Why We Do Things Differently at Dan Rix Physiotherapy

Ive had physio before and it didnt help

If you've had physio before and it didn't help, you're not alone. We see clients all the time who feel like they've tried everything , but they're still in pain, still not moving right, and still unsure what to do next.

Not All Physio Is Created Equal

A lot of traditional physiotherapy focuses on the symptoms. You go in with back pain, they treat your back. You say your shoulder hurts, they treat your shoulder. You might get a bit of a massage, put under a heat lamp, maybe get hooked up to a TENS machine and then get sent away with a generic sheet of exercises.

And while that might temporarily help short term, it often misses the bigger picture.‍

We do things differently.

Pain Doesn’t Always Mean Damage

One of the most powerful lessons we teach our clients is this:

Pain is your body’s warning system — not always a sign of damage.

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Think of it like a car’s warning light ⚠️ :

Sometimes it’s a serious issue
Often it just means something needs tuning
Either way, it’s your body trying to protect itself

So it might:

Limit your movement
Create tightness
Change how you walk or run

These are short-term protective responses — but they can hang around too long and cause new issues.

Your Body Creates Backup Plans

When you’re injured or stressed, your body often adapts with “movement detours”.

Examples:

Limping after a sprained ankle
Avoiding stairs with knee pain
Tensing shoulders under stress

These help protect you in the moment, but if they stick around…

Some muscles work too hard
Others stop working properly
Movement feels stiff or inefficient

It's like your Google Maps needs updating — the roadworks are gone, but you're still taking the long route.

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And sometimes you don’t even notice anything’s wrong until suddenly, the pain returns.

It might come back when you ramp up your training…

Or when you start moving more again…

But in some cases, nothing’s changed at all and it still creeps back in.

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We've Helped Over 6,000 Clients Move Better

At Dan Rix Physiotherapy, we’ve supported over 6,000 people on their journey to move better and feel better from elite athletes and dedicated runners to gym-goers and everyday people managing pain or injury.

Our clients come from across Greater Manchester, including Middleton, Wigan, Warrington, and the surrounding areas. They choose us because we treat them like individuals, not just an injury.

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The DR Physio Approach

At Dan Rix Physiotherapy, we treat the whole picture:

We look beyond just the site of pain
We assess movement patterns + imbalances
We use hands-on treatment and coaching
We build tailored rehab plans based on you and your goals

We don’t just chase symptoms. We listen, assess, test, and build a roadmap that fits you. Our goal is to get you back doing the things you love — with confidence.