Pain-free is progress.
Ready for sport is
the next challenge.
Recovering from injury is about more than reducing pain. You need to regain the capacity and confidence to meet the demands of your sport.
At Yokohama Physio, we assess the injury, relevant movement and physical capacity to develop individualised rehabilitation for your return to activity.
Every athlete. Every level. Different demands.
Whether you're a recreational athlete or competing at a high level, rehabilitation should reflect the activities you want to return to.
Running & endurance sports
Running-related knee, hip, Achilles and foot symptoms, and rehabilitation for return to training.
Rugby & field sports
Lower-limb injuries, contact-related problems and preparation for cutting, sprinting and sport-specific movement.
HYROX & strength training
Pain associated with lunges, sled work, wall balls, carries, running and other demanding exercises.
Post-injury return to sport
Rehabilitation following sprains, muscle injuries, fractures or surgery, with progression tailored to healing and function.
Treat the injury. Understand the movement. Prepare for the sport.
Strengthening matters. So does understanding why an athlete is experiencing pain or excessive loading. We investigate relevant physical and movement factors rather than simply progressing exercises regardless of symptoms.
Why do injuries sometimes return when training resumes?
A previous injury can affect strength, movement, balance, confidence and the ability to tolerate sporting demands.
Returning to training too quickly may exceed current tissue capacity, even when everyday movements feel comfortable.
Sometimes the painful structure itself needs further rehabilitation. Sometimes other relevant movement or loading factors deserve attention.
We aim to identify which factors are important to your injury, rather than assuming everyone needs the same exercise programme.
Questions worth asking
- What was the original injury?
- Has the tissue healed sufficiently?
- What movements reproduce symptoms?
- Has strength or capacity recovered?
- What does your sport demand?
- Is your progression matched to your current ability?
An athlete may feel comfortable walking or exercising in the gym but not yet have the capacity for sprinting, jumping, repeated efforts, contact or competition. Sport-specific testing and a graded return are important when appropriate.
We examine more than the injured body part.
Assessment is informed by the injury, your history, the physical examination and the demands of your sport.
Injury & sporting history
We discuss the mechanism of injury, previous treatment, current training demands and what you want to achieve.
Strength & movement
We assess relevant tissue function, strength, mobility and functional movements, including sport-related tasks where appropriate.
Response & progression
We explore suitable changes to movement or exercise, observe the response and guide the next stage of rehabilitation.
More than adding strength to an injured area.
Rehabilitation may involve a combination of targeted treatment, progressive exercise and preparation for sport-specific demands.
Injury-specific rehabilitation
Appropriate treatment and loading based on the tissues involved, stage of healing and clinical findings.
Movement & technique
Exploring relevant movement strategies during exercise or sport when changes may be beneficial.
Strength & conditioning
Progressive exercises to rebuild physical capacity, including relevant strength, power and endurance.
Return-to-sport preparation
Progressing towards running, jumping, directional changes or other movements required by your sport.
We consider whether the exercise, loading, technique or current rehabilitation stage needs adjusting. The answer is not automatically to stop exercising or simply push through.
From rehabilitation to performance.
Return to sport is a process, not just a date on the calendar. The following stages are adapted to the injury and the athlete.
Manage symptoms and restore function
Address the injury, protect healing tissues where necessary and restore appropriate movement and activity.
Rebuild physical capacity
Progress strength, endurance and relevant movement capacity according to the injury.
Reintroduce sport-specific demands
Prepare for relevant running, acceleration, jumping, agility, lifting or contact in a graded manner.
Evaluate readiness and progress
Consider symptoms, physical testing, confidence, training tolerance and, where relevant, medical or surgical guidance.
Return-to-sport progression must account for healing, strength, functional testing and individual risk. A pain-free exercise alone does not establish readiness for unrestricted sporting participation.
Experience from the clinic to the sporting environment.
BHSc Physiotherapy / BSc Sports & Recreation
15+ years of clinical experience
My clinical experience includes working with recreational athletes, rugby players, runners, para-athletes and athletes competing at an international level.
My approach is to identify the relevant factors affecting performance and recovery, rather than assuming that all injured athletes simply need more strength.
The goal is to help each individual progress towards the physical demands of their chosen sport.
Learn More About Yuji ↗Questions about sports injury rehabilitation
When can I return to sport after an injury?
Return-to-sport timing depends on the diagnosis, tissue healing, symptoms, physical capacity and sporting demands. Time alone is not enough. Functional readiness and clinical findings also matter.
Does being pain-free mean I'm ready to compete?
Not necessarily. An athlete may be pain-free during daily activities but still need to restore strength, power, endurance, movement capacity or confidence before returning to competition.
Should I keep training while recovering?
Often, modified training can be part of rehabilitation. However, the appropriate level of activity depends on the injury, stage of healing and symptoms. Certain injuries require greater protection.
Is strengthening enough to prevent reinjury?
Strength is important, but it is not the only consideration. Reinjury risk can also relate to training load, previous injury, sport-specific demands, fatigue and other factors. No rehabilitation programme can eliminate all injury risk.
Can you help after ACL surgery?
Yes. Rehabilitation can be guided by your surgical history, surgeon's instructions, current physical capacity and individual goals. Return to jumping, cutting and competitive sport requires appropriate progression and testing.
Do you work with recreational athletes?
Yes. You do not have to be a professional athlete to benefit from sports physiotherapy. We work with people aiming to return to running, gym training, team sports and recreational activities.
What happens at my initial consultation?
We discuss your injury, medical and sporting history, assess relevant physical and movement factors, and provide treatment or exercise guidance where appropriate. Sessions are available in English and Japanese.
Significant trauma, suspected fracture, joint dislocation, inability to bear weight, severe swelling or progressive neurological symptoms require appropriate medical assessment. Suspected concussion also requires prompt evaluation and a suitable return-to-sport protocol. This page is general information, not a diagnosis.
Let's work towards your return to sport.
Whether you're recovering from an injury, experiencing recurring symptoms or preparing to return to competition, begin with an individual consultation at Yokohama Physio.
Book Initial Consultation ↗