Active Health Team

Rangiora

Meet Our Team

Rangiora Podiatrists

Kirwan Franke

Senior Podiatrist/Director

BHSc (Pod), M.Sport.PodNZ (Sports Accredited)

About Me

Kirwan has over 15 years’ experience working with overuse and sporting injuries as well as post-operative management. With a passion for biomechanics and a depth of knowledge in footwear and orthoses prescription he can provide tailored advice, rehabilitation and diagnostic insight into the best management strategies for your concerns. This can be provided for all ages and stages of life. In his free time, Kirwan is often backcountry fly-fishing. When in Christchurch he spends his time out and about on adventures with his young family.

GENERAL CARE – If you require routine foot, skin, nailcare or diabetes services please contact reception to discuss this. Limited appointments are available for these services with Kirwan and are only available on specific days and times. Any online bookings for general care will be contacted and scheduled in line with the availability for these appointments.

Sheree Gamble

Podiatrist

B.H.Sc. (Pod)

About Me

After embarking on a journey far from her hometown of Te Anau, Sheree graduated from
Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry). With a passion
for the outdoors and a love for sport, Sheree developed a fascination for biomechanics and
musculoskeletal injuries, but enjoys all aspects of Podiatry.

Sheree finds satisfaction in uplifting her patients to get back on their feet to continue with their
daily life. She understands the importance and values of providing a community approach
amongst her patients with growing up in a small town. Her outgoing and bubbly personality
allows her patients to feel at ease, creating the fundamentals of strong patient relationships to
be built.

Growing up alongside her family’s busy aviation business, Sheree understands the demands of
her patients’ everyday work life and the importance of patients requiring optimum health for a high quality
of life. In her spare time, you’ll often catch her exploring the local running tracks or screaming
reels out at sea.

Rangiora Physiotherapists

Bevan Lawson

Physiotherapist

BPhty (credit)

About Me

BPhty (credit)

Bevan graduated from the University of Otago in 2006, receiving the Sheila Consuela MacDiarmid Scholarship. He is an experienced clinical physiotherapist in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy with a focus on exercise-based rehabilitation and injury prevention. Bevan enjoys working with all ages, from youth athletes to older adults, helping them rehabilitate from injuries and return to active lifestyles with improved biomechanical efficiency. Bevan has also developed expertise in muscle balance assessment, occupational health, golf-specific physiotherapy and mental strategies to overcome injuries. Bevan competes to a high level in his own sporting endeavours and is the captain of the New Zealand Korfball team. Bevan has also been the physiotherapist to both the New Zealand and Australian Korfball teams.

Jacqui Bath

Jacqui Physio

Physiotherapist

BPhty and DBH

About Me

Jacqui has over 15 years’ experience as Physiotherapist. She was drawn to a career in physiotherapy from a young age by a love of sports, and loves to continue that now, as well as helping patients get back to the activities they love as well. She has treated a wide range of clients from high level athletes playing contact sports to physical facilitation rehabilitation programmes with the more elderly. She has special interests in rugby, paediatrics, falls prevention and balance, and core stability and strengthening programs, including pilates. Since having her own children she has also completed further training to become a Womens’ and Pelvic  Health physiotherapist.  She has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, focusing on health promotion and prevention, Hauora Māori and promoting healthy active lifestyles.  Jacqui also regularly works with patients in the pool, which is often helpful for regaining function while managing pain. She is a key provider of Vocational  Rehab and Return to Work Services for Active Health. She along with her husband and two young boys live in Pegasus. She loves getting out into nature and keeping active with her family, and swimming.

Scott Burrows

Physiotherapist

BPhty

About Me

Growing up in Wellington, Scott moved down South to pursue a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago. During his studies, he worked, participated, and volunteered alongside various sports teams and individuals at community and representative levels. In doing so, Scott has developed a passion for musculoskeletal rehabilitation and working with people of all abilities. After finishing his final year in Christchurch, Scott was able to gain valuable experience in acute orthopaedic, musculoskeletal, neurological, and high-performance rehabilitation. Outside of physiotherapy, you might catch him running his way around Canterbury’s tracks or taking any opportunity to watch sport. Scott is eager to use his experiences and enthusiasm to work with people to tackle life at their best.

Emma Kelley

Emma Kelley

Physiotherapist

BPhty

About Me

Emma graduated from Otago University in 1994 and has worked in New Zealand and America in a variety of musculoskeletal and rehabilitation settings. She is really excited to be back working in her hometown.

