Meet The Team

Angela Dainton BSc(Hons)Physiotherapy

Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor
My name is Angela Dainton. I worked in the NHS for 5 years on graduating as a Physiotherapist in 1995. Since then I have worked in the Private Sector in Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinics. I worked in Australia for 5 years where I became proficient in treating a variety of Sports Injuries, working alongside Sports Physicians and the Northern Territory Institute of Sports (NTIS). I also worked alongside the Royal Flying Doctors, visiting remote Aboriginal communities.

It was whilst in Australia that I gained my qualifications in the treatment of Lymphoedema and Lipoedema. I helped to set up a Lymphoedema service in Alice Springs,Australia and this included raising awareness of both Lymphoedema and Lipoedema to local GP’s (this was done via a formal training module that counted towards their CPD).

I have also lectured and ran workshops for Nurses and Undergraduate and Post Graduate Doctors. My specialties include Musculo-skeletal and Sports Medicine, Clinical Pilates, Acupuncture and the Management of Lymphoedema.

My hobbies include cooking, swimming, tennis,golf and going to the gym .I have 2 children aged 21 and 18.I have 3 dogs and love to walk them each day in the park.

I am committed to keeping up to date with all aspects of Physiotherapy. I am also a Pilates Instructor.

Craig Dainton
Practice Manager
Hello, my name is Craig and I am the Practice Manager. My role is to manage the day to day running of the business. If you have an enquiry, I can help. I joined Atherton Physiotherapy in October 2018 to help my wife run the business. My interests are walking, listening to books and watching sport on TV.

Tommy Arkinson BSc(Hons)Physiotherapy

Physiotherapist

Hello my name is Tommy. I graduated from Ulster University with my degree in Physiotherapy. I have experience of working in the NHS and have also worked with sporting environments such as Gaelic football and Rugby Union. I use Physiotherapy techniques and strength and conditioning principles to get the best outcome for my clients. I am also acupuncture trained which can also be beneficial in the recovery process.

Mia Gilfillan BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy 

Physiotherapist

Hello, my name is Mia. I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2020. I have a keen interest in Sports and fitness – I run and go to the gym. My enthusiasm for my work comes from helping others to feel well and achieve their goals. I look forward to meeting you and helping you to be free from pain.

Helen Kimber MSC Nutrition, Level 3 REPS Personal trainer and Fitness Instructor

Class Instructor – ‘Balls n Bands’ Class Instructor
Hi there, my name is Helen Kimber and I am a personal trainer and fitness instructor, registered with REPS. I teach all different types of exercise classes. At Atherton Physiotherapy, I teach the Balls n Bands HIIT class. Interval training has been proven to have health benefits above and beyond other forms of exercise and it is time efficient.

My other passions are Yoga and nutrition. I have practiced yoga for over 25 years.

I am also a fully qualified nutritionist, helping people to be well again through their food choices. I am a great believer in working with people to help them so they understand the principles of nutrition and so they can make informed choices about the foods that they eat. My clients range from individuals who have always been on a diet but never stuck to it, to those with a variety of health problems from weight gain, food intolerance, menopausal symptoms, constipation, IBS, skin conditions, migraine. I have also worked with professional sports people. One thing I will NEVER do put you on a diet!

Michela Smith D.Pod.M MCPod 

Podiatrist/Chiropodist

My name is Michela Smith and I am a HCPC registered
Podiatrist/Chiropodist with 34 years of clinical experience.

I graduated from the Northern College of Chiropody (now
Salford University School of Podiatry) in 1987 after a 3 year
course with a Diploma in Podiatric Medicine.

I worked exclusively for the first 18 years of my career for
Warrington NHS Podiatry service where I worked in various
multi-disciplinary clinics. I also undertook roles which included
working in Mental Health units, specialist Diabetes clinics and
routinely performed Nail Surgery sessions.

I left to work as an associate in a busy private Podiatry practice
in Culcheth for 9 years where I honed my skills further.
I now work exclusively for myself offering both Clinic
appointments here at Atherton Physiotherapy Centre & Home
Visit appointments in and around the local area.

I am still passionate about my job and continually strive to
extend my knowledge by attending mandatory training each
year to keep my skills up to date. I feel privileged to have a job I
love and to provide an essential service keeping people active,
mobile and pain free!

I am married with 2 children age 27 and 18 and have a Yorkshire
Terrier named Bella.

I enjoy listening to music, reading and going to the cinema.

Tracy Holden
Pilates Instructor
I fell in love with Pilates after I attended classes with the intention of gaining some core strength. I’d had two major bowel surgeries over the previous two years, and I need now to get in shape again. I fell in love with Pilates; it helped me so much after what I had been through. Doing the classes totally transformed my body shape, my flexibility, my strength and most of all my confidence. I decided to train as an instructor so that I could help lots of people just like me gain confidence in their bodies again.