Put simply, my job is to help people in pain get back doing what they love. I take time to listen to your story and take time to explain how we can use a host of physical activity and lifestyle strategies to get you going again. I have an awesome job!

I have always been someone who thinks outside the box and passionately believe in treating patients holistically. I particularly enjoy treating more challenging cases that make me use my whole toolbox of physio skills. I find nothing as rewarding as helping people make real life change.

I was literally born into this practice. My father, William, worked from the then clinic next door when we were based in Alexandra Road. My Grandfather, Albert, was also a physio and he worked for Peterborough United for 25 years and in his latter years worked from his home in Audley Gate, Peterborough. From my early years, I observed my father and grandfather working and most of all learnt how important the therapist-patient relationship is in establishing healing. I will always be grateful to them in showing me how important it is to listen.

I qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1996 from the University of Birmingham with a First Class Honours Degree (having won the Research Prize for my year) and have worked in a variety of settings (both in and out of the NHS) before taking over the business from William Preston, my father, in 2000.

I have recently been part of a working group of my professional body (the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) developing a Backmyths campaign to help educate society around what we now know about back pain (see here for the campaign: https://www.csp.org.uk/your-health/healthy-living/public-information-leaflets/back-pain-myth-busters ). I have been active in disseminating these locally by meeting the public and organising a recent education evening with GPs and other physiotherapists to help improve understanding of how new scientific evidence is changing how we manage back pain more successfully. Contact me if you wish to know more! Promoting evidence based public health messages is a passion of mine! And so is walking the talk!

MY TOOLBOX:
I prioritise the patient-therapist relationship at the heart of any therapeutic intervention and my key treatment tool with every patient is always advice and education alongside any physical treatments.

I passionately believe in treating patients holistically: getting to the root of the problem to help prevent recurrence, not just treating the symptoms.

I incorporate a broad array of physiotherapeutic treatment techniques individualised to the patient’s particular problem and story. These can include manual therapy (mobilisation, manipulation and soft tissue techniques), therapeutic exercise and movement training. I specialise in building confidence in mind and body to move!

EXTRA-CURRICULAR
My other job is being a Mum to my 2 young children who inspire and make me smile everyday. I enjoy keeping active with my husband and the children, I make time to run my black Labrador, Frankie, around Ferry Meadows as often and I can and I also enjoy watching all aspects of human performance including sport, music and theatre. I am a 100 club parkrunner and recently successfully completed my first ever half marathon at the Great Eastern Run, raising over £1200 with my husband for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall #TeamIncredible. I am a member of the Core Team for the Central Park junior parkrun in Peterborough and have just started as a regular run director for this event. I also enjoy finding “green space” in mindfulness meditation and sunshine. I quite like chocolate too.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
I am a Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.

I am also a Member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sport and Exercise Medicine (ACPSEM), Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health (ACPOHE), Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) and the Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice (OCPPP: Physiofirst).

I am also a Professional Member of EUSSER (European Society for Shoulder and Elbow Rehabilitation).

In 2017, I started on the year long Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Leadership Programme #CSPLDP

Participating in competitive sport from a young age and with an interest in science, I have pursued a career in Physiotherapy that has now spanned over two decades.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy Degree from University College Dublin in 1999, and have worked in a variety of settings including NHS, Police Rehabilitation, Private Practice and Professional Sport.

Specialising in Musculoskeletal Medicine and Women’s Health, I have enjoyed the challenge and diversity of working with different cultures and nationalities in Ireland, UK, New Zealand, Switzerland and UAE.

Following my husband around the world, I relished my previous job working in a busy clinic in Dubai. This post involved a varied caseload of clinical practice, ergonomic assessments and presentations for multinational companies in their workplaces, home visits and working with professional sports teams at prestigious international events such as the ‘Dubai Rugby 7’s’ Tournament. It was in Dubai that I gained my Pilates Instructor Certification in 2019, and am currently training towards the Pilates Reformer (machine) Certification.

Skills
I enjoy making a connection with each and every patient; actively listening to their beliefs and expectations of treatment, and tailoring an individualised physiotherapy plan based on their in-depth assessment. Offering a wide skill base of techniques including patient education, exercise prescription, manual therapy techniques, Pilates rehabilitation, acupuncture, taping and electrotherapy, I assist patients towards their long term goals of treatment.

