About us
Our mission
Move Stronger,
Recovery Faster
We take a holistic approach to treat your pain and injuries, working with you to create a clear step-by-step recovery program to avoid any uncertainty and anxiety around your pain and injuries.
Our story
Flexibility Matters Physiotherapy began with a vision:
To bridge the gap between physiotherapy and the unique needs of performers.
Founded by Chartered Physiotherapist, Bethany Shum, a former gymnast, aerialist, and cheerleader, our clinic was born from firsthand experience with the injuries and frustrations of looking for specialist care for acrobatic performers.
With specialist training in MSc Performing Arts Medicine from UCL and over half a decade of clinical experience from the NHS.
Being the leading expert in the performing arts medicine field, we now work closely with the National Centre for Circus Arts, the UK's only circus degree pre-professional programme. We have also carried out, presented and published research in international conferences and medical journals in artistic athletes & acrobats.
Today, Flexibility Matters Physiotherapy is a trusted service for performers, athletes, and active individuals.
We help you who us seeking expert care that respects both their values and their bodies. Beth built a practice dedicated to treating not only the condition but also the whole person holistically.
Meet our team
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Beth Shum (HPCP, MCSP registered)
Founder & Lead Physiotherapist, Pain & Performing Arts Specialist
Bethany Shum is a chartered physiotherapist (HCPC, MCSP) who has personal and professional experience working with gymnasts, aerialists, and cheerleaders. This includes her work with Team England ParaCheer (2019) and the Gymnastics Commonwealth Games 2022.
She completed the specialist UCL Performing Arts Medicine Programme to enhance her skills when working with elite performers and provided specialist health services to this population. She is also a certified aerial yoga teacher, trained in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Integrated Movement Method, acupuncture and yoga therapy for pain to inform her holistic care.
In her physiotherapy work, she treats individuals with chronic pain conditions, musculoskeletal Injuries and rheumatological conditions with a holistic approach!
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Sam King (HPCP, MCSP registered)
Performing Arts Physiotherapist & Chartered Physiotherapy
Sam is a chartered physiotherapist (HCPC, MCSP). Having been a performing artist himself for over a decade, his interest in physiotherapy stems from his desire to help these athletes return to their activity. Since qualifying, he has been keen to apply the skills developed through NHS clinical placements in MSK outpatient, orthopaedics, and mental health, to best provide specialist health services to both elite level performers, hobbyists, and the general public.
Sam appreciates the value of manual therapy on the therapeutic encounter, and will always make time in a session for hands-on treatment. This is clear from his continued education in both sports massage (ITEC level 3), and acupuncture/ dry needling.
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Mariella Tonzanu (NMC)
Neonatal Nurse & Yoga Teacher
Mariella used to train in Dance and suffered from Back Pain. She was discouraged by health professionals who didn’t understand the demands of performers and advised her to stop due to her pain.
She eventually found yoga which fixed her pain and then went on and became a yoga teacher and an acrobatic performer!
She is our podcast "Growth Through Movement" co-host, sharing her experience in injury and rehabilitation.
She now offers Pregnancy/postnatal Yoga for mums in central London and virtually.
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Dr Francesca Testa (MBBS, BSc, MSc, ANutr)
Medical doctor, nutritionist, certified health coach and personal trainer
Dr. Francesca Testa is a medical doctor, nutritionist (ANutr), and certified health coach with a passion for holistic care and preventative medicine.
She specializes in energy availability and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in women, drawing from her research to help athletes optimize health and performance.
With 4 years of NHS experience across various specialties, Francesca combines her clinical expertise in her care. As a former gymnast and now an endurance runner, she is dedicated to helping others achieve sustainable wellness.
Let us guide you through your recovery journey!
Our partners
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The National Centre for Circus Arts
We’re proud to be the in-house physiotherapy service for the UK's leading circus university, helping pre-professional circus aerialists, hand balancers, and acrobats to manage the physical health challenges that student faces. We carry out annual injury screening, anatomy & physiology teaching, and 1:1 physiotherapy sessions for the degree programme. For the professional artists, we also lead education initiatives such as Circus Shoulder SOS, EDS/Hypermobility and injury prevention workshops to help circus performers better understand their bodies and reduce injury risk.
BCA Cheer & Dance
We have collaborated with the British Cheerleading Association, and Beth created a tailored online flexibility CPD course for cheerleaders across the UK. Her approach blends sport science, movement education, and rehab strategies to keep athletes safe while performing at their best. We are also a regular speaker at the BCA Annual Coaches conference.
Sport Cheer England - Affiliated & Medical Committee
We were assigned as the physiotherapists for Team England ParaCheer and had a deep understanding of the physical demands of stunting, tumbling, and dance.
We now sit on the medical committee for Sport Cheer England, contributing clinical guidance to shape safe practice, education and return-to-performance protocols in this high-impact sport. We are now an affiliate physiotherapy service, specialists in supporting Cheerleading athletes with any pain and injury concerns via The Cheer Physio.
British Association for Performing Arts Medicine – BAPAM
As an assessing clinician for BAPAM, we are recognised for our clinical expertise in performing arts health. We support dancers, musicians, and circus performers with specialist assessments and helps them return to full creative capacity. We also host regular CPD workshops for both healthcare practitioners and those who are in the arts.
You can also contact us directly by:
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Let's talk and make opportunities like this happen!
Want to work with us?
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What our clients say.
We are here to help you with our expertise tailored for your needs.
5.0
Beth at Flexibility Matters is amazing! I went to her with killer knee pain – I could barely walk. She worked with me for months and now my knee's totally back to normal. She's super knowledgeable, really nice, helpful, and genuinely cares about your recovery. It made such a difference knowing she was so invested in getting me better. I can't recommend it enough! Thank you, Beth!
Got a question or concern?
Ask us anything and get your recovery journey started.
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