Hibiscus Coast Tania Stephenson
Physiotherapist & Hand Therapist
Dip Phys, PGD(manip), MHSc(hons), CPT(hand therapy), Reg. Hand Therapist

Tania completed her Physiotherapy Diploma in 1992. She then worked at North Shore and Middlemore Hospitals, rotating through the various departments. Overseas travel beckoned and Tania worked and traveled to Canada and the UK before returning to further her studies, completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Manipulative Therapy in 1997. This was followed by a year working in a private musculoskeletal clinic in Harley St, London.

Once home Tania decided to specialise in hand therapy. She took a senior position in hand therapy and burns out patient rehabilitation at Middlemore/Manukau Superclinic, working full time while undertaking post graduate study in Hand Therapy and Western Acupuncture. Tania finished her Masters of Health Science in 2002. She was president of the NZAHT from 2002-2004 and has been involved in the education committee, teaching and examining on the hand therapy training programme.

In 2003 Tania and Kelly, who are both passionate about hand therapy, saw the need for specialist hand therapy services on the North shore and Hands On Rehabilitation opened. Tania is now involved in supervision and training of our therapists and treating complex cases. Areas of particular interest and expertise are complex splinting, wrist injuries, burns rehabilitation and nerve injuries.

Natalie Paynter
Physiotherapist & Hand Therapist
BHSc(Physio), PGCert (acu)
Reg. Hand Therapist

Natalie graduated from AUT in 2002 with a Bachelor in Health Science (Physiotherapy). Natalie then completed the NZAHT run Hand Therapy Training Programme in 2002 In 2007 Natalie successfully completed her Western Acupuncture post graduate module at AUT.

Over the last five years Natalie has been providing both general musculoskeletal physiotherapy and hand therapy services within the private sector. Natalie joined the Hands On team in 2007 and works full time splitting her time between our Albany & Hibiscus Coast clinics.

Katie Northfield
Physiotherapist
BSc(hons), MCSP, MNZAHT

After qualifying with a Physiotherapy degree from the University of Brighton in 2003, Katie worked in the public health system at Basildon University Hospital in Essex. She worked in a wide variety of physiotherapy fields before taking a senior position in Hand Therapy and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in 2006. Katie has completed her British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT) Level 1 course and is looking forward to completing further Hand Therapy study and qualifications.

Katie travelled to NZ in 2007 and has been working in a well established, musculoskeletal, private Physiotherapy practice on the Hibiscus Coast. Katie will continue to work in New Zealand and joins the Hands On Rehabilitation team, covering part time hours at the Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast clinic. Outside of work Katie is involved in local netball and sailing competitions and enjoys all watersports.

Sandra Kettle
Physiotherapist
BHSc (Physio), MNZAHT

Sandra is our newest addition to the Hands On Rehabilitation team. She completed her Physiotherapy degree at AUT in 2008 and has now joined the Hibiscus Coast clinic. While completing her degree Sandra had a clinical placement with Hands On Rehabilitation gaining valuable hand therapy experience and observing hand therapy and surgery at Middlemore Hospital, Manukau SuperClinic and private clinics.

Sandra decided to specialise in hand therapy straight out of university because she feels hand therapy is such a diverse and interesting area.

Sandra is planning to undertake further specialist study and is looking forward to completing her post-graduate hand therapy qualification in 2010.

Jacqueline Martin
Physiotherapist
Dip Phyty, ADP (Orthopaedic), MNZAHT

Jacqueline joins the team at Hibiscus Coast working part time whilst studying towards her Hand Therapy registration. Jacqueline has worked in cardiothoracic, neurological and musculo-skeletal areas of physiotherapy since qualifying over 20 years ago. She has primarily worked as a musculo-skeletal physiotherapist in the private sector owning several physiotherapy clinics. She has extensive experience in this field including assessment, diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the musculo-skeletal system. She has a particular interest in the upper quartile including pathologies affecting the neck, thoracic spine and shoulder girdle. Jacqueline completed an Advanced Diploma in Physiotherapy – Orthopaedic manual therapy and is a physiotherapy acupuncturist.

Michelle Balderston

Michelle lives with her partner and four sons in Stanmore bay, and has enjoyed residing on the Hibiscus Coast for over 32 years. Michelle and boys enjoy many activities including hot Rods, muscle cars and moto-X. Her business background is in the finance sector and more recently as an administrator with a local sign writing company. She was first introduced to Hands On Rehabilitation as a client after suffering an injury while mountain biking. She joined the Hibiscus Coast Hands On Team in early 2009 as Receptionist/Administrator.

Michelle currently works three days a week in the Hibiscus Coast Clinic and covers reception at Albany on Fridays.

Jane Worthington
Receptionist/Administration

Born and raised in Auckland, Jane spent eight years living in Sydney, Australia before moving back to New Zealand in 2000. She now resides on a lifestyle property on the Hibiscus Coast with her family.

Jane joins the Hands on Rehab team at Hibiscus Coast providing part time reception and administrative support alongside Michelle Balderston.