John Contreras Physio

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Melbourne, VIC
John Contreras Physio

Courses & workshops for Physiotherapists and Health Professionals. He also developed the APPI Pilates for Runners and Cyclists courses.

John Contreras - Director
APA Sports Physiotherapist, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Certified Pilates teacher and educator

B.Physio (Hons) B.Sc, M.ExSci (S&C), M. Sports Physio

Since graduating from The University of Melbourne in 2001, John has worked extensively in Australia and the UK within the field of Sports Physiotherapy, exercise therapy and rehabilitation. Throughout his career, John has managed a range of clients including post-operative rehab, acute injury management, return to sport rehabilitation, general fitness and elite athletic performance. He has completed a Master of Sports Physiotherapy (La Trobe University) as well as a Master of Exercise Science (Strength & Conditioning) from Edith Cowan University (WA) and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) and a Level 1 ASCA S&C Coach. John has managed strength training services in numerous clinics both in Melbourne and London and has had years of experience delivering clinical Pilates to professional athletes, including Brentford FC in London and the Victorian Bushrangers in Melbourne. Apart from his clinical experience, John is a former Master Trainer with the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute (APPI), teaching matwork and equipment Pilates courses to other health professionals across the UK, Europe, Brazil, Australia and the United States for over 10 years. Using his experience combining Physiotherapy, Pilates and Strength & Conditioning training principles, and with a desire to deliver exercise based education with a strong evidence base, in 2012 John launched Resistance Training Rehabilitation workshops and since then has become a sought after educator. Resistance Training Rehabilitation (RTR) courses have been designed to create a clinical pathway from injury management to fitness and high level performance with a strong scientific and evidence base.

26/09/2025

Not every win in physio is about big outcomes or breakthrough research.

Some of the most rewarding parts of this job are the little, often-overlooked moments that make the day feel lighter.

This short but necessary thread is a reminder that simple pleasures matter: the shared laughs, the small signs of progress, the shared challenges.

What’s one of your simple pleasures in Physiotherapy? 👇

——

24/09/2025

Every physio has been there… fresh out of uni thinking a perfectly explained plan and some evidence-based exercises = instant adherence. 👌

Reality check? Motivation is a complex beast.

It’s not just about knowing what to do — it’s about building habits, accountability, problem-solving barriers, collaborative goal setting and sometimes just keeping it fun enough that people actually stick with it.

Rehab is never one-size-fits-all… and neither is motivation.

——

21/09/2025

Exercise adherence is one of our biggest challenges as physios.

We’ve all been there - creating the perfect exercise program only to have patients struggle with consistency. New research analyzing 205 trials shows up to 70% non-adherence rates in home exercise programs.

But here’s what actually works:

• Patient-led goal setting beats therapist-prescribed goals
• Combining multiple behavior change techniques (8+)
• Booster sessions at 6+ weeks
• Ongoing social support and check-ins
• Behavioral graded exercise approaches

The evidence is clear: it’s not about perfect exercise prescription - it’s about collaborative, supportive relationships and evidence-based adherence strategies.

Time to move beyond “just do your exercises” and start implementing what research shows actually works.

What adherence strategies have you found most effective in your practice? Drop your experiences in the comments.

Reference: Ley, C., & Putz, P. (2024). Efficacy of interventions and techniques on adherence to physiotherapy in adults: an overview of systematic reviews and panoramic meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 13, 137. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-024-02538-9

Ps yes, the typo is annoying me 😂😭
—-

18/09/2025

How do you promote physical exercise, and in particular strength training, to your older adults patients?

For many people, they lose the forest for the trees 🌳 🌳🌳

They think it’s all about building muscle bulk, a concept that they may not be motivated to engage with. So having a few other things to promote can be incredibly helpful.

The International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR) has established a global consensus emphasizing the importance of exercise, particularly strength training, for promoting healthy longevity in older adults.

Here are some of the benefits of Strength Training as we age they suggest:

• Combats Age-Related Muscle Loss (Sarcopenia): Regular resistance exercises help preserve and increase muscle mass, countering the natural decline associated with aging.

