Why a Team Approach Gets Better Results — Physio + Podiatry Working Together

By Matthew Craig (Principal Physiotherapist) & Jeff Stewart (Principal Podiatrist), bounceREHAB Pyrmont 

Most people don’t think about their feet until something hurts.

But here’s the reality we see every day at bounceREHAB:what happens at your feet doesn’t stay at your feet. It travels upward — affecting your ankles, knees, hips, and even your spine.

That’s why a team-based approach combining physiotherapy and podiatry consistently delivers better, faster, and longer-lasting results than treating these issues in isolation.

The Body Is One Kinetic Chain

Your body moves as a connected system. When something is off at the ground level — like poor foot mechanics, collapsed arches, or restricted ankle mobility — your body compensates.

Over time, that can lead to:

• Heel pain or plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendinopathy

• Shin splints

• Knee pain (especially runners’ knee)

• Hip tightness and weakness

• Lower back pain

You might feel the pain in your knee or back…but the root cause could be your feet.

Why Physio + Podiatry Together Works

When physios and podiatrists collaborate, we address both:

1. The cause (foot mechanics, alignment, loading patterns)

2. The consequences (pain, weakness, stiffness, compensation patterns)

This is where the magic happens.

👣 Podiatry (Jeff Stewart)

• Comprehensive biomechanical foot assessments

• Gait analysis (walking and running patterns)

• Footwear advice tailored to your activity and goals

• Custom orthotics when needed

• Management of foot and ankle pain at the source

💪 Physiotherapy (Matthew Craig & his A-team)

• Strengthening weak links in the chain (feet → glutes → core)

• Mobility work for stiff joints and tissues

• Manual therapy to reduce pain and restore movement

• Dry needling to release tight muscles

• Shockwave therapy for stubborn tendon and plantar conditions

• Tailored rehab programs to keep results long-term

Real Results Come From Combining Both

Let’s take a common example:

Case: Persistent Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)

• Podiatry addresses load management, footwear, and foot mechanics

• Physio treats calf tightness, foot intrinsic weakness, and tendon capacity

👉 Treating only one side often leads to temporary relief👉 Treating both leads to lasting recovery

Who Benefits Most From This Approach?

You don’t need to be injured to benefit.

This combined approach is ideal for:

• Runners and gym-goers

• People on their feet all day (hospitality, retail, healthcare)

• Office workers with postural pain

• Anyone with recurring injuries that “keep coming back”

• Patients who feel like they’ve “tried everything”

The bounceREHAB Difference

At bounceREHAB, Jeff Stewart and our physio team work closely together — not in silos.

That means:

• Shared treatment plans

• Clear communication between practitioners

• Faster identification of root causes

• More efficient recovery

• Better long-term outcomes

We’re not just treating symptoms — we’re building more resilient bodies from the ground up.

Don’t Wait Until It Becomes Chronic

Foot issues rarely fix themselves.And when left untreated, they often become more complex (and more expensive) to manage.

If you’ve been dealing with:

• Foot or heel pain

• Tight calves or Achilles issues

• Knee, hip, or back pain that won’t go away

…it’s time to look at the full picture.

Book Your Assessment

Start with a comprehensive podiatry assessment with Jeff Stewart to understand your foundation — your feet.

From there, our physio team can guide you through the right rehab, treatment, and performance plan.

Your body works as a team — your treatment should too.

👉 Book your podiatry or physiotherapy appointment today with bounceREHAB

If you’re unsure where to start, just ask our team — we’ll point you in the right direction.

Stronger feet. Better movement. Lasting results.