Rathfarnham Physiotherapy & Acupuncture Clinic was opened by Tara Curran and has been located in Rathfarnham since 2004.

Our physiotherapists specialise in spinal and sports physiotherapy as well as doing general physiotherapy practice. They have worked with athletes from club to elite level in all areas of sport. The clinic strives to provide a high quality service with a ‘hands on’ approach to treatment. All treatments are evidence based supported by the latest clinical research reinforcing a multimodal approach of manual therapy and exercise to produce the best outcomes.

Meet the Team

Tara Curran

Tara Curran

Proprietor & Physiotherapist

Clinical Specialist in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

BPhysio, MSc (Msk  Manips),MSOM [Cyriax], HDip. Healthcare [Acupuncture] MISCP

Tara qualified from University College Dublin with an honours degree in 1996. After a few years gaining hospital experience she moved to Australia where she gained invaluable experience working alongside specialist physiotherapists in the management and treatment of elite athletes in an Olympic athlete accredited practice.

She returned to Ireland and completed post graduate qualifications in Orthopaedic Medicine and Cyriax Manipulative techniques. She is also a licensed acupuncturist having completed a two year Graduate Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine in UCD in 2002. She completed her Stott Pilates qualification in 2011. She has lectured in the areas of peripheral joint problems and the anatomy of the core stability muscles to various groups both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Tara has worked within the professional sporting circuit in Ireland in sports as diverse as golf, rally-driving and fencing. She spent some time working as Team Physio to the Mitsubishi Ralliart Team on the UK circuit. Her main interests are in sports injuries and spinal assessment and rehab. She also has a special interest in jaw pain (Temporomandibular Joint dysfunction) and headaches.

Tara has worked in private practice since 1998 and she opened Rathfarnham Physiotherapy & Acupuncture Clinic in 2004. Most recently, in 2019, Tara was awarded honours in an Msc in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Manips) from UCD after completing a two year masters.

Tomas O’Connell

Tomas O’Connell

Physiotherapist

Clinical Specialist in Sports Physiotherapy

BPhysio, MSc (Sports Physiotherapy), MSOM(Cyriax), MISCP

A graduate from UCD class of 2002, Tomas spent 6 years working in St. Vincent’s Hospital before going full time into private practice in 2010. He worked as musculoskeletal senior and UCD clinic tutor for the last 3 years he worked there. Tomas has lots of team sports experience having worked with the Kildare Senior Football Team in 2013, Kilmacud Crokes in 2010, the Irish Universities Rugby league team 2014 and Bective Rangers RFC u-21’s in 2012/2013.

He has completed his MSc in UCD and completed his thesis on hip impingement in athletes. He is a member of the Irish Society of Orthopaedic Medicine and has completed his certificate in Acupuncture in 2011 through the British Society of Acupuncture. He has undergone courses in foot biomechanics, muscle exercise therapy and sat his exams to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning coach (CSCS) in 2010.

Tomas has a particular interest in sports and coupled with still playing senior rugby in Terenure, he has undergone the IRFU level 1 rugby coaching as well as the IRFU strength and conditioning course. He also provides an orthotic service for off the shelf and custom made devices.

Tomas joined Rathfarnham Physiotherapy in September 2014.

Áine Neill

Áine Neill

Physiotherapist

Special Interest in Sports Physiotherapy

MISCP, MCSP, MCPA

A graduate of UCD, Aine began working in 1984 at St. James’s Hospital Dublin and quickly developed an interest in the out-patient and sports areas of Physiotherapy. She completed McKenzie Parts A, B & C in spinal rehabilitation numerous Maitland mobilisation courses and sports rehabilitation programmes before travelling abroad in 1986. Aine moved to Canada to complete the Canadian Physiotherapy Association examinations and obtained her extremities and vertebral qualifications in manipulation in 1988.

She returned to a post at the Blackrock Clinic in 1988 and to further her experience in out-patients, orthopaedics and sports therapy. Late 1990, Aine took the plunge into self-employment and in 1991 she and three colleagues bought Butterfield Physiotherapy Clinic and built it into a busy vibrant practice.

Aine has always had a keen interest in sport, is an ex-competitive hockey player and continues to play tennis at Class 1 representation level for Templeogue Tennis Club and has competed for Leinster at Interprovincial level many times and continues to do so. She has worked as a Physiotherapist to several Irish Davis Cup tennis teams, Futura World tennis championships, and Irish Open Tournaments and has been club physiotherapist to two Dublin league teams.

Aine became an IHF/AHA approved CPR/defibrillation lecturer in 2011 and lectures on this topic, on back/neck problems and on injury prevention. Aine has completed the Vestibular Rehabilitation programme for the treatment of benign positional vertigo (BPV) at St. Vincent’s hospital, Dublin in 2010. She also is a STOTT Pilates instructor.

Robyn De Klerk

Robyn De Klerk

Physiotherapist

Clinical Specialist in Sports Physiotherapy

BPhysT(Hons), SPT1, MISCP

Robyn qualified as a Physiotherapist through the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2014 after which she worked at a private musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice in Johannesburg.

Whilst working in Johannesburg, she completed her beginner and advanced level Dry Needling courses, BASI Pilates Mat course as well as a post graduate certificate in Sport and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. She was privileged to work with some national and international sports teams/individuals during her time in South Africa.

Her main areas of interest include orthopaedics, spinal conditions and sports injuries. She also has a special interest in ankle and knee rehabilitation.

In her spare time, you will find Robyn exploring nature, playing guitar or on a cricket pitch.

Brendan Shahim

Brendan Shahim

Physiotherapist

Clinical Specialist in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Brendan qualified in 2013 with an honors degree in Physiotherapy from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

After qualifying, Brendan completed his basic and advanced Dry Needling certification, as well as obtaining his certification in Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) with distinction, being recognized as the top achiever for his year of study.

Since qualifying, he has worked across the spectrum of physiotherapy in hospital and out-patient settings, and has most recently run his own physiotherapy practice in Johannesburg, South Africa, before relocating to Dublin with his family.

Brendan has a keen interest in post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation, musculoskeletal and sports injuries.

Leigh Abell

Leigh Abell

Practice Manager

Rathfarnham Physiotherapy & Acupuncture Clinic Practice Manager

With over 17 years managerial experience, Leigh is our fabulous Practice Manager. She assists clients with any queries, regarding reports, receipts, Pilates classes or any additional information they may need on a daily basis. To make an appointment call Leigh on 01 490 4022.

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