Meet The Team
At Dorset Physio, we believe that recovery and performance are about more than treatment — they’re about people.
Our team brings together clinical expertise, genuine care, and a shared passion for helping every patient move, feel, and live better.
Meet the faces behind the clinic who make it all happen.
Elaine Farquharson
Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, Paddle Coach, and Founder of Dorset Physio
An experienced senior physiotherapist with a career spanning national centres of excellence, specialist spinal and amputee rehabilitation, elite and Paralympic sport, private practice and advanced musculoskeletal care.
Elaine Farquharson qualified with Honours from Northumbria University in 1998 and went on to work within NHS regional and national centres of excellence, progressing to senior level.
Her early career included time at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, where she managed and ran the Sports Therapy Department at Stoke Mandeville — a place with an extraordinary history in the development of the Paralympic movement. She later led an Amputee Rehabilitation Service, collaborating with PACE Rehabilitation and working with Paralympic World Cup athletes.
Elaine subsequently returned to her passion for Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, while continuing to provide physiotherapy within high-level sport. Her experience has included working with elite national-level athletes at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre and, more recently, supporting national-level stand-up paddleboard athletes alongside her work as a Paddle UK Coach, Trainer and Assessor.
Musculoskeletal & Advanced Practice
With over 15 years' experience in private practice, Elaine has worked in some of London's competitive private clinics alongside leading orthopaedic consultants, developing extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
She has also worked as an Extended Scope Practitioner and currently works part-time within the NHS as a First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP).
Elaine completed postgraduate Master's-level training in First Contact Practice with Distinction, further developing her skills in advanced clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis and the assessment of more complex musculoskeletal presentations.
Her additional postgraduate training includes Manual Therapy, acupuncture and rehabilitation. This breadth of experience means Elaine particularly enjoys working with people whose problems are complex, persistent or haven't responded as expected to previous treatment. She is also frequently asked to provide a second opinion, help establish a clearer direction for treatment or develop a more individualised rehabilitation plan.
Clinical Leadership & Dorset Physio
Alongside her clinical career, Elaine has considerable experience in physiotherapy leadership and service development.
As Manager of the Winterbourne Physiotherapy Department, she led the service while maintaining high standards of quality and patient satisfaction and introducing new rehabilitation technologies including anti-gravity treadmill rehabilitation and shockwave therapy.
That experience helped inspire her to develop Dorset Physio — creating a local service built around accessible, high-quality physiotherapy and bringing together practitioners with complementary areas of expertise.
Elaine's approach combines extensive clinical experience with warmth, curiosity and genuinely individualised care. She believes good physiotherapy begins with understanding the person in front of you — establishing what is happening, what matters to them and what will realistically help them move forward.
Outside the Clinic
Outside work, Elaine is a mum to two daughters and has a longstanding passion for sport, adventure and the outdoors.
Paddleboarding and skiing have been particular passions, and her involvement in paddlesport has extended well beyond participation into coaching, education and leadership.
That sporting background continues to influence her clinical philosophy: helping people not simply recover from injury, but regain confidence in their bodies and remain active throughout their lives.
Jatinkumar Patel
First Contact Practitioner and Specialist MSK Physiotherapist
Jatinkumar Patel is a Chartered Physiotherapist and First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) with over 10 years of clinical experience and a particular interest in musculoskeletal assessment and diagnosis.
He qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2010 with distinction before completing a Master's degree in Community Rehabilitation, also with distinction. Jatin has extensive experience assessing and treating a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, from acute injuries and post-operative rehabilitation through to persistent and more complex conditions. His clinical interests include back and neck pain, knee injuries, shoulder conditions and sports and activity-related problems.
Alongside his work at Dorset Physio, Jatin works as a First Contact Physiotherapist, assessing patients with musculoskeletal problems at the first point of contact. His role involves advanced clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis, including recognising when a condition can be safely managed with physiotherapy and when further investigation or medical assessment may be required.
Jatin is continuing to develop his expertise towards Advanced Practice in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and maintains an active programme of continuing professional development and clinical reflection.
Teaching & Professional Development
Jatin also has a strong interest in physiotherapy education and professional development. He regularly lectures to physiotherapists in India and has been invited as a guest lecturer at the Indian Physiotherapy Conference, sharing his clinical knowledge and experience with other members of the profession.
Throughout his career, he has undertaken additional postgraduate training in osteopathy and manipulative therapy, neuromusculoskeletal techniques and other approaches to musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
His approach combines thorough assessment, strong clinical reasoning and evidence-informed treatment with individualised rehabilitation. He aims not only to reduce symptoms, but to understand the factors contributing to a patient's problem and help them return confidently to the activities that matter to them.
Outside work, Jatin enjoys keeping active and continues to have a strong interest in learning, teaching and developing his expertise within physiotherapy.
John Cancea
Physiotherapist, Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist
A sport and exercise-focused physiotherapist passionate about helping people recover from injury, rebuild confidence and return to the activities they enjoy.
