After a degree in Sports Studies at the University
of Ulster at Jordanstown, Belfast (1986 -89) Ruth went on to Edinburgh
to study Physiotherapy at the Queen Margaret University (1990
- 93). She stayed on in Edinburgh for a number of years after
completing her studies in order to work in a hospital and also
in the Edinburgh University Fitness Assessment and Sports Injuries
Clinic. There she worked with athletes and sports teams including
rugby and football. Following this she then went to Chicago where
she worked in a specialised TMJ, Headache and Facial pain Clinic
with a dentist and a multidisciplinary team. While in Chicago
she also worked on 'return to work' programmes and at a back clinic.
From Chicago Ruth went on to complete a Masters
in Manipulative Physiotherapy in Brisbane, Australia in 1996.
On returning to Dublin she worked in St Vincents hospital and
in private practice. At St. Vincent's she ran the chronic pain
clinic and spinal unit, for the treatment of neck / back pain,
particularly after road traffic accidents. She also lectured in
Trinity College, Dublin and UCD on their respective masters programmes
in sports medicine and manipulative physiotherapy. During this
time Ruth ran weekend courses as a lecturer, in both Ireland and
Britain.
The travelling bug hit again and Ruth joined Riverdance
- The Show for 2 and a half years as a company physiotherapist,
initially with the european/asian touring show and then with the
Broadway production in NY. Ruth left the Broadway show in 2000
to return to Ireland and set up her own practice in her native
town, the Enniskerry Physiotherapy Clinic.
