Neurological Physiotherapy Adelaide
Thrive Health Therapies provides experienced neurological physiotherapy for teenagers and adults throughout metropolitan Adelaide.
Our neurological physiotherapists support people with conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Treatment may focus on mobility, balance, strength, coordination, fitness, pain, fatigue and participation in everyday life.
Appointments are available at our specialised rehabilitation clinic and gym in Findon, in your home or community, and at hydrotherapy pools across Adelaide.
What Is Neurological Physiotherapy?
Neurological physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy for people with conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves or muscles.
These conditions can change the way a person moves, walks, balances or completes everyday activities. They may also affect strength, coordination, sensation, fitness, pain and fatigue.
A neurological physiotherapist assesses how your condition affects you and develops an individualised treatment plan based on your goals. Physiotherapy may help you improve or maintain physical abilities, manage symptoms, reduce the risk of complications and participate more confidently in everyday life.
Who Can Benefit from Neurological Physiotherapy?
Our neurological physiotherapists work with teenagers and adults living with a wide range of neurological and neuromuscular conditions, including:
Guillain–Barré syndrome
Muscular dystrophy
Peripheral neuropathy
Dystonia
Ataxia
Spasticity
Facial nerve injury
Concussion
Dizziness and balance disorders
You do not always need a confirmed diagnosis before seeing a physiotherapist. Please contact our team if you are unsure whether neurological physiotherapy is suitable for you.
How Can a Neurological Physiotherapist Help?
Neurological physiotherapy is tailored to your abilities, priorities and goals. Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
Walking and Mobility: Practising walking, transfers, stairs and other functional movements to improve safety, confidence and independence.
Balance and Falls Prevention: Developing balance, coordination and movement strategies to reduce falls risk and support safer participation at home and in the community.
Strength and Fitness: Building strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness through an individualised exercise program adapted to your abilities.
Movement Retraining: Practising specific movements and everyday activities to improve movement control, efficiency and confidence.
Spasticity and Muscle Stiffness: Using movement, positioning, exercise and education to help manage spasticity, spasms, stiffness and muscle tension.
Fatigue Management: Developing practical strategies for pacing, exercise and energy conservation to help manage neurological fatigue.
Pain and Musculoskeletal Conditions: Assessing and treating pain, weakness or injuries that may occur alongside a neurological condition.
Dizziness and Vestibular Rehabilitation: Providing assessment and targeted treatment for dizziness, vertigo and balance problems where appropriate.
Equipment and Assistive Technology: Assessing mobility equipment and recommending supports that may improve safety, positioning, mobility and participation.
Carer and Support Worker Training: Providing practical education about mobility, exercise, positioning, transfers and safe support strategies.
What Happens at a Neurological Physiotherapy Assessment?
Your first appointment allows your physiotherapist to understand your condition, current abilities and the activities that matter most to you.
Depending on your needs, the assessment may explore:
Walking and mobility
Transfers and bed mobility
Balance and falls risk
Strength and endurance
Coordination and movement control
Muscle tone and spasticity
Pain and fatigue
Home and community participation
Mobility aids or other equipment
Your personal goals and priorities
Your physiotherapist will explain their findings and work with you to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Standardised assessments may be used to establish a baseline and monitor change over time.
Where We Provide Neurological Physiotherapy
Our Findon Clinic
Our accessible rehabilitation clinic and gym is located at 184 Findon Road, Findon.
The clinic includes specialised rehabilitation and exercise equipment that allows our neurological physiotherapists to adapt treatment for people with different mobility levels and physical support needs.
Clinic sessions may include strength and fitness training, balance exercises, walking practice, movement retraining and rehabilitation using specialised equipment.
Your home
We provide home-based neurological physiotherapy throughout metropolitan Adelaide.
Home visits allow your physiotherapist to assess and practise mobility, transfers, exercise and everyday activities within your usual environment. They can also provide recommendations for family members, carers and support workers where appropriate.
Mobile therapy across Adelaide
Physiotherapy can also take place in community environments when this is relevant to your goals.
Sessions may focus on walking outdoors, accessing local facilities, using mobility equipment, returning to recreational activities or developing confidence in real-world environments.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy uses the warmth, buoyancy and resistance of water to support movement and exercise.
