Professional & Powerful Women - Juli-Ann Riley

For more than two decades, Upper Highway physiotherapist Juli-Ann Riley has been passionate about helping people regain movement, restore confidence, overcome pain, and achieve their highest level of physical function through evidence-based rehabilitation and compassionate care.

Juli qualified from Stellenbosch University in 1999 and, apart from a year spent working in the United Kingdom, has spent most of her professional life in private practice in the Hillcrest and Kloof area. Her early focus on advanced neuromuscular physiotherapy led her to complete a postgraduate course through the South African Society of Physiotherapy with distinction, earning the award for top student. She later lectured and examined on the same course for more than 10 years. 

Juli has also published research in the South African Journal of Physiotherapy on lumbar radiculopathy, commonly referred to as a “pinched nerve”, and has presented at national physiotherapy congresses. 

Today, Juli runs a multi-site physiotherapy practice with branches in Kloof, Gillitts and Le Domaine between Hillcrest and Waterfall. The practice also provides home and nursing home visits for patients recovering from surgery or illness, as well as elderly patients with mobility difficulties. “I have an incredible team of highly skilled physiotherapists with extensive experience across a broad range of conditions and rehabilitation needs. Our practice provides comprehensive physiotherapy care, including orthopaedic rehabilitation, pain management, neurological conditions, respiratory care, elderly rehabilitation, mobility and balance difficulties, post-operative recovery, and functional rehabilitation,” Juli says.

One of the things she loves most about living and working in KZN is the incredible lifestyle and connection to nature. “The Upper Highway area has such beautiful walking trails, birdlife and a culture of physical activity and outdoor living. I particularly love the forests in the Everton Gorge. The Kloof SPCA is another favourite spot of mine, and I am often found there walking one of my many rescue dogs.” She regularly paddles at Shongweni Dam and has completed three Dusi Canoe Marathon races, including two solo events.

For Juli, physiotherapy extends beyond injury recovery. “Our goal is not simply to help patients recover from injury, surgery, or illness, but to help them become stronger, more capable, and achieve an even higher level of physical performance and function than before their condition began,” she concluded.

Website: www.rileyphysios.co.za