospitals up and down the country. He is also employed part-time as a specialist musculoskeletal physician at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine. He undertakes prolotherapy (sclerosing injections) to ligaments and other soft tissues, in addition to a wide variety of non-surgical management strategies.

Michael has been involved in sports medicine (principally sports injuries) since the early 1970s, having been appointed Medical Officer to Nottingham Forest FC and Nottinghamshire CCC and later Medical Director of the Sports Injuries Clinic at Nottingham General Hospital. He has also worked as an examiner for the Diploma of Sports Medicine.

He is former President of FIMM (International Federation of Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine), former Chairman of IAMMM (the International Academy of Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine), former President of BIMM (British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine), and previously Dean of the Institute of Sports Medicine. His textbooks include “Sports Injuries: recognition and management”, the first edition of which in 1991 won the Glaxo prize for medical writing (Society of Authors); Back pain; and WRULD (work related upper limb disorders). A fourth edition of his Textbook of Sports Injuries (OUP) co-edited with Cathy Speed was published in 2011. His textbooks reflect his interests: neck and back pain; WRULD (work related upper limb disorders); joint, tendon and ligament problems; sports injuries. He also undertakes medico-legal work.

Mike Rossiter has a variety of roles in Sports & Exercise Medicine. As well as being a Sports Physician at The English Institute of Sport, he is Club Doctor and medical lead at London Irish Rugby, Chief Medical Officer for Great Britain Hockey and Chief Medical Officer for Great Britain Synchronised Swimming. He attended The Commonwealth Games in 2006 and 2010 and the Olympic Games in 2008 as team doctor with GB Men’s and Women’s Hockey.

He is a Hon. Senior Lecturer in Sports & Exercise Medicine at The University of Bath and an examiner in Sports Medicine both at Bath and The Faculty of Sports Medicine.

Dr Mark Wotherspoon, MBBS Dip Sports Med (London), FFSEM UK qualified from St Georges Hospital in 1985 with a view to becoming a primary care physician and sports medicine doctor. Having worked in orthopaedics, rheumatology and A & E, he completed his GP vocational training in 1991, before obtaining his Diploma in Sports & Exercise Medicine in 1992. He has extensive team experience, having been club doctor at Fulham Football Club from 1993 – 2002 and with London Irish RFC from 2002 – 2004.

He was Chief Medical Officer for England and GB Hockey from 1997 – 2004 and attended two Commonwealth Games, several European and World championships, as well as the Athens 2004 Olympic Games with them. He is one of the Sports Physicians for the English Institute of Sport, based at Bisham Abbey and is Medical Officer to canoeing. He is currently Head of the Sports Medicine/Sports Science Department at Southampton Football Club and is one of the Medical Officers to the England Cricket team, covering both home tests and travelling on winter tours with them.

He is an examiner for the Faculty of Sports & Exercise Medicine. His specialist areas of interest include chronic groin pain and under performance syndrome.

Kate Hutchings has been working in sports medicine since 2004. She graduated as a GP in 2003 and went on to undertake a masters at UCL in 2004, where she gained a distinction. Following this, she worked at Chelsea Football Club in the academy division. She then set up and led two PCT lead musculoskeletal triage clinics in South London as well as working for the English National Ballet as company doctor. Kate started her Registrar training programme in 2010 with the Oxford deanery. The position has involved working in orthopaedics, rheumatology, public health, NHS Sports clinics and elite sport at the English Institute of Sport. During this time she has worked with several teams both in the UK and abroad and is currently the club doctor for Oxford University rugby team. She is also a part time locum consultant at Bisham Abbey, English Institute of Sport.

Lesley graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in1998 and spent the next five years working in public and private hospitals in areas including orthopaedic trauma, medical chests, musculoskeletal out-patients, elderly care, neurology, general surgery, hydrotherapy, elective orthopaedics and intensive care. She has trained with the Football Association at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre and holds the FA Diploma in the Management of Sports Injuries. Lesley has also worked in professional cricket and rugby.

Lesley joined Bupa Sports Medicine in 2004 and is an experienced practitioner dealing with a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders. She works very closely with occupational health nurses, a team of GPs and a musculoskeletal and sports medicine doctors to provide a seamless service to her patients. Lesley also provides post-operative physiotherapy and rehabilitation after neck, back, shoulder, hip, knee and foot surgery. She has a particular interest in treating complex and chronic pain and believes a multi-disciplinary approach is essential in this area. Lesley is a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists.

