“Understanding why someone is unsteady or falling is the key to helping them regain confidence. I love the detective work involved in neurological, vestibular and balance assessments—finding the root cause so we can fix it together.”
Julia is one of Medella’s most experienced physiotherapists, bringing over two decades of clinical expertise to the team. She covers a wide area across Dorset, from Ferndown through to the New Forest, Ringwood, Verwood, and Blandford Forum. Her specialist knowledge in neurological rehabilitation and vestibular disorders makes her particularly valuable for clients with complex balance problems.
Neurological Expertise
With twenty years of clinical experience, Julia has developed specialist expertise in neuro rehabilitation. She treats and advises on the management of common neurological disorders including stroke, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and balance or gait disorders. Her calm, methodical approach helps clients and their families understand their condition and what can be done to improve it.
Functional Neurological Disorder
Julia has a particular interest in Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)—a condition in which there is a disruption in how the brain sends and receives signals to the body, rather than structural damage to the nervous system itself. FND can affect movement, sensation, balance, speech, and cognition, and is often associated with factors such as trauma, chronic stress, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Significant research over the past two decades has transformed the understanding and treatment of FND. Julia has contributed to this evolving field through participation in NHS working groups and national conferences, helping to develop physiotherapy approaches that support recovery. Where FND was once misunderstood and dismissed, modern evidence clearly demonstrates that it is a genuine, treatable neurological condition involving brain-body communication.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Julia’s other area of clinical expertise is vestibular assessment and rehabilitation—helping people who experience dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems caused by inner ear disorders. Many falls in older adults are linked to undiagnosed vestibular issues, and Julia’s specialist training allows her to identify and treat these underlying causes.
Supporting Neurodivergent Clients
Julia also has an interest in understanding neurodivergence, pathological avoidance behaviours, and supporting autistic individuals and their families with evidence-based management strategies.
Postgraduate Training & Teaching
Julia has completed postgraduate study in Orthopaedic Medicine, giving her extensive experience in treating musculoskeletal conditions alongside her neurological specialism. This breadth of knowledge means she can address the full picture of a client’s mobility challenges, not just one aspect.
As a former associate lecturer at Solent University in Southampton and experienced practice educator in the NHS, Julia has supported BSc and MSc programmes and supervised physiotherapy placements for the University of Southampton and the University of Winchester. She is passionate about developing the next generation of physiotherapists—and this commitment to teaching directly benefits her clients, as it hones the communication and education skills that are central to effective community physiotherapy.
Falls Prevention
Julia focuses on preventing falls in older adults by addressing the root causes—whether that’s vestibular disturbance, muscle weakness, balance deficits, or environmental hazards. By tackling these underlying issues, she helps clients improve their stability and, crucially, regain the confidence to move safely and independently.
