Meet The Team

Simon Carley-Smith

Specialist Climbing and Sports Physiotherapist | Extended Scope Practitioner | BSc Hons MSOMM MAACP MACPSEM MCSP HCPC PGDip

Simon is a highly experienced specialist physiotherapist, practicing at the highest clinical levels in both sports and NHS Physiotherapy. He is a founder and Director of RISE and leads the clinical team. Having a special interest in finger, elbow and shoulder injuries, his passion and knowledge around diagnosis and treatment of all climbing related injuries is unrivalled in the South West of England or South Wales, and he regularly treats and advises climbers operating and competing at the very highest levels; IFSC competitors, GB Squad members and World Cup Gold Medalists.

He is also a keen Surfer and can be found regularly migrating to get in the water at his old home in North Cornwall, the Gower and when able, Hossegor for sunnier climes. More locally you'll bump into surfing him at The Wave. Simon also has a special interest in treating surfers for neck, spine, shoulder and knee issues related to surfing.

Simon is also a diehard skier, having lived a seasonal life in the Alps prior to settling in Bristol. He lends his passion and understanding of performance, backcountry and free-ride skiing to ski-specific rehabilitation.

Furthermore Simon is extremely proud to have worked with the English Institute of Sport, supporting Womens Artistic Gymnasts on the British Gymnastics team with weekly prehab, rehabilitation and performance focussed therapy in the run up to the 2021 Olympics.
He has a broad experience of top level sport, from working in Premiership Football to supporting athletes at the World Half Marathon Championships and Olympic training camps.

In the NHS he has worked as an Extended Scope Practitioner and FCP, providing advanced diagnosis and second opinions on complex cases, delivering injection therapy and making decisions on appropriateness for surgical intervention.
With his diverse clinical background Simon has the assessment skills to get you an accurate diagnosis, and the hands on therapy and rehabilitation expertise to keep you in your chosen sport and return you to form in the minimum of time. His practice involves a combination of exercise therapy, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, acupuncture, joint mobilisation and manipulation.

For more complex or serious injuries his in depth knowledge of NHS and private healthcare processes ensure you get a thorough and honest opinion of your appropriateness for rehabilitation and other options open to you for management of your condition.

George Williams

Specialist Climbing, MSK and Sports Physiotherapist | BSC (HONS) Physiotherapy, MCSP, HCPC Registered

George is a highly experienced Senior Musculoskeletal and Enhanced Practice Physiotherapist, as well as an Upper Limb Specialist, with over eleven years of practice.

George has spent three years at Rise Physiotherapy, where he has honed his expertise in climbing and finger injuries, being a keen sportsman and climber himself.

His deep understanding of these specific injury types enables him to provide highly specialised care to climbers and athletes involved in similar sports.

In addition to his role at Rise, George currently works within the NHS as both an Upper Limb Specialist and a First Contact Physiotherapist focusing on MSK conditions in primary care. George treats patients with a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, as well as those undergoing post-operative rehabilitation.

He also leverages his extensive knowledge to train and develop junior and student physiotherapists, ensuring the next generation of professionals are well-equipped and knowledgeable.

George also has several years of experience as a sports physiotherapist, working with Welsh Premiership and Academy rugby teams. In these roles, he managed pitch-side acute injuries and implemented cutting-edge rehabilitation strategies to facilitate athletes' return to play. George’s diverse experience enables him to provide accurate diagnosis and develop tailored rehabilitation programs that guide patients from the initial stages of injury through to full recovery and a return to their sport or activity. His comprehensive approach includes the use of taping, manual therapy, sports massage, and exercise therapy techniques, all aimed at accelerating recovery and helping patients achieve their goals.

An avid sports enthusiast, George spends his free time climbing, surfing, mountain biking, and enjoying the great outdoors. His personal experience with sports injuries has given him valuable insights into the physical demands of climbing and other outdoor sports. This
firsthand understanding enhances his ability to support patients in reaching their full potential while preventing future injuries.

George’s dedication to his profession and passion for sports make him an exceptional physiotherapist, committed to helping others recover, perform, and excel in their chosen activities.

Tyler Steele

Specialist MSK and Climbing Physiotherapist

Tyler is an excellent musculoskeletal physiotherapy whilst also being an experienced boulderer, his passion for both making him a superb addition to the Rise team.

He has a special interest in hand and wrist injuries, and can be found working in his other role at the BRI hand unit as a senior physio, but is just as competent at treating any injury, sports-related, chronic or acute, using advanced assessment and rehabilitation techniques alongside manual therapy and massage.

Tyler is a hugely attentive and focused therapist dedicated to getting his patients back to their best health as quickly as possible, with expert, evidence-based care and strength and conditioning focused rehabilitation.

Anthony Withington

Specialist MSK and Sports Physiotherapist, Personal Trainer, BSC (HONS) Physiotherapy, MCSP, HCPC Registered

Tony has dedicated 8 years to developing his expertise as an MSK Specialist Physiotherapist. He has an array of experience across the board, working within both sports, private and NHS physiotherapy settings, including mentoring and training Student and Junior Physiotherapists. Over the last three years he has supported the Bristol City Football Club as their Academy Physiotherapist as well as maintaining a Senior MSKP role in the NHS. His breadth of experience means he is fully capable to treat any body region and is as comfortable managing acute traumas as over-use issues in all age groups.

He brings critical diagnostic skills together with expert strength and conditioning knowledge to create rehabilitation programmes that get his clients back to their chosen activity as fast as possible.

He also works as a personal trainer and holds additional training and courses in manual therapy, sports massage and taping, so whatever your injury and needs, you are in safe and experienced hands.

Lucy

Lucy has trained in many disciplines over the last 20 years including kick boxing, surfing, running, swimming, yoga and cycling. She was previously a professional circus performer following her performance degree specialising in static trapeze, and is now a climbing instructor. Through this training and physical work she has gained deep knowledge of training and its effects on the body and applies this knowledge during her treatments, knowing where to put the focus for maximal results.

She started her massage career specifically in Traditional Indian Head Massage but her treatments are now predominantly sports massage, incorporating some useful and extremely relaxing techniques from her Indian Head Massage practice. She can also offer the traditional Indian Head Massage treatment in its own right on request.

Matt

Expert Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapist, Advanced Practitioner MSc

With MSc higher education, Matt has honed his practice in some of London's biggest sports medicine practices, and brings this outstanding level of care to the team here at Rise. He offers comprehensive assessments, diagnostics and considered rehabilitation approaches, coaching and guiding his clients from initial onset of pain or difficulty, right through to returning them to their specific goals.

Matt describes himself as a "Physio Coach", taking responsibility for guiding and supporting clients through their rehabilitation journey, no matter what their aims are. He doesn't just hand out sheets of exercises, he is there with his clients through every step of their recovery. He believes Physiotherapy doesn't just stop once pain relieves, he is on hand to help clients achieve beyond their expectations, whether that's daily tasks through to elite-level high-performance sporting athletes.

With keen personal interests in climbing, swimming, running and strength and conditioning, Matt's personal interests align directly with how he works - enable and empower people to achieve their passions.