Sports Physiotherapy

Whether returning from injury or looking to improve performance, sports physiotherapy at our Manchester clinic supports athletes through every stage of training and recovery, helping them move with better control and perform with confidence.

athlete back in the game after undergoing physiotherapy
athlete back in the game after undergoing physiotherapy
Athlete tests performance in practice match following sports injury physiotherapy

Specialist Services

Our Sports Physiotherapy in Manchester

To understand what is impacting your performance, sports physiotherapy and rehabilitation at our clinic in Manchester begins with a focused assessment of movement, strength, response to load, and injury history. We regularly support athletes with:

1. Lower Back & Spinal Pain

Lower back and spinal pain linked to repeated loading and rotation, commonly seen in sports such as football, rugby, golf, and weightlifting, and often experienced as stiffness or discomfort during movement.

2. Shoulder, Elbow & Wrist Injuries

Upper limb injuries affecting the shoulder, elbow, or wrist, usually associated with throwing, striking, or lifting in sports like tennis, cricket, rugby, and gym-based training.

3. Hip, Pelvis & Rotational Restrictions

Hip, pelvis, and groin issues affecting mobility and movement control, which are commonly seen in sports involving sprinting, kicking, and directional changes, such as football and athletics.

4. Knee Injuries & Instability

Knee injuries and instability linked to jumping, landing, and pivoting in sports like football, netball, and basketball often affecting confidence and performance.

5. Overuse Injuries & Performance-Related Pain

Overuse injuries and persistent pain commonly seen in sports such as running and cycling, where repetitive demand over time can gradually affect consistency and performance.
Athlete tests performance in practice match following sports injury physiotherapy

How We Assess

How We Assess Your Injury

At the Elite Performance Physio MCR clinic, our physiotherapy assessments consider the demands of your sport and athletic injury to support sustainable, progressive recovery.

Our Assessment

By exploring a range of contributing factors, we identify and deepen our understanding of what may be driving pain, injury risk, or reduced performance throughout your training and during competition.

This may include evaluating:

  • Assessment of movement patterns, joint function, and control relevant to your sport
  • Review of training history, injury timeline, and current physical demands
  • Identification of biomechanical or physical factors that may increase injury risk


This gives us clear direction for the next steps and which physiotherapy services to add, ensuring your rehabilitation aligns with the demands of your sport.

Why This Helps Our Physiotherapists

This allows our Manchester-based sports physiotherapists to:

  • Identify the root causes of sport-related pain
  • Recognise movement patterns that increase injury risk
  • Understanding the biomechanics unique to your sport or performance


As a result, your treatment is aligned with the technical and physical demands of your sport, supporting long-term resilience and a confident return to activity.

Dan Turnell Physiotherapist consulting with a client
Dan Turnell Physiotherapist consulting with a client
Gymnast performing on hoops after getting sports injury rehabilitation
Gymnast performing on hoops after getting sports injury rehabilitation

Our Approach

How Sports Physiotherapy Works

Each stage of our sports physiotherapy and rehabilitation is structured to support your progression from injury to a full return, with a focus on movement quality and load management.

Step 1: Sports Physiotherapy Assessment

Your journey begins with a detailed assessment to understand your injury history, biomechanics, and how movement or loading demands are affecting performance.

Step 2: Identifying Biomechanical & Sport-Specific Factors

We then conduct targeted movement analysis and clinical testing to assess joint function, strength, and control, helping to confirm the underlying causes identified during assessment.

Step 3: Targeted Treatment & Rehabilitation Planning

Using your assessment and testing findings, we develop a personalised treatment and rehabilitation plan focused on your sustainable recovery. This may include sports massage, proprioceptive training, and manual therapy.

Step 4: Progressive Return to Training & Performance

Rehabilitation is progressed in stages, building strength, control, and load tolerance to support a safe and structured return to training, competition, or high-level sports activity.

Step 5: Ongoing Support & Collaborative Rehabilitation

We provide ongoing support and, where needed, coordinate with coaches, fitness trainers, and specialist consultants to help athletes and active individuals maintain progress in physiotherapy and reduce the risk of injury recurrence.

What Our Clients Say

Our clients are at the heart of everything we do

Hear from clients who have elevated their performance and long-term well-being with our expert-led care.

FAQs

Your Questions About Sports Physiotherapy

Who is sports physiotherapy suitable for?

Our sports physiotherapy is suitable for anyone involved in sport or regular physical activity, from recreational participants to competitive and elite athletes. We also support individuals returning to activity after injury or following extended periods without training.

Do I need to be injured to book a sports physiotherapy appointment?

No. Our sports physiotherapy is not limited to injury rehabilitation. It can also support performance by improving movement efficiency, strength, and load tolerance, while identifying potential risk factors to optimise training and reduce the risk of injury.

What types of injuries do you treat?

We treat a wide range of sports-related injuries, including:

  • Acute injuries such as muscle strains and ligament sprains
  • Overuse conditions, including tendinopathies and stress-related pain
  • Movement-related issues affecting the back, joints, muscles, and tendons


Our approach focuses on identifying the underlying factors contributing to your injury, helping guide effective treatment and long-term recovery.

How is sports physiotherapy different from general physiotherapy?

General physiotherapy focuses on managing pain and restoring normal movement for daily activity. In contrast, sports physiotherapy is designed around the demands of training and competition, assessing movement, biomechanics, and load to rebuild strength, control, and performance capacity.

How do you work alongside coaches or other professionals?

Where appropriate, we work closely with coaches, fitness professionals, and specialist consultants across Greater Manchester to ensure your rehabilitation is well-coordinated and aligned with your training and performance goals.