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Our Team

Ben Farrell.
Practice Principal

    Ben Farrell is the practice principal at Farrell Physiotherapy and graduated from the University of East London in 2001 with an Honours degree in Physiotherapy. This followed a 3 year degree in Sports Rehabilitation in St Mary’s University College, Twickenham. He began his career in the NHS at Southend General Hospital where his focus and special interests were Musculoskeletal outpatients and Orthopaedics. During this time he honed his skills with regard to these two disciplines. Whilst learning his skills at the hospital Ben began to develop a desire to set up in private practice, which he did in 2003. This allowed him to see a greater spectrum of clients from the acute to chronic and people from a sporting environment rather than just in the hospital setting.

    Over the next few years Ben worked in and for various private clinics in Southend, Leigh on Sea, Wickford, Chelmsford, Reading, Henley on Thames whilst also working as a locum physiotherapist for two years in the NHS. This allowed him greater time with his clients to diagnose and understand people’s injuries and problems ensuring effective and correct treatments were administered. It was a valuable learning curve and gave Ben the best view on what each of the clinics he worked in excelled. Based on this he established the core principals of the practice which were communication and correct diagnosis were essential to allow best treatment. The motto of the clinic is ease the pain, cure the cause.

    Ben was then keen to revisit the sporting arena and became one of the Physiotherapists at Essex County Cricket Club for 2 years working with such athletes as Andy Flower, Darren Gough, Ravi Bopara and Andy Bickel. An opportunity arose for Ben to be Physiotherapist for Old Loughtonians Hockey club, which he did for 2 seasons and thoroughly enjoyed before setting up Clinic in Chelmsford in 2011.

    Ben has always wanted and demanded the best for his clients and makes sure that no stone is left unturned to get the correct result for his clients. Ben is a firm believer that client input into rehabilitation and physiotherapy is essential. Explanation of and understanding the problem is paramount for the client to get better. Working together returns you to pre injury fitness and well-being as quick as possible.

    Ben areas of special interest are acute and chronic Lower Back pain, shoulder pain, Tennis elbow, knee pain and ankle/foot pain.

    Mark Thomas.
    Physiotherapist

      Mark is an experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapist who has worked in professional sports in various disciplines. He has a wealth of experience working at Farrell Physiotherapy since 2017 and working with elite-level sports people in professional rugby (Wasps) and professional cricket (Essex CCC). He can provide Orthopaedic injections, such as corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid, for patients whose conditions do not respond to manual therapy.

      Reef Cowell.
      Physiotherapist

        Reef graduated from the University of Essex with a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy, following a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science. He has gained valuable experience working across a variety of physiotherapy settings, with a strong foundation in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, exercise prescription, and functional conditioning.

        Alongside his clinical work, Reef has developed expertise supporting adults of all ages through tailored physiotherapy-led programs, helping individuals improve strength, mobility, and long-term musculoskeletal health. His background in sports science and personal training complements his physiotherapy approach, enabling him to integrate evidence-based rehab with personalised strength and conditioning principles.

        Reef combines hands-on manual therapy techniques with movement-focused rehabilitation to support pain reduction, improve function and promote confident long-term self-management. He is passionate about empowering people through education and believes physiotherapy should support not only recovery, but long-term wellbeing and resilience.

        Matt Hesketh.
        Physiotherapist

          With over two and a half years of experience in private practice, Matt specialises in diagnosing and treating acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions and post-operative rehabilitation. Having transitioned from early career rotations within a hospital setting into a dedicated MSK role, he brings a fresh, evidence-based perspective to rehabilitation. Known for a “hands-on” approach, Matt utilises advanced manual therapy techniques and tailored exercise prescriptions to accelerate recovery and restore functional mobility. By combining evidence-based practice with compassionate care, Matt has successfully supported patients through complex post-surgical journeys, consistently achieving high satisfaction and improved long-term outcomes.

          "I recently injured my Achilles Tendon and I was able to get immediate treatment from a very enthusiastic physiotherapist at ‘Farrell Physiotherapy’.  I then had further regular treatment from Ben and continued with the follow-up exercises he gave me to do at home.  I found Ben’s enthusiasm contagious and with the treatment and advice he gave me I have been able to get back to regular activity.  I have been able to play 18 holes of competitive golf 4 days consecutively with there being no issues.

          I was referred to Ben after a road traffic accident for pain in my neck. The service I received was excellent. He not only treated my neck pain but also helped me to correct my bad posture which was not aiding my recovery.
          Ben is extremely friendly and gives a very professional service and I can’t thank him enough for resolving the problem. I would highly recommend him.

