At Movement Laboratory, we believe life’s too short to be held back by pain or injury. Our physiotherapists in Sydney’s Inner West will guide you back to your best self and help you stay there. We combine hands-on treatment, movement retraining, and education so you can understand your body and move with confidence.
Physiotherapy in Sydney’s Inner West
Restore movement, reduce pain, and rebuild your body with personalised physiotherapy care.
Common Conditions We Treat
Our physiotherapists at our Leichhardt and Newtown clinics have experience with a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
Degenerative conditions
Ligament tears and sprains
Muscle strain
Post-operative rehabilitation
Chronic neck and shoulder pain
Migraine and head-related dysfunctions
Rib cage dysfunctions and postural tension
Tendinopathy, bursitis, nerve pain or impingement
Frozen shoulder
If your condition is not listed here, please ask. We’ll always work with you to see if physiotherapy is right for you.
Treatment Methods
Our team uses evidence-based tools and techniques tailored to your needs.
Methods include:
What to expect at your first appointment
When you come in for your first session:
Treatment Plan
You’ll leave with a clear roadmap, including timeframe, key stages and what we’ll work on together.
Assessment
We’ll talk through your story and perform a physical exam to understand your pain, goals and body.
Education
We’ll explain what’s happening in your body and how your treatment will help.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find our most frequently asked questions about what to expect, what to bring and how much an appointment will cost below. If you cannot find what you’re after feel free to contact us via the form on this page or Contact Us. We are here to help!
Yes, we accept all private health funds. You will need to bring your health fund care with you, and we can then process HICAPS on the spot. We are unable to predict your rebate, it depends on your package and premium with your individual fund.
An Enhanced Primary Care form (EPC) from your GP gives approval for a Medicare rebate on your appointments (approximately 5 per calendar year). We will need a copy of your current EPC. To claim your Medicare rebate, you will need to pay for your appointment in full and provide a debit card for us to add the rebate. Please read more detailed info here.
No referral is needed however if you have reports or scans relevant to your appointment, we ask you to bring them along to ensure we are fully informed when we treat you.
No two physios assess or treat in exactly the same way. Even with notes from your previous clinic, we still need to assess you for ourselves to ensure that nothing is missed and we are all on the same page.
1:1 private sessions allow us to focus solely on you, ensure that you are performing the exercises correctly and safely, specific to your condition or injury, and allow us to establish your baseline in order to measure your progress.
Yes you can! Most mothers who attend the clinic for their 6 weeks postpartum check bring their newborns. We have different ways to soothe them if they are awake during the session! Sometimes it might involve the help of our admin team to rock your baby. But please do not worry, we are all parents ourselves.
Our Approach
Our recovery model follows three clear stages to ensure your physiotherapy care is always tailored to you, not just the symptom.
What makes us special?
With two convenient locations in Leichhardt and Newtown, we are accessible across the Inner West suburbs including Balmain, Rozelle, Annandale, Summer Hill, Lilyfield, Stanmore, Haberfield, Lewisham and Petersham.
Our team combines advanced physiotherapy training with strong movement-based education.
We’re focused on results, not quick fixes, helping you move better, feel stronger and stay active for the long term.
Start your recovery journey with us today.
Booking Online is the most convenient way to lock in the location, practitioner and time that suits.
Maritsa Macpherson
21:12 14 Mar 26
First session with Alex May, myofascial therapist at Movement Laboratory and it was firm but gentle. Alex knows muscles and pain and how to release tension without causing more pain. I left feeling taller and more relaxed. Can’t wait to see him again for more painless relief.
Gordon McBean
04:01 13 Mar 26
Emily has been a fantastic physio. Calm, methodical, compassionate and knowledgeable. She has provided a clear treatment plan that has helped me get moving again after some complex health challenges. Would highly recommend.
Daniela Falecki
21:46 11 Mar 26
I’d happily recommend Justin to anyone dealing with ongoing pain. After seeing three different physios over the past 12 months for my lower back, things were actually getting worse. I kept being told to “stretch more,” but nothing was really improving.
Justin took a completely different approach. He really listened—both to what I was saying and to what my body was telling him. Instead of just treating the symptoms, he worked to understand and address the underlying causes of the pain.
The difference has been incredible. I can now move freely again without the constant discomfort that had become part of daily life.
Justin has been an absolute godsend. If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated with ongoing pain, I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Justin took a completely different approach. He really listened—both to what I was saying and to what my body was telling him. Instead of just treating the symptoms, he worked to understand and address the underlying causes of the pain.
The difference has been incredible. I can now move freely again without the constant discomfort that had become part of daily life.
Justin has been an absolute godsend. If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated with ongoing pain, I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Anastasya Lonergan
05:22 04 Mar 26
I have been attending Movement Lab as a client of Alex May for pregnancy massage since my second trimester. The service has been really excellent. Alex is skilled, professional, friendly and holistic in his approach. I have really appreciated being able to go somewhere with a focus on client care and ensuring safe practice. Would seriously recommend!
Bianca Ducharme
11:01 01 Mar 26
I started seeing Justin for ongoing aches on the left side of my body — my neck, lower back, and hip. Previously, it felt like other physiotherapists focused only on the symptoms, but Justin took a completely different approach. He assessed and treated my body as a whole.
