Clare M Jones, PT, OCS, COMT, CFMT, FAAOMPT

Clare graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy from LaTrobe University , Melbourne , Australia in 1991.

Clare grew up in Mudgegonga , Australia , which is not close to Sydney or Melbourne. Clare gained a wide range of experience in a regional hospital center in Bendigo , before getting the travel bug and traveling to the USA to explore and do some therapy on the side. She worked in a brain injury unit at Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation in Charlotte , NC ; then moved on to manage an outpatient clinic there for the Carolinas Heathcare System.

During that time, Clare began teaching weekend classes for physical therapists with Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars. She is a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) with this group. She also completed a series of nine classes with The Institute of Physical Art and became a Certified Functional Manual Therapist (CFMT) with them in August 2002. Clare became a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) with the American Physical Therapy Association in 2005. She successfully became a Fellow with the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT) in October 2006.

Clare moved with her husband Steve Allen to Bellingham in August 2003, looking for a smaller town with plenty of nearby opportunities for outdoor activities. She joined the team at Bellingham Physical Therapy in September 2003.

Clare’s approach to treatment is to use movements and palpation to analyze imbalances that people may have developed in their systems. She attempts to find the root cause of the presenting problem as well as relieve the symptoms currently causing a person to seek help from a therapist. Clare loves to treat spinal issues as well as extremity problems. Her goal is to enable the patient to take a very active role in his or her care. She uses a blend of manual, hands-on techniques to restore the small slides and glides that occur in our joints to ensure balanced symmetrical motions. She addresses issues in the joints, the soft tissues and the neural system so as to regain mobility and balance. Exercise is incorporated to restore the control of mobility and doing so, potentially prevent future issues.

Clare continues to teach about six continuing education courses per year, as well as attending manual therapy conferences and courses. On weekends you will find Clare and Steve exploring the trails of Whatcom County ; whether it be day hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing or mountaineering. They also own sea kayaks and plan to explore our beautiful bays.

Life is an adventure, not a guided tour.