Meet the Proactive Physio team

We are proud of our team of experienced, dedicated individuals.  At Proactive Physio, Queenstown, each team member is highly qualified and undergoes continual professional development.  Our physiotherapists are ACC accredited and the clinic holds  ACC Physical Fitness for Independence contracts.

Our friendly customer service and caring, motivated approach ensure we can guide you in the right direction , develop and plan your way forward.

Sonya Anderson – Senior Physiotherapist & Managing Director

Over 12 years of experience working as a full time physiotherapist,  7 years spent working in  UK teaching hospitals and over 5 years working in private practice. Early on in her career Sonya spent time working closely with Orthopaedic surgeons & Rheumatologists and went on to complete a Diploma in Orthopaedic Medicine & then a Diploma in Injection Therapy.  After competing for many years in rowing, Sonya developed a passion for analysing the biomechanics of sports injuies. Sonya presently specialises in rugby injuries & rehabilitation & has been working with Arrowtown rugby club for the last 4 years, after working for a rugby team & tournaments in the UK for over 5 years. Her passion for analysis of movement has also led to the development of our Golf analysis service which now uses high speed video analysis of the swing & body motor patterns, to improve your game from any standard.

Sonya enjoys analytical assessment of the whole body and progressing clients from manual therapies to gym rehabilitation & function.

Experience in:

  • Rheumatology
  • Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
  • Sports Injury Diagnosis & Treatment
  • Muscle Balance, Core Stability & Postural Correction
  • Arthritis & Chronic Disorders Rehabilitation
  • Acupuncture
  • Diploma in Injection Therapy
  • Rugby Physiotherapist for 9 years
  • Golf Analysis & Motor Pattern Training
  • Golf Rehabilitation/Training
  • Fitness & Lactate Testing for optimal HR Zones & Training Zones
  • Kinesio taping

Sarah Reilly – Physiotherapist

Sarah graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2007 with 2:1 BSc(Hons) degree in Physiotherapy. Prior to her physiotherapy degree, she completed a  National Certificate in Applied Physiology and Health Science from the Institute of Technology, Carlow, which she completed with distinction.

Sarah completed her junior rotations at the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. Her rotations comprised of a wide variety of clinical settings including elderly rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, medical, surgical and intensive care respiratory physiotherapy. She completed an extended rotation in musculoskeletal outpatients where she developed a love for musculoskeletal and orthopaedic rehabilitation.

Sarah’s passion for sports physiotherapy was well and truly satisfied through her involvement with her local Gaelic football club Roslea, whom she worked with during their 2009 league success. Sarah enjoyed further success with Co. Fermanagh minor, U21’s and Senior Gaelic football panels as a County team physiotherapist from 2007-2010.

Sarah moved to Queenstown in 2010 after a period of travel throughout South America. Sarah has fully immersed herself in the Queenstown Winter Sports scene and has developed a keen interest in the injuries that come along with skiing and snowboarding. Sarah has completed a number of post-graduate courses since graduating and is currently pursuing an MSc degree from the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine.

Experience in:

  • Orthopaedic Medicine
  • Kinesiology Taping
  • Mulligan’s Mobilisation with Movement technique
  • Sports injuries and Rehabilitation
  • Bobath Normal Movement Concept
  • National Certificate in Applied Physiology and Health Science
  • Sports Traumatology
  • Gaelic Football Physiotherapist for 3 years

 

Katrina Benecke – Senior Massage Therapist

Katrina studied at the Canterbury College of Natural Medicine in 1994 where she completed a Diploma in Therapeutic Massage. In 1995 she sat and gained a National Diploma in Therapeutic Massage with the New Zealand Association of Therapeutic Massage Practitioners, now known as Therapeutic Massage Association (TMA). She spent 5 years working in a Physiotherapy clinic before opening her own clinic. She has supervised the Student Massage Clinic at Southland  Institute of Technology and also taught baby massage and introductory massage classes. Katrina brings her years of experience working with a wide range of clients and their varied needs to Proactive Physio. She likes to work the source of the issue as well as offering relaxation techniques. One complements the other.

Katrina has recently had time out raising a family. She has lived in the Wakatipu for the past 20 years. She loves travel, adventures and the great outdoors. She now joins the Proactive team with new energy to work with other like minded professionals striving together to achieve optimum results for their clients.

Experience in:

  • Sports massage
  • Injury rehabilitation
  • Relaxation massage
  • Deep tissue techniques
  • Myofascial release
  • Bowen therapy
  • Reflexology
  • Reiki

 

Caroline Gibson – Office Manager

Caroline has a career background in business and marketing management, having worked for international media and telecommunications companies in Auckland, Sydney, New York and London.  It was love at first sight when she and her husband visited Queenstown and the family moved here from Australia 7 years ago looking for a quality lifestyle.  They found it!

Taking time out to raise her children, Caroline has been actively involved in school life and in the community.  She is a dedicated ‘sports Mum ‘ supporting her two daughters with their swimming, netball and athletics interests as well as her cycling mad husband.  

Caroline is pleased to work with such a talented team who are passionate about what they do and our local community.