Rachel Sammes

Team Leader and Physiotherapist

Physiotherapy, Sports Injuries, AposHealth, Shockwave

Qualifications: MCSP, Member of the HCPC Certified Apos practitioner BSc Physiotherapy, Brunel University 1994 MSc Sports Injury and Therapy, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2002

Rachel began her career in the NHS and clinics in the UK and Australia then following two years in private practice and hospitals on the Isle of Man before joining The Abbey Clinic in 1999.

Her sports physiotherapy highlights include the T.T. and Manx Grand Prix (1997-1998) and the England Lacrosse team (1999-2001), including the 2001 World Cup. At the clinic, she has treated and screened athletes across various sports, including rowing, tennis, and endurance events. Passionate about clinical standards and professional development, Rachel earned a Masters in Sports Injury and Therapy in 2002 and has presented to clubs and Oxford Brookes University. A keen endurance athlete herself, competing in swimming, triathlons (including world age-group championships), and numerous marathons, she now competes in ultra running. Rachel is also a qualified UKA athletics coach in endurance running.

Career Highlights

• Physiotherapist for Manx Grand Prix and TT 1997 – 1998
• Physiotherapist for the England Lacrosse Team 1999 – 2001
• Becoming an Apos practitioner in 2016
• Becoming the Abbey Clinics Team Leader 2023

Personal Sporting Achievements

• Represented Norfolk in cross country and swimming (as a junior).
• Competed in 10 London marathons 1995 – 2019 and the Boston Marathon 2018
• Represented GB in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in 1999 and 2019
• Coast to Coast in a day 150 mile cycling sportive 2013
• Iron man Wales, 2013
• Outlaw Nottingham (ironman distance) 2022
• Isles of Scilly swim challenge, 15km open water, 2023
• Lakeland 50 miles, running, 2024
• UTS 50km running, 2025