How to Choose the Right Sports Physiotherapist: 3 Must-Haves

There are many physiotherapists out there, but not all are the right one for you.

Finding the right one for you is a difficult challenge, so here are 3 things to look out for when selecting a good sports physio.

They express their clinical reasoning.

• Find a physiotherapist that asks detailed questions about load, training history and context. Not just the location of the pain.
• They connect the dots through all aspects rather than just “weak muscles”. They refer to aspects such as physical, mental, technical and lifestyle attributes that influence injuries, performance and recovery.
• They give you a plan with a rationale, not just “come in twice a week and we’ll see
• RED FLAG: “Your hip flexors are tight, your glutes aren’t firing, and your posture is bad.” That’s lazy, outdated, and meaningless

They integrate performance.

• A good sports physio wants you to return even better than where you once were.
• This means your physiotherapist must bridge the gap between rehab and strength and conditioning, addressing aspects such as strength, power, speed and endurance rather than 3×10 of a simple exercise for 8 weeks.
• Rule of thumb: A good physio doesn’t stop when pain is gone – they stop when you can compete at your old level (or higher)

They assess, and don’t guess.

• A good sports physiotherapist reviews aspects such as strength, power, speed and endurance, as well as assesses your tolerance to sports specific movements constantly.
• Exercise progressions are based on data and assessments, not just time.
• There should be no guess work, you should be able to see HOW you are getting better.
• Rule of thumb: If you are not being tested with a wide range of physical tests, your physio is guessing.

We at Goulburn Valley Physiotherapy Centre are committed to the above three points to provide the best sports care available. If you have any sporting injuries and need a physiotherapist, trust that you are in good hands when you see us!