Meet the team

Sophie Dhenin

Sophie qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1988 and then as a Registered Osteopath ten years later.

Her main interest has always been in sports injuries - particularly since she has been so afflicted herself. She has been forced into premature retirement from squash, badminton, marathon running and tennis: and therefore feels well qualified to treat injuries related to these sports!

Sophie brought the ATM2 device and the Graston Technique from the USA to Scorpio in 2004-5. She has since helped several of the Scorpio therapists to travel to the US to train in these groundbreaking techniques.

In 2009 Sophie trained in both Gunn IMS and the Nielsen Technique of medical acupuncture and says this modern form of deep needling has transformed her work with chronic pain. In 2009 she also introduced the Dorn Method to Scorpio.

She completed her Part 1 training in the Sarah Key method of treating back pain in 2010. Most recently she has trained in the PIM method of joint mobilisation and the Robbie Goodrum method of peripheral joint mobilisation and of sacroiliac joint manipulation.

Jane Mayes

Jane qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist at the University of East London in 1998 and worked in the NHS for 3 years. She has been working in private practice for 12 years and has also worked alongside personal trainers in Holmes Place gym.

Jane has several main areas of special interest: Women's Health (treating urinary and bladder problems as well as injuries and discomforts associated with pregnancy); ergonomics (assessment of work station to minimise stresses on the body and the prescription of appropriate exercises); knee rehabilitation particularly following injury in sport; and lower back and sacroiliac joint pain caused by prolapsed disc or muscle spasm.

She favours a hands on approach. Her qualifications include acupuncture, deep needling, Graston Technique, Robbie Goodrum manipulation, Sarah Key method and pilates.

Karl Dewsbury

After graduating from the University of East London, Karl initially worked in Cape Town before settling locally to work in the NHS. He joined the team at Scorpio in 2000.

With a sporting background in rugby & martial arts, his main clinical interests are sports injuries (particularly golf-related), knee problems and spinal dysfunction. He has a very 'hands-on' approach in treating his patients and uses a wide variety of specialised techniques including the Graston Technique & dry needling to help achieve his goal of longterm functional improvement for his patients.

Monica Linford

Monica first came to London from Australia to study classical Ballet. Following her career as a professional ballet dancer, in the late 1980's, she became interested in dance aerobics and body conditioning techniques while working as a Make-up Artist for BBC TV. After 12 years in film and television she returned to Australia to pursue a full-time career in holistic exercise which included working with Precinct Physiotherapy and Therapia Physiotherapy in Adelaide, South Australia - a relationship that has spanned more than 25 years.

An holistic approach to exercise became her primary focus during the mid-nineties when she achieved a Certificate in Shiatsu which then inspired the creation of The ChiBall Method.

During the following years Monica also studied Yoga, Tai Chi, QiGong, Clinical Pilates, Feldenkrais Method, Meditation and Relaxation techniques and Franklin Method. Clinical Pilates with an holistic emphasis was originally inspired by Kylie and Jane Brammy of Therapia Physiotherapy in Adelaide and continues today at Scorpio.

Patient well-being is Monica's number one priority. Her emphasis is helping patients to recover from pain or injury, using a variety of approaches.

Tanya Laing

Tanya moved from Edinburgh to London to pursue a dance career which was cut short by knee and lower back injuries. Having loved movement based exercise and particularly teaching it, she became fascinated by the Pilates technique and how wonderful it made her body feel. She realised that this was "the next best thing to dance teaching" and decided to train through the Pilates Foundation to become a machine and matwork teacher.

In 2002 Tanya studied at one of the top London teacher training schools, Pilates Off The Square.

Over the years Tanya has particularly enjoyed working with people with lower back and knee injuries. Having gone through the experience herself, she feels she can empathise with fellow-sufferers and knows instinctively which exercises are most appropriate for them. She loves helping people to recover and relishes the challenges Scorpio throws at her. She says it is a constant learning curve and enjoys the superb results that Pilates has produced in most of our clients.

Viv Roe

Viv graduated from St Mary's Hospital, London in July 1988. She spent 4yrs working for the NHS then set up her own practice in 1992, which she sold in March 2004. After qualifying as a Pilates instructor, she joined Scorpio in 2004.

Viv trained in the Graston Technique several years ago. She specialises in using Graston to treat back and neck pain, particularly chronic problems, combining it with Pilates for full rehabilitation.

Viv is also an Accredited Healer.

Vikas Bajaj

He holds a Masters Degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. After finishing his Masters Vikas went on to gain extensive experience working with the NHS achieving the post of Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist/Team leader. He later worked as lead practitioner for a Royal Air Force rehab clinic where the case load included both simple and complex trauma, sports injuries and chronic pain, and which involved high-end rehabilitation in readiness for armed action.

Currently Vikas divides his time between Scorpio Clinics and his role in the NHS which he rejoined in May 2012 as an Extended Scope Practitioner. Vikas adopts a biomechanical assessment approach to identify the root causes of injuries. He believes in hands on techniques to reduce pain in the acute stage, together with a strong emphasis on treating the underlying cause with preventative and self help exercises so that positive outcomes are maintained in the long term.

