Specialist Physiotherapy, Pelvic Health and Acupuncture Clinic, Hitchin
Meet the team
Our highly-qualified and experienced team specialises in a vast range of therapies to meet the individual needs of our patients including Women’s Health Physiotherapy, pre and post natal rehabilitation, menopause symptom management, sports rehabilitation, Pilates and Acupuncture.
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We are members of the following organisations:
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Bally Lidder
Clinic owner, Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Mummy MOT trained and Acupuncturist
Professional Qualifications:
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BSc Hons Physiotherapy (Wolverhampton 1993)
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MSc Acupuncture (Coventry 2004)
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Mummy MOT trained Practitioner (2015)
Special interests:
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Menopause management
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Post natal and diastasis rehabilitation
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Overactive pelvic floor dysfunction
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Visceral and myofascial release
Bally graduated from Wolverhampton University in 1993 and worked as a Chartered Physiotherapist in the NHS in the West Midlands for many years before moving into private practice. In 2021 she left Pinehill Hospital in Hitchin after 20 years, where she treated both musculoskeletal and Women’s Health conditions. Bally has used acupuncture as an adjunct to physiotherapy since 1994 and has done many post graduate courses leading to a Masters of Science degree in Acupuncture in 2004 from Coventry University.
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Bally has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, women’s health, sports injuries, posture and gait analysis and is able to offer you an evidence based bespoke thorough assessment and treatment aiming to alleviate pain and suffering but also education and preventing further relapses. She recognises that there are not many options available to women suffering with pregnancy related pain, pelvic dysfunction, prolapse, incontinence or menopausal symptons and this has led her to set up Lidder Therapies in 2014, with the intention of making women's health physiotherapy and post natal care more readily accessible.
Bally has used acupuncture within physiotherapy and as a stand alone treatment for many years and is able to offer acupuncture treatment for pain and to enhance fertility and menstrual symptoms.
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When not at work, Bally enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children. Her interests include exercise such as running, Pilates and Yoga and travelling.
Rachael Kuik
Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Mummy MOT Trained and Pilates Teacher
Professional Qualifications:
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BSc Hons Physiotherapy (Coventry 2007)
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FdA Dance Performance (London 2013)
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APPI certified Pilates instructor (2009) Fully trained in all Pilates equipment
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Mummy MOT trained Practitioner 2017
Special interests:
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Hip rehabilitation
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Pelvic organ prolapse
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Pre and post natal return to sport
Rachael Kuik is a Women’s Health Physiotherapist specializing in post-natal rehab, stress incontinence, diastasis recti, pelvic organ prolapse and hip injuries. Rachael graduated from Coventry University in 2007 and has since worked in NHS hospitals, outpatient settings and even backstage at the Royal Albert Hall with the English National Ballet. A love of dance from a young age and completing a foundation degree in dance performance has led to her interest in delivering pre and post-natal care to dancers and female athletes.
Rachael completed both Pilates matwork and equipment training with the APPI and often uses these exercises in her client’s rehabilitation, alongside manual, soft tissue and taping techniques, strength training and plyometric drills. She enjoys not only reducing client’s symptoms but helping them return to sports and a fully active lifestyle.
Since becoming a mother herself to two young boys, Rachael is even more impassioned with the need for high quality care across women’s health, from birth choice to recovery. Outside of work Rachael likes to keep fit with weights, running and pilates.
Kate Macdougall
Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor
Professional Qualifications:
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Master of Physiotherapy 2019
Master of Medical Engineering 2014
APPI certified Pilates Instructor 2020
Special Interests
Ante natal support
Postnatal rehab
Kate Macdougall is the newest edition to Lidder Therapies. She is a Women’s Health Physiotherapist and graduated from King’s College London in 2019. Kate has worked in various NHS hospitals in the south of England. Kate began her physiotherapy career at the start of the pandemic and was a key member in the Covid-19 ITU team.
Despite a rich knowledge of respiratory physiotherapy, Kate always knew her interest lied in Women’s Health and has dedicated her career to this field ever since. She is truly passionate about all thing antenatal and postnatal rehab, helping new mums reach their goals. Kate is trained in matwork Pilates with the APPI and often uses these principles as part of her treatment. Prior to becoming a physio, Kate trained as an engineer and brings a logical approach to her practise.
Kate recently became a mum for the first time and is on her own journey to re-discovering fitness after having a baby.
