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.

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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.

Physical therapist assisting patient with resistance band exercise

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 the Pain to Performance model, a structured three-stage pathway 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 can be helpful if you are:

  • Managing a recent injury of muscles, joints, tendons, or ligaments
  • 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 active 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.

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 our patients say

  • Very helpful in getting me back on track

    The front desk staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which immediately put me at ease. My physiotherapist, Allison, has been wonderful—knowledgeable, supportive, and very helpful in getting me back on track. Highly recommend!

    Mike

  • Highy recommended expert physiotherapy care

    I underwent 7 months of physiotherapy treatment after sustaining a shoulder injury, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the care I received. The treatment throughout my recovery was outstanding, professional, and always tailored. The support, expertise, and encouragement made a significant difference during a challenging time. Thank you for helping me on the road to recovery — I highly recommend your services to anyone needing expert physiotherapy care.

    Carolynn Searell

  • Great individualised exercise programmes

    Knowledgeable, efficient and effective physiotherapists at You First. Great individualised exercise programmes as follow up, and there's a gym onsite if required. I definitely recommend them.

    Margaret Ingram

  • Exceptionally Skilled

    They are all exceptionally skilled and caring and show genuine warmth and empathy and client care. Wonderful patient handling skills and professionalism. I would never go anywhere else.

    Veresha Padayachee

  • Incredibly knowledgeable. Never feel rushed or dismissed

    I have been seeing Maggie McInnes for over a year now for various injuries. She is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about her mahi but most importantly she Is driven by empathy and kindness. You never feel rushed or dismissed in her appointments. Maggie has a holistic view of injury management and prevention, and is always coming up with new ideas or angles to approach things. I would 100% recommend Maggie.

    Tori Holden

  • Professional approach and explanations – recommended

    I was very pleased with the results Michaela achieved and her professional approach and explanations. I would willingly recommend Michaela’s physiotherapy services at You First Physio to family and friends.

    John Lamond

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Physiotherapy appointment costs

  • ACC-funded treatment

    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.

    • Initial appointment

      45 minutes

      $57

      (concession $52)

    • Follow-up appointment

      30 minutes

      $49

      (concession $44)

  • Private treatment

    For injuries not caused by an accident, standard physiotherapy fees apply.

    • Initial appointment

      45 minutes

      $112

      (concession $107)

    • Follow-up appointment

      30 minutes

      $87

      (concession $82)

Questions about costs before you book? Call your nearest clinic, we're happy to help.

Physiotherapy FAQs

No. You can book directly without a referral, either online or by phone. 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.

Yes. When booking online you can select by clinic and by physiotherapist. If the person you’d like to see isn’t showing as available to book online, please call us — some of our senior clinicians only take bookings by phone, and we’ll always help you find the right fit.

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.

Book 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.

  • Avonhead
  • Longhurst
  • Riccarton
  • UC Rec Centre
  • UC Undercroft
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