Physiotherapy in Christchurch
Personalised care, built around you — not the other way round.
Across five Christchurch clinics, our physiotherapists take the time to properly listen, understand what you want to get back to, and build a treatment plan shaped around your goals — not a standard protocol. With 45-minute initial appointments and a structured pathway from pain relief to long-term performance, we’re here for wherever you’re starting from.
Pain and injury don't just hurt — they get in the way of everything.
The injury that’s sidelining you. The persistent ache you’ve been working around for months. The problem that keeps coming back no matter what you try. Whatever it is, you’re probably not just looking for someone to treat the symptom — you want to understand what’s actually going on, and have a clear path to get past it for good.
If previous treatment felt rushed, too generic, or left you without real answers — you’re not alone in that experience. It’s exactly what we set out to do differently.
Physiotherapy that starts with listening.
Your situation isn’t the same as anyone else’s. So we don’t start with a standard protocol — we start with you.
Our initial appointments are 45 minutes. That’s longer than most clinics offer, and deliberately so — because properly understanding your history, your body, and your goals takes time. From there, we build a treatment plan around what matters to you, and we work through it together. You’re not a passive recipient of whatever we decide to do. You’re an active part of the process.
That philosophy is built into our name, and it’s built into how we treat every patient who walks through our doors.
Our approach follows a structured three-stage pathway — the Pain to Performance model — that takes you from getting out of pain, through to addressing the root cause, all the way through to exceeding the goals you came in with.
Wherever you're starting from
Physiotherapy may be helpful if you are:
- Managing a recent injury — muscle, joint, tendon, or ligament
- Dealing with a persistent problem that hasn’t fully resolved on its own
- Working back to full function after surgery
- Experiencing pain that’s affecting your work, sleep, or everyday life
- Frustrated by a recurring injury and wanting to understand what’s driving it
- Recovering through an ACC-funded programme
- An active person who wants to stay that way — and perform better
Not sure whether physiotherapy is the right option for you?
Call us — we’re happy to help you work that out before you book.
How we work — the Pain to Performance model
Most people arrive wanting two things: to get out of pain, and to get back to what they love. Our three-stage model is built around exactly that — and then works to take you further than you thought possible.
Relieve pain and start moving
Your first priority is getting out of pain and getting moving again. We work with you to make that happen as efficiently and sustainably as possible.
This stage typically involves:
- A thorough initial assessment — understanding your history, what’s happening, and what you want to achieve
- Education about your condition and why it’s presenting the way it is
- Hands-on manual therapy to relieve pain and begin restoring movement
- Targeted exercise to support your recovery without overloading the injury
- Taping, bracing, or activity modifications where helpful
- A clear, shared plan you understand and feel confident in
Address the root cause
Getting out of pain is the beginning, not the destination. Many common conditions — back pain, tendinopathies, shoulder and knee problems — have high recurrence rates when the underlying cause isn’t properly addressed.
Once acute symptoms are under control, we assess what’s been contributing: movement patterns, strength deficits, load management, posture, and biomechanics. Then we work together to correct it.
This stage typically involves:
- Movement and biomechanical assessment
- Corrective exercise and functional retraining
- Restoring full mobility, stability, and strength
- Core stability work
- Clinical Pilates where appropriate
Exceed your goals
This is where we aim to leave you in better shape than before you came in — not just recovered, but more resilient. Whether your goal is returning to competitive sport, keeping up with young grandchildren, or simply being confident your body won’t let you down again, this stage works toward that.
Cate puts it well: the question we ask at every stage isn’t just “how do we fix what’s wrong” — it’s “what else is possible?“
This stage typically involves:
- Strength and conditioning programming
- Clinical Pilates
- Sport or activity-specific training
- Injury prevention strategies
- Transition into specialist programmes — such as the GLA:D® programme for osteoarthritis or ACL rehabilitation — where relevant
What your treatment may involve
Our physiotherapists draw on a broad range of evidence-based techniques, tailored to what your situation calls for. Treatment is never one-size-fits-all — what we use depends on you, your presentation, and where you are in your recovery.
