At Alpine Physiotherapy we believe in working collaboratively with our patients and as a team to achieve great results. Our clinically trained staff have decades of experience between them, with specialities in the treatment of sports injuries, spinal pain and tendinopathies. We use gold standard techniques including soft tissue release, manipulation, rehabilitation and Shockwave Therapy.
Name: Catherine Potter
Job Title: Director of Alpine Physiotherapy & MSK Physiotherapist
Qualifications: Grad Dip Phys - MCSP – MSc – AACP – MMACP – HCPC (PH42355)
Catherine qualified from Birmingham University in 1990, initially working at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital before moving over the pond to work in the USA. After circumnavigating the globe, she returned to her roots in North London and set up a sports injury service at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. This led to her move into professional sport as Team Physiotherapist to Saracens Rugby FC whilst also working at a private clinic in the city. A highlight of her career was to work at the London Olympics in the polyclinic treating athletes from all nations and providing support to competition events with water polo, equestrian and volleyball. In 2009 she was appointed National Physiotherapy Manager to BUPA and offers clinics at the medical centre of Goldman Sachs Investment Bank and a global law firm in the city.
Alpine Physiotherapy was initially founded 13 years ago as a small pipedream that has evolved and grown, and she is delighted to now have a wonderful team on board working alongside her.
Catherine has always had a passion for treating sports injuries and relishes working with discerning clients that aim high. She enjoys getting the best out of people and offering a relaxed but professional experience. Beyond the more common musculoskeletal ailments she enjoys treating pre/post-natal ladies, coccyx pain, TMJ disorder, headaches, post-op orthopaedics and tendinopathies.
Catherine loves being outdoors, particularly in the mountains, whether that be skiing or hiking (hence ‘Alpine’). She and her family love yacht sailing and embracing cultures through travel, so combining the two by sailing to different continents would tick a few boxes off the bucket list!
Catherine's LinkedIn Profile can be viewed here.
Name: Sophie Barlow
Job Title: MSK Physiotherapist
Qualifications: BSc Hons – MCSP – AACP - HCPC (PH77885)
Sophie studied Sports & Exercise Science at Portsmouth University, going on to study Physiotherapy at St George’s University of London in 2008. Having completed her junior rotations at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage she moved to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in 2011 and specialised in Chronic Pain Management and Rehabilitation in 2013. Sophie grew up in Harpenden and enjoyed it so much that after 12 years living in London she returned to her roots.
At the heart of Sophie’s practice is her patient centered approach. She enjoys connecting with patients to understand how their pain impacts their daily lives and takes a holistic and graded approach to their treatment. Sophie specialises in rehabilitation following surgery or sport injuries, as well as helping with chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and joint hypermobility spectrum disorder. Sophie is a specialised physiotherapist in the area of metabolic bone disease especially in patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta and is currently completing research in this area. She is also an honorary lecturer with University College London for their Master’s programme.
As well as being a busy Mum of 2, Sophie loves exploring nature with her dog and husband - enjoying forest walks and trips to the beach. She practises both mindfulness and yoga as well as using short fitness videos to keep active.
To find out more about Sophie’s latest activity visit @sophiebarlowPT on Twitter.
Name: Charley Dodson
Job Title: Sports Massage Therapist & Scarwork Therapist
Qualifications: BSc Sports Therapy (Hons), L3 Personal Trainer, Scar Massage Therapist
Charley was born and bred in Harpenden, and now lives in Wheathampstead with her husband and 2 young children. Having spent her childhood on the trampoline, she went on to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in 2009. This led to her studying BSc in Sports Therapy at Bedfordshire University, where she qualified in 2013. She has worked alongside Catherine at Alpine Physiotherapy for almost ten years.
Charley’s aim is to provide not only instant benefits to her targeted approach but providing clients with home remedies to maintain the effects of treatment. She particularly enjoys treating gymnasts and marathon runners as well as those suffering from recurrent tight neck and shoulders. Since lockdown she has seen an increase in spinal dysfunction due to incorrect home work stations and longer work hours due to the loss of commute.
She has provided sports therapy for St Albans Hockey Club Men's 1st X1 and has treated the Elite Gymnasts at Marriott Gymnastics Club for many years. Alongside her Sports massage work she now also offers Scar Massage Therapy. This highly specialised assessment and gentle treatment of all nature of scars has proven to be highly effective at improving the aesthetics, reducing puckering/prominence/pain and improving skin sensation.
As a mum to a young family Charley understands to challenges of juggling work and family life. Outside of Alpine Physiotherapy she spends time at the park, baby groups and finding five minutes to drink a hot cup of coffee!
Name: Jay Smith
Job Title: Sports Massage Therapist
Qualifications: BTEC L5 Diploma - Sports Massage & Remedial Soft Tissue Therapy
Having previously had a successful career in the armed forces, Jay now lives in Harpenden with his wife and family.
The pursuit of qualifications in Sports Massage have come later in Jay’s working life, having always had an interest through his own sporting pursuits, particularly when it came to treating post-event muscle soreness! Jay began his studies in 2020, training at the North London School for Sports Massage which he explains was an amazing environment to learn new skills. He has more recently supported the Ireland Hockey exile team.
For Jay, the most satisfying feeling is identifying that key area of tension or muscle fatigue and knowing the treatment is effective for the client. He is particularly interested in how quickly different muscles react to certain techniques and how long term/repetitive muscle fatigue can affect the balance of the body chain. His favourite area to treat is the upper neck and scalp as it’s amazing how much tension we carry in these tiny areas.
Outside of work for Alpine Physiotherapy Jay is a keen runner, cyclist and hockey player who loves being outdoors and rarely sits still for long.
Name: Sharon Wyper
Job Title – Finance & Admin Manager
Sharon is a valued part of the team helping with the less hands-on areas of work at Alpine Physiotherapy. She has extensive experience in the financial services industry primarily focusing on the banking sector having worked with a broad range of clients from multi national clients to individuals. She now assists the practitioners with administration and invoicing.
Originally from Norfolk, she enjoys spending time both there and in Suffolk with her husband, two daughters and Buddy the cocker spaniel. She enjoys playing a little tennis, running and is a fair-weather gardener, aspiring to produce a beautiful garden worthy of an RHS medal one day!