Meet the Team
Jonathon Ward BSc (HONS) Phys, MCSP, SRP, Pg Cert Manual Ther, Pg Dip Manip Ther, mSTO, mBMAS – Principal Physiotherapist
After studying at the University of Ulster for his batchelors degree in physiotherapy, Jonathon gained experience in South Africa, USA and the UK. He began his career working in both the national health services of South Africa and the UK were he began specialising in the field of musculoskeletal. Jonathon has since, worked in the private health sector over the last 15 years.
Throughout his career, Jonathon has worked alongside an assortment of sports teams specialising in a variety of sports injury rehabilitation programmes. He also took a core stability class for 2 years which focused on strengthening the back and providing postural correction.
He has completed various post grad musculoskeletal courses, one of the most notable being a Post Cert certificate in Manual Therapy from Glasgow Caledonian. This is part of the MACP which is an elite organization of physiotherapists that ensures the highest standard of excellence in the treatment of muscle, joint and nerve problems. In fact only a very small percentage of Chartered Physiotherapist in the UK hold this qualification. He has completed a Post Graduate Certificate & Diploma in Manipulative Therapy allowing him to specialise in both advanced physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation techniques across the body.
Jonathon takes a keen interest in manipulations, manual therapy, dry needling, electrotherapy, core stability, ergonomics, biomechanics and kinesiology testing. . Throughout the years he has membership with the OCPPP (Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practise), aMACP, STO (Sports Therapy Organisation) ACPOHE (Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health & Ergonomics) and BMAS (Bristish Medical Acupuncture Society). He aims to provide an individualised treatment based on an holistic approach for the optimal results of each patient.
Mark Penn BSc (Hons), HCPC, MCSP. – Senior Physiotherapist.
Mark graduated from Manchester Met University in 2012. He went straight into private practice gaining experience in various busy practices in England before returning home to Northern Ireland in 2017. Mark has built up experience working with a variety of sporting teams from football, rugby. gaelic to the more obscure such as ultimate frisbee. His most notable sporting experience was working within a professional rugby league team.
Since returning to Northern Ireland in 2017, Mark has remained in a position at Active Therapy Clinic. Mark is passionate about treating musculoskeletal problems and regularly continues his professional development with a wide variety of postgraduate physiotherapy musculoskeletal courses. He is currently in the process of completing a post-graduate diploma with the Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Mark has postgraduate training in acupuncture/dry needling, manipulative therapy and is also trained to level 5 in sports massage.
In his spare time Mark enjoys keeping active, ice skating and playing guitar.
Jack Hill BSc (Hons), HCPC – Physiotherapist
Jack graduated from Liverpool University with BSc (hons) Physiotherapy and returned to Northern Ireland to pursue his career. He is registered with the HCPC and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Jack has gained hospital experience in Musculoskeletal physio, hand and wrist therapy, intensive care, Major Trauma Centre. During this time Jack has amassed a wealth of skills and experience working with a wide range of patients and conditions.
Jack has played multiple sports throughout his life and from this holds the positions of physiotherapist for Aquinas 1st Senior football team, Banbridge Rugby Senior Squad, and Armagh Milk Cup Team, giving him a great insight into sports injuries, rehabilitation and preparing athletes for sporting events. Jack has qualifications in acute pitch side injuries and major trauma.
Jack is a caring physiotherapist with a passion to help all his patients back to their best with a keen interest in strength and conditioning, orthopaedic rehab, hands and wrists and high level sports rehab.
Tommy Arkinson BSc (Hons), HCPC- Physiotherapist
Tommy completed his physiotherapy degree at the University of Ulster. He is registered with the HCPC and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Tommy has spent the last 7 years working in both the private and public sectors gaining a vast wealth of knowledge.
For the last 5 years he has specialised in MSK in private practice in Manchester. During this time he has worked on some the UKs top amateur triathletes, cyclists and runners.
Tommy also has a strong interest in sports and worked with a range of rubgy, soccer and gaelic clubs. Strength and conditioning is another one of his passions.
Getting you back to your best is Tommy’s priority.
Mateusz Pajak BSc (Hons), HCPC – Physiotherapist
Mateusz graduated from Ulster University in 2023. He is registered with the HCPC as well as the CSP and works in both the public and private sectors of health care. He has completed his rotation in musculoskeletal outpatients and is now working in domiciliary care in the community within the public sector.
