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 (16:45). We also offer Pilates, 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!

Check out our NASS online branch September 2023 timetable.

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.