Our Team

Hi my name is Sarah and I am excited to join the team at Freedom Health.

I work with all musculoskeletal conditions but have a special interest in postural analysis and the assessment of movement patterns, with the aim of reducing relapse of injury and improving overall function – I believe the freedom to move well gives you the freedom to live well.  I love looking at the bigger picture and looking at other factors that have contributed to the presenting injury.

I am also a certified Bradcliff Breathing practitioner and will work with clients to identify and treat breathing pattern disorders.

I graduated from the University of Otago in 2001 and spent 11 years working in private practice, here in Christchurch.  In 2012 I moved to Singapore with my family, returning to Christchurch at the end of 2019.  During my time in Singapore, I volunteered at Ronald McDonald House Charity and Riding for the Disabled.

Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, hiking, travelling and cooking.

Hi, my name is Hannah and am thrilled to be here at Freedom Health. After completing my Physiotherapy degree at Otago University in 2006 I worked in private practices in both Christchurch and London. While working in London I developed my love for Pilates and I have seen first hand the improvement it can make to peoples quality of life.

I have a keen interest in spinal and lower limb injuries and enjoy working with people to help them reach their goals whether that be injury related or just improving their general health.

Hi my name is Alessandra Clarke and I am thrilled to be one of the team at Freedom Health where we put clients’ overall well-being first.

As an Otago Uni Physiotherapist, I am passionate about treating your full hauora, to ensure that you have the skills to remain injury and pain-free. This involves movement assessment and screening (I am trained in SFMA – Selective Functional Movement Assessment and Screen) to ensure the muscles and joints are working optimally.

I help clients achieve their goals through these proven pathways, aided by hands-on treatment which can (optionally) include dry-needling acupuncture. 

Your strength and conditioning is my next stage of treatment after we have helped you meet the functional movement threshold. I want you to gain the maximum possible benefit from your gym, home or sport training. I love to help ensure sportswomen and men improve their performance, as well as treating everyday injuries and teaching introductory movement and Pilates.

Hi, my name is Jo Dowle and I am thrilled to be part of the Freedom Health team.

As a Physiotherapist I am experienced in all Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy treatment along with specialist training in Women’s Health Physiotherapy.

Through my Women’s Health specialty I am passionate about helping women of all ages, be it through pre & post natal care or women later in life that are ready to make the decisions that will improve their way of life substantially.

I love helping people achieve their goals in life – whether it be playing with their children, staying fit and active in older age or competing in elite sport.

Hi, my name is Andrea. I graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Otago Uni in 1999 and over the ensuing years have worked in many Physiotherapy settings in NZ and abroad before taking a break to bring up my 3 children.

Two years ago I began at Freedom Health as a client after a long history of lower back problems. Having been a member here at Freedom and having experienced first hand the life changing benefits it can bring I am now a complete convert to the benefits of Pilates. So much so that I decided to undertake my Pilates training and am now part of the Pilates Therapy team.

I enjoy working with people to remain active and feel good about themselves and Pilates is an excellent way to do this.
Andrea is available for Pilates Initial Assessment, 1-on-1 & Duet Pilates (non ACC) and Pilates Members review sessions.

Hi, my name is Niamh Clerkin and I am the Women’s & Pelvic Health Team Leader here at Freedom Health.

I was born in Dublin, Ireland and have a background in Exercise Physiology and Health science prior to completing a Bsc (Hons) Physiotherapy degree in the UK. From there I completed a PG Dip in Sports Medicine at the University of Otago and have worked with Canterbury Netball, Canterbury Tennis, NZ Tall Ferns and Junior Tall Blacks prior to moving my focus to Pelvic and Women’s Health.

I managed the Women’s and Children’s Physiotherapy team at the CDHB for 7 years prior to joining Freedom Health and have developed many services including a Physio led pessary clinic and postpartum care for women who have sustained a perineal birth injury.

I am passionate about collaborating across disciplines to ensure each client’s goals are achieved and consider myself an advocate for the philosophy of “Healthy Mind; Healthy Body” in relation to Women’s Health issues.