Interests
My proudest personal achievement to date must be completing an Ironman70.3 (triathlon). I am also an avid open water swimmer, and mother to three children who have chosen their own sports and activities which I take great interest in following.

Professional Bodies
I am a Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
I am also a Member of the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI) and the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP).

Like Helen, I grew up with physiotherapy. My Mum is a physio, and still has great passion for the profession after nearly 50 years of practice – a passion that has definitely rubbed off on me.

I did not train to be a Physiotherapist straight from school; I did a degree in Natural Sciences at Clare College, Cambridge University beforehand. I then went on to do a degree in Physiotherapy at King’s College London, graduating in 2000.

During my Junior Physiotherapist rotations at Charing Cross Hospital, I specialised in Musculoskeletal outpatients fairly early on. I then worked in various settings, following my husband around as he trained to be a surgeon, ending up in Cambridge in 2004.

In Cambridge, I landed the job of Physiotherapist for the Cambridge Boat Race team (CUBC). Perfect for me being a Cambridge Blue in rowing myself! This was an amazing job. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team and organising injury prevention programmes as well as treating injuries. I also worked with other elite athletes in the Cambridge area with my role as the Cambridge Physiotherapist for the English Institute of Sport. Alongside all of this, I ran a private practice at the University Boat Club premises and completed an MSc in the Science of Sports Injury at Manchester Metropolitan University (long-distance learning).

After six incredible years with CUBC, in 2011 I moved to Peterborough – again with my husband’s job. With two young children, I decided to take life a little bit more slowly and worked from home for three years, before starting work at Preston’s. During this time, I enjoyed seeing a wider variety of patients once more, although I still love treating sports injuries.

My skills

Every patient and every injury is different; physiotherapy treatment needs to be carefully tailored to each patient, with a holistic view to recovery. I enjoy using my analytical mind to work out the cause of the problem and the best treatment strategy for each individual patient. I firmly believe that the role of a physiotherapist includes not only treating the current problem, but preventing recurrence too. I use a wide variety of techniques including joint mobilisations and manipulations, soft-tissue work, exercises, acupuncture, taping, electrotherapy, education and advice.

Extra-curricular

Having spent most of my teenage years and my twenties training for competitive sport (swimming then rowing), I do my best to keep fit. I enjoy getting out on my road bike and pounding out a few kilometres in the pool. I also thoroughly enjoy being a Mum to my two young children.

Professional Memberships

I am a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), and registered on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I am also a member of the Acupuncture association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP), and the Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice (OCPPP, Physiofirst).

Sports massage a second career post RAF service, I graduated from the London School of Sports Massage in Feb 2005.

Working in an ethical and patient focus regime, patients well being is my prime focus. Dedicated to further training, I have enjoyed my learning experience to become a versatile and effective Sports and Remedial Massage Practitioner.

Brought up in Hull, I became a competitive athlete in 1973 aged 14, starting with sprints and graduating up to an endurance runner. I joined the RAF in 1976 as an avionics tech and serve 29 years, retiring in Nov 2005. The highlight of my RAF career was my 16 years, maintaining Search and Rescue Sea King Helicopters at RAF Boulmer, Leconfield and Valley. Post RAF, I retrained at the London School of Sports Massage to my present profession, graduating in Feb 2005.

I joined Prestons in Jan 2006, started a learning experience that has seen me progress to a competent professional Therapist. I still get a buzz from seeing some body shuffle in the treatment room in discomfort and walk out a new person.

I am dedicated to expanding my toolbox of soft tissue techniques and see myself as more than a sports massage therapist, advanced techniques covered include, myofascial release techniques, positional release, active isolated stretching to name a few.

I see myself as patient focused and will not hesitate to refer a patient on to my physiotherapist colleagues when I feel my skills are not the answer, this attribute I am particularly proud if.

Outside of work I still train, but don’t compete much now and in recent years. I am a qualified athletics coach, but time restraints prevent me looking after a group, but assist coaching sprinters at Hunts A.C. I follow football and support Cambridge United and attend home and away matches.