Mateusz has completed his Level 3 Sports Massage and Kinesiology taping certificates. He has had experience through the NHS, private work, and spending time working with footballers on and off the pitch to ensure they perform to the best of their abilities.
Mateusz is an active individual who is a regular gym goer and keen footballer, playing at various levels of football in NI, spending time with Portstewart FC, Coleraine FC, Derry City, and others.
He is originally Polish and fluent in the language, having been born there, but was raised on the North Coast in Portstewart since he was two years old. Mateusz is also currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation following a knee operation and understands what it is like to have setbacks through injury.
This means that Mateusz’s goal is to get you back to your very best through a holistic approach individualised for each of his patients.
Lindsay Duhig BSc (Hons), HCPC – Physiotherapist
Lindsay has recently returned to Northern Ireland after spending the last 8 years working in New Zealand. She has worked within private practice since she graduated from the University of Ulster in 2012 and recently worked within High Performance Sport in both rugby union and league.
Her experience within the sporting environment has led to a keen interest in concussion, vertigo and headache management. Lindsay has worked alongside top New Zealand surgeons for post-operative rehabilitation and has a passion for treating complex injuries. To develop this, she has trained within the ConnectTherapy method, finding the primary driver to a patients injury and working backwards through past injuries, taking a whole system approach. Her patients overall well-being is her priority, ensuring a return to their normal activities as soon as possible.
Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her young family, exploring the outdoors and embracing travel whenever she can.
Aoife Corry BSc (Hons) HCPC – Physiotherapist
Aoife graduated from Liverpool University with BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy and returned to Northern Ireland to pursue her career. She is registered with the HCPC and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Aoife has also completed the Professional Pilates Trainer – Beginner
To Advanced Level and Level 3 diploma in Sports Massage. Aoife travelled for work placement to Brisbane, to gain insight into physiotherapy treatment provision offered in Australia.
On university work placements she has gained experience in burns and plastics, complex neurological rehab, muscular skeletal, care of the elderly and critical care whilst studying in Liverpool.
Aoife is a keen sportswomen competing at Irish level Cross county and representing Ulster in athletics, whilst also winning the Ulsters Schools Cup for hockey with Belfast Royal Academy.
Aoife is a caring compassionate individual who strives to improve patient care using the benefits of physiotherapy techniques.
Ben Walsh BSc (Hons) HCPC – Physiotherapist
Ben is a dedicated and enthusiastic physiotherapist with a particular interest in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. He graduated from the University of Winchester with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. He is registered with both the HCPC and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
With hands-on experience gained through working in an MSK outpatient setting and experience in working as a First Contact Practitioner, Ben utilises a range of personalised treatment techniques, always striving for optimal recovery for his patients. He has completed a course in Dry Needling which further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive care for patients.
Ben is also a qualified personal trainer, allowing him to create tailored exercise programs that supports rehabilitation and enhance overall fitness. This dual background enables his patients to recover effectively while working towards their health and fitness goals.
Outside of work, Ben is a keen sportsman who enjoys golf, football and tennis. His passion for sport fuel his professional commitment to helping others achieve their peak physical condition. Ben’s compassion and dedication drive him to have a meaningful impact on his patients’ lives through effective and personalised physiotherapy treatments.
Dr Brian Miller MB BCh BAO DCH DFFP MRCGP – Steroid Injections
Brian qualified from Queen’s University Belfast in 2002 (MB Bch BAO). He trained in the Ulster (JHO) 2003, then the Belfast City Hospital (SHO) 2004. He completed his training to be a GP in Downpatrick in 2005.
He has also attained diplomas during his GP training in SHO and GP trainee years – DCH DFFP and in 2005 -MRCGP.
He has been a GP since 2006, based in Stewartstown Health Centre.
Brian has a wealth of experience (nearly 20 years) in administering joint injections and is delighted to offer this holistic treatment to our patients at Active Therapy Clinic.
John Buller BSc (Hons) – Manual Therapist
Graduating from Queen’s University Belfast (BSc) in Health, Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, he took keen interest in Sports Therapy and rehabilitation completing a Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy course. John then took his athletic career to the next level moving abroad to France to compete as an international road cyclist.
Having spent many years, racing at a high level working with many sport therapists in different professions gave him the desire to put his athlete experiences and knowledge into practice to benefit others. It’s a passion of John’s to assist others to recover and excel, sport and non-sport related.
