From chronic back pain and sports injuries to pregnancy aches and postpartum recovery, physiotherapy can be helpful at all stages of life. Here, we talk to top physiotherapists about the conditions they treat and the benefits of seeing an experienced physio in Singapore.
Edge Healthcare
Edge Healthcare is a leading, evidenced-based physio in Singapore with locations in the CBD (#06-02 139 Cecil Street) and Orchard (#11-01 The Forum, 583 Orchard Road). The practice prides itself on being research-led and forward-thinking in its methods and treatments, and providing quality, personalised care in an approachable and friendly clinic setting.
All of Edge Healthcare’s therapists are committed to getting patients back to full functionality as quickly as possible so that they can return to full health. The Edge Healthcare team takes the time to address patients’ concerns and put their minds at ease; they do this with thorough clinical examinations, full explanations of their findings and diagnoses, and by providing the most appropriate and effective treatments – or referring patients for further investigations as necessary.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, Edge Healthcare physiotherapists work closely with other medical and health professionals, including general practitioners, sports physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, cardiac surgeons, midwives, podiatrists, personal trainers and sports coaches to help achieve the best result for clients.
Hear from Catherine O’Brien, physiotherapist at Edge Healthcare Orchard:
“As a physiotherapist, every day is different and I am constantly meeting new people and facing new challenges. My favourite part of working as a physiotherapy specialist is watching my patients recover and return to what they enjoy. I often feel like I’m putting together pieces of a puzzle – finding the root cause of an injury and figuring out what I can do to help. It is fulfilling to help people recover from injury, and often, patients are so appreciative of even the smallest step in the recovery process.
Normally, a first session involves a detailed discussion about the path that brought the patient through the door, a series of observations or tests to identify the root cause of the problem and an overall evaluation to get a diagnosis. The cause of the injury will be discussed as well as an overall treatment plan. There are many different treatments and skills at our disposal, which we can use during the session. This includes manual therapy, progressive rehabilitation exercises, strength and conditioning, dry needling and Pilates. The treatment will never be a replicated recipe; rather, each treatment plan is tailored to what the individual patient wants to achieve.”
Cecil Street and Orchard Road
6222 4766 | edgehealthcare.com.sg
City Osteopathy & Physiotherapy
This holistic healthcare practice in Singapore has branches in the CBD, Bukit Timah and Novena. City’s experienced team of over 25 practitioners includes osteopaths, physiotherapists, women’s health experts, sports massage and lymphatic drainage therapists. They all work together to provide care for patients of all ages.
For the initial physiotherapy consultation, a thorough assessment is conducted to determine the underlying factors that may be contributing to the patient’s condition and pain. Following the diagnosis, the physiotherapist discusses the direction of the treatment plan with the patient. Treatment typically involves manual therapy, which can be in the form of soft tissue releases, joint mobilisations or stretch therapy, and exercises. Occasionally, adjuncts such as therapeutic ultrasound, dry needling, shockwave therapy or sports taping are utilised as well. The physiotherapist will also prescribe suitable exercises or stretches for patients as part of their home exercise programme.
Hear from Wan Hui Yip, City’s clinical lead for pelvic health physiotherapy:
“Women’s and men’s health issues such as incontinence, sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain can negatively affect one’s quality of life. Unfortunately, awareness of conservative management options is low. I chose to specialise in this area, as I believe that anyone with these issues should be empowered with the knowledge of why they experience them, and how they can be managed with exercises and lifestyle modifications, alongside any medical management that is required.
Many people with pelvic health issues only seek help after enduring their symptoms for some time due to embarrassment or not knowing where to seek help from. I enjoy the privilege of discussing these problems with them and helping them to understand the contributing factors to their symptoms. I find it very satisfying when clients become empowered to take active steps towards recovery and improved quality of life.
The pelvic floor is like any other muscle in the body, it needs to be exercised regularly to ensure optimal function. It is a good idea to visit a pelvic health physiotherapist to understand your pelvic floor function and learn the correct way of activating and relaxing it before problems surface.”
CBD, Bukit Timah, Novena
6222 2451| cityosteophysio.com
Focus Movement
Focus Movement is an integrated Pilates, physiotherapy and movement studio that offers a holistic approach to health and fitness. The studio’s Physio-Pilates programme was specially designed to help clients with injury rehabilitation and to improve their fitness, all at the same time. So, whether your goal is to walk without pain or train for a 10K run, the Focus Movement team can support you on your journey every step of the way, no matter your age, fitness level or health condition.
