Our Team

MEET OUR THERAPISTS

Seonaid Airth

Senior Chartered Physiotherapist BSc MSc MCSP HCPC

Seonaid graduated in Edinburgh in 1991 and after four years working in Scotland headed off to work in Australia and New Zealand. She travelled extensively for two years working in private practices, hospitals and with sports teams. In 1996 Seonaid started working in the physio dept at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra where she went on to complete her Masters graduating in 1999 from AIS/UC with MSc Sports Physio with distinction.

Seonaid returned to Bridge of Allan and opened Physiofocus in 1999 where she has worked ever since. Seonaid has 30 years multi sport experience with Olympics, GB Para- Olympics, Commonwealth Games and International Rugby.

Seonaid is excited about the clinic recent move to Bridge of Allan. She is passionate about her job and is never happier than when chatting to patients in reception and problem solving in the treatment rooms. Seonaid has specialised in groin/hip pain, headaches and treating patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

Kirsty Pemberton-Pigott

Senior Chartered Physiotherapist BSc MCSP HCPC

Kirsty graduated in 1991 from GCU (BSc Physiotherapy) having initially worked in the NHS before commissioning into the army and becoming an officer in the RAMC. She spent the next six years in the demanding environment of the army aiming to return personnel to peak fitness. Kirsty left the army and moved into private practice joining Physiofocus in 2005. She has a wealth of experience treating a wide range of conditions.

Kirsty is one of 2 physios at the Clinic that specialise in treating patients with dizziness and vestibular disorders. This can often respond very quickly with correct diagnosis and treatment.

As a competitive horse rider she enjoys treating riding related injuries as her knowledge allows her to look at the problem from both sides.

She has a special interest and experience of working with patients with facial dysfunctions such as Bell’s Palsy or post maxillofacial surgery.

Andy Devine

Senior Chartered Physiotherapist BSc MCSP HCPC

Andy has been working as a chartered physiotherapist for over 35 years having graduated from Glasgow with a BSc degree in physiotherapy in 1985.

For the past 28 years he has specialised in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. He has extensive experience working in a variety of clinical settings. This includes NHS, private practise in Scotland and two years in Colorado USA. He has also spent five years working within professional football in the English Premier League. In addition he has had the opportunity of treating elite athletes at the Scottish institute of sport and also whilst working in a Glasgow physiotherapy and sports injury clinic.

Over the years he has acquired excellent assessment, treatment and handling skills which enables him to be able to address and manage the patients presenting problems in an effective and efficient way.

Andy has a keen interest in sport in particular running. He has taken part in many marathons and achieved his goal of a sub 3 hr in Berlin. He has had his own injury experiences which enables him to empathise and provide sensible achievable goals for rehab.

He has taken part in many charity endurance events and is also a keen golfer, skier and cyclist.

Stefan Sparkes

Chartered Physiotherapist BSc MCSP HCPC

Stefan graduated from GCU (MSc Physiotherapy) in 2019 and started working for Physio Focus at the start of 2020. He started his education in Newfoundland, Canada, where he completed an undergraduate degree in Physical Education and was an active member of the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology.

During his undergraduate degree, he worked as a Strength and Conditioning coach and an Athletic Therapist at the varsity level, and following graduation started work for the Canadian Armed Forces as a Physical Exercise Specialist rehabilitating the injured and ill. Throughout his Masters degree, he worked with Patrick Thistle FC as a student Physiotherapist and rotated through various NHS clinics in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. During his dissertation, Stefan was involved in research and learned how drastically pain can differ from person to person depending on their physical, psychological and social circumstances.

Although his days of competitive ice hockey are over, he still enjoys staying active with cycling, hiking, camping and weight training. Like most Canadians, he does enjoy maple syrup, baking, and believes in “everything in moderation, including moderation

Mairi Cumming

Senior Chartered Physiotherapist BSc MCSP HCPC

Mairi graduated from Robert Gordon University in 2014 and completed her rotations at Perth Royal Infirmary over two years whilst also working for a small private practice in Perth. Mairi made the transition to full time private practice six years ago and in this time she has completed her Orthopedic Medicine peripheral course as well as her McKenzie training and APPI Pilates Level 1, 2 and 3. Mairi has also worked with St Johnston Football Club, Perthshire Rugby, Scottish National Futsal Team and Dundee High Rugby Club.

Mairi has a keen interest in triathlon and cani-cross with her sidekick Tina the dog. As someone who can’t say no to adventure this has meant seeing some of Scotland’s greatest views completing events like Aberfeldy Middle Distance triathlon, coast to coast and the Iron distance Outlaw event.

I am a strong believer in the ability to overcome, and as the great Maya Angelou says

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style”.

Lesley McIlwraith

Senior Chartered Physiotherapist BSc MCSP HCPC Dip Orthopaedic Medicine

Lesley qualified as a physiotherapist in 1989 after working as a rotational physiotherapist for a few years gaining valuable experience in a number of clinical areas. She quickly realised that her passion was in musculoskeletal out patients. She specialised in this area and has been there ever since.

Working in both NHS and private sectors as well as extensive work in sports physiotherapy, particularly rugby, Lesley has a wealth of experience in the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Her rugby physiotherapy career began with Stirling County Rugby Club where she was Lead Physiotherapist for over 20 years. This led to working with a variety of district and national teams including travel to the Men’s U20 Rugby World Cup and seeing Scotland Women through two Six nations, as well as attending international competitions with the Scotland Women’s Sevens Team.

Lesley thrives on meeting people and helping them on their journey back to full fitness and achieving their goals, whatever they may be.

She also has a Diploma in Orthopaedic Medicine and practices Acupuncture. Last year saw Lesley become a Medical Educator for World Rugby as well as begin to provide cover for Cricket Scotland.

Outside work, Lesley loves the Scottish hills and can frequently be found running up and down them. She loves a spin class, spending time with friends and family and watching her children play their sport.

MEET OUR ADMIN TEAM

Alison Davidson

Practice Manager

Our reception team are the key to everything running smoothly and a voice being at the end of the phone instead of an answering machine! Alison is the practice manager who ensures we have enough physio cover each week and calmly keeps everything working.

Alison is a keen golfer in her spare time.

Hazel Christie

Receptionist

Hazel joined Physiofocus in 2019 following a career in administration having spent over 20 years as a Director’s P.A. within the construction/surveying sector. She enjoys the buzz of our busy reception area and the interaction with our patients; getting to know them and making them feel at ease.

Hazel is involved in a number of children’s clubs and church/community projects.

In her spare time she enjoys walking, running and generally keeping fit.

Ali (Alexandra) MacAlpine

Receptionist

Ali joined Physiofocus in August 2022 following a long career in teaching. She spent 27 years passionately teaching primary school children and has a wealth of experience working efficiently in a team.

She is enjoying the new challenge and looks forward to building relationships with the patients and team. Ali loves spending time with family and friends. In her spare time she enjoys exploring new walks with the family dog.