Business Details
20 Years
experience
Expert Physiotherapy Services in Dorchester
Established in 2006 by Sophie Dorkings and Samantha Firkin, our clinic delivers expert physiotherapy services rooted in evidence-based practice. With over 20 years of clinical experience each, our team specialises in musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries, and rehabilitation, offering personalised treatment plans tailored to individual needs. We prioritise longer appointment times to ensure thorough assessments and comprehensive care, complemented by home visiting services for Dorchester and surrounding areas. Our physiotherapists hold chartered status with the Health Care Professions Council and Physiofirst, maintaining rigorous professional standards.We collaborate closely with local GPs, orthopaedic consultants, and insurance providers to streamline patient care. Our purpose-built clinic features step-free access, modern facilities, and evening appointments to accommodate diverse schedules. We integrate advanced therapies such as acupuncture and clinical pilates into treatment programmes, focusing on both recovery and long-term wellness. Our mission remains centred on clinical excellence, patient education, and injury prevention, ensuring optimal physical and psychological well-being for all clients.
Services
Physiotherapy
Clinical Pilates
Acupuncture
Occupational Health
Home Visits
Spinal Care
Sports Injury Rehab
Rheumatology
Post-Surgery Rehab
Manual Handling Training
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- We offer longer appointment times for comprehensive care
- Our team includes specialists with over 20 years' experience
- Registered with major private medical insurers
- Provide home visiting services across Dorset
- Evening appointments available for convenience
Associations and certifications
- Health Care Professions Council
- Physiofirst (OCPPP)
- Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists
What people say
Marked improvement
Exceptional expertise
Personalised treatment
Professional yet relaxed
Improved sleep quality
Services
Physiotherapy
Our physiotherapy services address musculoskeletal injuries, post-surgical recovery, and chronic conditions through hands-on treatment and tailored exercise programmes. We specialise in spinal care, sports injuries, and rheumatological conditions, using evidence-based techniques to restore mobility and reduce pain. Each session incorporates patient education to prevent future injuries and promote long-term wellness.
Clinical Pilates
Led by APPI-certified instructors, our clinical pilates classes improve core strength, posture, and movement patterns for injury recovery and prevention. Small group sessions ensure individual attention, with programmes adapted for pre/post-natal clients, athletes, and those with chronic conditions. The 1:1 sessions allow for highly customised rehabilitation plans.
Acupuncture
Integrated with physiotherapy, our acupuncture treatments target musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and stress-related conditions. Practitioners are members of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists, using sterile needles to stimulate natural pain relief mechanisms and improve sleep quality through neurochemical release.
Occupational Health
We provide ergonomic workstation assessments, manual handling training, and return-to-work programmes for businesses. Our RoSPA-qualified trainers deliver on-site evaluations to reduce workplace injuries, while our occupational health physiotherapists manage work-related musculoskeletal conditions through targeted rehabilitation strategies.
Home Visits
For patients unable to attend clinic, we offer home-based physiotherapy across Dorchester and surrounding areas. This service includes post-surgical rehabilitation, mobility assessments, and tailored exercise programmes, maintaining the same clinical standards as our in-clinic treatments while accommodating individual accessibility needs.
People
Sophie Dorkings
Co-Founder & Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy graduate from Hertfordshire University (1999), with specialist expertise in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and orthopaedic rehabilitation. Former manager of Southampton General Hospital's physiotherapy department, now leading clinical services at Dorchester Physiotherapy.
Samantha Firkin
Co-Founder & Physiotherapist
Qualified from St George's Medical School (2001), specialising in spinal pain management and pilates-based rehabilitation. Former spinal specialist physiotherapist at Spire Southampton Hospital, with extensive experience in private practice and manual handling training.
Becky Russell
Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy graduate with 16 years' experience, specialising in spinal and lower limb injuries. Former ski season physiotherapist in Canada, now focusing on sports injury rehabilitation and holistic patient care at Dorchester Physiotherapy.
Rianne Garth
Physiotherapist
Dutch-qualified physiotherapist (2011) with postnatal rehabilitation expertise. Specialises in adapting treatment plans for postpartum recovery and general musculoskeletal conditions, combining clinical precision with patient-centred care approaches.
Rhian Holmes
Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy graduate with specialist interests in paediatric physiotherapy and rheumatological conditions. Provides tailored treatment plans for children and adults, focusing on functional restoration and long-term mobility management.
Questions
What conditions do you treat?
We treat musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, spinal pain, rheumatological disorders, post-surgical rehabilitation, and work-related injuries using physiotherapy, acupuncture, and pilates-based approaches.
Do you accept private medical insurance?
We're registered with most major private medical insurers. Please contact us with your provider details for specific coverage confirmation and direct billing arrangements.
Are home visits available?
Yes, we provide home physiotherapy services across Dorchester and surrounding Dorset villages for patients unable to attend clinic appointments.
What pilates class options exist?
We offer small group pilates classes (max 6 participants), 1:1 sessions, and 1:2 semi-private sessions tailored to individual rehabilitation needs and fitness levels.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
We aim to schedule initial assessments within one week of contact, with emergency appointments prioritised for acute injuries and post-surgical cases.
Do you offer occupational health services?
Yes, we provide DSE workstation assessments, manual handling training, and return-to-work rehabilitation programmes for businesses across Dorset.
Reviews (2)
Stephanie Cooper
Jun 14, 2019
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Excellent care and expert knowledge, proper hands on treatment including acupuncture and massage. Highly recommended!
Miriam Phillips
May 03, 2016
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The physios Sam and Sophie at Dorchester Physiotheraphy & Sports Injury Clinic are brilliant. The clinic is friendly and laid back and the team physios are kind but also really knowledge and have sorted various issues for myself, family and friends. I would not hesitate to recommend the team to anyone.
