NASS Online Branch

Our all-UK NASS Online Branch, launched in August 2023. It is aimed at those who may not have access to a local NASS branch or prefer to exercise from home.

We run physiotherapist-led online sessions every Monday (18:30), Wednesday (18:30) and Thursday (16:30). We also offer yoga, seated chair dance and low impact dance, along with educational, relaxation and meditation sessions.

Last, but not least, we have twice monthly social sessions. These offer a safe space for all our members to come and chat about anything and everything!

If you’re interested in joining us, please email us at onlinebranch@ nass.co.uk. We are a friendly and supportive bunch of people who welcome new members to our branch.

You can find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Please note that you must have a UK diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis (Axial SpA) or Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) to attend.

COST

Individual Sessions : £5

Monthly Subscription : £20 for 5 sessions or £30 for unlimited sessions (subscription payable on the first day of the month)

Meet our physios

Rachel

Hi, I’m Rachel and I’m a Rheumatology Specialist Physiotherapist. I trained at Bristol School of Physiotherapy and after a spell in Australia working on the first axial SpA programme ever run in Wesetern Australia I worked on the RNHRD AS course. I moved to Southmead Hospital back in 1997 and have been working since then in rheumatology alongside Dr Paul Creamer.

I’m trained to a high standard in hydrotherapy and train other physiotherapists in hydrotherapy. I have been an advisor to NICE, ARMA, NIHR, ROS, NRAS and CSP I have published articles on axial SpA, osteoporosis and hypermobility. I have also spoken and chaired various sessions at the British Society of Rheumatology, Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS), European bone, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) conferences

I now work part time at Southmead and have my own private practice.

Caroline

Hi, I’m Caroline and I live and work in Bristol. I’ve practiced yoga for over twenty years and have been teaching since 2006. I trained with the British Wheel of Yoga and I am qualified in several yoga styles, but I specialise in teaching yoga for axial SpA and chronic pain.

I’m also a respiratory specialist physiotherapist (while maintaining a keen interest in rheumatology!), level 3-qualified personal trainer and GP exercise referral specialist. Previously, I have also worked within the NHS leading a chronic pain management programme and as an exercise instructor for chronic pain and osteoarthritis groups.

Through my own experience of having axial SpA I am a firm believer in the potential of yoga to help relieve pain, keep us mobile and moving, and to give us the tools to navigate the ‘other stuff’: the fatigue, and emotional and mental health aspects of the disease. We are all individuals so there is no one universal yoga solution, but I hope to be able to guide you in finding the practices and approaches which work for you.

I aim to make my classes inclusive and accessible for everyone no matter your current level of mobility. So whether you can sit on the floor, sit on a chair, or can’t sit at all, join me for a class and we’ll figure it out together. If you can breathe, you can do yoga!

Ed

My name is Ed and I am a physiotherapist based in South Yorkshire. I currently specialise in musculoskeletal and rheumatology physiotherapy, but I hope to become a clinical specialist within rheumatology in the near future. I work full time in the NHS seeing a vast array of conditions and issues, but I have also been working for NASS one evening a week for a few months doing online exercise classes. I also have a passion for teaching; I do some lecturing on my days off at Sheffield Hallam University where I studied. I have recently completed two masters’ level modules and hope to continue to study to achieve the full masters.

I have a personal passion for rheumatology as I have AS myself. I was diagnosed at 19 and thankfully have been able to get myself in a position where I don’t need medication to control my symptoms, and I hope to pass on my personal tips and advice, alongside my physiotherapy expertise to help you to get to as close to that position as possible too!

Outside of physiotherapy, I am a squash player to a semi-high standard, and a keen golfer. I enjoy watching the football and playing 5-a-side each week, and I like listening to music and playing guitar.

I look forward to meeting and working with you all!

Emily

I’m Emily and I’ve been working in healthcare for the past 20 years, specialising in Rheumatology for the last 10.

I worked at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, delivering the 2 weeks self-management programme. Over the Covid 19 pandemic, I worked with NASS to deliver remote consultations to members most in need, and delivered online education and exercise sessions.

I’ve co-authored research papers in the field of sleep and Axial SpA and I’m currently working to develop digital monitoring and self-mangement interventions for people with musculoskeletal conditions.