Sports injury physio
& rehab in Birkenhead
Injury rehabiliation
Injuries from sports, falls, gym workouts, work, or daily activities can lead to pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility. Seeking professional guidance is crucial to understanding your injury and exploring ways to support your recovery. This helps minimise the risk of ongoing pain, recurring symptoms, or long-term functional limitations.
We provide effective pain relief and develop a personalised management plan to help you regain strength and move toward a full recovery.
Whether you've rolled an ankle on the netball court, tweaked your back lifting at the gym or hurt yourself at work, our Birkenhead physio team will help you understand what's happened and get you back on track – safely and with confidence.
What Makes The Physio Bunker Different
We're not a big chain, and we don't rush you through the door. The Physio Bunker is a locally owned and operated Physiotherapy clinic, started by Leon and built on one simple belief: good physiotherapy takes time. That's why our standard appointments are a full 60 minutes. It gives us time to properly listen, learn about you, your lifestyle and your goals, and thoroughly assess what's really going on, not just where it hurts. With that full picture, we create a care plan that's genuinely built around you, and we stay with you every step of the way. It's the same personal, unhurried care Leon has always offered, and it's why so many of our patients say they finally feel heard.
How Our Injury Rehabilitation Works
Every injury – and every person – is different. Our physiotherapists combine hands-on treatment with a structured, progressive rehab programme built around your goals, whether that's getting back to sport, back to work or simply moving without pain.
Assess and Diagnose
A thorough assessment to understand exactly what's injured, how it happened and what's contributing to your pain.
Settle Pain and Protect
Hands-on treatment, taping, acupuncture or dry needling, and advice on managing load to ease pain and give healing tissues the best chance to recover.
Rebuild Strength and Movement
A progressive exercise programme to restore your mobility, strength, balance and control.
Return To Sport, Work and Life
Sport- and task-specific training so you return with confidence, plus strategies to reduce your risk of re-injury.
ACC injury physio in Birkenhead & the North Shore
No referral needed
Most injuries caused by an accident are covered by ACC. You don't need a GP referral – we can lodge your ACC claim at your first appointment and take care of the paperwork for you. We're also Southern Cross affiliated, and private appointments are available if your injury isn't covered.
Initial consultations are a full 60 minutes, giving us time to properly assess your injury and start treatment. Find us at Level 1, 10 Birkenhead Avenue – easy to reach from Northcote, Beach Haven, Glenfield and across the North Shore.
Injuries we treat
As sports injury physios, we treat a wide range of new and ongoing injuries. Tap an injury to see what you might notice, how it happens and how we'll help you recover.
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What you might notice: Sudden pain during a game or training, swelling or bruising, difficulty putting weight through a limb, or a joint that feels loose or unstable.
How it happens: Tackles and collisions, awkward landings, sudden changes of direction, or pushing on through fatigue – in rugby, football, netball, running, golf and more.
How we help: We'll diagnose the injury, settle pain and swelling, and take you through a structured rehab programme – finishing with sport-specific drills and a clear, safe plan for getting back to training and competition.
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What you might notice: Rapid swelling, bruising and pain after rolling your ankle; a knee that 'pops', gives way, locks or clicks; or pain at the front of the knee when running, squatting or using stairs.
How it happens: Rolling an ankle on uneven ground, twisting on a planted foot, a direct knock, or increasing running or jumping too quickly. These can involve ligament sprains (including ACL and MCL injuries), meniscus problems or runner's knee.
How we help: We'll assess what's been injured and how stable the joint is, and arrange imaging or a specialist opinion if it's needed. Then we'll settle swelling, restore movement and rebuild strength, balance and control to reduce the risk of it happening again.
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What you might notice: A sudden sharp pain or 'grab' in the back of your thigh, calf, groin or the front of your thigh, followed by tightness, tenderness and sometimes bruising.
How it happens: Sprinting, kicking, sudden acceleration or overstretching – especially when you're fatigued, haven't warmed up properly or have recently increased your training.
How we help: We'll grade the injury, get you moving early with the right amount of load, and progress your strength and speed through a graded return-to-running and return-to-sport plan, so you're less likely to strain it again.
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What you might notice: Pain lifting your arm or reaching behind your back, weakness, clicking, a feeling that the shoulder might slip out, or pain lying on that side at night.
How it happens: Falling onto an outstretched arm, tackles, heavy or repetitive lifting, throwing, or a dislocation.
How we help: We'll work out which structures are involved, calm things down with hands-on treatment and activity advice, then rebuild rotator cuff and shoulder blade strength so you can lift, reach and play with confidence.
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What you might notice: Sharp or aching pain in your lower back, shoulder, hip or knee during or after a session, stiffness the next day, or pain that stops you lifting what you normally can.
How it happens: Increasing weight or volume too quickly, fatigue, technique breaking down under load, or not enough recovery between sessions.
How we help: Wherever possible we'll keep you training – settling the pain, modifying your programme and refining your technique, then building you back up to your usual lifts and beyond.
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What you might notice: Pain that started after lifting, carrying or a slip at work, or discomfort that builds through the day with repetitive tasks, desk work or long periods on your feet.
How it happens: Manual handling, repetitive movements, awkward postures or accidents on site.
How we help: We'll treat the injury, give you practical advice for your role and work alongside ACC to support a safe, planned return to work – including modified duties where needed.
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What you might notice: Pain, swelling or bruising after a slip, trip or fall, stiffness once a cast or brace comes off, or feeling unsteady and less confident on your feet.
How it happens: Tripping on steps or uneven footpaths, slipping in the wet, falls around the house or accidents during everyday activities.
How we help: We'll treat sprains and bruising, provide post-fracture rehab once you've been cleared by your doctor, and work on your strength and balance to help you feel steady and confident again.
Testimonials
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and book below.
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No. You can book directly without a referral from a doctor. As for ACC, we can submit them on your behalf during the first appointment.
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Initial and follow-up session pricing is available above. ACC rates may differ.
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We treat back pain, neck pain, shoulder injuries, sports injuries, and general rehabilitation. We do injury rehabilitation, pre & post operative rehabilitation, alongside acupuncture / dry needling, TPI golf screening and sports massages.
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We aim to offer appointments within the same week, depending on availability. Clicking the book now button above will let you see the availability we have.
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A full assessment, diagnosis and creation of a personalised treatment plan to help get you fit and healthy as soon as possible.