About Us

How physiotherapists help

Ms. Shanika Amarasena

Physiotherapist

Shanika joins us originally from Sri Lanka, but has been residing in NZ since early 2025. With over 5 years of experience, she enjoys working with clients of all ages, various cultures, languages, and backgrounds. She uses both hands-on treatment, dry needling and active rehabilitation to support a full recovery for her clients.
Shanika’s Specialties include:

  • Sports-related Injuries.
  • Movement re-education
  • Shoulder, spinal, ankle and knee rehabilitation
  • Hand injuries

In her spare time, Shanika enjoys reading and exploring the great outdoors.

A physio and a patient

Susan Saul

Senior Physiotherapist

Susan works at our Halswell clinic

Susan has over 30 years of experience in Physiotherapy (she won’t tell you just how much over 30 years she has though!). She gained her manipulative postgraduate qualification and is a McKenzie Physiotherapist. Susan specializes in the Neck, TMJ and Spine

Outside of work Susan enjoys tramping, skiing, tennis and family.

Ben Cooper

Senior Physiotherapist

Ben graduated in 2008 with his Bachelor of Health Sciences in Physiotherapy and has previously working as a personal trainer. He has a strong interest in sports-related injuries and is an avid sportsman himself. Ben uses hands-on treatment, dry needling and active rehabilitation to support a full recovery.
Ben’s Specialties include:

  • Sports-related injuries. Including throwing sports, rugby, dancers, athletics and everyday warriors.
  • Movement re-education
  • Pre and Post-op conditions
  • Spinal treatment and mobilisation
  • Gym rehabilitation programmes

Outside of work, Ben enjoys staying busy and active with his wife and 3 children.

Dominic Oberhumer

Physiotherapist

Dominic graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy. He has a strong interest in sports-related injuries and helping his clients return to normal activities.
He is an avid climber and has a special interest in climbing-related injuries, including injuries to the fingers and hand, pulley strains, tendon issues, or overuse injuries, I offer tailored rehabilitation that targets the unique biomechanics of climbing. Combining evidence-based therapy with sport-specific insight, I’ll guide you through effective treatment and preventative strategies to keep you on the wall and performing at your peak whether your prepping for big wall epics in the Darrans, practicing for competition style problems indoors or wanting to better enjoy the local crags with your friends .
Dominic’s Interests include:

  • Sports-related injuries.
  • Movement re-education
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Climbing related injuries
  • Gym rehabilitation programmes

Chris Lockie

Physiotherapist

Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Auckland University of Technology. He has over 10 years of experience in personal training and sports coaching, including roles with AFL New Zealand and North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust, gaining valuable experience in exercise prescription and the promotion of physical activity for health and wellbeing. Chris has a strong personal interest in CrossFit and mountain biking, which further fuels his passion for helping active individuals perform at their best. He particularly enjoys working with CrossFit athletes and other sporting populations, combining his clinical knowledge with first hand training experience to support performance, recovery, and long-term resilience..

Chris’s interests include:

  • Sports related injuries
  • Movement re-education
  • Pre and Post op conditions
  • Gym rehabilitation programmes

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Luke Chun

Senior Physiotherapist and Clinical Vocational Lead

Luke graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor in Physiotherapy. He has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Health and a Postgraduate Diploma endorsed in Sports Physiotherapy
Luke has a keen interest in understanding how pain and impairments affect our ability to keep physically active and resilient. Luke uses hands-on treatment, dry needling and active rehabilitation to support a full recovery. Luke also speaks Korean and is happy to help Korean speaking clients.

Physiotherapy interests include:

  • Knee, Shoulder and Lumbar Spine
  • Pre/Post-operative Rehabilitation
  • Occupational Health & Sport Rehabilitation
  • Strength and Conditioning
  • Running Assessments (Injury Management and Performance)

Ms. Lindsay le Roux

Senior Physiotherapist

Originally from South Africa, Lindsay gained experience in both a rehabilitation hospital and private musculoskeletal practice before immigrating to New Zealand in 2022. Lindsay completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy through AUT in 2025 and is currently working on her Master of Health Practice (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy), with her thesis focused on hypermobility and pain. She uses both hands-on treatment including manipulation, dry needling and active rehabilitation to support a full recovery.
Lindsay’s physiotherapy interests include:

  • Vestibular Rehabilitation, especially BPPV
  • Complex shoulder, spine, ankle and knee rehabilitation
  • Joint Hypermobility
  • complex and persistent pain presentation.

Juliet Hislop

Senior Physiotherapist

Juliet graduated from the University of Otago in 1996 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Physiology. She is a credentialed McKenzie clinician. Robyn McKenzie was a famous NZ Physio whose courses are taught worldwide and the author of “Treat Your Own Back” among others. Juliet’s areas of physiotherapy interest include all musculoskeletal sprains or injuries and she enjoys helping clients return to full function.

  • Sports-related injuries
  • Shoulder, ankle and knee rehabilitation
  • Stretching and Strengthening to manage injuries
  • Gym rehabilitation programmes

In her spare time, Juliet plays tennis, tramps and skis, and is learning to play golf.

Mr. Anil Parackal

Senior Physiotherapist

Anil has over 20 years of Physiotherapy experience, most recently working in Kuwait with the National Guard. He has his Masters in Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) from Pune, India
Anil prioritizes clients’ key concerns and gets clients back to the things they love doing. He uses hands-on treatment, dry needling and active rehabilitation to support a full recovery.
His Physiotherapy interests include.

  • Sports related injuries
  • Working with adolescent injuries and recovery
  • Spinal rehabilitation programmes

Ashley Judson

Physiotherapist

Ashley is a graduate of the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. She is working at our Halswell Clinic.
She prioritizes clients’ key concerns and gets clients back to the things they love doing.
She uses a holistic approach to get to know her clients while providing them with skills for future self-management and injury prevention. Her Physiotherapy interests include:

  • Sports related injuries
  • Stretching and Strengthening to manage injuries
  • Gym rehabilitation programmes

Michelle North (Kelsen)

Owner and Senior Physiotherapist

Michelle has over 20 years of Physiotherapy experience, graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Masters in Physical Therapy. Michelle went to the US on a tennis scholarship and continues to play tennis in the Premier Competition in Christchurch.

Michelle’s specialties and areas of interest include:

  • Vestibular rehabilitation including Vertigo, dizziness and headaches
  • Child and Adolescent postural and growing pains
  • Tennis related injuries
  • General sports injuries

Deb Tarres

Practice Manager

Lyn Renfroe

Receptionist

Helena Jones

Receptionist

Debbie Harrison

Part Time Receptionist

Miss Yanan Liu

Miss Yanan Liu

Acupuncturist- Available for bookings at Halswell and Prebbleton

ACC Registered Senior Acupuncturist:
I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in China and, after a two-year internship, moved to New Zealand, where I became a registered acupuncturist in 2017. I have built a strong rapport with my clients and specialize in treating various types of pain and injuries.
Bilingual in Chinese and English
❖ Practicing Certificate of Acupuncture, New Zealand
❖ Member of Acupuncture NZ
❖ Registered ACC provider, New Zealand
❖ Member of Chinese Medicine Council of NZ
❖ NZ Annual Practicing Certificate (Acupuncturist /TCM Practitioner)

Please note: Our Riccarton Clinic has 3 steps to enter the building. If you are unable to navigate these, we are happy to see you at one of our other clinics.