NASS Online Branch

Cost: Our monthly subscription is £20 for unlimited sessions or you can pay as you go @ £5 per class

NASS Online Branch, launched in August 2023, is aimed at those who may not have access to a local NASS Branch or maybe prefer to exercise from home. If you already attend your local NASS face-to-face group, you might like to consider taking a second session with us online. It’s a perfect complement to your axial SpA exercise routine.

We run physiotherapist-led online sessions 3 times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, these classes all begin at 6.30 pm. We also run a gentle yoga class on Thursday lunchtime at 1.30 pm, which includes a deep relaxation, yoga Nidra session.

All classes are live and streamed on Zoom.

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.

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!

Nahid

I am Nahid, an MSK Physiotherapist working out of Barnet & Chase Farm Hospital under the Royal Free NHS Trust.

I have had a special interest in inflammatory back pain, predominantly axial spondyloarthritis, for the last 4 years. I run a specialist Ax SpA clinic twice a month at Barnet hospital where I spend time with patients educating them about their condition, connecting them with other Ax SpA patients and encouraging effective self-management strategies via exercise, fatigue management tools, healthy lifestyle choices and an emphasis on mental well-being.

I run a group education session for patients with a new diagnosis of axial SpA once a month, and an exercise class twice a week at Barnet and Chase Farm hospital where we explore guided stretching, strength and conditioning and a HIIT inspired approach to cardiovascular exercise with respect for everyone’s individual ability.

I work with the inspirational Professor Hasan Tahir and Sian Bamford, and we were recently awarded gold status in the NASS change maker awards as part of the aspire for excellence programme to improve delay to diagnosis times.

In my personal time, I train and compete in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to keep fit, and I enjoy travelling and learning about new cultures and world views.

Vickie

I’m Vic, I’m a NHS musculoskeletal physiotherapist based in the West Midlands. I love my work and enjoy helping others to understand and manage their pain conditions and injuries and love empowering others to get active.

I have a special interest in inflammatory arthritis and rheumatological conditions, having worked closely with some amazing rheumatology physio’s, this is an area I hope to specialise in, in the future.

I also have psoriatic arthritis myself, as well as my older sister and father, which has further sparked interest and passion for research in inflammatory arthritis and wanting to help others with these conditions to lead a healthy active life.

Outside of work, I am a keen runner, I also enjoy sea swimming. I hope in the near future to begin fundraising for NASS through various races to spread awareness of these conditions and contribute to improving the diagnosis and management of them.

I aim to deliver classes that cater for all, and encourage a social aspect with a welcoming, supportive environment.

I look forward to meeting and working with you all!

Kristi

I am Kristi, a qualified physiotherapist since 2007, specialist MSK physio since 2009, Rheumatology Physiotherapist since Jan 2019, and I continue to work in MSK as well. I have been working in the area of axial SpA since 2008 when I started helping run the NASS Wanstead hydrotherapy sessions. Dduring the lockdowns I helped run the online NASS Wanstead sessions and I still continue to run monthly NASS Wanstead face to face sessions at Whipps Cross Hospital.

I worked with NASS on their Aspiring to Excellence programme from 2021-2023 as the first physiotherapist to lead a rheumatology team on the programme and continue to be on the Reducing Time to Diagnosis working group .

I deliver bi-monthly newly diagnosed axial SpA patient education and stretch sessions for those newly diagnosed in the NHS, and one of my roles is working closely with our rheumatology consultants at BHRUT in Redbridge at improving our time to diagnosis for axial SpA and care for axial SpA patients.

Josh

Hi everyone, I’m Josh Poole! 

I am fortunate to have worked in the NHS now for over 15 years, starting as a volunteer in the physiotherapy department, progressing to a Specialist Physiotherapist within the acute hospital and community setting. I now work within the strategic speciality of the hospital as a Transformation Lead, which allows me to help improve the pathways of care for our patients. 

I qualified as a physiotherapist in 2015, completing the MSc pre-registration programme at the University of Essex, where I had previously undertaken my BSc in Sport and Exercise Science in 2010. I also hold a Post-graduate Certificate in Medical and Clinical Education, which complimented my role as a Practice Education Lead for Allied Health Professionals.  

My NASS journey started early in my physiotherapy career, supporting our local group as an assistant. I’m now leading this service. It has always been one of the most enjoyable parts of my physiotherapy career, as I feel it makes a significant impact both to the members and also to us as a team. NASS has enabled me to support people not only locally but nationally, through aiding changes in the way we support people living with axial SpA. I feel privileged to work alongside the NASS Online Branch, and hope that my experience can add even more support to our members.