What your treatment may involve
Our physiotherapists draw on a broad range of evidence-based techniques, tailored to what your situation calls for. Treatment is never one-size-fits-all — what we use depends on you, your presentation, and where you are in your recovery.
Hands-on manual therapy
Joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, and myofascial release — hands-on treatment that directly addresses pain and movement restriction. Our team believes strongly in the value of skilled, purposeful manual therapy as part of a comprehensive approach.
Targeted exercise therapy
Specific, progressive exercises that make sense — not a printed sheet of generics. You’ll understand what you're doing and why, and home programmes are designed to complement your clinic sessions without overcomplicating your week.
Dry needling
Available with selected physiotherapists, dry needling can be effective for muscle-related pain and tension. Ask your physiotherapist whether it may be appropriate for your situation.
Taping
Supportive and corrective taping to assist recovery, manage load, and support movement patterns during rehabilitation. Both rigid and elastic taping techniques are used depending on what’s indicated.
Education and self-management
Understanding your condition is part of treating it effectively. We take time to explain what’s happening, what the evidence says, and how you can manage things between sessions — and well beyond your last appointment. An informed patient makes better decisions about their body.
Movement and biomechanical analysis
Assessment of how you move — posture, muscle function, loading patterns — to identify what’s contributing to the problem and inform how we address it. This forms an important part of stage two of the Pain to Performance model.
What our patients say
"The front desk staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which immediately put me at ease."
Mike
Google Review
"You never feel rushed or dismissed in your appointments."
Tori H.
Google Review
"Kelly Fox took time to assess the issue carefully, avoiding pitfalls I'd experienced previously."
Christopher H.
Google Review
Pricing
Initial appointment
45 Minutes
If your injury was caused by an accident, ACC may cover part of your treatment cost. You'll pay a patient co-payment per appointment.
$75
session
Initial appointment
45 Minutes
If your injury was caused by an accident, ACC may cover part of your treatment cost. You'll pay a patient co-payment per appointment.
$75
session
Initial appointment
45 Minutes
If your injury was caused by an accident, ACC may cover part of your treatment cost. You'll pay a patient co-payment per appointment.
For injuries not caused by an accident, standard physiotherapy fees apply.
$220
session
Physiotherapy FAQs
No. You can book directly — online or by phone — without a referral. If you have been referred by a GP or specialist, just mention it when you book and we’ll note it on your file.
Your initial appointment is 45 minutes — long enough to properly hear your history, assess your condition, and begin building your plan together. Follow-up appointments are 30 minutes and continue your treatment. Both appointment types are clearly labelled in our online booking system, so you’ll always know which to choose.
If your injury was caused by an accident, ACC may cover part of the cost and you’ll pay a co-payment per session. For injuries not related to an accident, standard fees apply. If you’re unsure whether your injury qualifies for ACC cover call us and we’ll help you work it out.
This varies depending on your injury, how long you’ve had it, and what you’re working towards. Your physiotherapist will give you an honest assessment at your first appointment, including a realistic expectation of how many sessions may be needed. We don’t recommend more sessions than your situation warrants.
Comfortable clothing that allows access to the area being treated. If you have any relevant imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT reports), bring those along — useful context, though not essential. If your injury is ACC-covered, bring your claim number if you have one.
Yes. Persistent and complex presentations are something our team has considerable experience with — including long-standing pain, conditions that have had multiple previous treatments without resolution, and post-operative recovery. Cate, Katherine, and several of our physiotherapists have specific training and expertise in persistent pain. A long history doesn’t mean nothing can change — often it just means the approach needs to be more carefully tailored. Which is what we do.
That’s exactly what your initial assessment is for. You don’t need a diagnosis before you book — you just need to know something isn’t right. We’ll help work out what’s going on from there.
Booking your Physiotherapy appointment
Book an initial appointment at your nearest clinic — online in minutes, or give us a call. Our 45-minute initial appointments are available across all five of our Christchurch clinics, and online booking is available at all locations.