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.

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Specialist Services

Our Sports Physiotherapy in Manchester

Sports physiotherapy 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, 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.

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How We Assess

How We Assess Your Injury

At the Elite Performance Physio MCR clinic, our sports physiotherapy assessments use the same structured approach we use with elite and professional athletes, considering the demands of your sport, the source of your injury, and the physical capacity required to return without setbacks.

Our Assessment

By exploring a range of contributing factors, we identify what may be driving pain, injury risk, or reduced performance throughout your training and during competition. This may include evaluating:

Movement patterns, joint function, and control relevant to your sport
Training history, injury timeline, and current physical demands
Biomechanical or physical factors that may increase injury risk

This gives us clear direction for the next steps and which physiotherapy services to draw on, 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 rather than treating symptoms in isolation
Recognise movement patterns that increase injury risk
Understand the biomechanics unique to your sport or performance

As a result, your treatment is aligned with the technical and physical demands of your sport, bringing the same clinical depth we apply with elite and professional athletes to every athlete we work with.

Conditions We Treat

Sport Injuries that we specialise in

Sports injuries vary considerably depending on the sport, the structures involved, and the demands of training and competition. Our sports physiotherapy supports the full range of presentations we see in practice.

Knee Injuries

Ligament injuries, patellofemoral pain, and meniscal complaints from jumping, landing, and pivoting in sports such as football, netball, and basketball.

See our sports knee pain page for knee-specific complaints.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder, elbow, and wrist injuries linked to throwing, striking, and lifting in sports such as tennis, cricket, rugby, and gym-based training.

See our sports shoulder pain page for shoulder-specific complaints.

Hip and Groin Injuries

Hip, pelvis, and groin issues affecting mobility and control, common in sprinting, kicking, and change-of-direction sports such as football and athletics.

Back and Spinal Pain

Lower back and spinal pain linked to repeated loading and rotation, commonly seen in football, rugby, golf, and weightlifting.

Overuse Injuries

Tendinopathies and overuse complaints common in running, cycling, and endurance sport, where repetitive loading over time gradually affects consistency and performance.

Our Approach

How Sports Physiotherapy Works

Each stage of our sports physiotherapy applies the same structured framework we use with elite and professional athletes, progressing you from injury to a full return, with a focus on movement quality, objective measures, 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, with the same clinical depth we bring to elite and professional athletes.

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 and reduce the risk of injury recurrence.

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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.

Google Reviews

“Block book appointments to avoid disappointment! A professional vocalists best kept secret!! Dan has become a staple to my busy life as a performer. I try to book in as regular as possible if he has a slot available. Dan is amazing, the best in the business. I always leave feeling more relaxed, with clearer tone and ready for performance mode again. I have recommended him to other performers, reluctantly because i want to always make sure I can get an appointment. Thank you Dan!”

Chesqua - Professional Singer

10/10 physio! I first went to see Henry a few months ago as I started to experience shin splints while training for Manchester marathon. Henry took the time to understand what was going on, what my goals were, and what my strengths/weaknesses were, always structuring our sessions around my needs and preferences. Thanks to Henry, my pain was manageable throughout my training and I made it through the marathon pain-free! I thoroughly enjoyed our sessions and couldn’t recommend enough – thank you for everything! 🙂

Isabel Hague

“Dan is without doubt one of the best in his field of work. His knowledge and expertise is second to none. He has helped me not only physically by putting together a specialised plan for my injuries, but also mentally helping me understand by explaining everything throughly and intricately. Dan is warm, friendly and he genuinely cares about each of his clients. My sessions with Dan have not only begun to heal my injuries, but I have built strength, gained knowledge and it’s boosted my confidence. I come out of my sessions with spring in my step!”

Laura Harrison - Professional Music Theatre Performer

“After struggling with my knee for a few months, Dan popped round to make an assessment. He was clear, thoughtful, understood my lifestyle and my desire to get moving. He provided advice, guidance and hands on treatment that helped deal with the swelling and pain. I have recommended him to my son and you only do that when you trust someone to make a difference. Thank you Dan.”

Clare Hayward -Director At Cirus

Highly recommend!! Without a doubt the best Physiotherapy clinic i have been to. Outstanding! i had a shoulder injury which is so much better. Im back at the gym and loving each workout. Thank you Henry for all the treatments.

Mohammed Rauf

“I’ve had the pleasure of being treated by Dan on two separate jobs, where he looked after my feet and voice. In only a few sessions I regained total mobility in my feet in a physically intensive show, and more recently have been making use of his vocal massage skills for a vocally demanding role. Dan has an amazing way of finding the crux of the issue and will resolve it with ease, reassurance and expertise. I would recommend Dan to anyone!”

Jed Berry - West End actor

“Dan is an extraordinarily effective physio who has helped me immediately with various joint and muscle problems over the last year and a half. In addition to the treatment he clearly explains the cause of the problems and gives exercises focusing on prevention of reoccurrence and strengthening of the area involved. I feel in great shape thanks to the treatment, core exercises and the inspiration he has given me to get back to running and exercising.”

A. Zuntz - Professional violinist

“An actress friend recommended Dan to me as I needed a vocal massage. I was on tour and my voice was getting tired. I didn’t think I would find someone in Manchester but then my friend told me about Dan. He was amazing. A really nice guy, I immediately felt comfortable and relaxed and he was so good. My voice felt so much better the next day. After that I saw him weekly, not just for my voice but for all the injuries I was sustaining on tour. He fixed my neck, back and calf, and I can’t thank him enough!”

Hayley Tamaddon - Professional actor

“I was referred to Dan by an NHS Speech and Language Therapist for laryngeal physiotherapy. Not only has Dan really helped me with this side of things, but he has also provided manual therapy and exercises for symptoms caused by autoimmune conditions and chronic pain. I am appreciative that Dan has liaised with the other healthcare professionals involved in my care as part of a holistic approach, and they have also appreciated this. He is honest and will tell you if something is likely to help or not and what may be realistic, and reviews your goals with you regularly. I would recommend him to anyone.”

Alexandra Brown - NHS psychologist

Henry is a really great physio providing sound advice and he really listens to your issues wisely continually assessing progress to. Starting with the basics and fundamentals of strength to help my knee has been really helpful. Communications are clear and very understanding with bookings.

Declan Brady

“Daniel has a real ability to understand his clients’ needs and implement the most powerful and integrative treatments. Superb in communication and application, he makes a real and lasting difference for successful recovery and physical development. With specific and varying needs, I always come away feeling empowered and reinvigorated. Dan’s the man and I will travel far and wide to get an appointment. Thanks Daniel!”

Rik Makarem - Professional actor

“Dan has helped me a lot with my piano playing related injuries and has gone further than any other physio I’ve had to combat the problem. I return regularly not only to maintain my wellbeing but to have a catch up too. I highly recommend Dan to anyone!”

Mackenzie Paget - Classical pianist

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. 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.