Pain relief: a whole-body approach.
Physiotherapy, acupuncture, clinical Pilates and Chinese herbal medicine, treating the cause, not just the ache.
Pain doesn't only affect your body, it impacts your mood, energy, sleep and daily life. Instead of just masking the symptoms, we aim to find the root cause and treat it with a holistic mix of therapies.
What influences pain
- Tissue damage or injury: sprains, strains, fractures
- Inflammation: helpful for healing, harmful in excess
- Nerves becoming extra sensitive, common in long-term pain
- Posture and the way you move, from long hours sitting
- Muscle tension, often worsened by stress
- Hormonal changes and lifestyle factors
Short-term vs long-term pain
Short-term pain (doctors call this acute pain) is your body's alarm system after an injury or sudden illness. It usually settles as the tissue heals. Long-term pain (doctors call this chronic pain) is different. It lasts more than three months, sometimes even after the original injury has fully healed, because the nervous system itself has become more sensitive to signals it used to ignore. The brain and nerves have essentially learned the pain pathway too well, so the alarm keeps going off even once there's nothing new to alarm about.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this pattern of pain that lingers is often described as Qi and Blood Stasis, where the body's energy and circulation have become stuck rather than flowing freely through the area. Acupuncture and hands-on therapy both work to get that flow moving again, easing pain while also settling the nervous system's overreaction, rather than just numbing the area for a while.
- Acupuncture
Releases natural painkillers, improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.
- Physiotherapy
Assesses movement and posture, using hands-on therapy and targeted exercise.
- Clinical Pilates
Strengthens the muscles that support the spine and joints, preventing recurrence.
Not sure whether you need physiotherapy, acupuncture, or both? See our full physiotherapy vs acupuncture comparison. If you have been weighing up chiropractic care for back or neck pain instead, read physiotherapy vs chiropractic.
Book nowHow we treat pain, together
Pain is complex. It's not only about the muscles or joints, it's about how the brain, nervous system, emotions and lifestyle interact. We look at the whole person, not just the sore spot.
Book now- Pain in your muscles and jointsBack pain, neck pain, sciatica, arthritis, frozen shoulder and sports injuries.
- Headaches and migrainesOften linked to tight muscles and stiff joints in the neck.
- Post-surgical recoveryRebuilding strength and confidence safely.
- Long-term pain conditionsDoctors call one common pattern fibromyalgia, where nerves stay switched to high alert. We treat it gently, at your pace.
- Chinese herbal medicineFormulas to reduce inflammation and ease tension.
- Whole-body approachTreated alongside stress, sleep and lifestyle factors.
Your path to feeling better
- We listen first
Your full story, history and what you want to get back to.
- A tailored plan
Combining the therapies your condition actually needs.
- Treating the cause
So pain is less likely to return.
At Holistic Physio, we combine the best of Western science and Eastern wisdom to help you feel better and understand your body.
- 20+ years of clinical experience across four therapies
- A whole-body approach, not just the sore spot
- One practitioner, every session, in a private room
- Registered with all major health funds
Patient story
A patient came to us after years of severe back pain following spinal surgery that hadn't resolved it. Standard pain management hadn't helped, and by the time they started treatment, they were close to giving up on finding relief. Progress was gradual rather than immediate: it took roughly a month before any change was noticeable, and around eight more months of steady treatment before they were walking well again. There was no single turning point, just consistent, layered treatment addressing both the physical mechanics and the nervous system's role in long-standing pain.
Details altered to protect patient privacy. Individual results vary and depend on your specific condition and history.
Our belief
You don't have to live with pain. The earlier you seek treatment, the quicker you get better.
Good questions
Living with pain is exhausting, and starting treatment can feel daunting. Here's what helps.
Related conditions
Pain shows up differently depending on how it started.
Will treatment make my pain worse before it gets better?
We work within your comfort level throughout. Some mild soreness after hands-on treatment is normal, but we won't push you into unnecessary pain.
I've tried other treatments that didn't work, will this be different?
Combining physiotherapy, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine lets us address the cause from multiple angles, not just repeat what hasn't worked.
How long until I feel some relief?
Many people notice a change within the first few sessions, though chronic pain often needs a longer, layered approach. We'll be upfront about what to expect.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No, you can book directly. A referral is only required for WorkCover, Veterans' Affairs, CTP or a Medicare chronic condition management plan.
Can I claim on my private health fund?
In most cases, yes. The clinic is registered with all major health funds for physiotherapy, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, so most policies allow you to claim on the spot through HICAPS and just pay the gap. Check with your fund to confirm your level of cover.
When should pain be checked by a doctor first?
Pain with unexplained weight loss, fever, numbness in the saddle area, or loss of bowel or bladder control needs urgent medical assessment, not physiotherapy. For the far more common everyday aches, muscle pain and long-standing pain patterns, physiotherapy and acupuncture are appropriate first-line care.
Feel lighter, sooner.
Call us today to discuss your pain, or book an appointment online and take the first step.
Tue 1:30–5:30pm
Thu 10am–6:30pm
Closed Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun
- Visit
- 26 Gladstone Rd (Cnr Brook St)
Highgate Hill Qld 4101On-site parking via Brook St - Call
- 07 3844 8202