MEET THE EXPERTS
Dedicated specialists in human movement.
At Ascent Physiotherapy and Wellbeing, we take the time to get to know the person behind the injury, working with you to achieve recovery and performance through a holistic, evidence-based approach.
FOUNDER
Dr Cliona McRobert
Founder & Lead Physiotherapist
PhD, MRes, BSc, FHEA, MCSP, HCPC Registered
Cliona qualified as a physiotherapist in 2006 and holds a PhD in Primary Care Sciences. Her career has included senior NHS physiotherapy roles and work with elite athletes at LJMU, and she continues to lecture in physiotherapy at the University of Liverpool. She founded Ascent Physiotherapy and Wellbeing to make expert, individualised care available to everyone, from competitive athletes chasing personal bests, records, medals to people who simply want to get over an injury, move confidently again and return to their everyday life.
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Cliona is passionate about helping people understand their bodies. She takes time to explain what may be driving their symptoms, what can be changed and how they can move forward. She particularly enjoys complex clinical cases and finding practical, personalised ways to help each person make meaningful progress.
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Cliona is also an active physiotherapy researcher, with published work spanning musculoskeletal care, rehabilitation, clinical decision-making, and patient communication. She currently collaborates with the Royal Air Force to improve care and outcomes for fighter pilots experiencing neck pain. Her research expertise helps ensure that her treatment is always current, carefully considered, and genuinely individualised.
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Having recovered from both knee and spinal surgery herself, Cliona understands injury and rehabilitation from both sides of the treatment room.
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Outside the clinic, Cliona is a keen road cyclist and gym-goer who also enjoys golf and yoga. She is mum to twin girls and married to a devoted football fan.
Joanne Garnett
Senior Sports Physiotherapist
MSc, BSc, MCSP, HCPC Registered
Joanne brings extensive clinical experience across upper limb, lower limb, and spinal conditions, with specialist knowledge in Bell's palsy, jaw (TMJ) pain, and post operative orthopaedic care. Her sports physiotherapy experience includes time working with Everton girls Centre of Excellence and Caldy rugby club.Â
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Honesty and respect are central to Joanne's approach. Her focus is on providing every client with the very best clinical value. She works hard to resolve pain, improve control and strength in every patient she works with. She loves helping people stay active, fit and strong across their whole life. Joanne also provides acupucture and enjoys seeing how it supports rehabilitation of those with persistent or neuropathic pain.
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Outside of the clinic, Joanne enjoys open water swimming, playing touch rugby, and staying strong at the gym.
Harry Thurkettle
Sports Physiotherapist
MSc, BSc, MCSP, HCPC Registered
Harry qualified as a Sports Therapist before completing an MSc in Physiotherapy from University of Liverpool, with distinction. He enjoys treating everyone from footballers to those starting out. or returning to with exercise.
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He has a particular interest in back and lower limb injuries, and enjoys building patients' confidence and strength so that they can return to what they love, whether that's completing a marathon, or getting back out to do the gardening.
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You can a highly personal approach from Harry, who listens closely to your problems, goals and works alongside you so you regain the confidence to perform again at your best.
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Outside of the clinic, Harry is a keen gym-goer, and enjoys watching the F1 with his cat, Miso.
Sam Dadomo
Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons), MCSP, HCPC Registered
Sam qualified as a physiotherapist from University of Liverpool and has experience of treating a wide range of conditions, from acute injuries to post operative rehabilitation. He enjoys helping people improve their movement, build confidence, and return to the activities that matter most to them.
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Sam has a particular interest in complex musculoskeletal conditions and chronic/longer term conditions, supporting people wherever they are in their recovery.Â
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Outside of the clinic, Sam enjoys strength training, hiking, travelling, and playing padel.
Mackenzi Ashford
Sports Massage therapist
level 4 Sports massage
Mackenzi is a Level 4 Sports Massage Therapist with experience treating a wide array of clients for soft tissue issues and recovery goals. She is a final-year physiotherapy student at the University of Liverpool. Her interest in sports massage began after sports massage helped her own recovery from an injury and she experienced first-hand how effective massage treatment can restore movement and confidence.
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Welcoming, attentive, and highly skilled, Mackenzi consistently receives excellent feedback from her clients. Her experience includes providing sports massage to Olympians and Commonwealth Games athletes at home and abroad, as well as runners at the London Marathon.
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Outside the clinic, Mackenzi enjoys running, competitive swimming, and the gym. She also loves unwinding through art and sewing.
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