I am a Hand Therapist specialising in the assessment and treatment of acute injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, and long-term conditions affecting the hand and upper limb. I have worked in hand therapy since 2018 across both the NHS and private practice, developing a broad and well-rounded clinical experience.
I have been supporting musicians and performers with their return from injury. This has shaped my approach to rehabilitation, focusing on helping people return not just to daily activities, but to the specific demands of their work and performance.
I treat a range of conditions including tenosynovitis, trigger finger, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, thumb osteoarthritis, and acute trauma such as fractures and ligament injuries. My treatment approach may include hands-on therapy, splinting, tailored exercise programmes, ergonomic and performance advice, and post-operative wound and scar care.
I have a particular interest in working with musicians and performers. Having grown up playing piano, cello, and violin, and performing in orchestras and solo settings, I understand the physical demands and pressures of performance. I aim to work collaboratively with each person to support recovery, prevent recurrence, and optimise performance.
I am committed to providing personalised, evidence-based care that supports each individual’s goals, whether that is returning to performance, work, or everyday life.
Katherine Butler is a Clinical Specialist in Hand Therapy, specialising in treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of musicians' hand and upper limb injuries. Katherine's clinical experience has focused on plastic and orthopaedic surgery patients with hand and upper limb injuries, burns, and rheumatological conditions. She has lectured and published widely, established two hand therapy units, worked as a research therapist and is currently performing doctoral research in the area of Focal Hand Dystonia affecting musicians. Having completed her Associate Music Diploma in Flute performance in 1997, Katherine enjoys combining her love for music and knowledge of the hand and upper limb. She has invaluable insight into life and the related pressures of being a musician.
Nicola Cherry is a Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal assessment and treatment, with a particular interest in the upper limb. Prior to qualification as a Physiotherapist in 2005, Nicola worked as an Occupational Therapist in hand therapy, qualifying in 1997. She is a keen amateur harpist, and also plays clarinet. She has an interest in treating performance artists, especially musicians. Her post graduate training includes qualifications in Pilates and acupuncture. Nicola is a Registered Practitioner and Assessing Clinician with the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), is a member of the British Association of Hand Therapists and the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists.
Nicola Goldsmith is a specialist Hand Therapist who has been working in the field of trauma, orthopaedics, plastics and rheumatology since 1991. She has expertise in the management of complex hand and arm problems, musicians' hands, arthritis, rehabilitation following trauma such as finger and wrist fractures, and working with persistent pain. Thorough assessment guides the use of manual methods of treatment for musculoskeletal issues (exercises, taping, splinting, massage etc), coping strategies and mind changing methods for pain, postural analysis, and techniques to recognise neck to fingertip connection. Together with Kathryn Johnson, Nicola's hand therapy practice can assess for, measure for and fit Silver Ring Splints for hypermobility, pain and arthritis.
Nicola is highly experienced in coordinating teams of Hand Therapists and other colleagues, managing service development for large hospital groups, teaching and clinical leadership. She works closely with Orthopaedic Hand Surgeons including BAPAM clinician, Mr Mark Phillips, and helped to establish the Musicians' Upper Limb Clinic for BMI. Nicola runs workshops on injury awareness and prevention for musicians (as delivered at RAM).
“My philosophy is to empower my patients with knowledge and skills to be able to self manage and therefore see me as little as possible!”
Nicola is registered with the HCPC and a member of the British Association of Hand Therapists.
Roz Neale is a senior hand therapist and physiotherapist who sees many musicians and creative professionals with hand and upper limb conditions including pain, fractures, soft tissue injuries, nerve problems, posture related pain, focal dystonia, tendonitis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, hypersensitivity. Physiotherapy practice includes: managing musculoskeletal problems, occupational health advice, sports massage, and acupuncture. Experienced working as part of a multidisciplinary team including orthopaedic hand and upper limb surgeons and other clinicians.
Remote virtual consultations for patients or face to face appointments are available at her private practice in Croxley Green, Hertfordshire. Roz also provides NHS care at Northwick Park Hospital (Hands and Orthopaedics).