THE TEAM

Physiotherapists

At The Wellington Balance Centre, the physiotherapists are specially trained in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation.

The physiotherapists conduct an in depth assessment which may include Posturography using the Smart EquiTest Computerised Dynamic Posturography system. This is a state of the art computer and force plate system that is able to detect problems in any part of the balance system. The Smart EquiTest system can be used for treatment of balance disorders.

We offer customised vestibular rehabilitation programs tailored specifically to each individual's needs. Our therapists use current evidence based practice and the latest in rehabilitation techniques

Sophia Lawson, BPhty, PGDipBusAdmin, MCSP

Sophia is the Physiotherapy Manager at the Wellington Hospital, she has been involved in the assessment and treatment of patients with vestibular and balance disorders for over 10 years. Sophia commenced at the Wellington as a Senior Physiotherapist in January 2002 in the area of neurological rehabilitation and through working in the outpatient setting, she developed the physiotherapy vestibular service, following on from which she was involved in setting up the multidisciplinary Balance Centre. Sophia has attended extensive specialist training in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation including Emory University's Vestibular Rehabilitation Competency Course (Georgia, USA); the Southampton Advanced Balance Course; Cervicogenic Dizziness (California, USA); and she has been trained in Computerised Dynamic Posturography at Neurocom in Portland (Oregon, USA). Sophia was a founding member of the physiotherapy special interest group the Association of Physiotherapists Interested in Vestibular Rehabilitation (ACPIVR) and is currently the Journal Editor.

Emma Taylor, BSc(Hons), BPhty, MPhty(Neurology), MCSP

Emma joined the Wellington Hospital Balance Centre as a Senior Physiotherapist in June 2010. Emma is a titled Neurological Physiotherapist with a special interest and experience in Vestibular Rehabilitation. She completed her Masters of Physiotherapy in Neurology in Australia in 2009, where she also trained in Vestibular Assessment and Rehabilitation. Emma has a broad range of rehabilitation experience through working in both the public and private sectors in Australia and the UK. She has extensive experience in treating people with various Neurological and Age-related balance disorders. Through working at the Balance Centre, Emma has gained experience in the use of Computerised Dynamic Posturography assessment. She provides a holistic approach to management of balance disorders, drawing on her range of rehabilitation expertise.

Amanda Englefield, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP

Amanda joined The Wellington Hospital as a Senior Physiotherapist in January 2007. She treats a wide range of Neurological conditions both on an inpatient and outpatient basis and works within the Balance Centre. Prior to this she worked in the NHS treating a wide range of Neurological conditions and was the physiotherapy lead for the Balance Clinic from August 2005 until 2007, treating a wide variety of balance disorders as both inpatients and outpatients. Amanda has extensive experience and training in the specialist field of Vestibular assessment and rehabilitation to include Computerised Dynamic Posturography. She has completed advanced training in assessment and treatment of movement disorders and postural control, providing a holistic approach to balance rehabilitation. Amanda has been actively involved in the executive committee for the Physiotherapy Vestibular Special Interest Group (ACPIVR) since April 2008, working to develop the field of Vestibular Rehabilitation on a national and local basis.