Physiotherapy
Youth Sports Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy in Dunedin
At Core Foundations, we specialise in youth sports physiotherapy for active children and teens across Dunedin and Otago. Young athletes are not simply “small adults” — their bodies are growing, adapting, and changing rapidly. This means they need assessment and rehabilitation that respects their stage of development, their sport, and the unique challenges that come with growth spurts, training loads, and school commitments.
We support youth athletes from primary school through to senior secondary and representative levels. Whether your young person is recovering from injury, navigating a growth spurt, struggling with coordination changes, or aiming to return to sport with confidence, we provide evidence‑based, age‑appropriate care that builds resilience and long‑term athletic foundations.
We also recognise that adolescent girls face additional challenges. Painful periods, pelvic discomfort, leaking during sport, and missing school or sport due to menstrual pain can significantly impact performance, confidence, and wellbeing. At Core Foundations, we integrate pelvic health knowledge into youth athlete care to ensure every athlete feels supported, informed, and capable.
Common Injuries & Concerns We Treat
- Osgood–Schlatter, Sever’s, and other growth‑plate conditions
- Knee pain and patellofemoral pain
- Ankle sprains and instability
- Hip and groin pain
- Shoulder injuries (swimmers, throwers, water polo, overhead athletes)
- Back pain in adolescents
- Muscle strains and overload injuries
- Concussion recovery support
- Painful periods affecting training or competition
- Teens missing school or sport due to menstrual pain
- Pelvic pain or abdominal cramping during sport
Our Approach
Our Approach Youth athletes need more than a standard injury assessment. They need someone who understands growth, sport, training demands, and the pressures young people face.
Our approach includes:
- Detailed biomechanical and movement assessment
- Strength, mobility, and coordination testing
- Sport‑specific movement analysis
- Load management and training planning
- Growth‑spurt‑aware programming
- Return‑to‑sport pathways with clear criteria
- Education for athletes, parents, and coaches
Supporting Female Athletes
Adolescent girls often experience a dip in confidence, performance, or participation due to menstrual pain or pelvic discomfort. Many feel unsure whether their symptoms are “normal,” or they push through pain that significantly affects their wellbeing.
We help teens understand:
- What healthy menstrual patterns look like
- Why period pain happens
- How breathing, pelvic floor coordination, and movement can reduce pain
- How to manage training loads around their cycle
- When pain is a sign to seek further medical review
Our goal is to ensure young athletes can stay active, engaged, and confident — without feeling held back by symptoms they’ve been told to “just deal with.”
Why Dunedin Families Choose Core Foundations
- Specialist expertise in youth athletes and growth‑related injuries
- Strong background in high‑performance and youth sport
- Integrated pelvic health support for menstruating athletes
- Practical, confidence‑building rehab tailored to each sport
- Collaboration with coaches, schools, and sports teams
- Clear communication with families
- A warm, supportive environment where young people feel understood
FAQ
Can physiotherapy help if my teen misses sport or school because of period pain?
Yes. Pelvic‑informed physiotherapy can help reduce pain, improve movement strategies, and support participation in school and sport.
Do you work with competitive and representative athletes?
Absolutely. We support athletes from school sport through to high‑performance pathways.
Can you help during a growth spurt?
Yes — this is one of our key areas of expertise. Growth spurts often cause coordination changes, pain, and overload injuries.
Does my child need to stop sport completely if they’re injured?
Not always. We focus on safe load modification rather than unnecessary rest, keeping athletes active where possible.
Do you collaborate with coaches or schools?
Yes. With your permission, we work alongside coaches, teachers, and trainers to support safe training loads and return‑to‑sport plans.
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Helping Kids, Teens & Families Move With Confidence
Our sessions are calm, supportive, and developmentally appropriate — with clear guidance for parents and practical strategies that fit real family life.
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