Our services
Exercise Rehabilitation
Reviewed by Andrew Macdonald, Senior Physiotherapist — AHPRA registered, APA member
What is Exercise Rehabilitation?
Exercise rehabilitation is a structured, progressive programme of exercises prescribed specifically for your condition, designed to rebuild strength, restore range of motion and control, and address the underlying factors that contributed to your injury in the first place. It’s the single most evidence-based tool physiotherapy has for building a lasting result rather than just temporary relief.
What It Helps With
A tailored exercise programme is a central part of treatment for nearly every condition Andrew sees — from tendon injuries like Achilles tendinopathy and tennis elbow, to post-surgical recovery, sports injuries, and chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. The right exercise, at the right dose, is what most reliably prevents a problem from recurring once the acute pain has settled.
What to Expect
Andrew builds your programme around your specific injury, current capacity and goals, then progresses it in stages as you improve — moving too fast risks aggravating the injury, while being overly cautious slows your recovery unnecessarily. You’ll be given clear guidance on which exercises to do, how often, and at what intensity, both in the clinic and as a home programme between sessions.
Who it helps
Conditions we treat with exercise rehabilitation
SciaticaSciatica is the name given to pain, numbness or weakness in the areas that are supplied by the sciatic nerve, these include the hip, buttock, thigh, calf...
Low Back PainBack Pain is extremely common with most people experiencing back pain at some point in their life. Back ache is often linked to a sedentary lifestyle...
Neck PainNeck pain is one of the most common conditions physiotherapists treat, often driven by posture, desk work and stress. Physiotherapy treatment combines manual therapy, dry needling and a tailored exercise programme.
DizzinessDizziness, unsteadiness or vertigo often has a treatable cause in the neck. Physiotherapy assessment identifies the source and treats cervicogenic dizziness with manual therapy and targeted exercise.
Sport Performance & InjuryModern sports injury rehabilitation favours early, guided movement over rest. Andrew builds a staged, evidence-based recovery plan tailored to your injury and goals.
Chronic Fatigue & FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome cause widespread pain and persistent exhaustion. Physiotherapy helps manage symptoms with a carefully paced exercise programme and hands-on treatment.
Frozen ShoulderFrozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes progressive stiffness and pain that can take months to resolve on its own. Physiotherapy can ease pain and speed recovery of movement at every stage.
Tennis Elbow & Golfer's ElbowTennis elbow and golfer's elbow are overuse tendon injuries causing pain on the outside or inside of the elbow. Physiotherapy treatment addresses both pain and the underlying cause.
ACL DamageAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in sports involving pivoting and sudden direction changes. Physiotherapy is essential both before and after surgery, or as a non-surgical treatment path.
Meniscal TearA torn meniscus can cause knee pain, swelling and catching or locking sensations. Physiotherapy is often the first line of treatment, alongside a plan for imaging or surgical referral if needed.
Plantar FasciitisPlantar fasciitis causes sharp heel pain, often worst with the first steps in the morning. Physiotherapy treatment combines hands-on therapy, taping, and exercises to resolve it and stop it recurring.
Ankle SprainsAnkle sprains are one of the most common sporting injuries, and incomplete rehabilitation is the main reason they recur. Physiotherapy restores strength and balance to get you back safely.
Achilles TendonitisAchilles tendonitis causes pain and stiffness at the back of the heel, common in runners and people increasing their activity levels. Physiotherapy uses proven, evidence-based loading protocols to treat it.
Shin SplintsShin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) cause pain along the shin bone, common in runners and after a sudden increase in activity. Physiotherapy addresses both symptoms and the training factors behind them.
Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid ArthritisOsteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis both cause joint pain and stiffness, but need different management approaches. Physiotherapy helps manage pain and maintain mobility and function with either condition.
Post-Op RecoveryPhysiotherapy is a key part of recovery after orthopaedic surgery — knee and hip replacements, ACL reconstruction, shoulder and rotator cuff surgery — restoring movement, strength and function safely.
Hamstring InjuriesHamstring strains range from mild tightness to a significant tear, common in running and sprinting-based sport. Physiotherapy treatment and a graded return-to-running programme reduce the high risk of re-injury.
Groin StrainGroin strains affect the adductor muscles of the inner thigh, common in sports involving sprinting, kicking or sudden changes of direction. Physiotherapy addresses both pain and the strength deficits that lead to recurrence.
Heel SpurHeel spurs are a bony growth linked to long-term plantar fascia strain, often coexisting with plantar fasciitis. Physiotherapy addresses the underlying cause driving both conditions to relieve heel pain.
Runner's KneeRunner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) causes pain around or behind the kneecap, common in runners and anyone increasing their training load. Physiotherapy addresses strength and movement patterns to resolve it and keep you running.
ITB SyndromeIliotibial band (ITB) syndrome causes sharp pain on the outside of the knee, common in runners and cyclists. Physiotherapy addresses the hip strength and loading patterns behind it, not just the symptomatic area.Frequently asked questions
What is exercise rehabilitation?
It's a structured, progressive programme of exercises tailored to your specific condition, designed to rebuild strength, restore movement and address what contributed to your injury — rather than a generic set of stretches.
How is a rehab exercise programme tailored to me?
Andrew designs your programme around your specific injury, current strength and movement capacity, and your goals — whether that's returning to a specific sport, getting back to work comfortably, or simply moving without pain. It's progressed in stages as you improve.
Do I need to do exercises at home too?
Yes — a home exercise programme between clinic visits is usually essential for a lasting result, since consistent, appropriately dosed loading is what rebuilds tissue capacity. Andrew will give you clear guidance on what to do, how often, and at what intensity.
How long does an exercise rehabilitation programme take?
This varies significantly by condition — some issues respond within a few weeks, while post-surgical or chronic tendon rehabilitation can take several months of staged progression. Andrew sets clear goals and criteria for each phase so you know what progress looks like.
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