Running and Movement Assessments

Sports injury management at Cairns Total Physio focuses on helping active individuals recover from injury, stay active, and perform with confidence. Whether you’re playing local sport, training regularly, or simply trying to stay fit, our team supports you through injury management, rehabilitation, and safe return to activity.

We regularly work with a wide range of sporting and active populations, from weekend athletes to competitive players. Our clinics have also supported elite-level sport, including over 20 years of involvement with the Cairns Taipans, as well as ongoing involvement with Cairns Marlins and Cairns Dolphins NBL1 basketball and previously over 10 years with the Northern Pride Rugby League team.

We are also actively involved in supporting local sport through AFL Cairns, Cairns Netball, and other community-based competitions, providing a strong foundation of experience across both elite and grassroots sporting environments.

What to expect from your appointment

All appointments are delivered as 30-minute, one-on-one consultations with your physiotherapist.

We begin by listening carefully to your injury history, training load, sport demands, and goals. This is followed by a thorough physical assessment, which may include:

• Movement and biomechanical analysis
• Strength testing
• Joint and muscle assessment
• Functional or sport-specific testing

This approach helps identify not just where the pain is, but what is contributing to it, allowing us to guide a more effective recovery.

A structured approach to recovery and performance

Managing sports injuries involves more than just rest and short-term treatment. Our approach combines:

• Hands-on manual therapy, where appropriate
• Targeted exercise rehabilitation to restore strength and control
• Load management to safely return to activity
• Education around injury, recovery timelines, and prevention

We work with you (and your coach if required) to create a clear, goal-focused plan, whether that’s returning to training, playing a full game, or improving performance.

Return to sport and performance testing

A key part of our sports physiotherapy service is structured return-to-sport planning.

Where appropriate, we utilise objective assessment tools such as:

• [VALD force plates and dynamometry] for strength and power testing
• Functional and sport-specific testing
• Field and court-based rehabilitation

This allows us to track progress over time and support safer decision-making when returning to sport, helping reduce the risk of re-injury.

Who sports physiotherapy is for

Sports physiotherapy may be appropriate if you:

• Have sustained a recent sporting injury
• Experience recurring pain during or after activity
• Are returning to sport after surgery(e.g. [ACL reconstruction] or [shoulder stabilisation])
• Want guidance with training or load progression
• Are aiming to improve movement, strength or performance

We commonly support people with conditions such as:

• Muscle and ligament injuries
• Tendon-related pain ([Achilles tendinopathy], [patellar tendon pain])
• Shoulder and knee injuries ([rotator cuff injury], [meniscus injury])
• [Ankle sprains]
• Overuse injuries (e.g. [running-related injuries], [shin splints])

A collaborative, patient-centred approach

At Cairns Total Physio, we work collaboratively with you to achieve your goals. Your physiotherapist will guide you through each stage of recovery, adjusting your plan based on your progress and what matters most to you.

Our focus is on helping you return to the activities you enjoy with confidence, control and a clearer understanding of your body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an athlete to see a sports physiotherapist?

No. Sports physiotherapy is suitable for anyone who is physically active — from gym-goers and runners to recreational and weekend sport participants.

What types of sports injuries do we treat at Cairns Total Physio?

We commonly manage muscle strains, ligament injuries, tendon pain, joint injuries, and overuse conditions affecting areas such as the knee, shoulder, ankle and spine.

How do you know when I’m ready to return to sport?

We use a combination of clinical assessment, strength testing and functional performance measures to guide return-to-sport decisions, rather than relying on time alone.

Will I still be given exercises?

Yes. Exercise rehabilitation is a key part of recovery. Your program will be tailored to your injury, sport and goals, and progressed as you improve.

Can sports physiotherapy help prevent injuries?

Yes. By addressing strength, movement patterns and training load, sports physiotherapy can play an important role in reducing injury risk and supporting long-term performance.