Physiotherapy Services

Welcome to Back in Motion, Dunedin’s premiere Pilate's and Physiotherapy Clinic. Our philosophy is comprehensive care to get remarkable results.

In order to achieve the best possible outcome, we have some of Dunedin’s most experienced heath providers.

 Back in Motion are made up of 2 sites within Dunedin, all providing a range of services including:

• Spinal Therapy
• Manipulative Physiotherapy
• Sports Physiotherapy
• Pilates
• Massage Therapy

Sports Physio

The Physiotherapists of Back in Motion have been working with athletes for over 15 years. The athletes have competed at an international, national and local level. The sports teams have included the Highlanders, Otago Rugby, New Zealand University Rugby, University of Otago Rugby , Otago Football and the Otago Nuggets Basketball team.

 In more recent years Back in Motion has been involved with the local football community. Dusty has been involved with the Otago Youth development team that competes in the prestigious Milk Cup in Northern Ireland. Back in Motion also sponsors the Roslyn Wakari, Caversham and Dunedin Technical football teams . Back in Motion currently provides physiotherapy services to the Otago United Football team.

Other sports that Back in Motion continue to offer assistance to include Paralympians, Dunedin Roller Derby, Ballet students and Gymnastics.

The unique Pilates settings functional exercise programmes can be developed for the needs of the athlete. Other services included: sports massage, acupuncture, myofascial release, pre and post surgery rehabilitation and breathing retraining.

Strength and Conditioning

The team at Back in Motion are all trained in muscle balance assessment and both mat and machine Pilates to get client’s strength and conditioning underway. This approach ensures the correct movement patterns and control are developed for clients to progress their strength and conditioning training to the next level.

At Back In Motion we see numerous people suffering from lower back pain (LBP). A common sign after evaluating a person suffering from LBP is that they have forgotten how to bend properly in a safe manner. We all remember the saying ‘don’t use your back like a crane’ but often people suffering from LBP are not strong enough to bend using their knees and hips and therefore bend from the back, making the back pain worse. We believe for the successful rehabilitation and prevention of LBP a person must have adequate core control to stabilise the back and also lower leg strength in order to bend from the hips and the knees.

These important strength areas are well catered for at Back in Motion through the utilisation of the Pilates equipment and strength equipment we have available to our physiotherapists.

Back In Motion also run strengthening programmes at the Jetts Fitness centre.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of therapy in which fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body. It can be an effective treatment for pain, inflammation, swelling and muscle spasm. Back in Motion has several Physiotherapists that have completed postgraduate studies in Acupuncture and are registered acupuncturists. Our therapists only use single-use, sterile, disposable needles.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is a useful physiotherapy modality where the patient can perform water-based exercise in semi-weightless environment. The heated physiotherapy pool on Cumberland Street can be utilised upon request to undertake hydrotherapy treatment sessions specific to the client’s needs. Our physiotherapists design specialised programs that aim to enhance the overall health and well being of the client. Other benefits of hydrotherapy include:

• strengthening of weakened muscles

• total body mobilisation in a semi-weightless environment

• reducing pain

• enhancing muscle relaxation

We have had great treatment results using hydrotherapy for patients with osteoarthritis, lower back pain, knee and hip joint pain and post surgical recovery.

Spinal Manipulative Therapy

Spinal manipulation is a treatment involving a series of progressive movement techniques that our physiotherapists use to help relieve stiffness and reduce pain throughout the spine. As well as restoring movement and reducing pain, manipulation and mobilisation techniques are successfully used to reduce the effects of whiplash and chronic headaches.

With the increase in desk related work and sedentary lifestyles, we are treating an increasing number of patients with stiff and painful neck and backs. Interestingly, we are finding that people with stiff mid-backs (Thoracic spine) can develop breathing problems and can ultimately lead to a reduction in energy levels. We find that mobilising and manipulating the thoracic spine helps improve the movement of the ribs and enhance breathing performance.

All three Back in Motion directors have extensive experience in spinal manipulation. Kerryn and Graeme have post-graduate diplomas in manipulation while Dusty is the president of the New Zealand Physiotherapy Manipulation Association.

Joint Mobilisation Techniques

Joint mobilisation techniques are utilised for both assessment and treatment. These can range from gentle pressure (to assist with pain relief) to a greater pressure (to assist with joint stiffness) to get the desired results.