Cornwall Physio | Hawksland Physiotherapy Centre

Hawksland Physio | It's about quality of life

The Hawksland Team...

Mrs Rosalind Boisseau | MCSP, Cat A member of ACPAT

Ros qualified from St. Thomas’ Hospital in 1972. She worked for several years for the renowned Dr James Cyriax in his private practice in Wimpole Street, where she gained an excellent grounding in the examination and treatment of musculo-skeletal problems, with particular emphasis on manipulation.

Ros’ home city of Plymouth was the obvious next move, where she worked as a Senior Physiotherapist heading up the new GP referral scheme. She also studied with an equine chiropractor, and started to treat horses and dogs as well as humans! She also helped her father, well known Chartered Physiotherapist Gordon Hackworthy, from whom she gained a lot of practical experience.

After her marriage in 1980, Ros started her private practice in Wadebridge, later moving to Little Petherick. In 1991 she started Hawksland Physiotherapy Centre based from purpose-built rooms at her home at Higher Hawksland Farm, St Issey. The centre is ideally situated within easy reach of Wadebridge with good parking, and it is now one of Cornwall’s leading physiotherapy clinics. In these beautiful surroundings Ros has equipped the centre so that the most complex of cases ranging from chronic back pain to acute sports injuries can be managed. Treatments offered include acupuncture, manipulation, ultra-sound and laser therapy, and Theraflex – the latest equipment to mobilise the spine, the only clinic in Cornwall to offer this exciting new treatment.

Ros has recently become very interested in Pilates, a system of exercising the body working on core stability, improving posture and balance. It helps to keep you fitter, stronger, and less prone to injury. It is particularly beneficial for those with back and neck problems. Ros has qualified as a Class Instructor with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute, which teaches Modified Pilates for Physiotherapists – all the exercises have been specifically modified to be suitable for treating spinal problems. Please see the Pilates section of the website for class times.

Pilates is also a great exercise for horse riders to improve balance and posture in the saddle, and Ros has also attended a specific Pilates for Horse Riders training course. As a keen rider herself, Ros is interested in helping those with rider positional problems.

Hawksland also boasts a Canine Hydrotherapy Centre, where dogs are offered therapeutic swimming for a variety of problems, including arthritis, disc problems, post-surgery rehabilitation, obesity, or just to increase fitness or have fun! Ros is a Category A Member of ACPAT (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy) Horses and dogs are also treated with spinal manipulation, laser and muscle stimulation.

Mrs Stella Durnall | MCSP, BSc (Hons), MSc, MMACP

Stella graduated from the University of the West of England in 1999 and from there built her expertise in the management of musculoskeletal conditions at Southmead Hospital Bristol - a large teaching hospital and a Regional Orthopaedic centre, nationally renowned for this speciality. Stella took a lead in the day-to-day running of the department and in the teaching of junior staff members. Her role also involved worked closely with Orthopaedic consultants and local GPs, rehabilitating patients after joint surgery, accidents, work related pain and fractures.

Whilst in Bristol, Stella specialised in back and neck pain, and after 2004 worked as one of the senior spinal specialist physiotherapists. In this role she was responsible for managing complex acute and chronic spinal conditions. She ran a back exercise class as well as a weekly pilates group. In addition she practices acupuncture which she uses to complement her physiotherapy treatment. Working for 'Professionals Abroad' Stella has spent two periods both practicing physiotherapy and managing physiotherapy provision in the Katmandu valley in Nepal.

In 2007 Stella completed her masters in musculoskeletal manual therapy from Coventry University, where she gained membership to the Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP). The MACP qualification attests that a standard of excellence in examination and treatment has been reached. During her final year masters dissertation she researched the effects of physiotherapy on neck pain for which she received a Distinction.

Stella's personal interests are running and swimming. She ran at national level for several years and has also represented England. This has led to her special interest in sports injuries. She developed this by working for Bristol City football club’s centre of excellence, gaining experience in treating acute sports injuries. She also travelled with the GB Ultimate Frisbee team to the World Championships working as the physiotherapist for the elite men's team.

Stella moved to Cornwall with her husband in January 2008 and is delighted to be joining Mrs Rosalind Boisseau at the Hawksland Physiotherapy Centre.

Laura Hobson | MCSP, BSc (Hons)

Laura graduated from Brunel University in London in 2001 and began her career at North Bristol NHS trust. Here she spent two and a half years rotating through core areas of physiotherapy with a particular emphasis on musculoskeletal conditions. As a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist at Bristol Royal Infirmary, Laura worked alongside eminent orthopaedic consultants in the rehabilitation of complex trauma and orthopaedic patients including Ilazirov frame patients. Here she also spent time working in A and E and the fracture clinic further developing her acute injury management skills. Laura went on to work in her home town of Sheffield working closely with GPs and within patients own homes.

Laura enjoys managing a diverse clinical caseload alongside a special interest in upper limb problems after being able to gain invaluable specialist knowledge and experience working in Frenchay hospital hand unit and Nottingham City hospital shoulder unit. In these roles Laura was responsible for the rehabilitation of complex post operative and conservatively managed patients. Shoulder instability is a particular clinical interest.

Throughout her career Laura has placed a strong emphasis on continued professional development through attending various postgraduate courses, mentoring junior members of staff and organising in-service training programmes. In September 2009 Laura successfully completed a Master’s module in cognitive behavioural therapy at Plymouth University which has allowed her to consider all elements of the chronic pain experience.

Laura achieved her dream of moving to Cornwall in July 2008. Personal interests of Laura’s are surfing, snowboarding, netball, running and dance which have led her to a keen interest in the rehabilitation of all sporting injuries.