For people with neurological conditions, hydrotherapy may help with mobility, strength, balance, fitness, pain management and confidence with movement. Programs are individually designed and supervised by a physiotherapist.
We provide one-to-one hydrotherapy at Parafield Gardens. Sessions at other suitable pools may also be possible upon request.
Our Approach to Neurological Physiotherapy
Neurological conditions affect every person differently. We take the time to understand your abilities, experiences and priorities rather than using a standard treatment program.
Therapy is based on meaningful goals and may focus on improving function, maintaining current abilities, adapting to change or finding safer and more efficient ways to complete everyday activities.
We work collaboratively with clients, families, carers, support workers and other health professionals where appropriate. Our physiotherapists can also coordinate with Thrive’s occupational therapists, speech pathologists and allied health assistants when multidisciplinary support would be beneficial.
Funding for Neurological Physiotherapy
Thrive Health Therapies welcomes clients accessing neurological physiotherapy through:
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Support at Home
Private health insurance
Private funding
GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP)
Funding availability depends on your individual plan, policy or eligibility.
A GP referral is not required for NDIS-funded or privately funded services. An appropriate GP referral and care plan are required to claim eligible Medicare rebates through a GPCCMP.
Why Choose Thrive Health Therapies?
Experienced physiotherapists: Our team has experience supporting people with a wide range of neurological and neuromuscular conditions.
Individualised treatment: Physiotherapy is based on your abilities, priorities and meaningful goals.
Flexible service locations: Appointments are available at our Findon clinic, in homes and community settings, and at hydrotherapy pools across Adelaide.
Specialised clinic: Our accessible Findon clinic includes a rehabilitation gym and specialised equipment.
Collaborative care: We can work with your family, carers, support workers and other health professionals.
Multidisciplinary support: Occupational therapy, speech pathology and allied health assistant services are also available through Thrive.
LGBTQIA+ inclusive: We welcome people of all backgrounds, genders and sexualities. Our Findon clinic is a safe, respectful and inclusive space.
Meet our neurological physiotherapists
Leela Bala (she/her)
Senior Physiotherapist
Leela has over 15 years of experience as a physiotherapist across community, rehabilitation and hospital settings in the UK and Singapore. Now settling into life in Australia, she is excited to apply her experience within the NDIS and support people to achieve meaningful goals. Leela takes a practical, person-centred approach and enjoys helping clients build strength, mobility, confidence and independence. She enjoys spending time with family, meeting new people and discovering Adelaide’s best food spots. She is always happy to receive a good restaurant recommendation!
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Age Groups: Adults
Service Locations: Findon Clinic & throughout metropolitan Adelaide
Therapy Services: Neurological rehabilitation, ongoing physiotherapy, functional assessment, gait and mobility rehabilitation, balance and falls prevention, exercise prescription, manual handling and equipment assessments, community rehabilitation and hydrotherapy
Areas of Support:
Neurological disorders - Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Amputees
Intellectual disabilities
Frailty, Aged care and Dementia
Falls, Balance and Mobility difficulties
Orthopaedic and Post-Surgical Rehabilitation - Hip and Knee replacements
Reduced strength, endurance and functional independence
Rachel King (she/her)
Director and Senior Physiotherapist
Rachel is Thrive’s Director and has 13 years of experience working in community rehabilitation across Australia and Cambodia. She also holds a Master of Public Health. Rachel is passionate about helping clients work towards meaningful goals through her clinical practice. She works closely with the broader team to ensure Thrive provides fair, professional and knowledgeable services that respond to each client’s individual needs. Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and keeping her energetic kelpies entertained!
