John Whelan – Chartered Physiotherapist | Special Interest in Back Pain & Sports Injuries
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy | MISCP
Rathfarnham | Mount Merrion | Butterfield
Professional Profile
John is a Chartered Physiotherapist with a particular clinical focus on back pain, and sports injury. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Gloucestershire, where his final-year dissertation centred on the most effective physiotherapy interventions for ACL rupture — examining how treatment outcomes vary across age and sex. Alongside this knowledge in knee rehabilitation, John has developed a strong clinical interest in the assessment and treatment of back pain across all age groups from the desk-bound professional to the weekend warrior, and from the competitive athlete to the active
older adult.
Prior to joining PhysioCare, John gained broad clinical experience in NHS settings in the UK including geriatrics, stroke, trauma & orthopaedics, medical units and musculoskeletal outpatients before returning to work in private practice in New Ross, Co. Wexford, where he assessed and treated a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions including chronic and acute back pain, sports injuries, and post-surgical recovery across all age groups.
Sports & Team Experience
John has worked as a Chartered Physiotherapist with GAA, soccer, and rugby teams at amateur and semi-
professional levels — including Wexford FC — providing pitch-side and clinic-based care for men, women, and adolescent athletes. This multi-sport background gives him a strong practical understanding of the physical demands placed on the body, knowledge he applies equally when helping patients of all ages recover strength, mobility, and confidence following injury or surgery.
John’s Approach
John believes strongly in a patient-centred approach to physiotherapy — not a one-size-fits-all model of care. Whether he is working with a patient managing persistent back pain that is affecting their daily life, a teenager recovering from a ligament injury, or an older adult rebuilding strength and independence after surgery, John works to understand each patient within the context of their own life, responsibilities, and goals. Treatment is always tailored to the individual — their age, activity level, and what matters most to them.
Beyond the Clinic
John represented the University of Gloucestershire in rugby league at BUCS Premier League level and remains actively involved in running and strength & conditioning. This first-hand experience of athletic training and the physical challenges that come with it directly informs how he supports patients of all ages — from competitive athletes to those simply wanting to stay active, independent, and pain-free for longer.