Susan has been a physiotherapist for over 20 years and has studied and worked in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. She spent the early part of her career working in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and developed strong manual therapy skills. On moving to America, Susan studied for and gained a Certificate of Advanced Study in Physical Therapy (Orthopaedics) and a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston.

Working largely with back and pelvic pain diagnoses, Susan felt there was a missing link in providing complete care for these patients, which lead to the development of a special interest in pelvic floor physiotherapy. Over the last few years Susan has completed extensive advanced training in Women’s and Men’s Pelvic Health, including obtaining a Post Graduate Certificate in Women’s Health and Continence from Curtin University in Perth, completing Functional Dry Needling Certification (Level 1, 2 and advanced) from KinetaCore in Colorado, and numerous continuing education courses. Utilizing these skills, she now proudly offers a truly comprehensive successful physiotherapy approach to pelvic health issues and pre and postnatal care.

Susan also has a passion for cancer rehabilitation and works with patients before, during and after medical cancer treatments, addressing treatment side effects like pain, fatigue, weakness and lymphoedema that may have affect patient’s physical and functional abilities. While she was based in Colorado, Susan completed training in the Pink Ribbon Program, the Strength After Breast Cancer Program and became a Certified Lymphoedema Therapist. She was part of the cancer rehabilitation team at Boulder Community Hospital, working in close association with the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centre. Since returning to New Zealand she has become a certified provider of the PINC and STEEL cancer rehabilitation programs, which are internationally known physiotherapy and exercise programs for women and men with cancer. In addition to providing individualized cancer rehabilitation, Susan runs a Next Steps cancer group exercise class at the Rangiora Fitness Centre.

Susan has returned to her hometown of Christchurch with her husband Keith, a Sommelier and is delighted to bring her unique skills and treatments to Active Health. Susan and Keith enjoy a well-balanced lifestyle including appreciation of good food and wine, travel, and many outdoor activities including hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing.

We are delighted to have Susan back on the Active Health team, after working with us back in 2012. Susan sees patients in our St Albans clinic and in Rangiora at both the Durham Health and the Rangiora Fitness Centre Active Health clinics.

Having participated at a competitive level in multiple sports growing up, Luke has always been passionate about exercise, movement and health. To stay at a competitive level, he eventually sought advice and treatment from an Osteopath and discovered how effective Osteopathy could be.

Now, 8 years later – after completing a Master’s in Osteopathy – he has helped many patients recover from injury and prevent future injury, whilst also reducing pain, improving function and enhancing quality of life.

Luke is passionate about creating a unique management plan for each patient, considering physical factors, individual lifestyles, interests, beliefs, and general wellbeing. His patients’ unique plans generally incorporate a combination of hands-on osteopathic techniques, supervised and home-based exercises, goal setting and advice and education. Other factors such as such as sleep, stress, diet, exercise etc. are also considered.

Luke is a big believer that regular movement, sport and play are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle – so his plans often focus on improving quality, frequency and duration of daily movement without the hindrance of pain and injury.

Outside of practice, Luke is an avid trail runner and often completes ultra-distance runs. When he is not out running in the hills you can find him participating in a big variety of sports such as rock climbing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, snowboarding, weightlifting and mountain biking.