Susan brings over 30 years of physiotherapy experience to Active Health, having developed her career from musculoskeletal physiotherapy and manual therapy skills into areas of pelvic health and cancer rehabilitation. She has completed extensive training in Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health physiotherapy across Australia, America, and New Zealand, offering a unique and comprehensive approach to pelvic health issues for both women and men. Most recently, Susan travelled to Brisbane with colleagues Jo and Ashley for advanced training in Male Pelvic Health Physiotherapy.

Susan has developed a particular passion for cancer rehabilitation, working with patients before, during, and after medical treatments. She specialises in helping those affected by cancer return to activities they love by treating side effects like pain, fatigue, weakness, and pelvic health symptoms. Her experience includes working alongside the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centre in Colorado, learning from highly regarded clinicians, with special interest in supporting women and men affected by pelvic cancers.

Susan is driven by her commitment to continued learning and helping patients overcome complex health challenges. She takes pride in staying at the forefront of her field and sharing knowledge with her colleagues.

Her expertise has been recognised through professional awards including 2022 Canterbury Physiotherapist of the Year (Physiotherapy New Zealand) and 2024 Finalist in the Oncology Rehabilitation Excellence Awards (Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation).

Susan lives with her husband Keith in Christchurch, and together they enjoy a well-balanced lifestyle including appreciation of good food and wine, travel, and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing.

Kath graduated from the University of Otago in 1994 and has extensive physiotherapy experience across New Zealand, America, and the UK. She worked for Active Health from 2005-2008 at the QEII location and rejoined the team in 2017 after relocating from Auckland. Kath has developed a special interest in cancer rehabilitation, working with patients before, during, and after medical treatments to address side effects like pain, fatigue, and weakness that affect physical and functional abilities. She is a certified provider of the internationally recognised PINC and STEEL cancer rehabilitation programmes for women and men with cancer.

Kath also works on ACC Vocational Rehabilitation contracts, both as a lead provider and providing rehabilitation to help clients return to work as soon as possible after injury. She has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Rehabilitation with a focus on work rehabilitation.

Kath’s passion for helping people stems from growing up with a physiotherapist mother and experiencing firsthand what the profession was about. She loves seeing people get back to the things in life they enjoy and finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey.

Originally from Christchurch, Kath lived and worked as a physiotherapist in the USA and UK before deciding to return to New Zealand to start a family. She enjoys hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and walking her two dogs, alongside spending time with her family including her two teenagers.

Ashley graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Continence Management and Pain Management. She’s currently working towards her Master’s in Pain Management, specialising in Pelvic Pain. As a certified cancer rehabilitation physiotherapist through the Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation, Ashley specialises in musculoskeletal and pelvic health, treating back and hip issues, postpartum recovery, bladder and bowel incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction. She’s trained in pessary fitting and has undergone international training in Male Pelvic Health Physiotherapy.

Ashley’s passion for physiotherapy stems from her love of helping both men and women regain confidence, improve their quality of life, and return to the activities they enjoy. She believes in individualised rehabilitation and goal setting, taking a holistic approach that empowers her clients to get back to doing what brings them joy. Her advanced training allows her to address complex conditions that significantly impact people’s daily lives and wellbeing.

With extensive experience working with sports teams and treating acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries, Ashley brings valuable insight into movement patterns and injury rehabilitation. Her background helps her understand the physical demands placed on the body and supports her holistic approach to treating lower back, pelvic, glute, and hip pain.

Ashley started her career in Auckland where she worked at Birthcare providing early postpartum care and education, before returning to her hometown of Christchurch. She’s always learning and growing in her field, constantly updating her skills to provide the best possible care for her clients.

When she’s not working or studying, you’ll find Ashley walking her dogs, curled up with a good book.