11/09/2026
“So… what do you think it is? It's sore right here.... followed by grabbing the spot causing all the problems.
This happens all the time in many social or informal settings.
And unfortunately, it’s usually one I can’t answer fully in that moment.
Not without knowing:
• Where exactly does it hurt?
• When did it start?
• Was there an injury or did it come on gradually?
• What makes it better or worse?
• What are you still able to do?
• What does your strength look like?
• How is the area moving and loading?
• What have you already tried?
• And perhaps most importantly — **what do you actually want to get back to doing?**
Two people can have pain in exactly the same place and need completely different approaches.
That’s why good rehabilitation isn't simply a list of exercises.
It starts with understanding the person, the problem and the goal. And then working out what needs to change.
Sometimes that means building strength.
Sometimes it means changing how you're loading something - do we reduce to give the tissue space, or do we need to load it up.
Sometimes it means improving capacity gradually.
And sometimes the first step is figuring out whether rehabilitation is actually the right place to start.
**There isn't always a quick answer.
But there should be a reason behind the answer.** A full assessment takes almost a full hour of asking, exploring and measuring.
That's the approach I try to bring to every rehabilitation program at the practice.
— Melissa
Biokineticist | Somerset West
