Sandygate Physiotherapy
Michael graduated from the University of East Anglia in 1996, starting his career at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield where he gained experience in a wide range of medical, surgical and neurological disciplines. He moved on to work at Sheffield Children's Hospital, experiencing a range of highly specialised work with children and babies with a variety of medical, surgical and musculoskeletal conditions.
He completed his Masters degree (MSc) in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, gaining membership of the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) in 2003. Michael continued to gain clinical experience working at York Hospital, ultimately working as an Extended Scope Physiotherapist specialising in Knee problems. He returned to Sheffield in a similar role as a Spinal Extended Scope Physiotherapist, working with the Consultant Spinal Surgeons both at the Northern General and Royal Hallamshire Hospitals, a role which he enjoys to this day.
Michael completed his PhD in 2019, investigating a novel treatment approach for the management of Sciatica. He has been successful in gaining post-doctoral funding for studies working with universities at home and abroad investigating the management of Sciatica, Low back pain, surgery for low back pain and optimising medication for low back pain. He continues his research into physiotherapy for back pain, and has published his work widely. Michael is a member of the National Back pain committee helping to develop and integrate quality spinal services for England. Most recently Michael has been invited to be a committee member of the Society of Back Pain Research (SBPR) where he will work with a prestigious group of clinical and academic colleagues to promote research into spinal disorders.
Joanna Ollerenshaw
Physiotherapist
Joanna graduated from the University of Nottingham in 1995 and started her career at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital where she gained experience in a wide range of orthopaedic, medical, surgical and neurological disciplines. She moved to work at the Northern General Hospital in 1998 allowing her to gain experience and knowledge of acute trauma, fracture management, sports injuries and many other orthopaedic conditions eventually specialising in the management of lower limb conditions.
In 2002 Joanna started to work as a lower limb extended scope practitioner at the Northern General Hospital working alongside orthopaedic consultants specialising in the treatment of knee and foot and ankle problems and supported her clinical skills by completing a Masters degree (MSc) in musculoskeletal physiotherapy in 2010.
Joanna continues to work as an extended scope practitioner at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals working closely with her orthopaedic consultant colleagues in the diagnosis, rehabilitation and management of complex conditions across hip, knee and foot and ankle disciplines and she also works with referrals from sports and exercise medicine. Joanna’s clinical experience and knowledge alongside evidence based theory allows her to accurately assess patients enabling her to plan and deliver effective treatment.
Alongside her clinical work, Joanna has been involved in multi-centre research projects looking at interventions and management of ACL’s, ankle fractures and Achilles Tendon pathology and she has contributed to published literature guiding the management of ankle injuries. Joanna continues to remain active in the research field.