          - Carol Joyce

          I received excellent treatment for a foot and knee complaint that I thought would need an operation. It was very debilitating. However, after my course of physiotherapy sessions and continuation of exercises to do at home, I am now pain free and back to my normal exercise routine at the gym.

          - C Dobinson

          I am an animal physiotherapist myself and can not recommend Ben more highly. He is the human physio I have been searching so long for!! There are very safe COVID procedures, and a great friendly and efficient environment. Ben makes you feel welcome, explains things perfectly and always ensures you're comfortable.

          Most importantly Ben has enormously helped me with my knees. After having radiographs, an MRI, seeing a NHS and another private physio - none of them could help in that way that Ben did in 6 sessions and continues to do so. I have a long way to go but I have never had any faith that my goals are achievable but with Ben I now do - thank you!!

          - Lauren Hunt

          I have recently completed a course of treatment with Ben Farrell and am pleased to highly recommend him to others. I went to see Ben when I was suffering with extreme pain due to a trapped nerve in my neck which caused pain to radiate into my shoulder, arm and hand. I got an appointment very quickly and Ben was able to diagnose the problem and work on alleviating the pain. Part of the treatment has involved improving my longstanding poor posture which I’ve had since a child and believed was something that could not be changed. Ben has also advised me on how to continue to work on this to avoid this problem from reoccurring in the future.

          - Judith Woosnam

          I visited the practice on personal recommendation following a doctor’s diagnosis of an as then unspecified “shoulder injury”. I had seen my GP as the increasing pain in my arm and shoulder was not only preventing me from lifting my arm above 90%, but was also increasingly stopping me from sleeping at night.

          After an initial diagnosis session where Ben Farrell had quickly identified the actual problem, I then undertook a course of hands on physiotherapy and an increasing program of exercise. In view of the complexity of the problem (which I was advised had been going on for far longer than I has know), the physiotherapy program was, therefore, pretty comprehensive, however, always with excellent support and guidance from Ben along the way.

          I am very pleased with the results and I am now both playing much better golf and getting a full night’s sleep. And, I have no problems lifting my arm its full range!!!! So, the next thing on the agenda will be the golf game at Benton Hall.

          - Stephen

          Before visiting Ben I had been suffering from pain in my achillies tendons, which had stopped me from running my first half marathon. I had previously visited other physios local to me but had made no improvement. On my first visit ,Ben immediately diagnosed that my problem was coming from an old lower back injury. I was impressed that he was determined to treat the root cause of the injury (back) and provide a long term cure, and not just focus on a short term treatment of my achilles. Ben’s friendly but straight talking manner made my visits very enjoyable. I was so impressed that I took my 14 year old son to see Ben when he had an injury prior to a very important football trial. I would not hesitate to highly recommend Ben to anyone .

          - Mike Smith

          Couldn’t have asked for a better service than I got in just 4 weeks I spent with Mr Farrell.

          My first appointment with Mr Farrell was 4 weeks prior to running the London marathon and I was in no fit state to be able to run it due to a knee injury. Mr Farrell gave me a number of exercises to completely daily and a handful of one on one sessions as well. He also advised me on picking a better pair of running shoes to support my foot shape and create less pain in my knee.

          A combination of the hard work put in by Mr Farrell and myself I managed to complete the marathon in just over 4 hours. A great achieve considering I couldn’t run for 4 months prior to the race due to my knee. My only regret was not going to see Mr Farrell earlier! Then I may have be able to probably train for it. Would highly recommend Mr Farrell to anyone, a very professional service and great results.

          - Fraser Murray

          One of the main things I learnt when you treated me was your ability to dispel some of the old chestnuts about joint pain. Through your physiotherapy and advice I now walk more and cycle a lot. I do not rest up when I have a flair up, I do the maximum exercise I can without causing to great a discomfort to my joints. I avoid Painkillers if at all possible.

          I can honestly say that you have helped me to take a new outlook on life. Thank you.

          Ben Farrell was very thorough and professional when I went to him for treatment on my tennis elbow. He treated my posture as well as the elbow. The exercises he taught me both enabled the pain to go away and stay away, thus doing himself out of work! He and all his staff were very pleasant and friendly and I would recommend him unreservedly.

          - Shane Murphy

          Ben is an excellent physiotherapist who provided a considered care plan that enabled me to achieve my goals. Ben in his unique professional and personable manner demonstrated judgement and considerable experience to assist my recovery

          After suffering persistent shoulder pain for several months I went to Farrell Physiotherapy on the recommendation of my husband.

          After only a short course of treatment and undertaking daily exercises I am now pain free.

          I would gladly recommend Farrell Physiotherapy to any person requiring physiotherapy treatment.

          - C Wiltshire