About Riaan
Physiotherapy shaped by sport, movement and rehabilitation.
Riaan Allison is a physiotherapist with a background in sport science and high-performance sport, based in Kirstenhof, Cape Town.
Background & approach
A broader view of movement and rehabilitation.
Riaan's background in sport science and high-performance sport came before physiotherapy and continues to influence how he thinks about movement, physical capacity and rehabilitation.
Physiotherapy provides the clinical framework for assessing and managing injury, pain and movement-related problems. Riaan's sport science background also informs his understanding of physical demands, training and adaptation.
In practice, the focus is not on applying the same treatment to every person. Assessment is used to understand the presentation, identify relevant factors and determine what needs to be addressed at that stage of recovery.
Where appropriate, rehabilitation can then progress from treatment and early movement work into more demanding exercise, strength and preparation for everyday activity, work or sport.
Assess first
Understand the clinical presentation before deciding what treatment or rehabilitation is appropriate.
Match the demands
Consider the physical requirements of daily life, work, training or sport when planning rehabilitation.
Progress when appropriate
Progress movement and exercise demands according to the clinical presentation, functional progress and individual rehabilitation needs.
Professional background
Three degrees across sport science and physiotherapy.
Riaan completed all three degrees at Stellenbosch University. The academic progression spans sport science, high-performance sport science and physiotherapy.
HPCSA-registered physiotherapist
BA Sport Science with Psychology
Stellenbosch University
BSc (Hons) High-Performance Sport Science
Stellenbosch University
BSc in Physiotherapy
Stellenbosch University
My Approach
Treat the patient,
not just the injury.
An injury or diagnosis is only one part of the person in front of me. Two people with the same diagnosis may have different symptoms, physical abilities, goals and demands. Their rehabilitation should reflect that.
Assessment starts with understanding the problem and how it is affecting the individual. Treatment may involve hands-on physiotherapy, movement and exercise, depending on what is appropriate at that stage of recovery.
Exercise rehabilitation is an important part of my approach. As function improves, rehabilitation can progress from basic movement into strength and more demanding exercise, based on what the person needs to return to.
The aim is not only to manage symptoms. Rehabilitation can also focus on improving function, developing physical capacity and preparing for the demands of everyday life, work, training or sport where appropriate.
Understand the person.
Treat the problem.
Build capacity.
Return to what matters.
In the practice
From treatment into rehabilitation.
The practice environment supports clinical assessment, hands-on physiotherapy and exercise-based rehabilitation where appropriate.
As recovery progresses, rehabilitation can become more physically demanding so that movement and exercise reflect the activities the person needs to return to.
