Oliver qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2003 from Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne. Having worked initially in the NHS, Oliver moved into Private Practice in 2006 before being recruited in 2008 as a Senior Physiotherapist with Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital. The chance for a more family orientated life led Oliver to relocate to Cornwall in 2010 and he established the business initially in St Mawes before expanding to Truro.

Oliver’s time in the North East of England saw him gain a wealth of experience in Sports Physiotherapy. Having worked with his local rugby club in a player / physio role since being an undergraduate, Oliver swapped the rugby pitch for the netball court as he became Team Physiotherapist to Team Northumbria Netball who compete in the elite level Netball Superleague. During the three seasons with Team Northumbria, Oliver also established the Sports Injury Clinic at Northumbria University and became responsible for the care of all the University’s athletes, including many involved with regional, National and Olympic teams.

Oliver’s rugby background led him to become Team Physiotherapist to the Norwegian National Rugby Team from 2007-2009. His development in the field of Sports Medicine has since been furthered by the completion of a post-graduate certificate in Sports Physiotherapy which forms the first year of a three year Masters Degree course with Bath University.

“I am a musculoskeletal physiotherapist with a special interest in sports injuries and rehabilitation. At various stages in my career I have worked with athletes of all abilities, from recreational and amateur through to elite level and most recently Olympians who competed at London 2012 and Rio 2016. Regardless of their level of ability, I enjoy being surrounded by people who are as enthusiastic about sport as I am.”

“My other clinical interests include the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and I am well experienced in performing the Epley manoeuvre. I am qualified at Masterclass levels 1 and 2 in treating Whiplash Injuries and I regularly see clients referred from the medico-legal system at varying stages of injury.”

Aaron qualified from the University of Plymouth in 2009 (1st Hons), prior to this he also attained an honours degree in sport and exercise science from Luton University.

Following his first degree Aaron spent 5 years working within the fitness industry as a personal trainer and duty manager, providing services to clientele ranging from elite athletes, weekend warriors and cardiac rehab patients. It was in this environment that his interest in rehabilitation was forged, working with patients that were recovering from various sporting and orthopaedic injuries.

After graduating from Plymouth Aaron worked in various settings including diverse NHS rotations, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Plymouth Argyle FC (who at the time were in the Championship), Falmouth FC and establishing the Physiotherapy service in A&E at Treliske hospital.

Aaron’s current NHS role is the clinical lead Physiotherapist for foot and ankle services in Cornwall, contributing to the foot and ankle specialist interest group in Cornwall and the international association of foot and ankle Physiotherapists. He manages a varied caseload for the NHS but has a special interest in chronic ankle instability, Achilles tendinopathy and high end sports rehabilitation. Outside of Aaron’s NHS commitments he offers a twice weekly clinic from Oliver Hughes Physiotherapy Clinics.

“I like to practice what I preach and find that I am continuously using my rehabilitation skills on myself to keep enjoying surfing, weightlifting, snowboarding and surf boat rowing.”

Kirsty Sturgeon, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Kirsty qualified as a physiotherapist in 2000 from Brunel University in Middlesex. She has undertaken extensive further post-graduate education throughout her career including post graduate training for the management of female and male pelvic health.
Kirsty moved back to Cornwall in 2005 after working in several NHS outpatient settings in Somerset. She started to develop her interest in pelvic health in 2010. Kirsty’s current NHS role is the Clinical Lead Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist for the Community hospitals in Cornwall. She sees a varied caseload of female and male bladder and bowel dysfunction, ante-natal and post-natal conditions and provides training to other specialist physiotherapist and health professionals.
Kirsty feels very passionate about providing clients with the tools they need to look after their own health, and educating them to feel equipped and empowered to improve their quality of life. Kirsty offers bespoke physiotherapy programmes for a range of conditions including:
Pelvic Girdle Pain in pregnancy and post delivery
Rectus diastasis abdominals (tummy gap)
Bladder and bowel incontinence
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pre/post gynaecological surgery
Pre/post prostate surgery
Bowel issues
Sexual Dysfunction/ painful sex
Pelvic pain
Kirsty is one of the few physiotherapists in the county who treats female and male pelvic health issues. She offers a discrete and professional service. Her wealth of knowledge, friendly, reassuring manner enables clients to discuss intimate and embarrassing symptoms with ease and provide a tailor made management programme to each individual.

Kate completed a BSc (Hons) in Urban Property Surveying at Northumbria University in 1999 and spent the next 4 years with Keith Pattinson Estate Agents as a Branch Manager of Residential Sales and Lettings.

In 2003 an opportunity arose with the University to move into a customer liaison role and Kate was recruited as a Reception Manager for the reception and information points across the University’s 3 campuses. Kate remained with the University for the next 7 years enjoying the variety of opportunities for training and career development that the University offered, gaining experience in Customer Services, Website Management and Finance and Purchasing.

Kate’s role as Practice Manager encompasses the mass of administration that goes with running a busy practice and she is the familiar, friendly face to so many of our loyal clientele. Kate and Oliver have three young children and when not in the practice Kate can be found enjoying the beautiful Cornish beaches with the demanding little ones!

Following her degree Emma returned to Cornwall and spent 18 months working in musculoskeletal outpatients in the NHS. Emma then spent 8 months working on acute medical wards and in a specialist neurological unit to expand her rehabilitation knowledge.

Emma has now returned as a senior musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapist working for the NHS at Camborne Redruth Community Hospital.

Alongside her NHS work with Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust, Emma continues to work with local rugby teams, some at national level as well as the Physiotherapist for Cornwall RFC. Emma has an interest in sports medicine and regularly attends the Sport Medicine Specialist Interest Group as well as recently attending a strength and conditioning course.

Emma has a passion for fitness and wellbeing and regularly attends the gym, fitness classes and Pilates.

Dr Nigel Rayner MB ChB MRCGP FRNZCGP MSc