Along with Pilates Reformer and Pilates Mat, the Raffles Place-based studio offers a range of specialised movement classes designed to help different parts of the body or conditions. For example, Stretch & Release helps alleviate muscle tension and joint stiffness, Backcare Reformer is designed specifically for people with back and neck pain, and Prenatal Reformer helps prepare women’s bodies for birth and recovery. Other group classes include Spine & Hip Mobility, and Strength & Conditioning, which incorporates Pilates exercises and suspension training.
In addition to Pilates and exercise treatment, the studio’s team of experienced physiotherapists use manual physiotherapy techniques like joint mobilisation and soft tissue massage, and electrotherapy, for optimal results. Specialising in everything from back pain, sports injuries and orthopaedic conditions to neurological disorders and post-surgery recovery therapy, their goal is not just to treat the symptoms but also get to the root cause of the condition itself.
Hear from head physiotherapist Dragana Obajdin, who has over 30 years of experience as a physio, and more than 15 years of experience practising Rehabilitation Pilates:
“At Focus Movement, you can expect a physiotherapist to assess your condition, then work with you to improve strength, and stabilise your core and other muscles, through a combination of physio and Pilates work.
We are one of the only clinics in Singapore to offer 60-minute initial physiotherapy assessments. We want to ensure you get assessment and treatment right from your first session with us.
For me, it is so satisfying to see the improvement of our patients both physically and mentally, and helping them to live their lives without aches and pains.”
Focus Movement
#08-00 RB Capital Building, 22 Malacca Street
6235 3938 | focusmovement.sg
UFIT
Taking a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to recovery and sports rehabilitation, this award-winning clinic is part of popular health and fitness brand, UFIT Singapore. The team believes everyone should have access to the same level of professional care as top athletes. Now, with four locations – Club Street (#01-01 21 Club Street), One-North (#01-02 Galaxis Building), Orchard Central (#06-11) and Fairmont Hotel (80 Bras Basah Road) – UFIT offers a wide range of rehab and wellness services, including physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage therapy, hydrotherapy, Pilates and nutrition.
UFIT’s team of highly qualified and experienced physiotherapists specialise in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic problems, soft tissue injuries, ligament sprains, muscle tears, joint problems, arthritis and post-surgery rehabilitation. Additionally, they have expertise in back and neck pain, whiplash injury, ergonomic advice, sports-related injuries, injury prevention and pre-natal care.
Hear from Jade Sarsero, Senior Physiotherapist:
“As a physiotherapist, I get to see such a variety of clients – from athletes who compete at high levels to 65-year-olds who want to be able to be able to pick up their grandchildren pain-free. There can be two patients with the exact same injury, but present completely differently. Every patient is unique, and it’s my job to get to the bottom of the injury. When a client comes in and tells me that they have achieved their goal with less pain, it leaves me smiling from ear to ear.
One of the most common misconceptions is that you have to be in pain to see a physiotherapist. However, many clients come to us to learn how to prevent or decrease injuries. One example would be a runner who wants to progress from a half marathon to a full marathon. During a session, we can assess to see if there are any areas of weakness and create a strength programme to help decrease the chances of injury. We can also identify any specific risk factors, or things that might trip up a patient along the way. It’s just as satisfying to prevent an injury from happening as it is helping someone to recover from one!”
Club Street, Fairmont Hotel, One-North and Orchard Central
9489 1136 | ufit.com.sg/physiotherapy
HelloPhysio
HelloPhysio’s multidisciplinary team brings sound knowledge of rehabilitation into pain relief practice with the aim of treating musculoskeletal dysfunctions to improve patient outcomes. The clinical team of experts approach rehabilitation, treatment and wellness in a broader context, bringing together the latest evidence-based protocols with adjunct technologies to enhance injury rehabilitation and tissue regeneration – and, ultimately, help patients return to pain-free movement.
Located at Royal Square in Novena, the clinic’s patient empowerment approach underscores the idea that physiotherapy is a catalyst in patient care to improve healing and quicken recovery.
HelloPhysio’s team specialises in sports physio, injury prevention, orthopaedic rehabilitation and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. And the team complements physiotherapy with Clinical Pilates, sports massage therapy, lymphatic drainage, dry needling and craniosacral therapy.
