About the clinic
Kirsty McIlwaine — head & neck physiotherapy in Dublin
Chartered Physiotherapist — clinical focus in headache, migraine, TMJ, neck and facial pain
Nova Head & Neck Clinic was founded by Kirsty McIlwaine, a Chartered Physiotherapist with a clinical focus on headache, migraine, TMJ, neck and facial pain.
Kirsty has worked in private practice and developed her clinical experience through mentorship with a clinician specialising in headache and migraine in Belfast. Her experience has led her to develop a particular interest in complex and persistent symptoms, and in helping people understand what may be contributing to them.
At Nova, there is time to properly listen and understand what you are experiencing. Kirsty takes a thorough approach to assessment, explains her findings clearly and creates a treatment plan around you and your goals. She cares deeply about the people she treats and approaches every patient with the same level of care and attention she would want for a member of her own family.
Qualifications
- MSc Physiotherapy
- BSc Athletic Therapy & Training
Clinical experience
- Several years assessing and treating headache, migraine and complex head and neck presentations at Apex Headache Clinic
- Clinical Manager experience, including service development and clinician mentoring
Registrations & memberships
- CORU
- ISCP
- HCPC
- CSP
Clinical interests
- Cervicogenic headache and migraine
- TMJ and orofacial pain
- Cervicogenic dizziness
- Persistent and unresolved head and neck symptoms
Consultation
Treatment room
Assessment
Our story
Everyone deserves to understand the cause of their symptoms and feel confident in their recovery. Nova Head & Neck Clinic provides evidence-informed physiotherapy in Dublin for people living with headache, migraine, TMJ disorders, cervicogenic dizziness, neck pain and facial pain — combining thorough assessment, personalised treatment and compassionate care.
Our philosophy
Exceptional care starts with listening. We take the time to understand your symptoms, explain what we find clearly, and make sure you receive the most appropriate treatment, guidance or onward referral. The goal is lasting improvement, not temporary relief.
Our vision
“To become Ireland's most trusted centre for head and neck care — setting a new benchmark for excellence in head and neck physiotherapy, and improving the quality of life of every person who walks through our doors.”
Clinical focus
One field, studied deeply, rather than a little of everything.
Continuous innovation
Assessment and treatment kept current with the best available evidence.
Patient education
Understanding your condition is treatment. We teach as much as we treat.
What we believe
Reasoning before treatment
Hands-on care follows the assessment findings, and we explain the link.
Evidence-informed, not protocol-driven
The research sets the direction; your presentation sets the detail.
Patient-centred by design
A calm environment and unhurried appointments — the basics done properly.
Ready to understand what’s driving your symptoms?
Book a comprehensive 60-90 minute head and neck physiotherapy assessment in Dublin.