Dan Nicholls MSc MCSP MMACP
Dan is a local extended scope practitioner as well as physiotherapist at Motion Physiotherapy. He has previously worked as the lead physiotherapist for Basketball England. Additionally, he has travelled both nationally and internationally with swimming, track & field and football. He is a guest lecturer at Brighton University and teaches human anatomy in the cadaver lab to pre and post graduate students. Dan was appointed as physiotherapist at the London 2012 Olympic Games based at the polyclinic in the athletes village. He was also appointed as physiotherapist with Team England, as part of the medical team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, as well as the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. He is also Formula 1 team physiotherapist with Red Bull Racing.
Dan completed his MSc in Rehabilitation Science at Brighton University, after gaining his BSc (Hons) in Sport Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention at Middlesex University. He has also completed a PG dip in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at Brighton University accredited by the MACP (Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists).
Prior to his studies Dan worked as a personal trainer and continues to maintain a keen interest in strength & conditioning as well as exercise rehabilitation.
Dan offers appointments on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays.
Penny Nicholls BSc (Hons) MCSP
Penny is a highly specialised musculoskeletal physiotherapist with over 18 years experience working within the private and public sector.
Penny previously worked as a clinical physiotherapy lead in the NHS carrying a diverse and complex musculoskeletal caseload of patients including paediatrics. Penny also provides supervision and teaching to senior physiotherapists.
She studied physiotherapy at Cardiff University and also has a degree in Sport Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention from Middlesex University. Prior to qualifying as a physiotherapist Penny worked as a fitness instructor at David Lloyd Gym.
Penny strives to deliver high quality physiotherapy using her breadth of advanced manual therapy skills teamed with her strength and conditioning background. She enjoys collaborating with patients to achieve their goals.
She has a passion for exercise and enjoys running and gym training. She has also competed in netball and volleyball and maintains a keen interest in all sports.
Penny offers appointments Monday - Friday.
Cath Ellis BSc (Hons) MCSP
Cath is an experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapist with over 25 years of experience. Since 2003 she has also worked as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in Brighton specialising in shoulder and elbow problems and is a member of the British Shoulder and Elbow Society (BESS). She continues to work in her NHS role as an AP and clinical specialist, both clinically and as a mentor. She has a particular interest in frozen shoulders and rotator cuff related shoulder pain, although has experience of a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems
Cath studied at Kings College London, graduating in 1993. She has gone on to complete a number of MSc modules in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy from Brighton and Southampton Universities and has previously been a guest lecturer on both BSc and MSc Physiotherapy courses in Brighton University.
Cath lives locally, is married with 3 children and enjoys running, hill walking and singing.
Cath offers appointments on Saturday mornings.
Catherine Hegarty BSc (Hons) MCSP
With over 20 years of experience as a qualified physiotherapist, Catherine brings a wealth of expertise in diagnosing and managing a wide spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions across a variety of clinical settings.
She graduated from Coventry University in 2005 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and has since completed postgraduate master’s modules in Advanced Health Assessment and First Contact Practice in Primary Care. Catherine is also qualified as an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist, having completed Levels 1–3 of NHS Health Education England’s MSK roadmap.
Catherine currently works locally in Sussex as a First Contact Practitioner within several GP practices, where she provides initial assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions. In addition, she serves as an Upper Quadrant Advanced Practitioner within NHS Sussex MSK Health, offering specialist expertise in shoulder, elbow, and spinal conditions.
Her earlier career included 12 years at a large teaching hospital, where she developed a strong foundation in pre- and post-operative orthopaedic care, sports injury rehabilitation, return-to-sport programs, and polytrauma treatment—caring for patients ranging from children to older adults.
Between 2017 and 2019, Catherine contributed to the national PROSPER clinical trial, which explored optimal care for shoulder issues following breast cancer surgery. She presented her work at the national Physiotherapy Congress in 2019 and later secured funding to establish a dedicated breast cancer physiotherapy service within a large hospital. Her passion for supporting individuals through cancer recovery has grown steadily, and she now offers scar tissue and cording release therapy as well as tailored rehabilitation for breast cancer survivors. She holds an APPI Pilates certification in breast cancer rehabilitation and helps patients regain strength, confidence, and mobility post-treatment.
Catherine is known for her caring and approachable manner, and she finds great fulfilment in helping others recover and thrive.
Outside of her clinical work, Catherine enjoys road cycling and exploring new places through travel.