Nick Knight is the driving force behind NK Active, a clinic that has grown from its roots in podiatry into a dedicated injury treatment and rehabilitation service with a clear mission: to help people Get Active, Stay Active and Move Forward.
Bringing together a specialist team of podiatrists and sports rehabilitation experts, NK Active combines expert clinical care with advanced technology to deliver athlete-level screening, strength and conditioning, and recovery services. Under Nick’s leadership, the clinic has built a reputation for going far beyond traditional podiatry, supporting both everyday clients and elite athletes in achieving their goals.
Nick, what sparked your passion for both podiatry and sports rehabilitation, and how did that lead to the creation of NK Active?
I always felt the lower limb, particularly the foot, is often overlooked and neglected, and I wanted to change that. With a passion for exercise and helping people stay active, I believed there was a better way to approach foot and ankle rehabilitation.
After completing my master’s, which included advanced training in injury rehab, the idea for NK Active was born: to do foot and ankle rehab better, and to put movement back at the centre of recovery.
For readers unfamiliar with NK Active, how would you describe what you do, from everyday podiatry to advanced athlete care?
We help individuals return to the activities they love and keep them moving. As long as the heart is beating, there is always the potential to get stronger.
Whatever your goal, from enjoying family walks to competing for your country, NK Active is here to help you achieve it. Every client is treated with the same care and dedication, receiving elite level service no matter their starting point.
NK Active is known for doing things differently. In your own words, what makes your approach stand out from traditional podiatry and rehabilitation clinics?
We put the person at the centre. The injury is important, but the individual behind it matters more.
That’s why our clinic brings together everything under one roof from 3D gait analysis and strength testing with dynamometers and force plates, to a fully equipped gym, an anti-gravity treadmill, and in-clinic 3D printed foot orthoses. This unique combination ensures every patient receives tailored, effective care designed around them.
Your clinic is home to some incredible technology, from 3D Gait Analysis to an anti-gravity treadmill. Can you walk us through the kit and how it transforms the way you help clients?
3D Gait Analysis: Think of this as an MRI for how you walk and run. Using the same camera as used in Hollywood movies, we track 38 precise markers on your body to create a detailed skeletal model of your movement. This takes the guesswork out of assessment, allowing us to see exactly how you move and identify whether an issue originates in the foot, or hip.
AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill: The AlterG is designed to help people walk, run, and train without pain. Using patented NASA Differential Air Pressure (DAP) technology, it precisely reduces body weight in 1% increments, up to 80%, creating a sensation so light you can almost float. This provides a safe, pain-free way for patients and athletes to restore strength, mobility, and confidence by reducing the impact of gravity with accuracy, comfort, and freedom of movement.
Body Strength Analysis: When it comes to strength, knowing what to focus on and when is key. At NK Active we use advanced force plates and dynamometers to measure strength accurately and guide rehab. The findings are presented in a simple traffic light report, making it easy to see where improvements are needed and ensuring every rehab plan is truly data-driven
You’ve mentioned that NK Active is very different from traditional podiatry and physiotherapy. What’s the philosophy behind your approach?
Our key motos are: Get Active, Stay Active and Move Forward. Everything we do is focused on helping clients achieve their goals by finding the root cause of the problem, creating a personalised plan, and putting them at the centre of the recovery. We also give the client the tools and knowledge to keep themself active and moving forward long into the future.
Strength and conditioning isn’t something most people associate with a podiatry clinic, why did you make it a core part of your services?
Strength is vital not only for sport, but also for supporting us as we age. With strong evidence backing its benefits, including WHO’s recommendation of strength training three times a week for those over 40, it’s something everyone can benefit from
We educate people on how strength training really works, bust the common myths, and place it at the very centre of our approach. Because building strength isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Your team includes sports rehabilitation specialists alongside podiatrists. How does this multidisciplinary approach benefit your clients, especially athletes?
As the saying goes, two heads are better than one. By combining the diagnostic expertise of our podiatrists with the skills of our rehabilitation specialists, we ensure every patient receives the right treatment from the right team member. Working together, we create a seamless, collaborative approach focused on achieving each patient’s individual goals.
Tell us about the athlete screening process. What makes it so valuable for both injury prevention and performance enhancement?
Elite athletes are screened pre-season to spot niggles before they become injuries and to guide their strength training. But why should this be limited to professionals? At NK Active, we believe every athlete deserves the same advantage which is why we offer our own screening service. It’s designed to help identify potential issues early, guide your training, and ultimately make you a stronger, better-performing athlete.
Can everyday clients also benefit from the same high-tech equipment and rehab strategies?
Absolutely, we are all made of the same stuff. We believe everyone deserves access to elite-level care, giving every individual the chance to achieve their goals and go beyond them.
Can you share a success story that really shows the power of combining podiatry, sports rehab, and advanced technology?
We worked with an U17 sprinter who had a bone stress injury in the foot. Through a detailed podiatric assessment and 3D gait analysis, we identified mechanical concerns and created custom 3D-printed orthoses. Strength testing then highlighted key areas to develop, forming the basis of a tailored rehab plan. This athlete went on to win the UK Championships and set a world-leading time.
Looking ahead, what’s next for NK Active, are there new innovations, services, or partnerships on the horizon?
We are continuing to develop our 3D-printed custom orthoses, making them faster to produce and exploring new materials to enhance performance. We are also advancing our use of in-shoe pressure analysis, giving us greater insight into how the foot interacts with the ground during movement and sport. This technology allows us to measure the impact of interventions such as foot orthoses, with precision and confidence.
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