Our Team
David Gardiner & Associates. Chartered Physiotherapists & Massage Therapists
David Gardiner
David Gardner
David Gardner, BSc (Hons) Physio., MSc (Sports Med)., MISCP
Chartered Physiotherapist, CORU PT031491
David Gardner is a highly experienced chartered physiotherapist with a passion for sports medicine and biomechanics. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and later completed an MSc in Sports Medicine, both from Trinity College Dublin. In 2000, David took over the Naas Physiotherapy Clinic from Elizabeth Kent, who originally founded the clinic in 1990. The practice grew, and in 2007, it relocated to a state-of-the-art 3500 sq. ft. premises in Millennium Park. Today, the clinic operates as Physiotherapy Works and employs a number of physiotherapists.
David’s special interests include:
- Biomechanics – particularly foot biomechanics and shoulder girdle instability in overhead sports. He prescribes orthotics and works with both adults and children to correct poor foot mechanics, preventing conditions such as Achilles tendonitis, knee pain, and low back pain. He also has expertise in shoulder injuries, especially in sports like tennis and swimming, having completed his master’s thesis on the biomechanics of shoulder injuries in overhead sports.
- Spinal Pain – including the management of acute discogenic pain.
- Adolescent Sports Injuries – David has provided physiotherapy services to Clongowes Wood College since 2000 and has a keen interest in athletic injuries in young athletes.
- Golf Injuries – Working alongside PGA professional Gavin Lunny, David helps golfers improve both technique and biomechanics to prevent and treat injuries.
- Headaches and Vertigo – He specializes in the treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) through physical positioning techniques.
- Occupational Health – David collaborates with Medwise in Naas, Form Health in the UK, and Partner Health in Dublin to deliver physiotherapy services to companies in manufacturing and service sectors.
In addition to his clinical work, David is deeply involved in athletics, coaching underage athletes in long jump and middle-distance running at Naas Athletics Club, where his four daughters also train. A former rugby player for Wesley College and Trinity College, David represented Ireland in athletics at both school and university levels. He currently holds the Irish universities and U23 national record for the pentathlon and was awarded the prestigious Trinity Pink award for his achievement.
Outside of his professional life, David enjoys hunting, fishing, and is a keen farmer at heart.
Caitlin Gardiner
Caitlin Gardner
Caitlin Gardiner B.Sc. (Hons) Physio., H.Dip. (BFIS)., M.Sc.(Health Policy & Mgmt), PG Cert I&E Dev., MISCP, CORU PT031060
Chartered Physiotherapist
Caitlin a dedicated physiotherapist with a career spanning over two decades. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1997 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and has since worked across various specialties, including orthopaedics, stroke, and neurology rehabilitation at the Mater and Tallaght hospitals in Dublin. After gaining extensive hospital experience, Caitlin moved into private practice.
Her clinical interests include managing chronic low back pain, promoting core stability, stroke rehabilitation, and developing exercise programs for individuals with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. She also focuses on shoulder rehabilitation post-breast cancer surgery and occupational health, helping businesses minimize sick leave due to physical injuries.
In 2006, Caitlin became a certified Stott Pilates Instructor and launched a thriving Pilates service at the clinic, which now offers over 50 weekly classes. She also leads a Nordic walking group for breast cancer patients and is trained in lymphedema management using the Casley-Smith method.
Caitlin completed an M.Sc in Health Policy & Management at Trinity College, furthering her commitment to improving healthcare systems. Following the completion of a course in Innovation & Enterprise again at Trinity, Caitlin was delighted to accept a Fellowship in Healthtech Innovation and is excited to work collaboratively with a diverse team to make a positive, lasting impact on people’s lives by transforming how healthcare is delivered.
Outside of work, Caitlin enjoys tennis, swimming, pilates, reading, and music.
Caroline Woods
Caroline Woods
Caroline Woods, M.Sc. (Sports Medicine), PG Dip, B.Sc. (Hons), MISCP, MCSP, HCPC Chartered Physiotherapist,
Coru No PT 027298
Having qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1998, Caroline completed her Masters in Sports Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. Her Manual Therapy training took place in Curtin University Australia and Manchester Metropolitan University.
She has over 20 year’s experience working at the highest level including Manchester United FC, Bristol City FC, The FAI (Ireland), The FA (England), English Institute of Sport and The British Olympic Association. She provided Physiotherapy support at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and is on the High Performance Sports Physiotherapy panel for Sport Ireland to deliver support to athletes in Olympic cycles. At the World Student Games in Bangkok she was Lead Physiotherapist to Team Ireland and provided Physiotherapy support to Team GB at the Youth Olympics in Italy. As a result, she has successfully worked with athletes of all levels and stages including (but not limited to!) Rugby, GAA, Modern Pentathlon, Diving, Swimming, Athletics, Equestrian, Triathlon, Squash, Cycling, Gymnastics and Martial Arts.
Caroline was appointed Head of Physiotherapy to the Northern Ireland (NI) Men’s Soccer Team when Michael O’Neill took over the squad in 2011. The team famously enjoyed one of their most successful periods ever when qualifying for the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship in France. The NI Medical Team subsequently received the Exceptional Achievement Award from The Football Medical and Performance Association.
Caroline has published several research articles in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and is a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists. In her membership role of the Medical Advisory Committee for the Irish Football Association she has attended several UEFA conferences. Her clinical areas of interest include dry needling, management of the young athlete, performance rehabilitation, post-operative care and education on self management to prevent injury. She is familiar with working as part of Sports Medicine team and likes to link in closely with other disciplines as well as Management and Coaching staff.