John studied at the University of Brighton, completing a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science followed by an MSc in Physiotherapy.
Since qualifying, he has gained experience across a broad range of physiotherapy settings, including MSK outpatients in both the NHS and private practice, trauma and orthopaedics, medical wards, neurological rehabilitation and respiratory physiotherapy.
Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation
Sport and exercise sit at the heart of John's approach to physiotherapy.
Before becoming a physiotherapist, John worked as a personal trainer and developed his own online coaching business, helping people work towards their health and fitness goals. He is also a qualified Level 3 Sports Massage Therapist.
John has also spent time working in a private MSK clinic in Canada, where he gained experience treating athletes and supporting sports teams across disciplines including rugby and wrestling.
These experiences have given him a strong appreciation of the role that progressive exercise, strength and conditioning can play in recovery — whether someone wants to return to competitive sport, get back into the gym or simply feel stronger and more confident in everyday life.
A Broader Approach to Health
During his Sport and Exercise Science degree, John volunteered with local cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation groups, developing an early interest in the role of exercise in supporting people with wider health conditions.
He is particularly interested in the relationship between physical activity, physical health and mental wellbeing, and in helping people develop the confidence to become active again following injury or illness.
At Dorset Physio, John hopes to continue developing this area of practice, with future interests including cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation groups and hydrotherapy for appropriate patients.
Outside the Clinic
John has always been heavily involved in sport. He played rugby for more than 14 years, competing up to county level, before moving into competitive bodybuilding, where he achieved several top-three finishes in junior competitions.
That experience means he understands both the physical demands of training and how frustrating it can be when pain or injury prevents someone from doing what they enjoy.
For John, physiotherapy is about helping people move forward — recovering from injury, returning to sport and exercise, and building the strength and confidence to get back to the things that matter to them.
Raluca Iacob
Community Physiotherapist
Raluca is an HCPC-registered Physiotherapist with a genuine passion for helping people improve their independence, confidence and quality of life.
She has particular experience in community rehabilitation, supporting people with mobility difficulties, reduced strength and balance, falls, neurological conditions and long-term health problems. She enjoys working with people in their own homes, where rehabilitation can focus on the everyday activities that really matter to them.
Raluca began her physiotherapy career in Romania, working with both children and adults in rehabilitation settings, before moving to the UK in 2016.
After taking time to raise her family, she returned to healthcare within the NHS in 2020, initially working as a Rehabilitation Assistant before gaining UK recognition as a Physiotherapist. She has worked in NHS community physiotherapy since 2023.
Becoming a mother strengthened Raluca's patience, resilience and adaptability, as well as her understanding that every person's circumstances are different. She brings these qualities to her clinical work, taking time to understand not only someone's physical difficulties, but how these affect their confidence, independence and everyday life.
Raluca particularly enjoys helping people regain function following illness, injury or a hospital stay, improve their walking and balance, reduce their risk of falls and feel more confident managing at home.
Her approach is warm, practical and patient-centred. Rehabilitation is tailored around achievable, meaningful goals — whether that's getting safely around the house, returning to walking outdoors, managing stairs or simply feeling more confident doing the things someone enjoys.
Raluca is committed to continued professional development and providing thoughtful, holistic physiotherapy that helps people live as independently as possible.
Kierran Thorne
Junior Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer
Friendly, professional sports massage focused on relieving muscular tension, supporting recovery and helping you feel and move better.
Kieran has over 15 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and is passionate about helping people move better, recover from injury and build long-term strength, fitness and resilience.
He holds a First Class Honours degree in Applied Sports Science, a Level 4 qualification in Sports Massage Therapy and a Level 3 Personal Training qualification.
Alongside his work at Dorset Physio, Kieran also works within the NHS, supporting people with a wide range of physical health, rehabilitation and fitness needs. This experience, combined with his background in sports science and fitness, gives him a broad understanding of exercise, recovery and physical performance.
Sports Massage
Kieran works with people experiencing muscular tightness, stiffness and general aches and pains, as well as active individuals looking to recover between training sessions or keep their bodies feeling at their best.
Sports massage can be particularly useful for:
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Muscular tension and tightness
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Tired or aching muscles
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Post-exercise recovery
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Maintaining mobility and flexibility
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Supporting regular training
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General physical wellbeing
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People who simply feel they would benefit from hands-on treatment
Every session is adapted to the individual, taking into account how you are feeling, your activity levels and what you would like to get from your treatment. Kieran's extensive background in sports science, strength and conditioning and personal training gives him a strong understanding of how the body responds to exercise, training and recovery.
Alongside his work at Dorset Physio, Kieran also works within the NHS, giving him valuable experience supporting people with a wide range of physical abilities and health needs.
Outside work, Kieran enjoys keeping active himself. After many years focused on strength and conditioning, he now spends much of his own training time participating in endurance sports.
Kierran offers a relaxed, approachable environment for anyone looking for high-quality massage, better recovery and a little help keeping their body moving comfortably.