We are a team of dedicated physiotherapists who pride ourselves on getting the right diagnosis every time. This enables our treatment techniques to be focused and specific to help get you ‘better faster’. We believe it is important to consider the biomechanics of the whole body to help gain complete recovery from injuries. We are all sports people ourselves and so understand the need to get back in action as quickly as possible.
What makes us different:
- We listen to what you say and what your body tells us
- We get to the origin of your problem, not just treating symptoms
- We understand you are busy and need to recover quickly
- We don’t want your injury to come back again either
- We work with you not for you, to achieve efficient recovery
- Small lifestyle changes can make a large effect on recovery
Leanna Veal – BPhty, PGDipSpMed, MNZSP
Physiotherapist
After qualifying I based myself in the UK for 8 years where I spent lot of time travelling. I also used that opportunity to attend a variety of different courses to further develop my physiotherapy skills. Recently my professional journey has me working my way through a series of Connect Therapy courses both in NZ and Australia. This is a fantastic integrated whole body system approach incorporating both assessment and treatment.
I genuinely love being a physio and am passionate about hearing each patient’s story and getting the opportunity to help them reach their goals. I especially love working with athletes where small changes can make huge differences in performance. I also love the challenge where patients feel like there is no solution left to help them.
My vision, as a clinic owner, it’s to have a clinic with passionate physios who love what they do and strive to provide the best treatment for each and every person who comes through the door.
When I am not working I am either running or spending as much time as I can having fun with my husband and 4 children.
Space
Sarah Walker – BPhty, PGCertAcu, MNZSP
Physiotherapist
Hi, my name is Sarah and I am one of the owners of the clinic. I graduated from Otago University in 2005 and have had an extensive range of experience as a physiotherapist, personal trainer, acupuncturist and massage therapist since graduating. I have worked with a wide range of local, national and international athletes in a large variety of sports. I enjoy the challenge of learning the biomechanics of new sports and how injuries can affect result. A highlight in my career was being the Physiotherapist for Team Abu Dhabi in the Volvo Ocean Race for 2 years. I love implementing a type of physiotherapy that really gets to the cause of injuries and can ultimately make our patients better and faster with a special interest in prehabilitation and preventing injuries via biomechanical screening.
In my spare time I enjoy keeping active either on a sports field or with family and friends.
Space
Lindsay Duhig – BSc Hons Physiotherapy, MCSP
Physiotherapist
Hi, I’m Lindsay, I’m from Northern Ireland but moved to Tauranga in 2015. Since graduating from the University of Ulster I have worked in both public and private healthcare settings and have experience in Paediatrics, Women’s Health, MSK and spinal injury, Pre and Post-Operative Rehabilitation. Back in NI I have worked with professional Rugby Union and Netball athletes: the Northern Ireland U21 Netball team to the World Youth Championships in 2013 and with Ulster Rugby developing skills in prehabilitation and strength & conditioning techniques. My Physio passion is within Contact Sports Injury and Rehabilitation, and I thoroughly enjoy my time with both Greerton Marist and Rangataua Sports Clubs being a side-line supporter and a Sports Medic. I like to use a variety of treatment techniques including Pilates, Sarah Key Method, Myofascial release and Connect Therapy. Within my treatment sessions, I enjoy taking a full body approach and treating not only the painful area but ensuring a full recovery through injury prevention and prehabilitation techniques. Outside of work I have a passion for travel and love exploring the beautiful country I now live in but spend most of my free time at Bootcamp or trying to be a baking Queen! I look forward to meeting you and helping you on your journey!
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Morven Smith – BSc Physiotherapy, MCSP
Physiotherapist
Hi my name is Morven and I moved to NZ with my kiwi husband and our two boys in 2018. Since qualifying in Glasgow in 1991 I have worked extensively in the Musculoskeletal field, primarily in the UK’s NHS and also privately in the USA for three years in a sports medicine team. I have a special interest in spinal pain and became a Credentialed McKenzie Therapist in 2002 whilst working as a clinical specialist in the spinal service in Glasgow. I have also trained in Pilates and Acupuncture which are both a great adjunct to physiotherapy. Over the last 10 years I was a clinical specialist in London and my role was to diagnose and manage patients with complex musculoskeletal conditions, including referring patients for MRI, CT scans and Nerve Conduction Studies and delivering cortisone steroid injections. In this role I worked closely with Orthopaedic and Rheumatology teams and in chronic pain management to help each patient achieve the best outcome. I pride myself in my holistic approach and I am passionate in helping patients to achieve their goals and improve their well-being. My interests include walking, swimming and yoga and I love spending time outdoors with my family exploring the beautiful Bay of Plenty.
Rachael Blackburn – BPhty Physiotherapy
Physiotherapist
Hi, I’m Rachael. I grew up here in the lovely Tauranga, then moved to Dunedin for university where I graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2018. I enjoy applying a whole-body approach to rehabilitation, as well as incorporating future injury prevention in my later treatment sessions. I find it rewarding to work in collaboration with individuals, helping them reach their goals of rehabilitation and getting them back to where they want to be. Outside of physio, I like to be active in the outdoors and play netball!
BIA Physio
Claire Vanderpoel – BPhty Physiotherapy
Physiotherapist
A graduate from Otago Uni in 2015, my working life has since been in Tauranga and in England. I enjoy the excitement of acute injuries, including on the rugby field, but also the challenge of problem-solving with long-term or complex injuries.
I love using my knowledge and skills to not only treat a person, but educate them to facilitate self-management and promote long-term health. I ensure that advice and exercises are individualised and achievable in your daily schedule. We will also discuss lifestyle factors that impact your symptoms and well-being.
I simply love to be outside and, of course, exercising – practice what you preach!
I’m constantly trying to beat my PB running up the mount, to improve my shot percentage of 2-pointers at indoor netball, and to decrease my number of nose dives off the surfboard.
Space
Kelly Waite
Office Manager
Hi my name is Kelly and I am the Receptionist and Administrator for Back in Action Physiotherapy. An experienced Office Manager with qualifications in medical administration, I am always on hand to help you find an appointment or answer any questions you may have.
In my down time I am an avid reader, enjoy the cinema, amateur photography and I love to travel. I lived in Ireland for six years and thoroughly enjoyed it. I explored a little bit of Europe while I was there but not nearly enough. When I was 16 I had a small accident that resulted in a shoulder stabilisation surgery at 17 and shoulder reconstruction surgery at 19. Following both procedures was lots of physiotherapy to regain my range of motion and strength, so I have had a bit of physiotherapy myself in my time! Read more about shoulder injuries here. I look forward to meeting you and aiding your recovery in any way I can to help you get Better – Faster.
Jan Swale
Reception
Hi my name is Jan. I am the relief receptionist for the Back in Action team when Kelly is away from the front counter. I have 20 years’ experience working in physiotherapy clinics in Tauranga, previously as a receptionist and practice manager.
I live locally and enjoy meeting and helping clients. I retired, but found I missed the patient contact and working with a team of friendly professionals. My main interests outside of the clinic are spending time with my six lovely grandchildren, my children and my husband.
I look forward to spending more time working with this great team, meeting you all and helping in any way I can to aid your recovery.