Katie Scampton

Katie qualified in Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine from the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (LSATCM) in 1997 and 1998 respectively. She practices from clinics in Chiswick and Virginia Water and although she practises mainly as a 'generalist', she has a special interest in treating infertility, pregnancy and women's health as well as musculo-skeletal problems, digestive and skin problems. She regularly attends post-graduate seminars and has observed in Chinese Medicine hospitals in Hangzhou.

She is a senior lecturer and Clinical supervisor of students on the undergraduate degree program in Acupuncture at Westminster University.

She recently participated in the Department's research project on developing Chinese medicine treatment protocols for menopausal symptoms under Dr Volker Scheid, funded by the department of health.

Katie can be contacted on katie.scampton@virgin.net, or bumpacupuncture@gmail.co.uk or 07957 281873.

Christa Prosser

Christa qualified as Physiotherapist at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa and subsequently worked in private practices in Cape Town and as well as Portland Oregon before founding her own practice in Somerset West in 1990 where she remained until May 2006.

She completed the postgraduate diploma in Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT 1) in 1993 and focused on chronic spinal related conditions. Having been a national level hurdler herself, she also has a strong interest in athletics/sport injuries and completed a sport injuries diploma course in 2000. Christa's approach is very hands-on and she combines her manual therapy with specialities like acupuncture (dry needling), the Graston technique, pilates postural rehabilitation and the use of the ATM2.

Julia Dalby

Julia first trained in Exercise to Music with the YMCA in 1997. She went on to qualify as a Pilates Instructor in 2001 with the Pilates Institute, and recently underwent further training with the Pilates Foundation.

Before becoming qualified to teach Pilates, Julia had been attending regular matwork classes. Having come from a fitness background, she quickly realised the benefit of doing Pilates: she found it immensely helpful for balancing the muscles of the body, for flexibility and of course for improving core stability.

Julia joined the team at Scorpio in July 2005, and enjoys seeing clients improving their health and body awareness under her care.

Lucy Gardner

Lucy originally qualified as a chartered accountant in South Africa and worked for many years in industry, until she discovered the power of hands-on manual therapy. She first studied Shiatsu, a Japanese form of acupressure, over a period of 3 yrs at the European School of Shiatsu. She consolidated this knowledge by qualifying as an Osteopath from the British School of Osteopathy. She favours a structural osteopathic approach using key osteopathic techniques including manipulation, mobilisation, Muscle Energy Techniques and Positional Release.

Tara BowlingBSc (Hons) Dip Nut

A graduate from The College of Naturopathic Medicine in London, Tara is a qualified Nutritional Therapist, and a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) which imposes a strict Code of Ethics and Practice on its members.

Having worked for many years with children, teaching conflict resolution and bullying prevention programs, Tara can attest to the many physical and emotional consequences of poor diet and lifestyle....from stomach aches, food intolerances or fatigue, to depression, PMS and headaches! Having suffered all these issues herself, and seen the changes that can come from simple dietary changes, she is committed to motivate and inspire people to feel their best, by offering a balanced and realistic approach to nutrition. Each program is individually tailored to meet the needs of the person.

Tara also has a BSc degree in Biology and Psychology from Canada, and uses her qualifications as a hypnotherapist and life coach to offer practical methods to achieve optimal health in a warm safe environment, such that each person can tap into their own resources and make positive changes and choices for the future.

Tara regularly attends specialist conferences and post-graduate lectures designed to update and expand her knowledge in the field of nutrition, hypnotherapy and coaching.

Tara has special interest in working with stress management and its effect on the body, as stress is unavoidable in life and affects what we eat, how we feel and sleep. Stress can cause a plethora of unpleasant effects if not managed over time.

Tara also has a keen interest in children's health and supporting families as they make changes toward optimum health and wellness. Before you start making changes, it is important to know what you and your family are doing right and what needs to be fixed.

Do not hesitate to contact Tara if you feel she may be able to help you or your family.

Steve Ott

Steve joined Scorpio in 2012 having qualified as a physiotherapist from Southampton University in 2008. He worked in the NHS across Hampshire before moving into private practice in 2009. During this time he has worked closely with Orthopaedic Consultants, back pain specialists, as well as gaining experience treating high level athletes.

He has a strong focus on manual therapy in his treatment and accompanies this with exercise prescription. Prior to becoming a physiotherapist he gained a degree in Sports Science and ran his own personal training business where he specialised in rehabilitation from injury and core stability training. This has given him vast experience in exercise and rehabilitation.

Steve is a Sarah Key Method practitioner for back pain and can offer medical acupuncture treatments. He enjoys treating a huge variety of conditions and special interests include sports injuries, back and shoulder pain.

Steve has a keen interest in sport and has previously played a high level of rugby and cricket. He also enjoys golf and Crossfit

Christine Turner

Christine joined Scorpio as our Practice Manager in 2004. She is responsible for the daily running and management of our four clinics, including overseeing liaison between accounts, health insurance and patients.

Her background in banking and customer services ensures that everything runs smoothly and efficiently, leaving the therapists to focus their full concentration on treating our patients.