Our Team
Michael Ashton
Chartered Physiotherapist (MSc, MCSP, MHCPC)
I am an experienced Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries. I've had the privilege of working with clients in the UK and overseas, privately with elite athletes, and as a senior musculoskeletal physio in the NHS. I now spend most of my clinical time treating runners, climbers, rowers, cyclists, yogis, Hyrox and Crossfit athletes. I also enjoy working with people following joint replacement surgery and those with occupational aches and pains.
In my practice I am particularly interested in analysing human movement holistically and love the detective work which leads to the root cause behind particular dysfunctions. As a Sports Massage Therapist (level 4), and having completed several post-graduate manual therapy and acupuncture courses, I'm very hands-on. I tend to combine this with exploration of natural movement, influenced by my background as a qualified yoga teacher. I also draw regularly on my foundation in functional strength and conditioning, from my BSc hons in Sport and Exercise Science, and believe that this is key to facilitating lasting change.
I completed an MSc in Rehabilitation Science, qualifying as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 2011. I have worked with elite athletes at the National Indoor Athletic Centre in Cardiff, and after several years gaining broad experience as a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist in the NHS, I went on to establish a successful specialist clinic at a climbing centre in Brighton with my wife Eve. We both worked as physios overseas before setting up our clinics in Devon. Whilst working in the NHS I ran the spinal rehabilitation, lower limb, hydrotherapy and acupuncture programs.
When I’m not in clinic I enjoy crossfit, trail running, kite surfing, yoga and climbing. I am passionate about leading an active and fulfilling lifestyle and take great pleasure in empowering my patients to do the same.
Eve Ashton-Monteiro
Chartered Physiotherapist (MSc, MCSP, MHCPC)
I am an experienced Chartered Physiotherapist with specialist training in Women’s Health. My passion is helping people get back to doing what they love without pain. My sessions aim to find the root of your problem as well as checking the function of your muscles, joints and nerves. I look at the movements you are struggling with, how your body moves and what restricts it. I am particularly interested in pre and postnatal clients, and if there is an issue relating to the pelvic floor, then your assessment may include a check of your tummy muscles and an internal assessment to check your pelvic floor muscle function.
I qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2012, when I completed an MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences, but my study of the human body and mind started in 2003 when I studied Psychology and Anthropology BSc hons.
A combination of psychology and yoga training have given me a fascination with the mind/body connection, and in particular it’s influence on healing and pain control. The change in human physical behaviour over millennia, and its relationship with health, excites the anthropologist in me, and I am keen to explore how changes in human movement habits over time have led to changes in our tissue health. I apply these themes to my physiotherapy practice and workshops to help people understand and treat the root of their physical problems.
Physiotherapy has taken us to all corners of the globe. After working in the NHS, and setting up our first clinic in Brighton, we decided to head overseas. We loved working with NGOs in Africa and Asia, helping to establish a clinic for children with cerebral palsy and training teams. We've also worked as part of a medical team for sports events.
Returning to the UK, and back to Devon, we established Ashton Physiotherapy clinic in 2017 and have also run courses and classes as The Yoga Physios. When I am not working or looking after our children, I love yoga, running, climbing and painting.
Tim Phelps
Chartered Physiotherapist (MSc, MCSP, MHCPC)
I’m a physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience helping people manage pain, recover from injury, and improve their movement and quality of life. Since graduating with First Class Honours from the University of Plymouth in 2010, I’ve worked across a wide range of NHS settings in Devon and Cornwall, treating everything from everyday injuries to more complex musculoskeletal conditions.
Alongside my work at Ashton Physiotherapy, I also work in the NHS as a First Contact Physiotherapist in GP practices, supporting people at the very start of their recovery journey, and as a Specialist Clinician within the Musculoskeletal Interface Service, focusing on more complex problems involving the hip, knee, and shoulder.
Over the years, I have developed extensive expertise in musculoskeletal diagnosis, rehabilitation and orthopaedic management. My experience working with professional athletes, has further refined my skills in high-performance rehab.
I hold an MSc in Advanced Professional Practice in Physiotherapy and have a special interest in shoulder injuries and osteoarthritis. I provide training for GP teams, and in 2025, my research on psychological approaches to managing osteoarthritis was published - you can read it here.
My approach is about treating the whole person, not just the injury. I work closely with you to tailor treatment to your goals, lifestyle, and what matters most to you.
Outside of work, I live in the South Hams with my wife, daughter, and our dog. I’m happiest outdoors and particularly enjoy surfing, trail running, and cycling whenever I can.
Kirstie Manning
Soft Tissue & Massage Therapist
I believe that Massage Therapy goes beyond simply easing tension. It’s about listening to the body, understanding the root of pain, and helping people move and live with greater freedom. My approach to Soft Tissue Therapy is clinical, outcome-driven, and deeply personalised, so that every treatment supports your long-term recovery and wellness goals.
I hold a Level 5 Diploma Qualification in Soft Tissue Therapy and so I’m trained to assess and treat a wide range of minor and chronic musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Whether you're recovering from injury, managing persistent tension, or addressing biomechanical dysfunction, my treatments are tailored to support your recovery journey. As part of the multidisciplinary team at Ashton Physiotherapy, I offer integrative and evidence-based care that complements physiotherapy treatment plans.
