Nichola Hood
Physiotherapist
Nichola, a Tipperary native, joined the Balance Twenty One and Kerry Physiotherapy team in February 2024 following a long hiatus from the Emerald Isle. Nichola chose a relocation to the Kingdom after falling in love with the amazing scenery and warm Ceád Mile Failte that the town of Killarney is famous the world over for.
Nichola qualified from the University of Huddersfield with a BSc in Physiotherapy having firstly obtained a BSc from the University of Limerick in Sport & Exercise Science and has spent 13 years living and working abroad, from Dubai to Australia and most recently the UK, where she has spent the last 9 years.
During these past 13 years Nichola has gained valuable experience in orthopaedics having spent 4 years working in a private orthopaedic hospital, Spire Healthcare. Her time as Senior Orthopaedic physiotherapist at Spire has enabled Nichola the opportunity to work with some of the leading orthopaedic surgeons in the UK and indeed Europe.
She gained invaluable experience working alongside world renowned foot and ankle surgeon Professor Nicholas Harris. It was during this time where Nichola developed a keen interest in foot and ankle rehab and where she further developed her skills in this area. She treated a range of patients in the area of foot and ankle, specifically post operative injuries including players from both premier and rugby league.
Her exposure to orthopaedic conditions, including pre and post op rehab, spans across shoulder and spinal pathologies, and hip, knee and ankle pathologies. Nichola has extensive knowledge around the treatment of joint pathologies both in surgical and conservative management.
She has a keen interest in the outdoors, she loves hiking, walking and paddleboarding. She is originally from Tipperary but moved to Killarney for the amazing scenery, and having gotten married in Killarney in 2023 it became the place she wanted to work and settle.
Nichola is also APPI Pilates and Reformer trained, so whether you are wanting to improve your general mobility and strength, or have a specific area of pain or injury, she will help you through your treatment through an in-depth discussion of your concerns, education on your treatment plan, and creating a rehab programme to suit your specific needs and lifestyle.