Darren Higgins BSc Physio MCSP

Practice Principal

Darren graduated from the University of South Australia in 1992 where he worked both in private practice and in the hospital setting, working in one of Melbourne' s most prestigious hospitals. Darren also worked with a number of State and National Sporting teams in Australia and has himself competed at National level in Swimming.

Relocating to England in 1997, Darren worked initially in the NHS and then in private practice. In 1998 he joined the team at Vanbrugh Physio, and in 2000 became the proud owner of the clinic. Darren has extensive experience in the treatment of all musculoskeletal disorders but has a special interest in the management of RSI, Chronic pain, Low Back and Pelvic Pain, and Sacro-iliac Joint Dysfunction.

Continuing Professional Development is an important part of Darren's professional life. He leads the clinics training program, and has since 2003 taught the Muscle Energy Technique approach to physiotherapists in the UK and internationally: “….it is important that physios keep up to date with the best evidence based treatments available for their clients…”. Further testament to this is Darren's position as Honorary Conference Chair for Physio First, the organization which looks after the interests of Physiotherapists in private Practice.

Cecilia Winter BSc Physio MCSP

Clinical Specialist - Women's Health

Cecilia graduated in Germany in 1989. She started working in England 20 years ago and has been working in our clinic since 1996. Cecilia also worked for many years in the NHS gaining valuable experience in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. She has developed an interest in women's health problems with a strong focus on re-education of the pelvic floor muscles in conjunction with core stability training and treatment of lumbopelvic pain.

She completed her training to become a Matwork Instructor with the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute in 2004 and uses this approach in the treatment of her patients.

Acupuncture is one of the treatment techniques she uses for her patients with musculoskeletal conditions. She completed an Acupuncture Foundation course in 2006 and is a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists. More recently she has attended courses in real time ultrasound imaging and she uses this to complement her core stability and pelvic floor assessments.

Colette Collins BSc. Physio MCSP

Physiotherapist

Colette joined the team at Vanbrugh Physiotherapy in August 2007, having previously worked as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist in the NHS for 5 years and as a team physiotherapist for a number of football teams. She graduated from University College Dublin in 2002 with a BSc (Physio) and is currently undertaking a Masters of Manual Therapy with the University of Western Australia.

Colette specialises in the treatment of many acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders and incorporates the use of acupuncture and Modified Pilates into patient care. She has completed her training with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute and teaches a weekly pilates class, specifically aimed at the rehabilitation of patients with low back pain.

Colette holds a weekly clinic at the nearby Trinity College of Music and treats music students for a range of postural and ‘overuse type’ musculoskeletal injuries. Colette is especially interested in the rehabilitation of sports injuries. She is a keen runner herself, and enjoys working with injured sports people to ensure a speedy return to full fitness.

Paul Conrad BSc (Physio) MCSP

Physiotherapist

Paul qualified as a physiotherapist from Southampton University in 2004, and joined Vanbrugh in September 2009, having previously worked in both NHS and private practice settings. Paul’s NHS training and experience has exposed him to teating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including acute, chronic and post-operative rehabilitation.

Paul’s drive to keep abreast of new approaches through evidence based practice led him to complete his Masters Degree in Manipulative Physiotherapy at Brighton University in 2010. Paul also has a keen interest in the management of spots injuries, previously having working part time as a Charlton Athletic Youth Academy Physio and in treating UK Judo athletes.

Paul’s clinical focus is on treating the underlying cause for musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain, rather than simply treating the symptoms. Paul gains great job satisfaction from seeing his clients recover from injury and realise their true potential. He believes treating patients as individuals with their own unique goals and expectations.

Kate Oakley BSc (Hon’s) Physio Bsc (Hon’s) Sport and Exercise Science MCSP

Physiotherapist

Kate graduated as a physiotherapist at the University of East London in 2001. She has specialised in musculoskeletal physiotherapy since 2005 and moved into private practice in 2006 after previously working in the NHS for 5 years.

Kate has a particular interest in sports injuries and cervical and knee pathologies and has several years experience in spinal and peripheral injuries. Additionally, she has been practising acupuncture since 2007 which she finds very useful along side other physiotherapy techniques. As a full time physiotherapist, Kate enjoys a varied caseload of assessments and treatments at Vanbrugh Physiotherapy involving not only acupuncture, manual techniques and rehabilitation with patients, but since 2009 has been involved in the management of a chronic pain programme in Greenwich.

Kate has always had a keen interest in sport playing tennis to county level and she enjoys running and pilates. Prior to studying physiotherapy she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in sport and exercise science at Manchester Metropolitan University which she completed in 1998. This has been a useful adjunct to her physiotherapy practice, particularly in the management of sports injuries.

Karen Fergus MCSP

Physiotherapist

Karen trained at the Manchester Royal Infirmary School of Physiotherapy, graduating in 1993 and has since worked in the NHS, private practice, industry and with sports clubs.
Karen is very experienced in the treatment of all musculoskeletal conditions. She has developed a particular interest in the assessment of movement dysfunction and altered biomechanics of the spine and sacro-iliac joint in the pelvis. Rehabilitation of these dysfunctions has steered Karen’s clinical interest to Clinical Pilates, attending numerous post-graduate courses on the subject. She implements this into her treatment and rehabilitation programs.

More recently her interest in alternative medicine has led her to develop her skills in acupuncture, which is used in the management of both acute and chronic pain, by completing a Traditional Chinese Medicine course.

Karen runs the clinic's sports injury clinic based at Kelmscott Leisure Centre in Walthamstow.

Audrey Njoku BSc. Physio MCSP

Audrey graduated from the University of Malta in 2004. She began her career in Malta, setting up Wellness Programs for residential and nursing homes in the community. Her work grew to include working in the Maltese National Health Service where her experience in all aspects of physiotherapy was consolidated.

In 2007 Audrey relocated to England, working initially within the NHS as a senior physiotherapist. Audrey joined the Vanbrugh Physiotherapy Clinic in 2009, where she has managed and worked in the Stratford Clinic, providing physiotherapy to all manner of clients. She has gained particular experience in the management of whiplash and work related injuries. Continuing Professional Development is important to Audrey, and she is continually researching new treatment approaches.

Shari-Lee Field MAR ITEC

Holistic Therapist

Shari-Lee is a qualified Complementary Therapist, having qualified in 2000 with a Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology and massage. She has since qualified as a Reflexologist and is a full member of the Association of Reflexologists. She is also a qualified Aromatherapist and a Reiki Master.

Shari-Lee joined the Vanbrugh Team in 2001 and believes that a holistic approach is of great benefit, tailoring each treatment to suit the clients specific needs. She is also interested in energy work, and her aim is to bring balance to body, mind and spirit.

Joel Waddingham MTI ITEC

Joel graduated from London’s Academy Of Natural Health in early 2005 and came to the clinic later that year. His diploma in holistic massage therapy formed the basis of his treatment outlook - the holistic principle being that of treating the whole person, and not simply the complaint. The course allowed him to find his own style with its structure of “mini-courses” Such as Thai yoga massage and deep tissue work, and this progression continues with his work at Vanbrugh Physiotherapy today.

His interest in the technical aspect of bodywork has led him to his work at the clinic. Joel also has a particular interest in back pain, as roughly 80% of his patients come in with some form of upper back trouble!

Joel’s continuing professional development has allowed him to add working with breathing and freeing the lower back and hips to his repertoire of relaxation techniques. For him, simple relaxation is key to helping alleviate the problems caused by of our stressful lives and physically restricting jobs.