I also greatly enjoy running, gym and the outdoors and an overall healthy work life balance.

Please note: Cath is not currently taking on new clients, but is available to support the wider team with all clients and care. If you have been referred to Cath please book with one of our great team and make note of your referral so Cath can be involved in your care. If uncertain please contact our admin team on 03 355 6699 or e-mail reception@freedomhealth.co.nz

My name is Cath Julius and I am a physiotherapist, originally from Melbourne. After graduating in 1998, I spent many years working within some of the largest Sports Medicine Practices in Australia, including the prestigious Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre. Working closely with top Sports Medicine Physicians, Orthopaedic Surgeons and other health professionals gave me an amazing grounding in all aspects of injury assessment and management.

Through this experience, I developed a passion for quality hands on therapy and specific movement rehabilitation. This passion lead to the study of Clinical Pilates. I fell in love with the use of Pilates equipment to help facilitate movement and enhance recovery and I quickly specialised in this unique form of rehab.

I am very excited to be in the position to now offer Christchurch locals the unique benefits of expert physiotherapy treatment combined with specialist Clinical Pilates rehab. I look forward to helping people experience a freedom of movement and ease of living they may never have felt before.

NOTE: Erin is currently on Maternity leave. We look forward to welcoming her back in 2022.

For Dance related Physiotherapy, please book with Shannon McGregor (see below)

Hi, my name is Erin Riddell and I grew up here in Christchurch. After completing my Physiotherapy degree at the University of Otago in 2009, I worked in Sydney focusing on the assessment and treatment of dancers.  In 2018 I returned from London where I worked in a Pilates and Physio clinic and with the English National Ballet Company.

I am fascinated with the biomechanics of the human body and enjoy using a variety of manual therapy techniques and functional exercise based rehabilitation to get my clients moving. From my extensive work with dancers I have a specific interest in foot, ankle, hip and spinal injuries. I also love working with injury free athletes and dancers to enhance their technique and performance.

Having danced from a young age, I am excited to bring my expertise in Dance Physiotherapy and Pilates to the Christchurch community and am thrilled to be a part of the team at Freedom Health.

**Please note: Hazel is currently on maternity leave  – we look forward to welcoming her back in 2021**

If unsure please contact our reception team to be referred to another one of our highly qualified team.

My name is Hazel Rolston and I am a Physiotherapist and was born and bred here in Christchurch. I am passionate about delivering excellent physiotherapy and understand what it takes to restore movement and improve strength & stability to help clients achieve above and beyond their rehabilitation goals.

I have a special interest in all things spinal, pelvic and lower limb; from acute disc injuries, postural related pain, post-operative surgery to running related knee pain. I use a combination of hands on therapy, equipment based pilates and home based exercises to treat pain, restore function, improve strength and rehabilitate.

Over the last few years I have specialised in the area of women’s health, treating a range of conditions including incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapse and abdominal separation. I believe pain and incontinence during or after pregnancy are common, but not normal and have a passion for educating women of all ages not to put up with these issues and seek help if they occur.

**Please note: Jane is currently on maternity leave  – we look forward to welcoming her back in 2021**

If unsure please contact our reception team to be referred to another one of our highly qualified team.

Hi, my name is Jane. I am excited to be joining the team at Freedom Health as I am passionate about helping people maintain and pursue health and fitness through all stages of their life.

I studied Physical Ed at the University of Otago before heading to the University of Queensland to complete a Post Graduate Masters in Physiotherapy Studies. With a continued desire to keep learning I recently completed post graduate papers in musculoskeletal rehabilitation through the University of Otago and I am also trained in DMA Clinical Pilates.

My strong sporting background and love of physical activity has led me to work with representative sports teams which has developed my special interest in pelvic control and lower limb injuries and rehabilitation. Recently, I have been a clinical lead for a Ministry of Health pilot program for osteoarthritis patients of the hip or knee.

I strive to deliver a high standard of care for my patients combining manual therapy, functional exercise based rehabilitation and Clinical Pilates. I look forward to helping you live an active life.