Get rid of Back and
Neck pain for good
Our Northern Beaches clinic specialises in the treatment and management of a wide variety of back and neck issues. Rather than providing you with just another quick fix, we help you rehabilitate your injuries with guided movement and exercise. Giving you back the freedom to move and live pain-free.
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Complete the form for a free Discovery Call or Book an Appointment below.
rehab injuries
faster
Whether your injury or condition requires surgery, Exercise Physiology can play a major role in speeding up your recovery journey. Rebuilding strength, stability and function.
safe & clean environment
We pride ourselves on not just our expertise but also our customer service. Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere is something we've worked particularly hard at.
Expert Coaching & guidance
Correct exercise prescription and measured progression will ultimately determine the quality of your results. Make sure to entrust this to the best certified experts.
Why empower?
At Empower, we aim to change lives. Helping you to achieve better health, function and vitality through effective movement and exercise. Begin to live pain-free and unlock an optimised version of yourself.
Our service offering includes Injury Rehabilitation, Workplace Injury, Chronic Pain, Back + Neck Pain, NDIS, Pre + Post Operative, Chronic Fatigue, Arthritis + Osteoporosis, Cardiovascular Disease and Mental Health.
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Our practitioners are highly skilled, trained and compassionate, meaning you are putting your health in the best of hands. We pride ourselves on our results and our customer service, earning us a 5 star rating from our current and previous clients.
People Loving What We Do
meet the team
Matthew Donovan
Matthew is the driving force behind Empower Exercise Physiology. Founding the clinic in 2014 with the vision of helping people experience the therapeutic effect of exercise. With over 10 years of experience as an accredited Exercise Physiologist, he has established a reputation on the Northern Beaches for providing exceptional care in a professional and personable manner.
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His professional interest lies in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and pain management. He has considerable experience managing complex presentations and people across the age spectrum.
Luke Stait
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Luke has a passion for movement because of the physical and psychological benefits it provides. Bringing a high level of care to each client he sees, Luke aims to impart upon them the tools and knowledge needed to continually improve their own health and wellbeing.
Luke has considerable experience in the area of musculoskeletal rehabilitation, Cardio-metabolic conditions, disability and sporting populations. His capabilities in managing a broad range of people have allowed him to be effective across the spectrum of rehabilitation to performance.
Back + neck Issues we treat
General back + neck pain
General Back + Neck Pain is not caused by any precise pathology. This means that pain is not attributable to a specific cause, such as a fracture, arthritis or a bulging disc. This type of pain can be influenced by a combination of muscular imbalances and lifestyle factors, both of which are able to be addressed with exercise. Common forms that we see include lower back (or lumbar) pain, thoracic (between the shoulder blades) pain or tightness, tight trapezius (where the neck meets the shoulder) and acute neck pain.
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Treatment involves detecting structural imbalances and selecting exercise options that are not aggrevating and help to relieve pain. A personalised exercise program could involve a combination of strengthening exercises, mobility and flexibility techniques, along with addressing other lifestyle factors that are contributing to pain. An Exercise Physiologist is equipped with the knowledge and tools to get you the best long-term results.
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Speak to an expert about your Back + Neck Pain.
bulging disc
Also referred to as​ a slipped, protruding, herniated, or ruptured disc. A bulging disc can irritate a nerve where it exits the spine. Resulting in pain, weakness, cramps or spasms, and altered sensations such as pins and needles in the area of injury, however, can also refer to further to the arms and legs. It commonly occurs in the lumbar spine but can also occur in the thoracic and cervical spine (middle back, upper back and neck).
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In the initial stages following the injury, deloading, anti-inflammatory medication and heat or cold application (depending on which provides pain relief) are best to manage pain. Once pain has settled somewhat, the reintroduction of appropriate exercise is important. A personalised exercise program to improve strength, flexibility, posture and movement control can be extremely effective in reducing symptoms and facilitating a return to normal work and hobbies.
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Speak to an expert about your Bulging Disc.
Spinal osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of the spine is a relatively common condition. Occurring over time as the vertebral joints undergo degenerative changes such as loss of cartilage, disc dehydration, loss of synovial fluid and the formation of bone spurs. Symptoms will typically be morning stiffness, pain and inability to flex the spine.
Spinal osteoarthritis, much like other forms of arthritis, responds well to exercise treatment. By improving mobility, reinforcing good posture, strengthening supportive muscles and teaching better movement techniques to these offloaded affected joints, we see a significant reduction in pain. Other treatments can include the use of anti-inflammatory medication or corticosteroid injections to aid in reducing inflammation in the joint which can potentially sensitise the surrounding nerves.
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Speak to an expert about your Spinal Osteoarthritis.
degenerative disc disease
Despite its name, degenerative disc disease is not so much a disease, as it occurs very naturally with age. As the discs between the vertebrae of the spine act as shock absorbers for bending, twisting or compression, they can gradually show signs of aging throughout the lifespan. As a result, the intervertebral disc may not provide the same level of support as it once did. Resulting in pain and reduced mobility.
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Treatment may include exercise therapy, swimming, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections or surgery, should the condition be severe enough. Exercise therapy should always be included in overall treatment regardless of the severity of the condition, as it helps in keeping the surrounding musculature of the area strong and the spine mobile. This is important for maintaining and improving spinal function and reducing overall pain.
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Speak to an expert about your Degenerative Disc Disease.
Spondylolisthesis
A Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one vertebra will slip forward of the one below it. This can lead to pain, stiffness and irritation of the nerves between those vertebral levels. The severity of the slip will often determine how limiting the injury is and whether it will cause further issues.
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Despite seeming like a severe and complex issue, treatment does not need to be overly complicated with the right guidance. Treating a spondylolisthesis focuses on restoring balance to the surrounding muscles of the spine and pelvis, helping offload the forces on vertebral structures. This is achieved by identifying what may be the cause of the original issue and correcting it through a personalised exercise program involving mobility, stretching and strengthening exercises.
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Speak to an expert about your Spondylolisthesis.
sacroiliac Joint pain
The Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) is the joint between your sacrum and the pelvis. SIJ pain typically occurs because of imbalances in the pelvic region and/or repetitive use in certain postures and activities. Often it can be identified that there is either too much movement (hypermobility) within the joint or not enough movement (hypomobility), both of which can cause stiffness and muscle tightness in the surrounding area. The result can lead to pain and inflammation of the SIJ.
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The first step in treatment is pain management. Then the focus shifts to identifying and addressing what is causing your SIJ pain. A comprehensive assessment and personalized strengthening program addresses potential imbalances, and weak and/or tight muscles. Often this will involve strengthening core muscles and other pelvis stabilizing muscles to ensure the SIJ is loaded correctly.
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Speak to an expert about your Sacroiliac Joint Pain.
1/507 Pittwater Rd
Brookvale NSW 2100
Empower changes lives. Helping people achieve better health, function and vitality through effective movement and exercise. Begin to live pain-free and unlock an optimised version of yourself.
© Empower Exercise Physiology 2022