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Age Groups: Adults & teenagers
Service Locations: Findon Clinic & throughout metropolitan Adelaide
Therapy Services: Ongoing therapy, hydrotherapy, assistive technology reviews, manual handling reviews, exercise prescription
Clinical Expertise In:
Neurological disorders: stroke, TBI, MS, Parkinson’s disease, SCI, dementia & cerebral palsy
Chronic & genetic conditions: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia, POTS
Autism
Intellectual Disabilities
Musculoskeletal Conditions - osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis
Mental Health Conditions
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Dementia & Aging
Jonathan Norodom (he/him)
Senior Physiotherapist
Jonathan has over 5 years of experience in musculoskeletal and community Physiotherapy, with a strong focus on supporting NDIS participants. He is passionate about exercise-based rehabilitation, mobility and strength training, and helping people build independence in daily life. Jonathan has worked with participants living with stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, autism, and other developmental and physical disabilities. He strives to help each participant achieve their personal goals and improve their overall quality of life.
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Age Groups: Adults
Service Locations: Findon Clinic, Metro Adelaide, Northern Suburbs
Therapy Services: Ongoing therapy, hydrotherapy, supervised gym, home exercise program prescription, manual handling care plan reviews.
Clinical Expertise In:
Neurological Disorders: Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, TBI, Cerebral Palsy
Amputees
Autism
Intellectual Disabilities
Dementia & Aging
Chronic & genetic conditions: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia, POTS
Nicolette Alberts (she/her)
Senior Physiotherapist
Nicolette is an experienced physiotherapist with over 15 years of clinical practice, specialising in rehabilitation and community-based neurological care. She has extensive experience supporting people with conditions including stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Nicolette works with clients in their homes and communities to improve function, independence and quality of life. She focuses on what matters most to each individual and develops practical strategies to help them achieve meaningful and realistic goals.
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Age Groups: Adults
Service Locations: Findon Clinic, metropolitan Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills.
Therapy Services: Ongoing therapy, hydrotherapy, assistive technology reviews, manual handling reviews, exercise prescription
Clinical Expertise In:
Amputees
Neurological disorders: stroke, TBI, MS, Parkinson’s disease, SCI, dementia & cerebral palsy
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Dementia & Aging
Intellectual Disabilities
Hetvi Thaker (she/her)
Physiotherapist
Hetvi brings valuable experience in community rehabilitation. She has a strong interest in helping her clients achieve their goals through active, exercise-based therapy. Hetvi has experience working with people with amputations, stroke, spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injury, as well as people with neurological conditions such as motor neurone disease and Parkinson's disease. She strives to help clients improve their quality of life, independence and function by achieving their goals.
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Age Groups: Adults
Service Locations: Findon Clinic & throughout metropolitan Adelaide
Therapy Services: Ongoing therapy, hydrotherapy, assistive technology reviews, manual handling reviews, exercise prescription
Clinical Expertise In:
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Acquired brain injuries
- Stroke
- Gait rehabilitation
- MND
- Parkinson's
- Other neurological conditions
Frequently Asked Questions About Neurological Physiotherapy
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com
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A neurological physiotherapist assesses and treats movement difficulties caused by conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves or muscles.
Treatment may address walking, balance, strength, coordination, fitness, pain, fatigue, transfers and participation in everyday activities.
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General physiotherapy commonly focuses on musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Neurological physiotherapy involves additional knowledge of how the nervous system affects movement, balance, muscle tone, coordination and motor learning.
Our neurological physiotherapists can also treat musculoskeletal pain or injuries occurring alongside a neurological condition.
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Yes. Physiotherapy for progressive neurological conditions may focus on maintaining mobility and strength, managing symptoms, preventing complications, adapting activities and supporting safety and independence as needs change.
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Yes. Physiotherapy after a stroke may address walking, balance, strength, coordination, fitness, upper limb function and confidence with everyday movement.
Treatment depends on how the stroke has affected you and can be provided during different stages of recovery.
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Yes. We provide home visits throughout metropolitan Adelaide, subject to location and physiotherapist availability.
Home-based sessions may include exercise, mobility and transfer practice, equipment assessment and recommendations for carers or support workers.
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Yes. Our physiotherapists provide individual hydrotherapy programs for people with neurological conditions where water-based therapy is clinically appropriate.
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A referral is not usually required for private or NDIS-funded neurological physiotherapy.
DVA, Chronic Disease Management plans and some other funding programs require referral or approval documentation.
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Yes. Thrive Health Therapies can work with self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed participants.
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You can complete our online referral form or contact our team directly.
Call 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com if you would like to discuss your needs before making a referral.
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