Simon graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 1993 and commenced work in orthopaedics. In 1996 he completed a postgraduate Diploma in Manipulative Physiotherapy and is a member of the Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapists and an APA titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. He has trained as an Extended Scope Practitioner at St Mary’s Hospital, London, is an accredited Bronze level ACPSM Sports Physiotherapist and is currently studying towards a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy at the University of Bath.

With over 17 years’ clinical experience and 12 years in private practice, he has a special interest in manual therapy, sports and spinal injuries. He has worked with elite athletes in sports ranging from tennis and ballet through to distance running and veterans track and field.

Natasha graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy in 1994 and went on to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy (1996) and a Master of Science Degree in 1998.

She has worked extensively in the fields of sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, which has included elite sport at international level, namely the Olympics in Sydney, 2000. She has attained postgraduate certification in clinical acupuncture and clinical pilates and has mentored postgraduate students. Natasha has a keen interest in running injuries.

Alex qualified in physiotherapy at Curtin University in Australia in 1993, during which time he played competitive tennis to a national level in Australia and tennis coached both juniors and adults. He gained experience for several years in both hospitals and private clinics in Australia and in the USA.

In 1997 he began to specialise in the out-patient musculoskeletal area and gained further experience working with state level tennis players and elite rugby players in team competition. He has also worked at the Hopman Cup international tennis in Perth between 2003 and 2005.

Alex completed his Master of Manipulative Therapy degree in Perth in 2001 and has worked in both private practice and public out-patient settings over the past nine years. He was involved with clinical physiotherapy teaching associated with Curtin University for a number of years and has published research on lower back pain in the international journal ‘Spine’.

Alex has a special interest in treating lower back injuries and sports injuries, particularly in racquet sports. He is currently working in a shared role as the lead physiotherapist for the Bupa physiotherapy team in the London region.

Senior Physiotherapist at Bupa Centre, Reading.

With five years of work experience, Neil qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2005 at the University of East London. He worked for four years at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and one year at Wycombe General Hospital. Neil also works for Reading Football Club with the Academy teams.

He drew his expertise in the management of musculoskeletal/sports injuries from his firm experience, strong training background, and his work with various semi-professional sports clubs and in hospitals within the NHS. His areas of expertise include spinal and peripheral joints manipulations, knee and ankle injuries, and sport rehabilitation especially football.

He is a chartered physiotherapist, and obtained his postgraduate orthopaedic medicine training at the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine UK. He is also a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine.

He joined Bupa in April 2010 and aims to use his ever growing passion and skills in musculoskeletal medicine to achieve optimal wellness for those within his care. Outside work, he enjoys most sports with a passion in everything football.

Self-employed Senior Physiotherapist at Bupa Centre, Reading

Phuong joined the Bupa team in January 2010. She is an Australian trained physiotherapist with over ten years experience in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She arrived in the UK in 2006 and since then has worked in the NHS, private sector and with the British Forces.

Her areas of interest include Pilates, functional and sports-specific rehabilitation, biomechanical assessments and lower limb injuries. She is an advocate of maximising health and wellness and preventive medicine. She maintains an active lifestyle with her yoga, running, cycling, tennis, hiking and salsa dancing.

Emily graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2002 and went on to work in the NHS for five years before moving to the private sector in 2007. Since then she has worked in a variety of private hospitals, occupational health sites and sports injury clinics before joining Bupa in 2009 to set up and run our physiotherapy service within the Bupa Centre at Solihull. Emily, who is also a certified Pilates instructor, enjoys offering one-to-one tailored treatment sessions as well as sports rehabilitation and health promotion classes. Her interests include biomechanical assessment, back pain and lower limb injuries, and she uses a wide range of treatment modalities including acupuncture. Outside of work, Emily likes to practise what she preaches and is a keen Pilates enthusiast.

Musculoskeletal Team Leader & Senior Physiotherapist at Bupa Centre, Reading.

Bridey-Lee qualified with BSc Physiotherapy in 2003 from Stellenbosch University (South Africa) and obtained her MSc in Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy from the same university in 2008. Her thesis discussed accelerated rehabilitation and hydrotherapy after ACL repairs in the knee. Bridey has gained extensive experience in sports injuries and orthopaedics and has worked in a private practice for the past five and a half years. She has spent much time in the sport specific rehabilitation of various sports such as dancing, swimming and netball.

