Karina Bennett
Physiotherapist
Karina completed her Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physiotherapy, graduating with First-Class Honours from the University of Brighton in the UK. She spent the initial part of her career working across the NHS, gaining experience in a variety of clinical settings before moving to New Zealand, where she worked in private practice with a strong focus on musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Karina takes a collaborative, movement-focused approach to physiotherapy. She believes that understanding an injury is an important part of recovery and works with her patients to build confidence, develop strength and ultimately become independent in their rehabilitation. Her goal is to understand what each person wants to get back to – whether that is sport, exercise, work or simply moving well in everyday life – and support them through every stage of their recovery.
Having experienced challenging injuries herself, Karina understands the frustration of being unable to participate in the activities you love. This has shaped her approach to rehabilitation, combining hands-on treatment with education, progressive exercise and strength training to help patients regain confidence and return to the things that matter most to them.
Karina has a particular interest in strength training, women’s health and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), and is passionate about helping both women and men develop strength, resilience and confidence throughout different stages of life.
Growing up between the UK and the Faroe Islands, Karina developed a strong love for the outdoors and adventure. She enjoys surfing, running, hiking and cycling, and in 2023 completed a cycle trip across Canada. Having recently made Calgary home, she is excited to explore the Rockies and everything the city and surrounding areas have to offer.
More about Karina
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What is your treatment philosophy?
I believe physiotherapy should help people understand their bodies and feel confident moving again. I like to look at the bigger picture – assessing how someone moves, identifying contributing factors such as strength, mobility or movement imbalances, and then creating a plan to address them. I combine hands-on treatment with education and gradual, progressive loading, focusing on the small things that can help the bigger movements work well. Ultimately, I want people to feel confident managing their own recovery and getting back to the things they
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What am I interested in outside of work?
Outside of work, I love being outdoors and exploring new places. I enjoy travelling, bikepacking, trail running, mountain biking and surfing – and I’m excited to give river surfing a go while I’m in Calgary! I also love visiting family and friends back home, going to concerts, exploring local breweries and finding a good flat white and almond croissant. When I’m taking it a little easier, you’ll usually find me attempting to knit, reading, doing yoga or planning my next adventure.
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What are your areas of expertise and interest?
My clinical interests include shoulder, low back and hip conditions, running-related injuries and strength training, particularly for women. Having experienced stress fractures myself, I also have a personal interest in bone health and the rehabilitation of running and other endurance-related injuries.
I have completed a Certificate of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Shoulder Course in New Zealand and enjoy continuing to develop my skills while gaining experience across a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions.
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How do I take care of my body/prevent injuries?
Having experienced two stress fractures myself, I’ve definitely learnt the importance of listening to my body and not always trying to do more. I like to stay strong to support the endurance activities I love, while paying attention to how I’m moving and maintaining good form. I’ve also learnt to recognise when I need to back off, alter my training or take a proper rest day. I enjoy having a balance of activities – running, cycling, surfing and strength training alongside gentler things like yoga, reading and knitting – so I can stay active without constantly putting stress on my body. Sometimes the best injury prevention is knowing when the sauna or a quiet day is calling.
Your lasting recovery is our priority.
Let’s get you better:
