About Claire
Claire holds a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from Glasgow Caledonian University and has extensive experience in private musculoskeletal practice, both in the UK and internationally. Before joining Active Health, she worked in Auckland and London, with her last role being Clinic Manager and Senior MSK Physiotherapist at ESPH.
Claire has a strong background in working with active individuals, helping people improve strength and movement, manage injury and return confidently to the activities they enjoy. During her time in New Zealand, she worked with rugby teams, a hip-hop dance athletes and on of her favourite jobs on the professional beach volleyball pre-Olympic tour in 2012. While working in London, she continued to develop her experience in the assessment and rehabilitation of sporting injuries, working with athletes across a variety of sports, including rugby and ballet.
Claire Bannerman
Physio, Pilates Instructors
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Claire works with a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back and spinal pain, shoulder injuries, sports and activity-related injuries, tendinopathies, joint and muscle pain, and hypermobility-related problems. She also supports patients before and after orthopaedic surgery, as well as those experiencing pelvic stability and pregnancy-related musculoskeletal concerns.
Her approach is centred around helping patients understand their condition and build confidence in movement. Treatment may combine hands-on therapy with targeted exercise, rehabilitation and progressive strength training, tailored to each individual’s needs and goals.
Depending on the individual and their condition, Claire’s treatment approaches may include soft tissue techniques, Maitland and Mulligan mobilisation, Muscle Energy Techniques, shockwave therapy, and kinesiology or sports taping.
Pilates and performance
Claire teaches mat Pilates, reformer Pilates and barre, and incorporates Pilates into rehabilitation where appropriate to the individual. She also provides performance and movement screening, using KINVENT strength testing and gait assessment to identify areas for improvement and help guide personalised exercise programmes.
Her clinical interests include supporting people to return to activity and sport, lower-limb rehabilitation, tendinopathy management, and helping those with hypermobility develop strength, stability and confidence in movement.
What to expect
Claire starts by understanding you as a whole person, including your goals and the activities that matter to you. She explains the problem clearly and develops an individual treatment plan, ensuring you feel informed and active involved throughout your recovery.
Her approach goes beyond simply reducing pain, with a focus on building strength, confidence and physical capacity to support long-term recovery. Claire particularly enjoys helping people progress from feeling limited or uncertain in their movement to feeling stronger, more confident and able to return to the activities, exercise and everyday life they enjoy.
Qualifications and training
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy — Glasgow Caledonian University. HCPC registered, with memberships of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine.
Further training includes shockwave therapy, spinal manual therapy, Merrithew Matwork and Total Barre, in-house Polestar Pilates training, spinal manipulation, advanced sports massage and kinesiology taping.
Outside work
Claire loves to travel, with plenty of countries still on her bucket list! She also enjoys going to the theatre and keeping active through Pilates, the gym and playing padel. Hockey remains her main passion, and she continues to train and play competitively including international tournaments. Her own experience gives her a first-hand understanding of the commitment and frustrations that can come with staying active and performing even while managing injuries.
Book with Claire
Book physiotherapy with Claire in Holywood or Bangor, or view the Pilates timetable. Claire sees patients through selected private medical insurers, excluding Bupa. Contact the team to check your cover and authorisation requirements before booking.