Specialist Physiotherapy in Belfast
Whole-body sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, from your neck to your feet. Integrated with Northern Ireland's specialist podiatry and sports medicine clinic.
Our specialist physiotherapy service is now available at both Belfast clinics. Book online in a few clicks.
Rehab, done properly.
For over a decade, Lower Limb Clinic has been Belfast's specialist destination for foot, ankle and lower limb diagnosis and treatment: podiatry, diagnostic ultrasound, 3D-printed orthotics, shockwave therapy and ultrasound-guided injections.
Physiotherapy has always been the missing step. A precise diagnosis and a targeted intervention get you out of pain. Good rehab is what keeps you out of pain, and gets you back to running, sport and life without fear of relapse.
Our specialist physiotherapy service closes that loop. Whole-body rehab, head to toe, delivered by Rory McIntyre, a Donegal-born, Glasgow-trained Chartered Physiotherapist, in the same building as the clinicians who diagnosed you.
And no, it is not just feet and legs. Your pain rarely starts where you feel it. A sore knee can begin at the hip, a stiff back can show up in your stride. So we assess and treat the whole kinetic chain, from neck and shoulders to back, hips, knees and feet, not just the part that hurts.
Rory McIntyre
Chartered Physiotherapist · MCSP · HCPC Registered
Rory is a Chartered Physiotherapist leading our physiotherapy service. Originally from Donegal, he qualified at the University of Leeds and has spent the past decade between Glasgow and Australia.
In Glasgow, Rory worked as a Highly Specialist Physiotherapist in Rheumatology at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, and as Lead Physiotherapist for the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society, rare expertise in inflammatory joint conditions that will sit alongside our existing MSK podiatry pathway.
Alongside rheumatology, Rory has a strong background in MSK and sports injury rehabilitation, with previous work supporting British Athletics middle-distance runners and professional soccer teams. He is currently based at Embody Movement on Australia's Sunshine Coast.
Lower Limb & Upper Limb Physiotherapy
Our physiotherapist is trained in the full scope of musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Choose the pathway that fits your problem, or book an assessment if you're not sure.
Lower Limb Physiotherapy
Feet, ankles, shins, calves, knees and hips. Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, shin splints, ITBS, PFPS, post-orthotic rehab, return-to-running programmes.
- Running & sports injury rehab
- Tendinopathy loading programmes
- Post-injection & post-shockwave rehab
- Post-surgical lower limb rehab
Upper Limb Physiotherapy
Shoulders, elbows, wrists and neck. Rotator cuff rehab, frozen shoulder, tennis and golfer's elbow, post-surgical shoulder rehab, neck and upper back pain.
- Rotator cuff & shoulder rehab
- Tennis & golfer's elbow
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Post-surgical shoulder rehab
What makes our physiotherapy different
There are plenty of good physios in Belfast. Here's what you get when your physio shares a building with the clinicians who diagnosed you.
Objective testing, not guesswork
VALD ForceDecks force plates and VALD muscle dynamometry give us real, measurable data on your strength, power, asymmetry and readiness, the same technology used by Premiership football clubs, Olympic programmes and elite sports medicine departments.
Integrated with diagnostic ultrasound
Our physiotherapists work alongside clinicians trained in musculoskeletal ultrasound. When imaging clarifies a diagnosis, it happens in the same building, not a six-week waiting list.
One clinical pathway, end-to-end
Assessment, imaging, shockwave, injection therapy, custom orthotics, hands-on physio and rehab, coordinated by one team. No referral loops, no lost information.
Specialist, not generalist
We focus on musculoskeletal and sports injury rehab. Running injuries, tendinopathy, post-injection rehab, post-surgical rehab, return-to-sport programmes.
HCPC & CSP registered
Our physiotherapy service is led by clinicians registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Testing, not guessing.
Our specialist assessments use VALD force plates and VALD muscle dynamometry, the same objective testing technology used by Premiership clubs, Olympic programmes and the world's leading sports medicine departments. Every rehab decision is anchored to real data.
VALD ForceDecks: force plates
Dual force plates that measure ground reaction force, jump height, landing asymmetry, single-leg power and reactive strength. Used to baseline your injury, track rehab progress objectively and make evidence-based return-to-play decisions.
- Single-leg hop & jump testing: asymmetry detection
- Countermovement jump: lower limb power
- Squat & isometric force curves: strength deficits
- Landing mechanics: re-injury risk screening
VALD muscle dynamometry
Precision strength testing for every major muscle group in the lower and upper limb. Quantifies deficits, asymmetry and progress in Newtons, not subjective 'feels 80%' guesses. Cited in virtually all modern return-to-sport protocols.
- Rotator cuff strength testing: shoulder rehab
- Quadriceps & hamstring strength: ACL & knee rehab
- Calf strength & endurance: Achilles tendinopathy
- Grip strength: tennis / golfer's elbow & hand rehab
Objective baseline testing at assessment, repeat testing at key rehab milestones, and exit testing before return to sport or full activity. You'll see the numbers move, not just feel different.
How our physiotherapy works
A structured approach to rehab: no guesswork, no generic exercise sheets, clear progression.
Detailed clinical assessment
Every course of physiotherapy starts with a full subjective and objective assessment. History, functional testing, movement analysis and, where indicated, diagnostic ultrasound.
Manual therapy
Soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisations and targeted manual therapy where it adds value to your rehab, always in combination with active exercise, never as a stand-alone fix.
Evidence-based exercise prescription
Structured progressive loading programmes for tendinopathy, strength and stability work, sport-specific conditioning. Exercises you can actually follow and progress week on week.
Return-to-activity planning
Whether you're a recreational runner, a weekend golfer or returning from surgery, we build a staged plan with clear milestones and measurable markers of readiness.
Lower limb conditions we'll rehabilitate
Our physiotherapy team takes patients through the rehab phase of treatment for every major lower limb condition we diagnose at the clinic. Common examples:
Also treating: post-shockwave rehab, post-injection rehab, and orthotic-supported rehab programmes. Meet our Belfast physiotherapist, Chartered Physiotherapist Rory McIntyre.
Book your physiotherapy appointment
Our specialist physiotherapy service is available at our Ormeau Road clinic. When you book you can:
- Choose your preferred Belfast clinic
- See live availability and pricing
- Self-refer, no GP or consultant referral needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about physiotherapy at Lower Limb Clinic.