Our team

MScPT

Bernice graduated from the University of Toronto (Canada) with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. She began her career in Toronto, working across a broad range of settings including private practice and rehabilitation hospitals. She has treated a variety of patient populations, including those recovering from neurological injuries/conditions and various musculoskeletal and sports injuries.
Her treatment approach focuses on using tailored exercise programming, along with a combination of manual therapy and modalities such as dry needling. Her aim is to provide a holistic model of care, and to empower patients in playing an active role in their recovery. Outside of work, Bernice enjoys spending time in the outdoors – hiking, rock climbing and snowboarding, travelling, and exploring the food scene wherever she goes.

BSc Anatomy, BPhty (Credit), PGCert Sports Physiotherapy, Certified Mulligan Practitioner

Kirsten graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Anatomy before pursuing her Bachelor of Physiotherapy, completed in 2017. Subsequently she has completed her Post Graduate certificate in Sports Physiotherapy and is a certified Mulligan practitioner.

Kirsten is a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist and has extensive experience in pre/post op physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, sports injuries, concussion headaches and TMJ. She has worked across a variety of sporting codes and has a keen interest in returning individuals to their sport after injury and limiting the risk of reinjury once they return. As a keen Kareteka herself, Kirsten has a special interest in martial arts injuries and when not at work you will find her in the Dojo where she has trained for the last decade or out mountain biking around Canterbury.

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.

Jo is a pelvic health physiotherapists that can treat men, women, and paediatric patients that are struggling with issues such as bladder or bowel urgency, frequency, or leakage.

She can help manage constipation and pelvic pain conditions, as well as coccyx injuries and provide post-surgical advice. She can advise women during their pregnancy and help them get back to their desired exercise and activities after they have had a baby, or are wanting to successfully negotiate the changes during perimenopause and beyond.

Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

Dip Phys.

Cath brings to Active Health a wide range of experience. After graduating in 1991 she spent time working in the UK and the United States specialising in Orthopedics. After returning to New Zealand she worked for a number of years in a leading multi-disciplinary sports practice specializing in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. For the last three years Cath has worked in a Pain Management Practice managing chronic pain conditions and specialising in Vocational Health. Cath is currently completing post graduate studies in Vocational Health. In her spare time Cath enjoys running and has recently taken up mountain biking.

Lynley is a long-standing member of our reception team.  She likes keeping active running socially around home and in the hills. 

Now her two children have left home she spends more time walking the dogs and enjoys nothing more than curling up on the couch with a good book.

Abbey is a lover of all things health and fitness being a qualified personal trainer. She is always keen for getting out and about, including walks, playing and watching sports.

Her biggest passion would be health and fitness, along with travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Laura is part of our reception and admin team at our Manchester Street clinc.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and going on walks with her family dog. 

Judy works part time between our New Brighton and Manchester Street clinics.

She attends her Aqua Fit classes most days and love to tandem bike ride with her husband and travel in their caravan.

Merryn is a member of our friendly receptionist team based at our Manchester Street clinic. She is currently studying Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing at the University of Canterbury.

In her spare time Merryn enjoys fitness, spending time with friends, and being creative with sewing and crochet.

Maddy is a new member of our friendly reception team. She studied at the University of Otago where she gained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sport Management.

In her spare time Maddy loves fitness and the outdoors, particularly surfing and hiking, as well as socialising and travelling.