Hear from founding physiotherapist Jenny Huang (24 years of experience with a specialised focus in sports physio and rehab):
“I see my role of working with patients as a catalyst of healing, and patient care as a team approach. At HelloPhysio, we see a lot of post-op patients with back or hip surgeries, and we specialise in the treatment of sports injuries like tennis elbow, runner’s knee and foot pain related to the plantar fascia.
As a runner myself, I know first-hand how an injury impacts an active lifestyle. By combining leading technologies with manual therapy, patient outcomes have benefited through the quickened healing effects for both acute and chronic cases. What I enjoy most is to see patients get back into their daily lifestyles with improved outcomes, faster.”
Read how running changed Jenny’s life here!
101 Irrawaddy Road, Royal Square #10-12
8787 3198 | hellophysio.sg
The Physio Studio Singapore
The Physio Studio Singapore is a physiotherapy clinic situated right in the centre of health hubs, Mount Elizabeth Hospital Novena and Novena Medical Centre.The physio clinic specialises in an array of physiotherapy services such as musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, post-surgery rehabilitation, oncological surgery complications, incontinence in men with prostate cancer, women’s health and clinical Pilates.
The physiotherapy clinic treats paediatric conditions too, ranging from torticollis and clubfeet (commonly seen in babies) to Osgood Schlatter disease and scoliosis in adolescents.
The Physio Studio Singapore also treats less commonly seen vestibular conditions, including benign paroxysmal postitional vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular hypofunction, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and cervicosensorimotor dysfunction, which results in dizziness, headache, and loss of balance.
Hear from Vernetta Wong Tyng Yi, a principal physiotherapist with 17 years of experience, and special interest in spinal and cancer conditions:
“I have always been fascinated by the fact that physiotherapy can help patients to relieve pain, regain their mobility and physical fitness to the point that they may not even need painkillers or surgery. Physiotherapy treats an array of physical conditions with a holistic, evidence-based approach. This involves correction of movements and movement analysis, customised coaching, ergonomic advice based on your lifestyle, soft tissue release, manual therapy, appropriate exercises and pain relief modalities such as TENS, therapeutic ultrasound and spinal traction.”
#10-10 Royal Square at Novena,
101 Irrawaddy Road
9820 2723 | thephysiostudio.sg
Rapid Physiocare
This physiotherapy clinic in Singapore has locations in Tanjong Pagar (#21-15 International Plaza, 10 Anson Road) and Novena (#02-02/03 Novena Specialist Centre 8 Sinaran Drive). Clinical expertise includes specialist physiotherapy services for sports, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain, spinal rehabilitation, and pre- and postnatal problems such as pelvic floor dysfunctions and incontinence, or oncological conditions (breast and gynaecological cancer), as well as clinical Pilates.
Additionally, this Singapore physio specialises in paediatric physiotherapy for children with a wide variety of needs. These include neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, delayed milestones, colic pain, constipation and more.
Dedicated to providing holistic, quality care to ensure swift recoveries, Rapid Physiocare’s team of trained physiotherapists has a variety of advanced therapy equipment at their disposal. This includes extracorporeal shockwave, therapeutic ultrasound, interferential therapy, spinal traction unit, Pilates reformers and resistance training equipment.
Hear from Senior Principal Physiotherapist Sheny John, who has 21 years of experience and a special interest in women’s health and paediatric physiotherapy:
“As we age, women need to look after their pelvic floor to ensure that they are pain- and incontinence-free. It’s a complete misconception that it’s normal to have leakages post-pregnancy and that you have to just live with it. Like all muscles, the pelvic floor can be trained. It can make significant changes in your daily life including a reduction or elimination of incontinence, better sexual health and a stronger lower back that enables you to do more.
Another important aspect of my job is managing oncological (breast and gynaecological cancer) clients through my manual lymphatic drainage skill set to ensure their speediest recovery after surgery. Supporting clients psychologically and emotionally through their cancer journey is really fulfilling for me.”
Novena and Tanjong Pagar
6904 4900 | 9654 0427 | rapidphysiocare.com
Health2mama
Founded by Bex Aldridge, a top personal trainer and physiotherapist in Singapore, Health2mama offers physiotherapy, personal training, wellness and postpartum recovery services for expectant and new mums. This includes pelvic floor recovery, breastfeeding relief, diastasis recti (abdominal separation) healing, and help with easing back into exercise after pregnancy.
