About us
PhysioNeeds Cotgrave opened it's doors on the 1st November 2013 as the second practice to open in partnership with Parkwood Leisure at Cotgrave Leisure Centre. In 2018 the clinic moved to the Cotgrave Business Hub at the Cotgrave precinct in brand new premises.
This practice is run by James Tomlinson, Brodie Howatson and Ellie Howatson.
Meet the team
I have a strong emphasis on hands on techniques as I believe this is the best way to relieve secondary complications. At the same time, I will push my patients to self -manage and communicate clearly on their progression. This is the best way to derive a valid prognosis. I have always had a keen interest in complex musculoskeletal cases, I enjoy the problem-solving aspect and enjoy challenging myself and thinking laterally.
I enjoy new challenges and I’m always looking to improve existing treatment techniques or discovering new ones by going on regular courses. Since qualifying I am now fully trained in manipulation therapy, shockwave therapy and injection therapy. This allows me to treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. I have also developed injury risk screening software called the ‘Fit2go Body Screen’ which looks at your Health, Lifestyle and Body as a collective to truly reflect your wellbeing. My hope one day is to incorporate this screening as a standard service across the country as a means of education and injury prevention
In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym, going swimming and running, but most of all I love playing the drums. I have been drumming since I was 15 years old and I’m now at Grade 8 level. I have a beautiful wife, little boy and girl at home that greet me after a busy day at work. They make all my hard work worthwhile.
I graduated from Nottingham University in 2007 in Physiotherapy (BSc Hons) and have since gained a Masters in Manual Therapy (MSc MMACP) in 2015 including an Advance Practice Module allowing me to deal with more complex cases.
I have practiced acupuncture since 2007 and I am AACP qualified. I am also able to perform shockwave therapy and have had great success with this. I have attended numerous training courses over the years ensuring my clinical knowledge is up to date and as informed as possible.
When it comes to physio, I specialise in differential diagnosis of complex cases and spinal rehabilitation and sports injuries. I used to work in community rehabilitation for the elderly specialising in mobility and have worked in hospital rotations as well as professional sport as a physio for West Ham United for both the senior and academy squads. I started in private practice in 2010 and have loved treating a wide spread of injuries over this time.
My interest in physio lies within musculoskeletal with a particular interest in the rehabilitation of sports injuries back to a competitive level.
I graduated from Nottingham University with a Bsc in Physiotherapy in 2007 and shortly after I volunteered in Ugandan hospital shortly after graduation and then took a break from physiotherapy to undertake a post-graduate study in Human Resource Management and gain experience of managing a business.
My interest and fascination with human anatomy has continued to grow and I am currently studying Human Biology and Psychology as a distance learner with the aspiration to study Physiotherapy at degree level. I also plan to advance my Sports Massage qualification; I will be Level 4 qualified by February next year with a qualification in Acupuncture Techniques for Sports Injuries by the end of June.
Having overcome injuries myself throughout the years, I understand the struggles and frustration that come with having a poorly functional body. I believe that physical wellbeing is incredibly important for quality of life; a fact which many of us can take for granted prior to injuries.
After shadowing James Tomlinson for almost two years, I have gained a greater understanding of musculoskeletal injuries and the value that can be added with a good body of knowledge and the correct diagnosis. This experience has allowed me to help treat patients hands on and has also cemented my passion for musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
I’m also passionate about nutrition and love to cook every day, I enjoy skiing and being outdoors with my dog. I love the face to face interaction that this job allows as I am very much a people person.
I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect of my job and the satisfaction of assisting a patient back to their daily lifestyle/hobbies. During my post graduate employment I have developed my assessment and treatment methods as well as experience in developing and implementing rehabilitation programmes.
Due to my role in the rugby medical team I have also completed my qualification in Immediate Care in Sport Level 3 allowing me to treat those with life threatening injuries prior to hospital transfer. I have a particular interest in the musculoskeletal aspect of healthcare, especially sports injuries due to my experience and focus of my degree.
I studied Physiotherapy at Sheffield Hallam University, qualifying in 2010. After qualifying I spent some time working for the NHS in Cambridgeshire. Since 2012 I have chosen to work in a variety of different private healthcare settings, including providing occupational physiotherapy for DHL aviation. I have worked for PhysioNeeds since 2019.
I have completed post graduate training in the Mulligan Concept of Manual Therapy levels 1-4, which fits in well with my approach of helping facilitate better movement in my patients day to day lives. I am also AACP Acupuncture qualified. I have written a number of physiotherapy blogs over the years which I have really enjoyed, giving an opportunity to express my creative side!
I have a personal interest in psychology, nutrition and strength and conditioning, which also dovetail nicely into my physiotherapy practice. I always find particular satisfaction in helping people return to exercise or get more active when they thought it wouldn’t be possible for them. In my free time I enjoy swimming, cycling, running, reading, and the occasional bit of drawing and painting.
I have years of experience treating a wide variety of injuries and a wide range of patients including famous people like Stephie Graph, Stuart Pearce, Brian Ferry and Jane Torville. I opened my first private physiotherapy practice in 1982. Torville and Dean then opened the Nottingham Sports Injury Clinic in 1995. I am a family person and love my family with all my heart.
I have triplet boys called Mark, Peter and James and a daughter called Abigail. James and Abigail are now partners in PhysioNeeds. I love to horse ride in my spare time and take my springador called 'Willow' for a walk everyday. I also enjoy reading, listening to music as well as theatre and travel. I would say my specialty is backs and necks as I have graduated in osteopathic manipulative techniques. I also gain great satisfaction in seeing how core stability exercises/pilates help my patients and have established PhysioNeeds Equestrian which combines my interests and specialities. I believe that hands on physiotherapy is very important and I make sure all my staff are trained and deliver the best quality hands on treatment possible.
Although I no longer carry out treatments, I remain closely involved with PhysioNeeds.
In Pain?
Don't sit and suffer - give us a call on 0115 981 8881. Your call will be treated in confidence and we might even be able to fit you in today. Alternatively use our contact form.
Our Dedicated Clinics
Nottingham Sports Injury Clinic
Our Mansfield Road clinic boasts an extensive rehabilitation facility that includes several private treatment rooms and a gymnasium.
PhysioNeeds East Bridgford
Opened in 1998 and has supplied Physiotherapy to surrounding areas for over 15 years. The practice is run by Helen Tomlinson (founder of PhysioNeeds) and Paul Scothern.
PhysioNeeds Cotgrave
Opened in 2013 and was the first practice to open in association with Parkwood Leisure at Cotgrave Leisure Centre.
Our dedicated and self-contained clinics are fully equipped and staffed with a highly experienced physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation team.