Meet The Team
Robert Ashton
Owner/Podiatrist
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Meet Robert – Our Sporty, Savvy, and Seriously Skilled Podiatrist
Robert’s podiatry journey started in Australia, where he graduated from Charles Sturt University and began treating feet (and everything connected to them!) in New South Wales. In 2006, he swapped kangaroos for kopi and made Singapore his home — and he hasn’t looked back since. Over the years, he’s become one of the most recognised podiatrists in Singapore, known for his down-to-earth approach and extensive clinical experience.
During his four years at Singapore General Hospital, Robert worked across a wide range of podiatric disciplines, sharpening his skills and developing a deep understanding of foot and lower limb health. He’s trained in multiple areas of podiatry, with special interests in sports podiatry, biomechanics, and paediatrics — in other words, if you’re moving, running, growing, or limping, Robert’s got you covered.
Robert works closely with doctors, physios, and other healthcare professionals to ensure every patient receives a holistic and effective treatment plan. He’s also had the exciting opportunity to work with the National Indonesian Athletic Team, helping top-tier athletes stay in peak condition — and learning a whole lot more about sporting biomechanics in the process.
Fun fact: Robert’s not just a sports podiatrist, he’s also a lifelong sports person and self confessed sneaker head. He’s played Australian Rules football, basketball, and touch rugby at a high level. Unfortunately, his own injury history — think ACL reconstructions and multiple shoulder injuries — forced him to dial it back a little. But these setbacks turned into strengths: he gained a deep understanding of injury rehab and prevention, which he now applies to help others bounce back stronger.
These days, Robert channels his energy into running, wakeboarding, snowboarding and thinking about the next sneakers to buy — all while helping his patients return to the activities they love.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a growing child, or a professional athlete, Robert combines clinical expertise with lived experience to get you moving confidently again.
Claire Coltman
Owner/Physiotherapist
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With over 20 years experience working as a physiotherapist, mostly musculoskeletal, sports and performance medicine based. Having spent the better part of my career, traveling with the international sporting teams including the Australian Winter Olympic Athletes, touring with Cirque Du Soleil then managing large rehabilitation units for the Ministry of Defence and everything in between.
Primary interests:
Lumbo-pelvic dysfunction and Spinal pain
Gait and running dysfunctions
Dance and performance medicine
Strength and conditioning
Endurance sportsSpecial interest areas:
Paediatric sports and growth related injuries
Ante natal/post natal pelvic pain
Post operative orthopaedic and bone injuries
Complex conditions
Snow sports
Helen Crawford
Founder/Director
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Helen is from an all medical (GP’s, dentists, nurses, specialists) family and one of the few areas that wasn’t covered were the feet. This led Helen into looking at a career as a podiatrist.
She has a special interest in children’s feet after marrying a ‘flat footer’ and having children. She also specialises in treating patients with planter fasciitis, as after suffering with it herself, she knows how debilitating it can be.
Outside of work Helen loves to travel, cook, paint and draw, play badminton and garden.Prior to joining Osteopathy & Podiatry Centre, Zhi Peng also worked at the Singapore Ministry of Health, where he developed and planned national healthcare policies and initiatives.
Zhi Peng has a history of lower back problems and surgery in the past. This journey of pain, disability and reduction in daily activities gave him a deeper understanding and empathy for his patients. He strives to go beyond pain alleviation and help patients develop a personal holistic management plan, so that they can return quickly to their previous sport and daily activities.
Zhi Peng is also an accredited Certified Wound Specialist (CWS®) by the American Board of Wound Management. This is a formal recognition of a master level knowledge and specialty practice in wound management. He is also a proud member of the prestigious Golden Key International Honour Society. Being an advocate for evidence-based practice, Zhi Peng has attended conferences both locally and internationally to be kept abreast of the latest international podiatry clinical guidelines and best practices.
During his free time, Zhi Peng can be found either cycling, in the gym working out and running, or watching cartoons at home with his lovely newborn and four adorable nephews, if not being chased around the house by them!
Zhi Peng
Podiatrist
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Zhi Peng was a recipient of the MOHH overseas healthcare scholarship, where he studied and graduated from La Trobe University in Australia with Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Podiatric Practice. Upon graduation he joined Changi General Hospital, where he practised a broad spectrum of podiatry, including dermatology, paediatrics, sports podiatry and wound care. He collaborated closely with medical specialists from the Sports Medicine, Vascular, and Plastic Surgery departments.
Prior to joining Osteopathy & Podiatry Centre, Zhi Peng also worked at the Singapore Ministry of Health, where he developed and planned national healthcare policies and initiatives.
Zhi Peng has a history of lower back problems and surgery in the past. This journey of pain, disability and reduction in daily activities gave him a deeper understanding and empathy for his patients. He strives to go beyond pain alleviation and help patients develop a personal holistic management plan, so that they can return quickly to their previous sport and daily activities.
Zhi Peng is also an accredited Certified Wound Specialist (CWS®) by the American Board of Wound Management. This is a formal recognition of a master level knowledge and specialty practice in wound management. He is also a proud member of the prestigious Golden Key International Honour Society. Being an advocate for evidence-based practice, Zhi Peng has attended conferences both locally and internationally to be kept abreast of the latest international podiatry clinical guidelines and best practices.
During his free time, Zhi Peng can be found either cycling, in the gym working out and running, or watching cartoons at home with his lovely newborn and four adorable nephews, if not being chased around the house by them!
Neelam Rai
Osteopath
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Neelam is a UK-qualified osteopath with over two decade of clinical experience. She began her career in private practice in the United Kingdom before relocating to Singapore in 2011, where she has established herself as a trusted and highly regarded practitioner treating patients of all ages with various ailments. As a mother of three young children, Neelam truly understands the physical and emotional demands of parenthood. This personal experience adds a deep sense of empathy to her work, especially when supporting new mums and families with young children. She is passionate about helping little ones thrive and is well-known for treating common concerns like colic, torticollis, sleep issues, and digestive discomfort using gentle cranial osteopathy. Her treatments are grounded in a holistic philosophy, integrating structural, functional, and cranial techniques. She aims not only to relieve pain and restore mobility but to promote long-term well-being through lifestyle guidance, including postural advice, tailored exercises, and nutritional support.
Recognised as one of Singapore’s leading paediatric osteopaths, Neelam also works extensively with adults and has substantial experience treating a wide range of conditions, including:
Neck and back pain
Headaches and migraines
Shoulder, hip, and knee issues
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
Asthma, sinus congestion, and respiratory challenges
Sports injuries and muscular strains
Neelam’s passion for osteopathy began with her own experience as a Dancer recovering from recurring injuries. This personal journey shapes her holistic approach to treatment as she understands the physical setbacks and is deeply committed to helping others regain movement, strength and confidence.
Stephen Smith
Osteopath
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Stephen started osteopathy 30 years ago, and after practicing across the globe, has been practicing in Singapore for the last 17 years. He is a 4th generation osteopath, who trained under the highly respected John Werham in the UK during the 1990s. He is registered in the UK and Australia, and follows their continuing professional development programme.
His osteopathy is structurally based; involving mainly specific work on soft tissue release, joint mobilisation and manipulation. He is keen to help patients manage their condition themselves, offering prescribed exercises to limit further pain episodes.
Conditions which are regularly seen are spinal, shoulder, elbow, hip and knee complaints, plus headaches, postural issues and sports injuries.
In his free time, he is often found in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, training for mountain trail running races across the region.