About Us

Information about Spine Plus

Who We Are

Redefining treatment for back pain, neck pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. Our ethos is reflected within at all of our clinics, with therapists who are able to offer expert multi-disciplinary physical therapy for spinal disorders, “plus” other musculoskeletal conditions.

Our Experience

Using cutting-edge technology, we have quickly gained a reputation as the UK’s pre-eminent back care specialists, and are widely respected within both the NHS and private sector for our results with neck/spinal injuries and chronic ailments.

What We Treat

We have specialist training and equipment for the Spine “Plus” other muscle & joint problems, including a range sports injuries.

Directors

Robert Shanks

Robert Shanks

Director and Chigwell, Woodford & Hornchurch Clinics Principal

As Co-founder and director Robert is part of the driving force behind our multidisciplinary approach. Robert has been strongly influenced by his mother, a chartered physiotherapist with 40 years’ experience. Robert graduated as an Osteopath in 2000 and subsequently furthered his education with postgraduate courses in medical acupuncture, electrotherapy and clinical Pilates (with the renowned Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute). Among Robert’s special interest is the management of patients with chronic low back pain prompting him to have published a book on the subject aimed at being a detailed guide for patient’s (and physical therapy students) trying gained better understanding of the non surgical and surgical options;  BACK PAIN DECODED, available in print (and on Kindle) from Amazon. Robert is also involved with the education and support of other practitioners and clinics, he is UK lecturer and trainer on Class IV Laser Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, TECAR Therapy, and spinal MRI analysis. In 2024 Robert was appointed chairman of the Waltham Forest Osteopathic Group (comprised of Osteopathy clinic owners and associates in the Waltham Forest area).

Darren Chandler

Darren Chandler

Director and Bow & Stratford Clinics Principal

Darren teamed up with Robert in 2006 and together they established Spine Plus’s London based chain of clinics. Prior to forming Spine Plus, Darren had been a national level badminton player and personal trainer, training many celebrities in London’s West End. Darren studied at the British School of Osteopathy (BSO) where he was awarded the coverted student of year award in 2002. This was followed by training with the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) and courses in electrotherapy. Darren has a keen interest in clinical diagnostics and specialises in spinal, sports and work related injuries. 

Associates

Ben Medniuk

Ben Medniuk

Senior Osteopath, Medical Acupuncturist - Chigwell Clinic

Ben is one of our most senior osteopaths, having worked at our Chigwell clinic for over 15 years. Ben is recognised by all (major) medical insurance companies including BUPA and AXA PPP. Having supplemented his osteopathic training with post graduate courses in medical acupuncture and electrotherapy, Ben is able to offer treatment for a wide range of conditions using a combination of various approaches. His special interests lie in classical osteopathy and treatment of the elderly.

Ann Shanks

Ann Shanks

Physiotherapist and Chigwell Clinic Manager

Ann is our head physio and the clinic manager at Chigwell. Ann used to work for the prestigious and world renowned “Bobath Centre”, she has many years experience as both a physiotherapist and a physiotherapy manager in the NHS and private sectors. Ann, who is Robert’s mother, works closely with our osteopaths and they with her, she helps coordinate the smooth running and patient management at all our clinics.

Juan Bedoya

Juan Bedoya

Senior Osteopath, Naturopath, Medical Acupuncturist, Pilates Instructor, Scoliosis Specialist - Woodford Clinic

Juan has been working at Spine Plus since 2013! Juan is a highly qualified and experienced osteopath, who is key member of the Spine Plus team. Juan has built a strong reputation for excellent hands-on therapy combined with a multidisciplinnary approach for treating back pain, sports injuries and other muscle and joint problems. Juan is currently our head trainer for clients requiring one to one corrective exercise, or who need to build their core strength and spinal stability. In addition to working for Spine Plus, Juan is a clinic tutor and osteopathic lecturer at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Languages: English, Spanish.

 

Dr Sajid Butt

Dr Sajid Butt

Radiologist

Dr. Sajid Butt MB BS, FCPS, FRCR. is one of the most experienced and well respected interventional radiologists in the UK specialising in musculoskeletal disorders, as well as working for the The Harley Street Spine Clinic he has lead role working for the NHS at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hosptial (RNOH), Stanmore. Dr Butt works in an advisary capacity to the therapists and clinicians at the clinic, he reports on all our MRI scans and other imaging and performs on-site image guided injections for our patients if and when this is required.

Akin Celik

Akin Celik

Osteopath, Massage Therapist, Pilates Instructor - Chigwell Clinic

Akin originates from Turkey and in 2018 graduated from the University College of Osteopathy with a Masters in Osteopathy.  From a young age, he knew he wanted to be an osteopath having been treated by one following several injuries after a horse riding incident. Additionally, he has many years experience in sports massage, medical acupuncture/dry needling, Kinesio and active taping which he can use to enhance his osteopathic treatments. Akin always aims to provide therapy with both enthusiasm and professionalism in an effort to encourage wellness in all his patients. Languages: English & Turkish.

Veena Kudhail

Veena Kudhail

Postural Therapist - Woodford Clinic

As a highly experienced and qualified Postural Alignment and Corrective Exercise Specialist, Veena’s work involves identifying muscular imbalances in the body and then designing personalised corrective exercise programs. Veena is highly passionate about her work and is a valuable source of feedback and advice to the rest of our clinical team.