Lily Dehghani
Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
Professional Qualifications:
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BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy (2016)
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PGcert Advanced Clinical Practice in Pelvic Health (2024)
Special Interests:
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Postnatal rehab
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Persistent pelvic pain
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Bladder pain syndrome
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Dyspareunia / pain during sex
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Mesh associated complications
Lily graduated from Brunel University London in 2016 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. She started work as a Physiotherapist in East London and went on to specialise in pelvic health Physiotherapy in 2020. Lily currently works as a highly specialist pelvic health Physiotherapist in a major London teaching hospital.
Working towards the completion of her MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice in Pelvic Health has significantly enhanced Lily’s clinical and evidence-based skills. She has a wealth of experience treating complex pelvic health conditions including bladder and bowel dysfunction, prolapse, postnatal rehab, painful sex, and persistent pelvic pain. This advanced training has equipped Lily with the latest research and techniques, allowing her to provide the highest standard of care to her clients.
Lily is passionate about providing pelvic health care and education for everyone at all stages of life. Outside of work, Lily enjoys keeping fit through running, skiing, cycling and weight lifting. She also loves reading and tackling DIY projects whilst renovating her house.
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Jo Diplock
Women's Health Specialist Personal Trainer, Nutritionist and Pilates Instructor
Qualifications:
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Mat Pilates fundamentals 2008
Level 3 diploma in Mat-based pilates 2016
Pre and Post Natal exercise 2016
Advanced CPD in Modern Post Natal Assessment, Core Restore & Functional Exercise Programming 2016
Pelvic flow and freedom 2019
Barre - APPI Pilates 2021
I am a mother of 2, lover of animals and exercise. I am a women's health specialist Personal trainer, Nutritionist and Pilates instructor and have been working in the fitness industry for over 14 years
I can help you with:
Strength and birth preparation during pregnancy
Exercises and rehab for pelvic floor dysfunction (Hypertonic pelvic floor /Prolapse/ weak pelvic floor)
Diastasis Recti and C-Section rehab
Postpartum exercise
Post Natal Pilates
Mixed ability Pilates
Pregnancy Pilates
Posture improvement
Nutrition for energy during pregnancy and postpartum
Functional body movement
Women's hormone health
Peri-menopause, menopause
Mindfulness and restorative Pilates
Barre and Pre-School Yoga
Within my sessions you'll find a relaxed atmosphere, plenty of grounding with some challenge too.
Caroline Longfellow
Body Control Pilates Level 3 Matwork Teacher
Qualifications:
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Body Control Pilates Level 3 Matwork teacher
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Special Interests:
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Function movement for everyday living
Bone health
Physical health and wellbeing
Continuing further development in the Pilates method
- Posture & Alignment
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Throughout her life Caroline has loved exercise - childhood dance classes, gymnastics and trampolining, now she loves running, walking and Pilates!
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From late teens she struggled with back pain and was advised to ‘have a sit down job’…..These back issues were kept at bay for some time but, unfortunately, with so long spent commuting and sitting hunched over a computer, the back problems came back with a vengeance.
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Her partner used to have back issues and was advised to start Pilates classes. Witnessing his reduction in pain, Caroline joined him in weekly classes and hasn’t looked back since!!
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Caroline decided to retrain and qualified with the renowned Body Control Pilates as a Level 3 Matwork teacher.
Caroline loves working with clients on a one to one basis and in small groups. This allows her a greater level of focus on each individual client. She loves seeing the benefits her clients are achieving through Pilates, whether that’s improving their balance, their posture or seeing their new found freedom of movement truly benefitting their lives.
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Caroline still loves to dance especially seeing in the New Year.…..
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Tricia Emmerson
Administrator
Prior to joining Lidder Therapies as Administrator, Tricia worked part time at Pinehill Hospital as a Physiotherapy Technician for 16 years. Working extensively with patients on their post operative rehab and assisting with women’s health classes. Alongside the clinical work, Tricia performed various administrative duties.
During that time, she studied for a Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology as well as Diplomas in Mindfulness and Wellbeing and a Health Education England Care Certificate.
Tricia very much enjoys the time she spends with her family; her husband, three children and grandchildren. She enjoys knitting, reading and walking
Andrea Dewhurst
Acupuncturist
Andrea Dewhurst is a Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturist specialising in Women's menstrual health from puberty through to post-menopause. Andrea is your menstrual health advocate supporting you with acupuncture but also specialist guidance, testing and accountability from fertility to perimenopause to endometriosis to PCOS and PMDD.
Andrea works at Lidder Therapies every Thursday and for more information you can go to her website The Period Acupuncturist
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Freddie Jenkins
Yoga Teacher
Freddie is a Yoga teacher and will be hosting a monthly sound bath at Lidder Therapies starting on 31st August 2024.
You can find out more on her website Freeform Yoga (link https://freeformyoga.co.uk)
Member organisations:
