About Us

Physical Balance is a group of specialist practitioners dedicated to the treatment and relief of musculo-skeletal pain, joint stiffness and bio-mechanical problems. We also have practitioners looking after foot and ankle problems which can also contribute to changes in how we move and can lead on to subsequent pain. We have been helping people of all ages from babies with colic to the very elderly with arthritis in the Basingstoke area since 1996. Scroll down to meet the team.

Ian Harrison DAIR, DO, Dip EBHC,

Radiographer (NP) & GOsC Registered Osteopath

Ian was born in New Zealand. After qualifying as a Medical Radiographer in 1986 he moved to Australia for 3 years for further post-graduate experience. This is a branch of medicine that uses imaging (X-ray, Ultrasound, CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Angiography etc....) to help in the diagnosis of disease and injury and is a 3-year, full-time, hospital-based qualification. His particular interest was in trauma radiology found in accident and emergency departments.

In 1988 he moved to the UK (and is still not used to the weather!) and worked in both the NHS and private health services in England and briefly in Ireland specialising in neuro-radiology and cardiology. In 1992 he shifted to Hampshire to as Radiology Manager of the Hampshire Clinic.

In 1996 he completed his 5-year Osteopathic training, qualifying with 1st class Honours and the ‘Students of the Year' prize. As an undergraduate he worked for 4 years with the British Olympic Osteopath. Ian believes that postgraduate education is a vital part of everyone's development and helps ensure that patients receive the best possible treatment and advice. Some of the postgraduate courses Ian has completed are in Acupuncture, Podiatry and Foot Biomechanics, Ergonomics and Manual Handling, Equine and Canine Osteopathy, Osteoporosis - Diagnosis and Management......... as well a regular attendance to seminars, conferences and study days.

Ian has a structural and traditional approach to musculo-skeletal problems and strongly believes that giving the right advice and teaching patients to understand the cause and mechanism if their pain, is as important as the specific treatment they may receive. The use of Acupuncture has made treating even the most acutely painful conditions more comfortable and effective. He finds patients benefit greatly from the addition of this to conventional Osteopathic treatment and have their symptoms significantly reduced in a far shorter time frame (visit the research section of the website for up-to-date studies in acupuncture).

Additionally, Ian is also responsible for reporting of Bone Densitometry scans (DEXA) for Osteoporosis assessment on behalf of the NHS at the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Foundation Trust.

Academically, Ian has been lecturing at the London School of Osteopathy (part of Brighton University) for 11 years. He is also in his final year of a 3 year Masters degree (MSc) in Evidence Based Health Care at the University of Oxford.

Freda Jackson BSc (Hons)

Registered Osteopath

Regrettably, due to an unforeseen change in personal circumstances, I will not be able to run any clinics at the present time.  Please do not hesitate to contact my colleagues for an appointment should you require any further treatment.  They will have full access to your clinical records to ensure continuity of care.

With all good wishes,

Freda Jackson.

Caroline Govett BOst

Structural and Cranial Osteopath registered with the GOsC

Caroline graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in 2005 with the Bachelor of Osteopathy degree. She returned to full time education in 2001 as a mature student following a successful 12 year career in the television industry. Her decision to change her career path came following an interest in sports massage which led to her assisting the massage team at the Finchley Rugby Club in London.

Caroline's approach to musculo-skeletal ailments such as repetitive strain injuries, mechanical low back pain, sports injuries and neck pain is primarily through the traditional structural approach. Not only does she address the problem with hands on soft tissue and joint manipulation, she also strongly believes in postural education and the prescription of exercises which allow the individual to better understand and manage their own health and wellbeing. She also has a keen interest in Cranial Osteopathy, a more subtle form of manipulation appropriate for individuals such as expectant mothers with low back pain and symphysis pubis dysfunction and their babies who might suffer with colic, colds and congestion and sleeplessness.

Outside normal clinic hours, Caroline continues her professional development by attending post graduate course and seminars; these have included Medical Acupuncture and Osteopathy in the Cranial Field. She is also a keen skier, an avid follower of Rugby Union and enjoys worldwide travel. She has been particularly fortunate in being able to take a number of extended breaks from work to explore Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Avin Patel ^{B.Ost Med, DO, ND}

Registered Osteopath

Avin graduated from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) in 2006 with a degree in Bachelor of Osteopathic Medicine and diplomas in Osteopathy and Naturopathy.

He is a member of the:

·        General Osteopathic Council

·        British Osteopathic Association

·        Osteopathic Sports Care Association

·        British Medical Acupuncture Society

Prior to studying osteopathy he was a professional rugby player.

Avin has a particular interest in sports medicine, sport injuries and sports rehabilitation. He has currently been working with top sporting internationals in the field of rugby, football, cricket, golf and motor sports.

Avin’s ambition on completing his training as an osteopath was to work within a sporting environment, however whilst training at BCOM he realised that Osteopathic medicine can benefit not only sports professionals, but also the amateurs amongst us, as well as a variety of non-sport minded people.

Within the course at BCOM numerous special clinics were run. Avin participated in these clinics, which consisted of paediatric (children’s) maternity, geriatric (elderly) and sports injuries. In his 5th year he wrote a research paper as well as studying three special study modules in the fields of:

         1. Osteopathic Sports Medicine

         2. Advanced Nutrition

         3. Cranial Osteopathy

Avin strongly believes that continued professional development is a key factor in maintaining the high standards he aspires to. He recently attended a post-graduate training course with the British Medical Acupuncture Society and is currently working towards a Diploma of Medical Acupuncture.

Avin has a very simple and traditional approach whilst treating “Find it, Fix it, Leave it”. Prevention of problems whilst addressing existing complaints is the key to his treatment plan. He may (unless needle phobic!) use acupuncture to complement osteopathy or as a stand alone treatment. He uses acupuncture for musculoskeletal conditions (muscle, joint, ligamentous pain) and also for headaches (including migrane) and many other conditions.

In addition to working for Physical Balance he also practices at Proctor and Gamble as their on-site osteopath and sees fellow sportsmen in his London clinic.

Outside his profession he is a keen rugby coach forming his own academy of aspiring children hoping to become professional rugby players. Currently the academy boasts 3 players with representative honours.

Catherine Fletcher BSc (Hons) MChS

Podiatrist / Chiropodist

Catherine has a Podiatry Honours Degree from Huddersfield School of Podiatry and is registered with both the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists and with the Health Professions Council.

She originally developed her interest in Podiatry through her association with sports (and injuries) with Basingstoke and Mid-Hampshire athletics club, and this lead to a further interest in the working of lower limb as a whole.

Throughout her training Catherine worked in a busy NHC clinic and since graduation has worked as a private practitioner in the commercial sector. Within both these environments she has had experience with many different patients including diabetics and children, two areas which are of particular interest to her.

Catherine is fully trained in general Chiropody such as nail care, corns, hard skin and more advanced Podiatric treatments such as biomechanics for foot, ankle and knee pain. Nail surgery for persistent nail problems is also provided.

Long term, Catherine is keen to continue her studies and plans to explore a more multi-disciplinary approach to treatment.

Joe Allnutt BSc (Hons) DipST MSST

Sports Therapist

Joe Allnutt is a sports therapist dedicated to giving a high quality personalised treatment regime for a whole range of sports injuries. Joe graduated from the University of Chichester in 2004 with a Bsc (Hons) in Sports Therapy and is fully registered with the Society of Sports Therapists.

As a keen sports man Joe participates in a variety of different sports including cricket, football and golf. As a complement to this and his clinical work Joe also works as the principle sports therapist to the Basingstoke Bison Ice Hockey team and lectures at Basingstoke College of Technology in sports massage. He also worked for 1 year with the Hampshire County Cricket 1^st team squad, helping some of the world's top sportsmen back to full fitness, an experience he frequently draws upon within clinic.

Jane Cottrell ITEC VTCT MCThA

Massage Therapist