Strength-based physiotherapy in Banksmeadow

Conditions treated

Zab Azulay works with people recovering from recent injuries, as well as those living with pain that has lingered for months or years. Every program begins with a thorough assessment of your history, posture and movement, identifying imbalances and the places your body is overcompensating. Rehab then centres on progressive strength training, adapted wherever possible so you can keep doing what you love while you recover. Sessions run at Paddo Performance in Banksmeadow.

01

Back pain

Long-standing and recurring back pain often responds well to progressive strength training, and exercise is a recommended treatment for most types of ongoing back pain. Zab’s assessment looks at how you bend, lift and move through your day, along with any areas where your body is compensating. Your program builds strength and control through the hips, trunk and back, starting at a level that suits you and progressing as your capacity improves.

02

Knee pain

Knee pain can come from many sources, including kneecap pain, tendon problems, ligament injuries and osteoarthritis. Zab assesses how your knee moves and how your hips and ankles work with it, since pain at the knee is often influenced by what happens above and below it. Rehab builds strength through the legs with exercises such as squats, step-ups and lunges, progressed carefully so your knee can handle stairs, sport and training again. Zab also works with people recovering after knee surgery.

03

Hip pain

Hip pain can make walking, sleeping, getting out of the car and most forms of exercise difficult. Zab works with hip pain from a range of causes, including tendon pain around the side of the hip, hip impingement and arthritis. For people who’ve been told a hip replacement may be needed, a structured strength program can be worth exploring first to improve mobility and ease pain, and Zab will be clear with you about when surgery is the right path.

A client lifting a barbell from the floor while Zab Azulay watches her technique

04

Shoulder pain and frozen shoulder

Shoulder pain often makes everyday tasks like reaching overhead, getting dressed or sleeping on one side difficult. Zab treats a range of shoulder conditions, including frozen shoulder, rotator cuff problems and pain when lifting. Frozen shoulder can take time to improve, so rehab is staged to restore range of motion gradually, then rebuild strength through the shoulder and upper back so you can lift, carry and train with confidence.

05

Arthritis

Exercise is a recommended first-line treatment for osteoarthritis, helping to ease pain, improve joint function and keep you active. Zab builds programs for people with arthritis in the knees, hips, hands and other joints, starting gently and progressing at a pace your joints tolerate. The aim is to improve strength and mobility so daily tasks become easier and you can keep doing the activities you enjoy.

06

Wrist, elbow and hand injuries

Wrist, elbow and hand injuries can affect everything from typing and cooking to lifting and gripping a bar. Zab treats conditions such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and wrist pain, along with stiffness and weakness in the hands, including regaining mobility after injury or arthritis. Rehab focuses on restoring range of motion, grip strength and control so you can return to work, training and everyday tasks.

Zab Azulay guiding a client through a dumbbell exercise at Paddo Performance

07

Lifting technique and strength coaching

For people who train, pain during squats, deadlifts or bench press is often linked to technique, mobility or imbalances in strength. As an accredited strength and conditioning coach, Zab reviews how you lift, identifies where your body is compensating and adjusts your technique and programming so you can keep training while you recover. It also suits people without an injury who want to learn to lift well from the start.

Zab Azulay spotting a client during a bench press and coaching her technique

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