Having spent time at home in Northern Ireland again, John has been working with Banbridge Hockey first XI team and Cycling Ulster. He continued studying a post-graduate degree in Sport Performance, Analytics and Coaching (MSc) at Ulster University while still competing in road cycling at the highest level in Ireland and the UK.
Kyle Willis BSc (hons) – Podiatry.
Kyle graduated from the University of Ulster with a BSc honours in Podiatry, he has over 5 years experience both in the NHS and private sectors. Whilst working in the NHS Kyle gained a wealth of knowledge and skills, engaging with both general and high risk patients. Kyle worked as a musclo-skeletal specialist where he provided assessment, diagnosis and management of lower limb muscle and skeletal injuries/conditions.
Sarah McParland – Massage Therapist & Personal Trainer
Sarah graduated from the University of Ulster with a BSc (hons) degree in Sport and Exercise science. During her degree she took a special interest in Massage and completed her level 3 in Sports Massage.
Sarah gained valuable experience working in a busy gym as a Massage Therapist where she provided massages to everyone from elite athletes to office workers. She has also trained in Hot Stone Massage and Cupping Massage and can tailor any your massage to suit your individual needs.
Sarah’s passion for exercise and health continued to burn and after spending many hours in the gym herself, she decided it was time to pursue her personal training qualifications. With the knowledge from her sports and exercise degree, her experience of working in gyms and working closely with athletes in massage, she brings something special to this role. Sarah is dedicated to helping you achieve your health and fitness goals. One on one personal training sessions are available with Sarah in our private on site gym.
Sarah has completed her Pilates Instructor courses and takes all our Pilates Classes and one on one Pilates sessions.
In her spare time she like to Highland Dance and also teaches it!
Marnie Armstrong Dip. Couns. MBACP – Counsellor
Marnie is a fully qualified Counsellor (Dip. Couns. MBACP) and is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Marnie uses various therapies from an integrative perspective, always bearing in mind and meeting the needs of her clients. However, first and foremost Marnie likes her clients to feel welcomed and at ease.
Marnie says; “We experience many highs ad lows as we travel through life, with some lows more difficult to navigate than others. If you find you can no longer cope or maybe just need a place where you can be listened to in times of confusion, worry or difficulty, know that my door is always open.
You will always be met with a friendly welcome where a respectful approach will be adapted. We can walk through your issues together where you will be free from judgement in a confidential environment. It takes courage to come to counselling, but know you are not alone.
Elizabeth McKey – Aesthetics Nurse
Elizabeth, completed her nursing studies at Queens university, Belfast and qualified as a registered nurse. Since then she has worked in both acute inpatient and community settings before taking a managerial post in 2020. Elizabeth also completed an independent nurse prescribing course during this time. Since moving into a managerial position, she found herself missing that patient contact that she had been so passionate about. This gave her the encouragement to pursue an aesthetics course in anti wrinkle injections and dermal fillers. Along with her prescribing course, this has given her the opportunity to have back that direct patient contact that she so greatly missed and pursue her interest in aesthetics. Over the last number of years she has gained significant experience and expertise in the field of non surgical aesthetics.
Ellice Taylor – Clinic Manager
After working in the childcare and education sector both privately and part of the education authority, Ellice made a move into healthcare and administration, working as a personal coordinator for a private health company before joining Active Therapy in 2017 as a receptionist.
After having gained a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of the clinic, Ellice is now the Clinic manager and is the point of contact in the clinic for all enquiries from clients. This includes private, health insurance, Pilates and referrals.
Ellice has a passion for Active Therapy Clinic, aiming to always deliver the highest levels of service and professionalism whilst actively prioritising the health of all clients from the beginning to end of treatment.
Sharon Ward – Director
After studying at the University of Strathclyde Business School for her bachelors degree in HRM & Marketing, Sharon gained experience in PricewaterhouseCoopers UK. She began her career working in both the public and private sectors as a HR consultant for 5 years before she joined Active Therapy Clinic as Practice Manager in 2010.
Sharon has since worked alongside a variety of local businesses to provide a multitude of services including delivering health and wellbeing workshops or days, workplace assessments, off site Pilates classes and also strives to achieve and maintain the highest levels of service for patients attending the clinic for treatment whether that be via health insurance, referral or privately, from first point of contact to completion of treatment.
Barbara Robinson – Receptionist
Louise Patterson – Receptionist