Osteopath · Dance Teacher · Choreographer
Nicky Ellis
London-based osteopath practising at W1 Health on Regent Street. Qualified from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2005, following a 15-year career as a professional dancer.
About
Two disciplines.
One philosophy.
Nicky Ellis is an osteopath, contemporary dance teacher and choreographer working in central London. She qualified from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2005, following a 15-year career as a professional dancer with leading international choreographers.
As in-house osteopath at London Contemporary Dance School for a decade, lead therapist on BBC's So You Think You Can Dance and ITV's Let's Get Gold, and osteopath for Richard Alston Dance Company 2016-2020, she has particular expertise in movement-related and postural problems.
Her performing career included appearances at Sadler's Wells' Breakin' Convention and BBC's Dance for Camera film The Lift, with reviews describing her as "mesmeric and fascinating" (London Evening Standard) and "powerful and stately" (The Times). She was recognised as part of Inspiring Women in Dance at Sadler's Wells in 2016.
Qualifications & Registration
Registered Osteopath
GOsC Reg. No. 5747 — British College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2005
Myofascial Dry Needling
Post-graduate qualification, 2012
Professional Dancer
Nicky performed professionally for 15 years with many leading international choreographers including Aletta Collins, Charles Linehan, Laurie Booth and Jasmin Vardimon.
Dance Educator
Royal Ballet School, Central School of Ballet, Elmhurst Ballet School, English National Ballet School & Anatomy Lecturer at London Contemporary Dance School. Nicky was part of the core teaching team at The Place’s CAT Scheme for 18 years.
"A superb teacher."
— The Dancing Times
Clinical Practice
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment suitable for a broad range of individuals and medical conditions. It employs manual therapy, exercise guidance, and health advice, working on the principle that wellbeing depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.
Your First Visit
The initial appointment includes a detailed, confidential case history covering your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms. A physical examination follows — you may be asked to remove outer clothing layers, so wear clothing you are comfortable in (e.g. shorts or a sports bra).
Once a diagnosis has been discussed and agreed, treatment proceeds with your consent. In most cases treatment begins at your first appointment.
Spine, Neck & Pelvis
Osteopathy addresses a broad range of spinal and pelvic complaints using massage, joint mobilisation, physical manipulation, and stretching.
Headaches & Migraines
Manual therapy techniques to reduce tension and restore mobility in the structures that commonly contribute to headache and migraine.
Hip, Knee & Foot
Assessment and treatment of lower-limb problems, with attention to how the whole kinetic chain contributes to localised pain.
Shoulder & Arm
Hands-on treatment for shoulder, elbow, and arm complaints, combined with rehabilitation guidance where appropriate.
Myofascial Dry Needling
A post-graduate qualification gained in 2012. Targeted needling of myofascial trigger points to address chronic muscle tension and pain.
Dance & Sports Injury
Nicky has specialist experience with movement-related and postural problems — as former in-house osteopath at London Contemporary Dance School and lead therapist on BBC's So You Think You Can Dance.
New patients welcome.
£130 per hour. If you have private medical insurance please click here
Dance & Choreography
A 15-year professional career in dance.
Trained at Arts Educational School, Tring Park and London Contemporary Dance School, Nicky performed professionally for 15 years with leading international choreographers before qualifying as an osteopath.
Contemporary Dance Teaching
Nicky's teaching career has spanned more than 30 years and ranges from leading BTEC and GCSE dance courses through to training elite level dancers. She has taught at The Royal Ballet School, Urdang Academy, Central School of Ballet, the R.A.D, and was part of the core teaching team at The Place’s CAT Scheme for 18 years.
English National Ballet School
Led Contemporary and Choreography courses at English National Ballet School from 2005 to 2009. Her students won international the contemporary prize at the Prix de Lausanne and the Beijing International Ballet Competition.
Anatomy Lecturer
Served as Anatomy Lecturer at London Contemporary Dance School for seven years, drawing on her dual background as a qualified osteopath and professional dancer.
Choreography
Nicky is a working choreographer. She choreographs predominantly with young people. She has collaborated with Simon Costin for the V&A, Encore Dance and Centre for Advanced Training (The Place).
Photos: Pari Naderi & Belinda Lawley — Central School of Ballet
Testimonials
What patients & students say.
Nicky looked beyond the ankle to find what was causing the pain.
Her sense of the body is astoundingly intuitive.
She combines a depth of knowledge with intuition which makes you feel like an individual.
Nicky is a highly skilled and extremely sensitive Osteopath.
Contact & Booking
Get in touch
New patients are welcome. Book online, by phone, or by email.