She has also been involved and has presented courses in dance and swimming rehabilitation as well as hydrotherapy. She has lectured on an ad-hoc basis for Stellenbosch University, assisting other Masters Degree students with their theses. In 2009 she was involved in the organisation of the one year OMT post-graduate certificate held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. This included lecturing and clinical supervision. She has also taught Pilates for Virgin Active, Port Elizabeth, South Africa since 2008. Bridey-Lee has recently joined Bupa in May 2010 and is excited about her contributions to the company. She loves health and fitness and has danced for many years. She now keeps fit by going to the gym.

Kate qualified from Guy’s Hospital School of Physiotherapy in 1991 and has since gained extensive experience in spinal and sport related injuries. She holds a Diploma in Injection Therapy and has also had specialist training in shoulder rehabilitations and now advises and lectures in this area. Through her work with integrated multi-disciplinary team at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Kate has a good working knowledge of chronic pain management and uses acupuncture for pain relief as an effective adjunct to some of her treatments.

For the past five years Kate has held full certifications as a Registered Clinical Pilates Instructor with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute. She runs both small groups and one-to-one remedial Pilates sessions for the clinical population.

She is also a competitive road cyclist with a special interest in rehabilitation of cycling injuries and biomechanical considerations relating to this sport.

Peter qualified in 1990 form Kings College London. He has a Masters degree in Manipulative Physiotherapy (University of Brighton 2002) and is a member of the Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapists. He is a clinical mentor to postgraduate Masters Physiotherapy students. He has studied acupuncture to a postgraduate diploma level and is a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists.

He is an experienced private practitioner and adopts an integrated approach to treatment using evidence-based practice. He specialises in treating and rehabilitating sports injuries and complex spinal complaints including pelvic dysfunction and neural pain.

Previous experience includes treating patients from the West End shows and the National Theatre, working at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre treating national and international athletes as well as working within team squads such as Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Catherine qualified in 1990 from the Queen Elizabeth School of Physiotherapy, Birmingham and has continued her learning ever since, gaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Practical and Academic Sports Physiotherapy and recently completing her Masters in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy. She also practices acupuncture and is a qualified Body Control Instructor in Pilates.

Before working for Bupa Sports Medicine, she led a team of physiotherapists at the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital, Stanmore and was team physiotherapist to the Saracens R.F.C for four years.

Catherine believes that successful outcomes are the result of forming an accurate diagnosis and applying early intervention of customised treatment that includes an understanding of patients’ work and exercise needs.

Tim graduated from the Otago School of Physiotherapy with Credit in New Zealand in 1998. He went on to complete a Master of Sports Physiotherapy with Distinction at the Curtin School of Physiotherapy in Western Australia in 2002. He has lectured at an undergraduate level and supervised students at a postgraduate level in sports physiotherapy.

Tim is a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists and is a British Triathlon Federation Qualified Coach. Although he is a sports physiotherapist he is able to help manage both sports and non-sports related injuries.

Since graduating from Brunel University in 1997, Russell has worked at some of the foremost physiotherapy departments in the UK and continues to do so with Bupa Sports Medicine. Through postgraduate study and working with leading orthopaedic physicians, surgeons and physiotherapists, Russell has gained valuable experience and developed excellent skills in the assessment and treatment of the musculoskeletal system.

Russell’s interest in sporting injuries has continued to develop. He has treated and rehabilitated injuries from a variety of sports such as marathon running, triathlon, skiing, football, rugby and tennis.

Through working in the corporate sector for over four years Russell is experienced in the treatment of common conditions experienced by those working in office environments and has a special interest in problems such as trapped nerves, arm, back and neck pain. As well as physical treatment he is able to assess and advise on optimal workstation set-up, and believes in identifying a client’s needs to direct appropriate treatment.

Sally is a senior registered practitioner, graduating from the University of Southampton with first Class Honours in 2006. She has worked for a number of years at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and in London at University Hospital Lewisham, whilst also incorporating private clinic work during her time in the capital.

She has spent the past two winters based in the French Alps working for a private physiotherapy clinic where she has gained detailed knowledge and skills in acute soft tissue management and trauma, with a bias towards both alpine and cross country skiers and snowboarders. Whilst based in France, she provided physiotherapy for a broad range of patients, including competitors in the British Inter Services Ski and Snowboard Championships, and the world renowned gymnasts from the Cirque du Soleil.