Emma relishes the challenge of helping address musculoskeletal issues through a variety of whole body assessment and treatment/rehabilitation techniques, including Cranio Sacral Therapy and Bowen Therapy.

She is able to treat a wide variety of conditions both acute and chronic, in particular low back/SI joint and lower limb injuries. She enjoys working with all athletes of all levels, and has a special interest in running and hockey.

Emma is also a ISBT Bowen Therapist, Health and Wellness Coach and has completed Upledger Cranio Sacral Therapy 1 and 2 courses.

In her spare time Emma likes running, playing hockey, walking her family dog, and spending time with family and friends and baking (and eating what she has baked!)

Karina Bennett

Physiotherapist

BSc (Hons)

About Me

Karina’s journey into physiotherapy began after experiencing a stress fracture as a competitive runner, igniting her fascination with physiotherapists’ problem-solving skills. Her own challenges, including RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), fuelled her commitment to helping athletes overcome obstacles and sustain their participation in sports.

With two years of experience in the UK, working for the NHS (National Health Service), Karina takes a holistic approach to physiotherapy, tailoring individualised treatment plans that encompass hands-on therapy, personalised exercise programmes, and comprehensive education on factors like sleep, stress, diet, and exercise. She has a keen interest in chronic pain management, particularly low back pain, and embraces the biopsychosocial model.

Karina’s ultimate goal is to empower her patients to return to their passions stronger and more resilient, equipped with the tools and knowledge to manage future challenges independently. Recently relocating to New Zealand after graduating from the University of Brighton in the UK in 2021, Karina enjoys travel, cycling, trail running, attempting to catch a wave and socialising outside of work.

Ashley Briscoe

Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

 BPhty (Credit), PG Cert Pain Management

About Me

Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

Ashley has been working in Auckland since graduating from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has now returned to her hometown of Christchurch. Ashley has experience working with musculoskeletal injuries and sports teams, as well as having a keen interest in pelvic health. In addition to attending multiple continuing education courses on pelvic health, Ashley is currently studying towards a Diploma in Pain Management with a focus on pelvic pain at the University of Otago. She particularly enjoys working with lower back, pelvic, glute and hip pain.

Ashley believes in individualized rehabilitation and goal setting to empower and motivate her clients back into doing the things they enjoy. She has worked with women soon after delivery at Birthcare in Auckland and has a passion for educating and guiding women on postpartum recovery and safe return to exercise. When she’s not at work, Ashley enjoys going to the gym, playing with her dogs and drinking coffee.

 

George Gempton

Physiotherapist

BPhty (Credit)

About Me

With a passion for sports and exercise-based rehabilitation George threw himself into his studies and has a Batchelors degree in both Sports and Exercises Science and Physiotherapy. Having worked as Strength and Conditioning Coach before joining the Active Health team as a Physio, he is uniquely qualified to assess and assist you through your injury management and health and fitness journey. George enjoys working with all ages and ability levels and taking a proactive approach to health and injury prevention. George has also competed in Ski Racing, Crossfit and Wrestling and outside of work enjoys hitting the slopes or catching a wave depending on the season.

Rangiora Pelvic Health and Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapists

Susan Larson

Susan Larson

Pelvic Health and Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapist

Read my bio...

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.

Ashley Briscoe

Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

Read my bio...

Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

 

Ashley has been working in Auckland since graduating from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has now returned to her hometown of Christchurch. Ashley has experience working with musculoskeletal injuries and sports teams, as well as having a keen interest in pelvic health. In addition to attending multiple continuing education courses on pelvic health, Ashley is currently studying towards a Diploma in Pain Management with a focus on pelvic pain at the University of Otago. She particularly enjoys working with lower back, pelvic, glute and hip pain.

Ashley believes in individualized rehabilitation and goal setting to empower and motivate her clients back into doing the things they enjoy. She has worked with women soon after delivery at Birthcare in Auckland and has a passion for educating and guiding women on postpartum recovery and safe return to exercise. When she’s not at work, Ashley enjoys going to the gym, playing with her dogs and drinking coffee.

 

 

 

 

 

Rangiora Osteopathy

Luke Reumers

Osteopath

Read my bio...

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.

Make an appointment today

Find a time that suits you and book an appointment online using our booking system. If you are not sure who to see, give us a call and we can help find the best clinician for you.