Rob Barker (MCSP) Clinical Director
Special Interests:
- Sports injury
- Movement screening
- Athletic performance
Before life as a physiotherapist I studied a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science, graduating at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge in 2005. This provided me with opportunities to work with talented college athletes, testing physiological limitations and providing training data to improve athletic performance. I completed a dissertation on blood lactate threshold and its relationship to distance running.
After completing my Sports Science degree I moved to the Northwest and worked within the fitness industry for a few years gaining register of exercise professionals level 3 status. I provided a personal training service to athletes, tailoring exercise programmes to golfers, runners and cyclists. However, I soon felt limited by the work I was doing within the fitness industry and naturally progressed by studying Physiotherapy at Manchester Metropolitan University. During this time I developed my learning outside of University by taking a pro-active approach, volunteering and shadowing at Wasps Rugby Club and the British Transplant Games as well as shadowing within several private practices in the region. I completed my dissertation on soft tissue release techniques and their role within muscle imbalance.
Since graduating in 2009 I have worked in several private practices, a private orthopaedic hospital and within the NHS, gaining knowledge, skills and qualifications including Pilates. During this time I have completed rotational posts within neurological and orthopaedic wards as well as musculoskeletal outpatient departments. In my latter years in the NHS I have worked as a First Contact Physiotherapist for Queen Square surgery in Lancaster.
In January 2015 while still working within the NHS I started RGB Physiotherapy and Sports Injuries Clinic based in The Centre @ Halton, which, by 2016, became Fairway Physio, moving into larger premises within Lancaster Golf Club. Previously working across multiple sports within physiotherapy and the fitness industry gave me the skills and experience to train and rehabilitate athletes who require mobility, stability and rotational power. I am Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certified, allowing me to deliver the highest quality golf specific screening to my clients.
I like to treat patients with a combination of hands on therapy skills and progressive exercise rehabilitation that allows patients to move better and perform better than before their injury.
Outside of work, I met my wife Daphne in 2001 and have been married since 2011. We travelled Asia for a year on our honeymoon. We have two gorgeous little girls who keep us on our toes. I play golf as much as I can and like to keep fit by cycling and heading to the gym. As a family we love to walk and head into the Lakes as often as possible.
I look forward to meeting you.
Daphne Barker Administrator
Hello, I am responsible for many of the admin duties and making the business run smoothly ‘behind the scenes’. I have a PhD in auditory neuroscience and work in research within the psychology department at Lancaster University. I spend the rest of my days bringing up our two beautiful girls. In my spare time, I enjoy taking family trips to the lakes, running and baking. I look forward to taking your call.
Tom Casey (SST) Sports Therapist
Tom has completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Therapy in 2020 at the University of Central Lancashire. During his time at university he was able to accumulate a vast range of experience from sports therapy settings, including; working alongside physiotherapists at Blackpool Football Club, Wigan Warriors, Preston Grasshoppers and Sale sharks. He acquired a pitch side first aid qualification and dealt with acute traumatic injuries. His degree work was recognised by the University of Central Lancashire as Tom received a course prize for his outstanding work. Tom has worked at Fairway Physio for over a year now and developed skills and tools to identify, diagnose and treat injuries, plan rehabilitation programmes and perform manual therapies to help get the best results for our clients.
Tom is really easy going, and instantly likable. He has a passion for football and maintaining a healthy active lifestyle attending the gym on a regular basis.
Jenny Reeves (Level 4 Diploma) Soft Tissue Manipulation Therapist
Karrina Howe (SST) Sports Therapist & (CIMPSA) Strength & Conditioning Coach
Karrina is a fully qualified Sports Therapist, graduating from the University of Central Lancashire with first class honours in 2023. She is also an experienced strength and conditioning coach, working with athletes in sports such as basketball, football, weightlifting, judo and paralympic rowers. She has worked with athletes and members of the general public within the fitness industry for the past 10 years. Karrina has used her knowledge and experience to help develop client’s strength, power and flexibility helping to prevent injury and improve performance. She has worked with injured athletes to help rehabilitate them back to high level sport.
Karrina began her career in fitness at an early age, with a particular interest in strength training, developing a passion for Olympic Lifting and began competing in this herself. Whilst working as a personal trainer in London, Karrina qualified as a weightlifting instructor and shortly after, moved to Lancaster where she set up her own weightlifting club. It was at this point that Karrina qualified as a British Weightlifting (Level 2) Instructor allowing her to use her strength and conditioning skills in group settings as well as working one to one with her clients.
Toby Willlan (BASRaT) Sports Massage Therapist
Toby is studying a degree in Sports Rehabilitation at The University of Cumbria but has already qualified as a Sports Massage Therapist. His experience includes working within a massage clinic and covering events such as the 10 marathons in 10 days event held in Brathay in the Lake District.
Toby has a keen interest in health and fitness, football and is an all round sports fanatic. He got married to Liv earlier this year at Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park.