Additionally, Health2mama offers postnatal massage to help with aches and pains from pregnancy, breastfeeding and lifting a baby. Performed by an experienced physiotherapist, the massage uses manual therapy to help cure the cause of your pain, rather than just the pain itself.
All of Health2mama’s trainers are physiotherapists who specialise in seeing mums. This means they’re super experienced in dealing with prenatal and postnatal bodies. And, whether you want to meet at the park or stick with the comfort of your own home, they can come to you, making your life as a busy mama just a bit easier.
6255 5250 | health2u.sg/health2mama
Stride Fitness & Clinic
Lorenzo Basso is a physiotherapist in Singapore who provides physiotherapy, personal training services and sports massage therapy all under one roof at Stride Fitness & Clinic. Taking a holistic approach to health, the clinic’s training and treatment programmes are backed by science and highly individualised to help each client reach his or her goals – whether that be injury rehabilitation, injury prevention, fat loss or sports performance training.
Some of the most common conditions patients come to Stride Fitness & Clinic with include back and neck pain, sciatica, rotator cuff injuries, shoulder labrum tears, knee injuries and ankle sprains. Physiotherapy treatment consists of manual therapy to ease the pain and a customised exercise plan to address any strength or flexibility shortfalls. In addition, patients are advised on how to modify their activities and lifestyles to optimise recovery. This includes nutrition advice, too!
Hear from physiotherapist, Lorenzo Basso (eight years of experience):
“When I played competitive football, I suffered several ankle and back injuries for which I’d see a physiotherapist. During this time, I became interested in human anatomy and physiology; so I decided to pursue a career in physiotherapy to help others recover from injuries. I decided to specialise in resistance training because it’s one of the most science-based treatments with multiple benefits for the body.
As a physio, I enjoy the human interaction involved during each session. How we communicate with patients can make a huge difference in the way a treatment is perceived – ultimately influencing the recovery process.”
4 Ann Siang Hill
8882 4325 | stridefitnessandclinic.com
Physio Down Under
This physio in Singapore is dedicated to treating a wide range of conditions experienced by women, including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and sexual pain, diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation) and bowel conditions (constipation, faecal incontinence). It also looks at pregnancy and post-natal conditions such as pelvic girdle pain, wrist conditions and blocked milk ducts. Founders Monica Donaldson and Tamara Gerdis combine their physiotherapy experience with evidence-based practice to create individualised treatment plans, with the main focus on their patients’ goals.
Hear from physiotherapists Monica and Tamara (over 30 years of combined experience in women’s health physiotherapy):
“As university graduates in women’s health physiotherapy, we’ve always been passionate about women’s health. We’ve had some excellent mentors and access to world-class women’s health university courses over the years. This, alongside our individual 15 years of women’s health physiotherapy experience, allows us to effectively diagnose and treat what are often extremely personal and distressing conditions for women. We believe every woman should have access to professional care in a safe and supportive environment for these conditions. Additionally, preventative care plays a huge role in what we do. A postnatal check six-to-eight-weeks post-delivery can help guide a woman safely back into exercise and pick up any potential problems early on.”
#01-30 Phoenix Park, 318 Tanglin Road, Block B
6909 5580 | physiodownunder.sg
Heartland Physio
Focused on helping patients lead pain-free lives, Heartland Physio offers musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy, and post-surgery and stroke rehabilitation. Though the clinic is located in the CBD (#1819 The Octagon, 105 Cecil Street), patients can also opt for at-home therapy sessions.
The clinic’s founder Ivy Yeung is a physio in Singapore with 18 years of experience. She is a mentor to junior physiotherapists, and has served as a team physio for Team Singapore in various international games. Some of the most common conditions she treats include back and neck pain, shoulder impingement and injuries, tennis and golfer’s elbow, wrist injuries, hip and knee pain, and ankle sprains. She says that physiotherapy treatment can also help alleviate nerve irritation.
Hear from physiotherapist Ivy Yeung:
“When I see my patients, the main question in my mind is, ‘what has caused your pain?’ I want to get to the root cause, or causes, of your physical complaints; only then will the treatment plans to resolve the physical problems (rather than only the pain itself) make perfect sense. The pain may be prone to relapse if the root cause is not revealed and treated. So, a detailed interview and physical assessment will go a long way in guiding a proper rehabilitation plan for you.”
8725 8220 | heartlandphysio.com.sg
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