Thornton Physiotherapy uses the best evidence and methods to bring an expert standard of care to all patients. Let us get you back to your personal best!!
13/11/2025
Ever wondered if your physio can send you for an X-ray? 🤔
The answer is yes — and knowing this could save you hours in the ED or a trip to the GP.
In our latest blog, I break down:
- When physios refer for X-rays
- What the Ottawa Ankle Rules are (and why they matter)
- The pros and cons of going to ED, GP, or Physio
If you’ve rolled an ankle, jarred a knee, or just want the right diagnosis fast — this one’s for you.
Last week, we had an incredible development session with the team — and wow, they’re not your ordinary dietitians.
These guys don’t just tell you what to eat — they help you understand why you eat the way you do.
It’s not about strict rules or food guilt — it’s about changing behaviours so you can create sustainable, long-term change.
Because let’s be honest…
Most of us already know what to eat.
But understanding our habits is the real game-changer.
At Thornton Physiotherapy, we see firsthand how nutrition impacts recovery. Without proper fueling, rehab gets harder, especially for bone stress injuries — where under-eating or low energy intake is a major risk factor.
That’s why Compeat Nutrition are our go-to team for helping our patients rebuild strong, resilient bodies from the inside out.
If you’re looking for help with food — whether it’s energy, recovery, or relationship with eating — just ask us next time you’re in.
We’ll happily connect you with the Compeat team so you can start making real, lasting change.
11/11/2025
Some days ask us to move a little slower.
Today, 11 November, all of us at Thornton Physiotherapy pause to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who have served, and those who continue to serve. 🌺
Whether you’re at work, at home, or out and about, we hope you find a quiet moment to reflect, breathe, and feel grateful for the freedoms we live with, and the lives that made them possible.
Lest we forget.
🌺
09/11/2025
🙌 Grateful for Great Mentors
It was awesome catching up last weekend with my good friend and mentor Andrew Nealon.
I had the privilege of working under Andrew during my time with the Central Coast Mariners, and no physio has had a bigger impact on my skills, knowledge, and professional growth than he did.
Andrew’s mentorship shaped the way I think, treat, and lead — and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities and wisdom he shared.
It was great to reconnect at the course this weekend, swap ideas, and reflect on how much those early lessons still guide the way I practice today.
Here’s to the mentors who raise the bar and keep inspiring the next generation of physios. 🙏
07/11/2025
Before you get that cortisone shot… watch this 🎥
I just posted a quick video breaking down what cortisone actually does for knee pain — and when it can do more harm than good.
👉 When cortisone works
👉 Why it’s not a long-term fix
👉 What to do instead to build a stronger, healthier knee
Is cortisone the quick fix your knee needs — or just a short-term patch? 🤔
We see this question all the time: “Will a cortisone injection help my knee pain?”
Here’s the truth ⤵️
✅ It’s powerful short-term
❌ But it can lead to more pain and swelling later
⚠️ And if a knee replacement is on the cards, cortisone can delay surgery by 6–12 months
Before you book the needle, check out our latest blog where I explain what the research says — and what to do instead to get lasting results.
Meet Matt “Cookie” Koch – Our New Physiotherapist! 🍪
We’re excited to welcome Matt Koch (aka Cookie — yes, like the Cookie Monster 🍪) to the Thornton Physiotherapy team! 🙌
Matt brings a fantastic mix of clinical skill and down-to-earth energy to the clinic. He has a strong interest in men’s health, BPPV (vertigo), and sports injuries, and he’s passionate about helping people move confidently again — whether that’s getting back on the field or just back to doing what they love.
Outside the clinic, you’ll usually find Matt at the beach, camping, or heading off-road on a 4WD adventure. He’s the kind of physio who’ll help you set goals that fit your lifestyle — and keep you accountable (and laughing) along the way.
We’re thrilled to have him on board and can’t wait for you to meet him in person!
Last week, Amy, David, and Murray headed down to the Central Coast for a fantastic professional development course at Aspire Physiotherapy Centre, run by the legendary Peter Eckhardt. 🙌
This one was all about the so-called “soft skills” — the conversations, small talk, and language cues that actually make a huge difference to patient outcomes.
Because let’s face it… being a great physio isn’t just about knowing anatomy or rehab protocols — it’s about connection - reading people, building trust, and speaking in ways that motivate lasting change.
We worked on everything from refining our clinical language to perfecting the art of good banter (for science, of course 😄).
Courses like this are rare outside the big cities, and we loved bringing the insights back to help our patients get the best experience — and results — possible. 💪
02/11/2025
Does strength training stunt your growth? 🤔
It’s a fair question — and one we hear often from parents wanting to do the right thing for their kids.
In this week’s vlog, Murray talks through the facts, the fears, and what a safe, age-appropriate approach to strength training really looks like.
If you’ve got a young athlete at home, this one’s a must-watch.
Here’s the link to the vlog 👉 https://tinyurl.com/cwxk2ym9
31/10/2025
Team Growth in Action 👣
This week’s in-service was led by our very own Matt Hicking, our talented new graduate physiotherapist — and he absolutely nailed it! 🙌
Matt presented on “Drugs and the Enhanced Games” and shared an in-depth update on best practice management for plantar heel pain (one of the most common causes of heel pain we see in clinic).
He provided fantastic insights into the latest evidence-based approaches, and it’s been amazing to see how much his clinical reasoning and confidence have grown this year.
We couldn’t be prouder of the progress he’s made — it’s a great reminder that learning never stops, and our team is always levelling up to deliver the best care possible. 💪
30/10/2025
“Won’t lifting weights stunt your growth?” 💪
It’s one of those myths that just won’t die — but science has well and truly buried it.
Strength training (done right) can actually support growth, coordination, and injury prevention in young athletes.
Curious about what the research really says (and how to train safely at any age)?
A patient asked me this week: “Which exercise is best for Achilles pain?”
Here’s the thing — the eccentric heel drop is the most researched, but the best exercise is always the one that fits you. 💪
In this clip, I’m showing a few simple ways to unlock Achilles pain relief at home — moves that actually make a difference.
If you want the full breakdown (what works, what doesn’t, and how to know when to push harder), watch the full vlog here 🎥
👉 https://tinyurl.com/53c2cfe4
And if your Achilles is still being dramatic, book in — we’ll get it stronger, not sorer.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/25x7tm5s
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Thornton Physiotherapy is the first physiotherapy clinic in the area.
Our goal is to provide the thriving Thornton community with a space that houses exceptional physios trained to deliver world class physiotherapy and injury rehabilitation. Whether you hurt yourself making the bed or from been a weekend warrior we understand that each injury and each body is unique.
To this extent you can expect -
A rigorous assessment that delves deeper than the superficial issues that may be masking the true cause of your injury.
Treatment that is tailored to your specific injury - at Thornton Physiotherapy we pride ourselves on delivering the best in evidence based medicine to each individual. We believe that no matter your background you deserve the same care, attention, results and healing that we provide to our elite athletes. To that extent our goal is to ensure that we return each patient back to their own personal best.
A plan designed to keep you at your best - we want to deliver a service that helps you heal and control your own future, not one that relies on constant consults.
We believe that exercise is the most potent and under utilised medicine. Underpinning that mantra we have created a purpose built rehabilitation gym and use exercise to help promote your bodies healing response and stimulate it to grow stronger to resist all future injuries.