He began by addressing my nervous system and breathing patterns before introducing targeted exercises to correct muscle imbalances, along with craniosacral therapy. The difference has been significant.
I truly can’t recommend him enough. I only wish I had found him sooner. Each session has helped me better understand my body, and I finally feel empowered to move beyond the aches I’d been carrying for so long.
He began by addressing my nervous system and breathing patterns before introducing targeted exercises to correct muscle imbalances, along with craniosacral therapy. The difference has been significant.
I truly can’t recommend him enough. I only wish I had found him sooner. Each session has helped me better understand my body, and I finally feel empowered to move beyond the aches I’d been carrying for so long.
Briana Russell
02:30 07 Jan 26
I was advised by my Obstetrician to see a physio and was seen by Emily, who was extremely knowledgable, friendly and made me feel comfortable throughout our assessment. She provided a clear outline for my ongoing treatment and answered all my questions clearly. I would highly recommend Movement Laboratory Physiotherapy, Leichhardt.
keisha galbraith
05:01 04 Nov 25
Had my first appointment with Emma yesterday as a newly pregnant woman with chronic pain. We went through my medical history in appropriate and not invasive detail.
I feel really good about moving forwards working with her.
Walking is MUCH easier today. Thank you
I feel really good about moving forwards working with her.
Walking is MUCH easier today. Thank you
Erica Marquez
00:46 01 Oct 25
I’m pregnant and wanted to see a women’s specific physiotherapist to optimise my body for birth. I see EJ and I feel very comfortable with her. She conducts thorough assessments and listens to my concerns. Her support and encouragement is invaluable which always leaves me feeling empowered.
She explained every step of the treatment process clearly, ensuring I understood the purpose behind each exercise and technique.
I highly recommend this practice if you’re after a women’s focused physiotherapist. They even offer remedial massage which I am yet to book in.
She explained every step of the treatment process clearly, ensuring I understood the purpose behind each exercise and technique.
I highly recommend this practice if you’re after a women’s focused physiotherapist. They even offer remedial massage which I am yet to book in.
sam yildirim
09:41 11 Aug 25
I had an incredibly positive experience with my physiotherapy following surgery. From the very first session, the team was supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to helping me recover. They created a personalised plan that really worked for me, and I noticed steady progress every week.
Thank you Movement Laboratory Leichhardt team.
Thank you Movement Laboratory Leichhardt team.
tele jele
02:33 09 Sep 23
Anastasia is the most wonderful physiotherapist who helped us recover and improve our mobility and strength in record time. Highly recommend!
Sara Page
01:43 08 Sep 23
I saw the lovely Shannon for my first consult today. She was extremely professional, knowledgeable and patient. The lovely reception staff were also amazing! Thank you team!!
Emma Powell
11:14 07 Sep 23
The team are so wonderful and lovely to be around. They make your recovery feel effortless and no set backs are ever taken negatively. Thanks team!
paul nelson
03:30 04 Sep 23
I have loved my visits to Movement Laboratory. Alannah has really helped me on my journey to overcome back pain. Highly recommend
Min Zhuo
07:39 31 Aug 23
Anastasia is very patient and informative in my daughter’s point assessment. It was great to have someone guide us through this journey. Thank you
Karla Komene
06:46 02 Aug 23
This place was amazing I was so happy about how I was treated and looked after . I liked how everything was explained to me and it made sense . I was grateful when I told my symptoms to the lovely lady she knew what I was talking about and ways we could improve things and that I wasn’t alone. Also I felt that the environment was pleasant calm and relaxing which is what I needed. I have already taken a few work cards to pass out to some ladies I know . Thank you ???? Looking forward to moving forward
Mark Westman
10:18 05 Jul 23
Anastasia is a miracle worker! I'm a keen runner and I started seeing her a few months ago after a couple of broken backs and a (new) torn hammy. She diagnosed my hammy problem quickly and efficiently, provided immediate relief through some deep massage to allow me to survive a few more important runs before my wedding (honeymoon = rest), and has helped me rebuild through focused strength work and home exercises. She obviously cares about her patients and enjoys helping them achieve their goals. I'm now running regularly and pain free again! Thanks Anastasia 🙂
Movement Laboratory Physio, Inner West
With two locations in Inner West Sydney, Movement Laboratory is your go-to local physio if you’re in the Inner West. We’re proud to bring our experience in pain-free movement to the communities of Leichhardt, Rozelle, Balmain, Summer Hill, Annandale, Lilyfield, Stanmore, Haberfield, Lewisham, and Petersham.
Leichhardt
Great for people living and working in surrounding areas like Rozelle, Balmain, Summer Hill, Annandale, Lilyfield, Stanmore, Haberfield, Lewisham, and Petersham.
Mon. – Thurs. : 7am- 8pm
Fri. & Sat. : 7am- 2pm
Newtown
Great for people living and working in surrounding areas like Rozelle, Balmain, Summer Hill, Annandale, Lilyfield, Stanmore, Haberfield, Lewisham, and Petersham.
Mon. – Thurs. : 7am- 8pm
Fri. & Sat. : 7am- 2pm