Sports physio isn't just physio for athletes
A general physio treats the injury. A sports physio treats the injury in the context of everything else — the training load you were carrying when it happened, the demands of your sport, the timeline you need to get back, and what "back" actually means for you.
When a hamstring goes at 80% of a sprint, the question isn't just "how do we get this to stop hurting." It's "what was the training load leading up to this, what's the eccentric capacity in the other leg, and what does the return-to-sport progression look like so this doesn't happen again in round 4?"
That's the difference. Sports physio is about capacity, load management, and return-to-performance — not just pain management.
After a decade working alongside football players, basketballers and active adults across every level of SA sport, this is the lens I bring to every consult — whether you're an elite athlete or a weekend warrior who just wants to get back to training without breaking down every three weeks.
Trusted on the sideline
I've spent the last decade in the rooms, on the sideline, and in the treatment room with athletes at every level of South Australian sport:
- Sports Trainer — Port Adelaide Power (AFL): pitchside trainer experience at Australia's top level of football.
- Sports Trainer — SANFL: hands-on injury management in SA's elite state competition.
- Head Physio — Adelaide Croatia Raiders (current): lead physiotherapist for NPL-aligned senior football.
- Head Physio — Para Hills Knights NPL SA (2 years): full-season coverage of National Premier League football.
- Head Physio — Adelaide Footy League (2 years): division-level football physio across the AFL umbrella competition.
- Physio — Port Districts Division 1: in-season coverage and injury management for senior footballers.
- Physio — U16s SA Metro, National Championships: supporting the next generation of SA footballers at national level.
Common sports injuries I see every week
Most of what walks through my door falls into predictable patterns. These are the injuries I've treated hundreds of times — and the ones where structured rehab outperforms rest-and-hope every time.
Hamstring strains
Nordic curls, eccentric loading, return-to-running progressions that actually prevent re-injury. Read more →
ACL & knee injuries
Structured post-op rehab phases, return-to-sport testing, patellofemoral pain, meniscus rehab. Full condition guide →
Ankle sprains
Progressive loading beyond RICE. Proprioceptive training to stop the re-roll cycle. Read more →
Shoulder injuries
Rotator cuff, impingement, AC joint, throwing-related shoulder pain. Full condition guide →
Lower back pain
Disc-related, facet-joint, and movement-pattern-driven back pain in athletes. Full condition guide →
Hip & groin
Osteitis pubis, hip labral issues, FAI, adductor tendinopathy, hip flexor pain. Full condition guide →
How I work: the three-phase approach
Every athlete I treat goes through a structured three-phase progression. No guesswork, no generic exercise sheets — just a clear plan that meets you where you are and gets you to where you need to be.
Phase 1 — Settle (Weeks 0-2)
Reduce the acute irritation. Restore pain-free movement. Identify the driver — not just the symptom. This is where most treatment stops. For us, it's where the real work starts.
Phase 2 — Strengthen (Weeks 2-8)
Progressive loading of the injured structure and the system around it. Eccentric work, single-leg control, sport-specific patterns. The phase where capacity is actually rebuilt.
Phase 3 — Return (Weeks 6-16+)
Graduated return to training, then sport. Objective benchmarks before full clearance — not just "it feels fine." This is the phase every athlete wants to skip. It's also the phase that decides whether you stay healthy or re-injure.
Built for the way you actually play
I don't do generic rehab. Every plan is shaped around the specific demands of your sport.
Footballers (AFL, SANFL, NPL, Amateur League)
Hamstring strains, groin pain, ACL rehab, ankle sprains, concussion return-to-play. If it happens on a football field, I've treated it. Multiple times. At every level.
Basketballers & court sport athletes
Ankle sprains, patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee), lower back pain, shoulder overuse. The demands of repeat jumping, cutting and upper-body loading create specific injury patterns — ones I know intimately.
Active adults & weekend warriors
CrossFitters, runners, lifters, social sport players. You're not an elite athlete, but your body is being asked to do elite-level stuff on limited recovery. Capacity-focused rehab that respects the realities of working full-time and training around a family.
Sports physio — common questions
Do I need a referral to see a sports physio?
No. Physiotherapy in Australia is a primary-contact profession — you can book directly without a GP referral. If you have private health extras cover, you can claim on the spot at the clinic.
Is this covered by private health insurance?
Yes. Physiotherapy is covered by most private health funds with extras cover. I have HICAPS on-site so you can claim immediately and only pay the gap.
How many sessions will I need?
Most acute sports injuries resolve within 4-8 weeks of structured rehab. Chronic or recurring injuries usually take 8-12 weeks. I'll give you a realistic timeline at your first appointment — not an open-ended "we'll see."
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Comfortable clothing you can move in (shorts and a t-shirt work well for most assessments). Any imaging or reports you've had (MRI, X-ray, ultrasound). Your private health card if you're claiming.
Do you treat sports injuries if I'm not an athlete?
Yes. "Sports physio" describes the approach, not the clientele. The same principles — progressive loading, capacity building, structured return — work brilliantly for anyone who trains, plays social sport, or just wants to stay active without breaking down.
Can I see you if I don't live in Greenfields?
Absolutely. My clinic is in Greenfields (inside CrossFit TRG), which is easy to reach from Mawson Lakes, Parafield Gardens, Salisbury, Para Hills, Elizabeth, Ingle Farm, and the surrounding northern suburbs. Street parking is available on-site.
Ready to get moving again?
Same-day appointments available most days. Private health rebates on the spot. One physio, one plan, no merry-go-round of different practitioners.
Upstairs at CrossFit TRG, Greenfields · Mon-Fri 8am-7pm · Sat 8am-11am · Sun 10am-2pm