From both her time in the NHS and the private sector, in the UK and abroad, her experience has allowed her to attain a comprehensive understanding into the management of a variety of musculoskeletal and sports injuries.

Sally has completed the Academy of Sports Therapy and Bodywork course of Massage and Soft Tissue Manipulation, and is working towards her qualifications into Acupuncture and Pilates.

She joined Bupa in October 2011 and aims to draw on all her musculoskeletal experiences, in order to provide a tailored and individual approach to each patient. In her spare time, Sally enjoys keeping active- she plays hockey and tennis, is a keen swimmer and a regular visitor to the gym.

Rekel qualified in 2000 and spent two years in the NHS while also gaining experience working at a Premier League football academy. He worked as a sessional physiotherapist between 2002-2005 in the NHS and private sector. From 2005-2008 Rekel worked at Nuffield Health hospitals and from 2008-2010 for the MoD in Germany. In 2010 Rekel returned to the UK to work in the private sector.

As North Region Physiotherapy Team Leader, Rekel is responsible for ensuring that physiotherapy training and standards are maintained throughout the region.

Rekel – who is also trained in acupuncture and Pilates – runs a clinic at the Nottingham Bupa centre and an onsite clinic within an occupational health setting for a major manufacturer. He also gives corporate talks on back care and is involved in health promotion roadshows. Rekel is involved in setting up back care courses for companies to expedite staff return to work and reduce time lost through back-related absences. He also provides physiotherapy cover for Bupa-sponsored sporting events such as the Great Manchester Run.

Colette qualified from University College Dublin in 2002 and completed her Master of Manual Therapy at University of Western Australia, graduating with high distinction in 2011. She has worked extensively in both NHS and private practice, specialising in the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal and sports disorders.

Colette incorporates the use of acupuncture and modified pilates into patient care, trained by the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute. She has a particular interest in spinal and sports injuries, especially running and is also experienced in the treatment of musicians and dancers.

Colette leads an active lifestyle and is a keen runner. She enjoys the challenge of returning patients to full function, in the quickest possible timeframe and using the best evidence based treatment.

Michael qualified from the University of Brighton in 1997 with a BSc Honours degree in physiotherapy. He joined the Worthing and Southlands NHS trust where he furthered his interest in musculoskeletal medicine helping run the Park Sporting injuries clinic at Worthing Hospital and providing exercise therapy for the local branch of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society.

He became a locum in 2003 and gained further valuable experience in sports injuries working with the Sussex County Cricket Club coaches and training staff, in treatment and rehabilitation of players . He also had a position with the armed forces at RNAS Yeovilton . In 2005 he joined Bupa in London. A three year interest in acupuncture led Michael to become a member of the AACP that year. He is now concentrating on treatment of work related disorders in the corporate environment and with sports injuries.

Jamie qualified as an osteopath in 1994 from the British school of osteopathy after four years of study. After an initial spell working in Europe and around the UK he settled in London working at private osteopathic clinics and sports clubs. For the last 6 years Jamie has worked exclusively for Bupa, based in clinics around the city and onsite with various corporate customers.

Jamie practices structural based osteopathy with a special interest in work related back pain. He has lectured widely and works closely with other practitioners at Bupa in their multidisciplinary approach to healthcare.

David is a graduate of the British School of Osteopathy having previously completed a degree in Physical Education and played professional rugby union at international level. He specialises in the treatment of sports and dance injuries, with over 10 years’ experience treating elite sportsmen and women, including Olympic athletes, and both Premiership football and rugby players.

As well as working at Bupa Sports Medicine, he is osteopath to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, consultant osteopath to the England Cricket team and the All England Championships, Wimbledon. He lectures widely on all aspects of osteopathic sports medicine and has an MSc in Sports Injuries.

Ian has experience with a vast range of patients from the recreational runner completing their first marathon right through to professional international footballers and golfers. He has obtained a postgraduate certificate in Sports Podiatry, and has also completed his Masters degree in Sports Injury at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he was awarded a distinction for his research into supination resistance.

His main interests lie within the fields of gait analysis, biomechanically induced tissue stress, and the application of engineering principles to human structures. He firmly believes in an interdisciplinary approach to injury management and is fortunate enough to have worked very closely alongside Sports Physiotherapists for the last 5 years.