Kirsty Godwin-Pearson was a founding partner of Bristol neurophysio in 2008 and is now the Managing Director.
She is a Specialist Neurophysiotherapist with more than 20 years of experience working in both the NHS and private practice.
Having graduated from Liverpool University’s well-respected Physiotherapy course in 2000, Kirsty gained extensive experience across a broad spectrum of disciplines in the northwest including several months working in neuro-outpatients under the direct supervision of a Bobath tutor, where she developed a solid grounding in this approach to neurotherapy.
Moving to Bristol in 2002 to specialise in neurology, Kirsty took the clinical lead on a stroke unit in the south west before being appointed to the post of Senior Physiotherapist within a specialist, multi-disciplinary team working with people with a wide range of neurological conditions. During this time she worked with a lot of clients with progressive neurological conditions, stroke and spinal cord injuries and advanced her knowledge and specialist skills including those in postural management, splinting and the use of communication aids with clients with complex neuro-disabilities. She also provided specialist treatment and management as part of a multidisciplinary team for clients with Motor Neurone Disease.
Kirsty left the NHS in 2012 in order to work full time in private practice, in both clinic and domiciliary settings.
She has provided specialist neurophysiotherapy services for several charities over the past few years, including the MS Society and the Transverse Myelitis Society.
Kirsty is passionate about providing an holistic, client-centred and goal-focused approach with her therapy and has extensive experience of working with case managers and solicitors when treating clients with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and a variety of other neurological conditions.
She has a lot of experience and training in the Bobath approach to neurotherapy and uses this as a basis for her approach to assessment and treatment of individuals. She is also passionate about empowering individuals to manage their own conditions where possible through education and exercise, alongside more hands-on techniques as needed.
Over the past couple of years Kirsty has worked extremely hard to build and support the team at Bristol Neurophysio and realise her vision of providing a much-needed high-quality, inter-disciplinary team approach to clients with neurological conditions in the Westcountry.
Kirsty is passionate about travelling and has combined this with her love of wildlife whilst volunteering in West Africa, working as a neurophysiotherapist with chimpanzees and other primates with brain and spinal injuries. She was the first person to ever work with primates and great apes in this way and continues to provide specialist advice to vets from several charities in Africa, Asia and South America on a voluntary basis.
Kirsty spends her time away from work keeping busy with yoga, running, photography and cooking as well as spending quality time with her friends and family.
She is working towards a Masters in Neurological Rehabilitation at Plymouth University.
Kirsty is a member of the Association of Physiotherapists in Neurology (ACPIN).