Geraldine Physiotherapy

30/04/2026

🎉 Celebrating 7 Years!

This month marks 7 years of our physiotherapy practice serving this amazing community in our current location.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built and how far we’ve come over that time.

From day one, our goal has always been simple — to provide high-quality care and support to help people move and feel better.

What makes this milestone truly special is you — our community.

Your loyalty, trust, and support mean everything to us, and we genuinely cherish the relationships we’ve built along the way.

We’re also very proud of our team. The dedication, professionalism, and care shown by our staff every day is what makes this place what it is.

Thank you for being part of our journey over the past 7 years — we look forward to many more ahead!

The Geraldine Physiotherapy Team

2019 to 2026.

18/04/2026

Hip & Knee Replacement – Surgery Is Only Part of the Journey

Hip and knee replacements can be life-changing procedures, but the best outcomes don’t come from surgery alone.

Evidence shows that physiotherapy before and after joint replacement plays a key role in recovery. Pre-surgery physiotherapy (“prehab”) can improve strength, function and patient confidence going into surgery, while structured post-operative rehabilitation helps restore movement, strength and overall function.

At our clinic we regularly help patients preparing for Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement surgery with:
• Pre-operative strengthening and mobility work�• Education about what to expect after surgery�• Early post-operative rehabilitation�• Progressive strengthening and return to activity

We also really appreciate the orthopaedic surgeons who recommend physiotherapy both before and after surgery.

This approach reflects best practice and evidence-based care, and ultimately helps patients achieve better outcomes.

It’s important to remember:

👉 The surgeon performs the operation
�👉 You and your physiotherapist do the rehabilitation

The work you put in before and after surgery can make a huge difference to your final result.

If you’re waiting for a hip or knee replacement or have recently had surgery, physiotherapy can help guide your recovery and get you back to the activities you enjoy.

01/04/2026

I really love New Zealand music so how cool to chat to this feller today!!

Super fun to have a yarn to a true Geraldine legend, Jordan Luck.

I couldn’t resist trying to convince him to come back and play a gig in Geraldine or at the Woodbury Hall.

Certainly one of New Zealand’s best ever singer and song writers!!

Fingers crossed we see him back on stage soon!

31/03/2026

A big thank you to Bidwill Hospital for allowing Olivia the opportunity to observe a theatre session with Mr Sean Van Heerden.

It was a fantastic learning experience and a great opportunity to see how other health professionals work together in a surgical setting.

Observing surgical procedures and the teamwork involved provides valuable insight that helps us continue improving the care we provide our patients.

We really appreciate the time and support from the team at Bidwill Hospital, the patients for allowing Olivia to view the procedures and Mr Van Heerden.

27/03/2026

Acute Low Back Pain

As physios, we’ve truly heard it all — “my back’s out,” “I’ve slipped a disc,” “I just need a crack,” or “my pelvis is out and one leg’s longer than the other.”

Often, these phrases even come from health professionals and they can create unnecessary fear and confusion for patients.

Clear, accurate language matters, because what we say has a powerful influence on how people understand their pain and their confidence to recover.

While these phrases can sound scary, the reality is they’re almost always misleading, and most back pain is far less serious (and far more treatable) than people think.

Common Myths

1. “I’ve slipped a disc”
👉 Most acute back pain is not due to a disc “slipping.” Discs don’t actually slip—at worst, they may bulge or irritate, and many people with disc changes have no pain at all.

2. “I need a scan to know what’s wrong”
👉 Early imaging (X-ray/MRI) is rarely needed. Findings often don’t correlate with pain and can lead to unnecessary worry.

3. “I should rest until it settles”
👉 Prolonged rest can slow recovery. Gentle movement and staying active (within reason) is one of the best things you can do.

4. “I’ve done serious damage”
👉 Acute back pain is very common and usually not serious. The back is strong and resilient.

5. “Pain equals harm”
👉 Pain doesn’t always mean injury. It’s often a sign of a sensitised system, not structural damage.

🔹 A Key Takeaway for Patients

👉 “Your back is strong, adaptable, and designed to move. Pain is real—but it doesn’t always mean damage.”

21/03/2026

Shockwave therapy: Because stubborn tendons sometimes need a wake-up call, not another stretch.

Targeted, evidence-based, and no nonsense—it kicks healing into gear so you can get back to doing what you actually want to do.

17/03/2026

At Geraldine Physiotherapy we’re incredibly proud of the team we have built.

Our physiotherapists and administration staff work together to create a professional, welcoming environment where patients feel supported from the moment they walk through the door.

What truly makes our team special is the genuine care and empathy they bring to their work each day. They understand how important it is to help people return to the activities that matter most—whether that’s work, sport, or everyday life in our community. It’s this shared commitment to professionalism, teamwork and patient care that makes Geraldine Physiotherapy such a great team to be part of.

12/03/2026

Winter sport season is just around the corner, and many of you are already getting stuck into preseason training for your chosen sport.

Preparing your body now can help you perform better, reduce injuries, and enjoy the season ahead. ❄️🏉🏑🏐⛷️

07/03/2026

27/02/2026

We are proud to have Liz Ball as the only qualified Registered Hand Therapist working in private practice in South Canterbury.

Liz provides expert assessment and treatment for:
✔️ Finger injuries
✔️ Hand injuries
✔️ Wrist injuries
✔️ Thumb injuries
✔️ Elbow injuries

Whether you’ve had a fracture, tendon injury, sprain, post-surgical repair, or ongoing pain, Liz offers specialised, evidence-based care to help you regain strength, movement and confidence.

✅ ACC Hand Therapy Contract Benefits:
• Selected bracing is covered by ACC under the hand therapy contract
• Initial ACC appointments: $65
• ACC follow-up appointments: $10

If you’ve injured your hand, wrist or elbow, early treatment can make all the difference.

📞 Get in touch with us today to book an appointment with Liz and start your recovery journey.

25/02/2026

🧠 Concussion Recovery – Don’t Just “Wait It Out”. Just ‘resting’ is NOT the answer!!

Had a knock to the head?

Still feeling foggy, dizzy, headachy, or “not quite right”?

Concussion symptoms can include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness/Vertigo/Vestibular or balance problems
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Neck pain

The good news? ✅

Active, guided rehabilitation is now the gold standard for concussion recovery.

At our Geraldine physiotherapy clinic, we assess and treat:

✔️ Vestibular (dizziness & balance) issues
✔️ Neck-related symptoms
✔️ Return-to-sport planning
✔️ Return-to-work guidance
✔️ Persistent post-concussion symptoms

You don’t have to push through it alone.

Come in and see one of our physiotherapists who has years of concussion and Vestibular rehabilitation experience

📞 Book an assessment today and get a clear recovery plan.

Geraldine Physiotherapy
03 6936130.