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 has 8 years of MSK experience working within a variety of settings. He works as a Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist within the NHS treating patients with acute and chronic conditions as well as post-operative rehabilitation. Within this role he utilises his experience and knowledge to train and develop junior and student physiotherapists. Alongside his work within the NHS, George has several years’ experience working as a sport physiotherapist with Welsh Premiership and academy Rugby sides working pitch side managing acute injuries and utilising up to date rehabilitation in return to play.

This wide range of experience allows George to provide accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate rehab program taking you from the acute stage of an injury all the way to returning to sport and activity. He uses taping, manual therapy, sports massage, and exercise therapy techniques to accelerate your recovery and support you in achieving your goals.

A sports fanatic, when not helping sports people, George can be found climbing, surfing, mountain biking and generally enjoying the outdoors. Not only has this led to plenty of experience managing his own sports injuries but also an understanding of the demands climbing and outdoor sports on the body and how to best support you in reaching your potential and prevent injury.

Adam

Osteopath - general and specialist sports osteopathy

Adam is a passionate and highly skilled therapist with a focus on expert, hands-on, structural and corrective techniques.
Alongside cutting edge exercise rehabilitation, he uses a combination of soft tissue massage, mobilisation and spinal manipulation to treat everything from chronic low back pain to acute sports injuries.

With a particular interest in shoulders, spines and hips, Adam is trained to treat any musculoskeletal injury and works with all ages and fitness levels.

Adam earned a first-class Masters in Osteopathy after completing his four-years of training at Swansea University. His main motivation stems from helping individuals achieve comfort and freedom within their bodies while promoting musculoskeletal health for performance and longevity. Adam's previous experience spans 7 years in the Scottish highlands, guiding individuals along classic ridgelines during the summers and working as a ski patroller in the winters. He holds several outdoor qualifications including the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor. Through personal experiences with various sports related injuries and witnessing others face similar challenges, he developed a keen interest in outdoor sports related ailments. He finds fulfillment in helping patients regain their ability to participate in the activities they love. Adam values a personalised approach to treatment, recognising that each person has unique circumstances, needs and objectives, and will offer relevant lifestyle advice and exercises that align with this approach. During his free time, he can be found rock climbing, ski touring and playing his harmonica at open mic nights! Adam has recently moved back to his hometown of Bristol and is excited to join the esteemed Rise physio team.

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.

Stefani Carley-Smith

Stott Pilates Advanced Matwork Instructor

Pilates Equipment Reformer and Cadillac Instructor

Stefani directs our Pilates offering at RISE. A highly experienced instructor she gained her skills working in a variety of clinics, studios and private settings, and has now realised her dream of leading her own studio as a Pilates Reformer and Equipment instructor.Stefani has experience working with a diverse range of clientele including high level athletes focussed on performance, the general public looking for improvements in flexibility, poise, posture and body confidence, low back pain sufferers needing core conditioning and strength, and specialist groups such as pre-natal and post-natal pilates classes.Stefani is an athlete herself; a former international gymnast, skier, surfer and recent convert to triathlon. She has used Pilates to help support her own return to fitness from injuries and bounce back to form, recently completing a Half Ironman just 10 months after the birth of her third child.Her Pilates teaching emphasises quality movement, posture and flow, with a focus on building strength and fitness no matter what level you start from.