At Active Physiotherapy Newtown and Darlinghurst, we have a high level of expertise in treating low back pain, thoracic pain and neck pain. We use a unique fusion on manual therapy techniques in order to facilitate restoration of normal joint, nerve and muscle function. All our clinical staff are advanced manual therapists and excel in gentle mobilisations and low grade manipulations of the body. We may need to use massage, dry needling or myofascial release to achieve a deeper release of soft tissues.
What do we use Manual Therapy to Treat
When you feel pain, it is commonly understood that you move differently. Some muscle switch “on” and get tight and other muscles get a bit sleepy and don’t work well at all. Because optimal muscle tone and function allow your joints to move effectively, when your muscles are not optimal, it can cause some joints to become stiff and tight.
Another good example of this is stiff, painful joints which occur after you have had surgery or have had to be in a plaster cast or a brace for a while. Hands-on manual therapy can be very soothing when joints and muscles have been painful, and is a front line treatment at our clinic. For over 25 years, our patients have loved the therapeutic touch that we provide them with and really notice how much better they feel when we can be targeted and specific with our treatment techniques.
What to Expect from your Assessment
When we see you we will have a look at how you stand, how you move and whether your muscles are soft and supple or hard as a rock! We will feel how some of the joints move, sometimes by getting you to perform a movement ( like a squat) or sometimes with you lying still ( so we can feel the joint in our hands).
Any restrictions in how a joint moves can be addressed during your treatment session. Likewise any tight muscles can also be addressed. Importantly, we will aim to figure out why a particular muscle is always tight and find a solution allowing it to calm down to a optimal tone.
If your assessment highlights a restriction in your abdominal or pelvic cavity, such as old scar, your physiotherapist may need to use visceral mobilisation techniques in order to release the scar and any associated soft tissue. This is a gentle technique and allows for a deeper release of musculoskeletal structures that may be involved with your internal organs. You can learn more about these manual therapy techniques here: https://activephysiotherapy.net.au/services/visceral-mobilisation/
If your assessment identifies a lack of nerve tissue motion, your physiotherapist may use nerve mobilisation techniques. This gentle nerve treatment allows for the restoration of normal nerve mechanics and can be effective in the treatment of headaches, spinal pain and whiplash injuries.
Find out more about how we manage low back pain here: https://activephysiotherapy.net.au/low-back-pain/
Using Manual Therapy at our Clinic
Coupled with exercise to strengthen and stabilise newly promoted joint movement, we find manual therapy to be an effective way to get fast pain relief for our patients. Find out more about why we give you exercises here: https://activephysiotherapy.net.au/why-do-we-give-you-exercises-when-you-come-and-see-us/


Our Newtown Physiotherapy Clinic
Our Newtown Physio clinic houses a full-strength gym and Pilates studio. We run daily Pilates classes with a maximum of 6 participants, so you get the attention you need to perform the exercises correctly. Our clinic has strong connections to the local GP network and our local GPs trust us to get your diagnosis right and implement the most effective treatment plan possible for you.
Our Darlinghurst Physiotherapy Clinic
Activephysio’s Darlinghurst Physiotherapy Clinic is conveniently located on the Surry Hills side of Oxford St and a stone’s throw from Oxford St in Darlinghurst. Our new address is Shop 1/220 Goulburn St Darlinghurst. There is convenient 2-hour parking along the street and all adjoining streets, and we are 500m from Central Train Station. We are moments from the buses on Oxford Street as well.