88 L'Estrange Tce, Kelvin Grove. QLD 4059
RHP Physiotherapy Brisbane
RHP Physiotherapy Brisbane is your trusted physiotherapy provider.
RHP Physiotherapy Brisbane is your trusted physiotherapy provider.
If you’ve hurt yourself, have new pain that’s getting in the way of work or sleep, or want to understand why a movement keeps bringing on symptoms, physiotherapy is often a good place to start. If you’re ready to build strength, fitness or balance and want an exercise plan shaped around a health condition, persistent pain or your current capacity, exercise physiology may be the better first appointment. Both use exercise. The choice comes down to what you need help with first.
| Your situation | Where to start |
|---|---|
| You twisted your knee or your shoulder has started hurting at work. | Physiotherapy. Get the problem assessed and make a plan for what you can do now. |
| You’ve been told to build strength for bone health, but you’re unsure what to do or how hard to work. | Exercise physiology. Start with a programme that fits your health history and experience. |
| Your back pain has been around for a while and you’re finding it hard to get active again. | Either can help. Start with physiotherapy if you want symptoms reassessed. Start with exercise physiology if your main goal is to rebuild strength and activity with guidance. |
| You’re recovering from surgery and want to get back to work, training or sport. | Often physiotherapy first. Follow your surgical team’s instructions. Exercise physiology may help build capacity as you progress. |
A physiotherapist assesses how pain, injury or surgery is affecting what you can do. Your first visit typically includes a conversation about how the problem started, what makes it better or worse, and what you want to get back to. The assessment may include movement and strength tests. Your physiotherapist can explain what they think is contributing, whether further assessment is needed, and what you can start doing now. Treatment may include education, exercise and hands-on care where appropriate.
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) designs and adapts exercise for people living with health conditions, injuries or disabilities. At a first visit, you’ll talk through your health history, what you’re doing now, and what you’d like to be able to do. Your clinician may assess strength, balance, movement or fitness depending on your goals, then work with you on a starting plan. Follow-ups give you time to practise, adjust the exercises and progress them as you build confidence.
That might mean working towards longer walks, learning to lift with osteopenia or osteoporosis, finding a way to stay active with persistent pain, or returning to exercise after pregnancy. The plan can be built around what you can do at home, in the clinic or at a gym.
Yes, if each service has a clear role. For example, after a knee injury, a physiotherapist might assess the knee and guide early rehab. As you progress, an exercise physiologist might help you build the strength and fitness you need for longer workdays or a return to training. You may also continue with one clinician throughout. If both are involved, ask how they’ll share the plan and who to contact if symptoms change.
Physiotherapy is a reasonable starting point for a new episode or a change in symptoms you want assessed. Exercise physiology is an option if your main goal is to get moving more, build strength or feel more confident exercising with persistent back pain. If you’ve already had an assessment, bring your current plan so the next clinician can build on it.
Both professions can help. A physiotherapist can assess a change in pain or function and help you modify activities while you build back up. An exercise physiologist can guide a progressive exercise programme if your priority is to get stronger, walk further or return to regular activity. Start with what’s holding you back most right now.
No. Your starting point could be a few simple exercises at home or a supervised introduction to weights. Tell your clinician what you have access to and what feels realistic in your week. That helps them put together a plan you can keep doing between appointments.
Both can help you work towards fitness goals. An AEP has university training and accreditation through Exercise & Sports Science Australia to assess exercise capacity and prescribe exercise for people with medical conditions, injuries or disabilities. If a condition or symptoms are influencing what you can do, that clinical training can help shape your starting point and progression.
You can generally book a private appointment directly. If you’re planning to claim under a GP chronic condition management plan, ask your GP about eligibility and bring your referral. Eligible patients can generally access up to five individual Medicare-rebated allied health services per calendar year across eligible disciplines, so visits to a physiotherapist and an exercise physiologist can count towards the same allocation. Some patients have different entitlements. Private health rebates depend on your extras cover. Check with the clinic before booking if you’re using a funded pathway or want to confirm fees and any gap.
Wear something comfortable to move in. Bring any relevant referral, reports, medication list or current exercise programme you have. It also helps to think of one thing you’d like to be able to do more comfortably or confidently, whether that’s getting through work, walking with a friend or training regularly again.
RHP Physiotherapy offers physiotherapy and exercise physiology at our Kelvin Grove clinic at AMA Place. If you’re unsure which appointment to choose, tell our reception team what’s getting in the way and what you’d like to get back to. They can help you choose a starting point.
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