As a keen horse woman Caroline is Assistant Trainer to her Husband and Racehorse Trainer Peter Maher. They are known for the triple festival winning horse Big Shu. He won in Cheltenham and lined up in the 2014 Grand National. More recently Ballyboker Bridge has won several cross country races around Punchestown including the 2019 La Touché Cup.
Caroline held her amateur jockey licence for several years and completed the London Marathon, Sydney and Bristol Half Marathon as well as the Great North Run. She represented Ireland in pony showjumping and received Full Colours at University in the same discipline. She enjoyed playing school and club level hockey as well as skiing and snowboarding holidays. Since the arrival of her twin daughters she is perhaps a little less adventurous!
Rachel Scott
Rachel Scott
Rachel Scott B.Sc. (Hons) Biochem., B.Sc. (Hons) Physio., MSOMM, MDNI, MISCP Chartered Physiotherapist, Coru No PT047267
Rachel has over 20 years clinical experience, graduating from RCSI with a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Degree in 2003. Continuing her professional training over the years, she has attained certification in Dry Needling, Stott Pilates instructor and is a member of the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine. Rachel treats a broad range of clients and believes in individualised rehabilitation. A combined approach of hands-on treatment in the clinic with education and smart functional exercises yield the best results for her clients, whether they're recovering from an injury from sport or everyday life.
Rachel is a lover of all sports and especially enjoys water sports and skiing in her spare time.
Oisin Kelly
Oisin Kelly
Oisin Kelly B.Sc. (Physio), MISCP, Chartered Physiotherapist, CORU PT 038806
Oisín is a graduate of University College Dublin and holds a BSc in Physiotherapy. He recently completed a Master’s in Sports and Exercise Medicine at Trinity College Dublin, where he further developed his knowledge in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization. His thesis, “The reliability and muscle activity of hamstring strength tests,” allowed him to build strong skills in research, data interpretation, and evidence-based practice. He also deepened his knowledge on hamstring strain injuries and rehabilitation.
He has worked with high-level athletes as well as a diverse population across the private sector in Ireland and New Zealand. Oisín has recently returned home after working for 18 months in New Zealand, where he gained valuable experience in a different health system in which physiotherapists have increased roles and responsibilities.
His physiotherapy philosophy is largely influenced by movement and exercise as medicine, using strength and conditioning principles to aid athletic performance, injury prevention, and improved lifestyle choices. He combines his knowledge of strength and conditioning alongside manual therapy to achieve the best outcomes for his patients. He has completed postgraduate courses in strength and conditioning as well as dry needling.
In his spare time, Oisín plays Gaelic football and is an avid fan of all sports. When he is not watching or playing, he enjoys hiking and spending time with friends and family.
Afeefa Ashraf
Afeefa Ashraf
Dr. Afeefa Ashraf DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapy), NMT, PGDip (Advanced MSK), PGDip (Neuromuscular Therapy), MISCP Chartered Physiotherapist, CORU PT037803
As a dedicated member of Physiotherapy Works Clinic, Afeefa brings extensive experience and diverse clinical expertise to enhance our team's capabilities. Specialization includes managing acute and chronic back and neck pain, including discogenic pain, with proficiency in dry needling and trigger point release. Her expertise covers addressing pregnancy-related musculoskeletal issues, foot pain such as plantar fasciitis, and providing orthotic casting and prescriptions. Afeefa has a strong background in pediatric physiotherapy, encompassing the treatment of congenital and developmental issues, and supporting children and adults with special needs. Afeefa also offers Manual Lymphatic Drainage for acute and chronic lymphoedema, post-mastectomy, and post-surgical recovery, including hip and knee replacements.
Darragh Barron
Darragh Barron
Darragh Barron, B.Sc. (Physiology), M.Sc. (Physiotherapy), Chartered Physiotherapist, CORU PT 065504
Darragh Barron, graduated with his Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Prior to this, he completed his undergraduate in Physiology in UCD and a diploma in Strength and Conditioning in SETU. He's been practicing over 6 years in both the NHS and private practice setting. He has specialised in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy and more recently has trained as a First Contact Practitioner. This role developed the advanced skills necessary to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment for MSK conditions on a patient's first contact with healthcare services. He has also acted as the physiotherapist for the London badminton club Gosling's.
Darragh is additionally trained in acupuncture, dry needling, joint mobilisations and massage. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, participating in rough runner events, yoga, racket sports, going to the gym and travelling.
Liesel Shulze
Liesel Shulze
Liesel Schulze, B. Physiotherapy, OMT, Dry Needling, ICSP Physiotherapist
Liesel has over 20 years clinical experience, graduating from, University of Pretoria, South-Africa with a Bachelor-Degree in Physiotherapy in 2002. Continuing her professional training over the years, she has attained certification in Dry Needling & Orthopaedic Manual Therapy. Liesel treats a broad range of clients and believes in individualised rehabilitation including, but not limited to, manual therapy, Kinesio taping and exercise therapy. Liesel uses a combined approach of hands-on treatment in the clinic with education and smart functional exercises yielding the best results for her clients. Liesel has worked in a wide variety of health care settings in South-Africa, UK, Saudi Arabia and now Ireland. Gaining invaluable experience in all core areas of physiotherapy but specializing in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic manual therapy.
Liesel loves cooking, gardening, and reading and being active outside with her family.
Theresa Dillon