Adele Ducasse

Adele Ducasse

Osteopath - Bow Clinic

Adele is a registered Osteopath, graduating from NESCOT with a Masters in Osteopathic medicine, adding to a degree from Brunel in Sports Science (Coaching). Adele has many years experience participating in high level competitive sports including basketball, netball and martial arts. Adele has also been a sports massage therapist for 3 years, building a solid client base while studying at university, She has a keen interest in sports injury and rehabilitation and is excited to gain more knowledge with post-graduate courses in shockwave and dry needling.

    Matthew Irvine

    Matthew Irvine

    Osteopath, Medical Acupuncturist - Chigwell & Hornchurch Clinics

    Matthew is a highly skilled Osteopath who uses his attention to detail to help with each and every one of his patients who come to see him here at spine plus. Matthew is very passionate about his approach to Osteopathy and how it can help all patients with their symptoms. Matthew’s passion and drive to promote Osteopathy was highlighted when he was selected to be joined by a  few other elite students to study and train in Melbourne’s prestigious Victoria university. It was here in Melbourne that Matthew first learnt  about the wonders of how shockwave therapy , acupuncture, dry cupping, intervertebral disc distraction (IDD) and ultrasound therapy could help him with his patients presenting symptoms.  

    Kerry Reilly

    Kerry Reilly

    Remedial & Sports Massage therapist - Bow Clinic

    Kerry is a remedial sports massage therapist with experience of working in 5* hotels and with elite fighters.

    She is a mixed martial artist herself and former financial planning analyst with a great understanding of the ailments that come with being very active as well as being deskbound.

    Kerry is enthusiastic with helping people ease their aches and pains and understanding movement patterns.

    Her goals are to not only help restore mobility and get people moving pain free but also to educate her clients on how to improve their posture and heal optimally from injuries outside of the treatments provided.

    Louise Hodge

    Louise Hodge

    Osteopath, Medical Acupuncturist, Personal Trainer - Chigwell & Woodford Clinics

    Louise’s treatment approach is patient-centered and aims to integrate your goals and priorities into a taliored treatment plan that will enhance your capacity to adapt and recover. Having worked as a personal trainer for over 12 years she thrives on empowering her patients to make healthy lifestyle choices and guide them in preventative steps to achieve their goals for future health. Louise works at our Chigwell Clinic on Wednesday and Saturdays.

    Lidiya Ivanova

    Lidiya Ivanova

    Osteopath, Massage Therapist - Chigwell & Hornchurch Clinics

    Having worked as a massage therapist for over 10 years Lidiya qualified as Osteopath from The College of Osteopaths (5 years programme) where she also worked in their teaching clinic in Borehamwood. Lidiya is highly motivated, enthusiastic, deeply committed to her patients, and driven to help them mprove movement and manage pain.

    Tom Walters

    Tom Walters

    Osteopath, Medical Acupuncturist, Personal Trainer - Chigwell & Woodford Clinics

    Tom is an Osteopath who is passionate about empowering patients through treatment and corrective exercises for long term results. Tom is experienced in sports massage and is a qualified personal trainer who can offer a wide range of techniques and advice. He has a keen interest in working with desk bound workers, helping to restore mobility and providing specific strengthening exercises. He looks to find out his patients’ goals and sets a clear path to achieve them.

    Panli Toure

    Panli Toure

    Massage Therapist

    Panli, who is originally from Paris, is a highly skilled and highly trained massage therapist (and personal trainer). We actually head hunted Panli to work at Spine Plus’ Chigwell & Woodford clinics due to our client demand for a really good massage therapist with healing hands, capable of delivery truly therapeutic, deep tissue massage full of the “feel good factor”. Panli’s natural abilities, previous training together with his in house training from Spine Plus incorporating some of our signature massage techniques, makes for an awesome combination and unrivalled massage experience. As well as having a super personality to match, that puts anyone at ease, Panli is an expert when it comes to food and nutritional advice by virtue of the fact he used to be a professional chef, having run his own highly rated restaurant. So as well as being able to serve up a great massage he can delivery a wealth of culinary tips!

    Inan Orman

    Inan Orman

    Sports Therapist, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Gait Analysis Specialist, Medical Acupuncturist - Chigwell & Woodford Clinics

    Inan joined us in 2024, as a qualified sports therapist and strength and conditioning coach. Inan brings a wealth of experience having previously worked at prestigious central London clinics such as Spine works and ProBack. Inan’s experience has centred on one to one exercise rehabilitation to help consolidate treatment outcomes and prevent relapses following an injury. Inan has also completed our in house training program under the director ship of our clinics director Robert Shanks and is competent at delivering soft tissue treatments including sports massage and medical acupuncture, together with foot scan and gait analysis, bespoke 3D printed orthotic prescriptions, as well as Electrotherapy including Class IV Laser, (radial & focused) shockwave therapy as well a TECAR Therapy for Advanced treatment of back pain, muscle, tendon and sports injuries.

    Denise Thurgood

    Denise Thurgood

    Denise is one of our receptionists at our Chigwell clinic, she's been a constant friendly face meeting and greeting patients and taking calls for our Chigwell, Woodford and Hornchurch clinics for several years.

    Juliet Smith

    Juliet Smith

    Meet Juliet, one of our welcoming receptionists at the Chigwell clinic. Juliet joined the team in 2023 having previously worked in other admin roles within the healthcare sector. Like Denise, Juliet answers call, emails and takes bookings for the Chigwell, Woodford, and Hornchurch clinics.