• Enhances Functional Capacity: Improved muscle strength leads to better performance in daily activities, fostering independence and reducing the risk of disability.

• Improves Balance and Reduces Fall Risk: Strengthening muscles contributes to better balance and stability, thereby decreasing the likelihood of falls.

• Supports Bone Health: Weight-bearing exercises increase bone density, helping to prevent osteoporosis and related fractures.

• Boosts Metabolic Health: Engaging in strength training can enhance insulin sensitivity and aid in managing blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

• Elevates Mood and Cognitive Function: Regular physical activity, including resistance training, has been linked to improved mood and may help in maintaining cognitive function.

• The ICFSR recommends that older adults engage in a multifaceted exercise regimen that includes aerobic, resistance, balance, and flexibility training.

Individualsing exercise programs to individual capabilities and health status is essential to maximize benefits and ensure safety.

Essentially I like to promote that incorporating strength training into your weekly routine can significantly enhance quality of life and promote healthy aging 🚀

To read more, reference in the comments 🤓

15/09/2025

My Pilates uniform: active wear & thick skin 😆

Keep in mind that in group rehab - feedback comes in hot 🔥 🫠

—-

07/09/2025

✨Starting out as a physio?

It’s easy to feel like you need to know everything straight away 🫠

Truth is, you don’t.

Focus on building a few core skills early, and everything else will grow from there.

Here are 3 skills I wish every young physio worked on from day one:

📝 Sharpen your clinical reasoning – reflect on tricky cases, see more patients, and present cases to peers.

🗣️ Communicate better – practice plain language, check patients understood, and learn from how senior physios explain things.

💪 Bridge rehab to performance – train yourself, add small performance steps into rehab, and collaborate with S&C coaches.

You don’t need 20+ years of experience to start — you just need curiosity and consistency 🚀

✨ Build these early, and they’ll serve you your whole career.

👉 Which one are you working on right now?

——-

29/10/2024

Looking forward to this event in a 4 weeks 👀

——

✨Are you graduating this year? 🎓

Excited to begin your physiotherapy career?
Join The Physio Social Club for an exclusive in-person event tailored to new graduates and those entering the workforce in 2025.

“So, You’re Going to Become a Physio” offers a candid look into the world of physiotherapy, featuring a panel discussion with experienced physios working across different environments—private practice, hospitals, and sports.

This event is a fantastic opportunity to hear personal experiences, gain insights into various career paths, and ask all the questions you’ve been holding back. Attendees will also connect with fellow new grads, helping to form a network of support right from the start.

Guest speakers announced soon!

Tickets are $40, which includes food and drinks for a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Don’t miss this chance to step confidently into your physio journey and learn about the realities of the profession from those who know it best.

🗓️Thursday 28th November 2024
⏰ 6:30pm - 9pm
📍Tiger Mum Canteen, Monash Uni Caulfield, Melbourne

Head to for more info or head to the link in my bio for tickets.

27/10/2024

🚨Two weeks to go!

There’s still time to register and join me in Melbourne to explore the role of Pilates in Injury Rehabilitation.

✨Pilates Essentials For Physiotherapists Level 1: Injury Rehabilitation

🗓️ 9th-10th November 2025
📍Melbourne

This workshop is ideal for Physios and health professionals keen to upskill their clinical reasoning within the Pilates studio.

For more information head to the link in my bio or visit courses.physiosports.com.au

23/10/2024

Fun fact 🤷‍♂️

My notes help me remember the management plan.

My brain remembers that they were going to Sicily with their siblings to visit their grandparents village.

And yes, I remember their siblings names 🤷‍♂️

Who else?

30/09/2024

✨Upcoming Online Webinar Alert! ✨

🎓Strength Training Essentials For Physiotherapists: Lower Limb Training

I’m excited to be teaming up with the 🇸🇬 to deliver this practical workshop online.

📅 Date: October 18, 2024 (Friday)
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Singapore time)
📍 Platform: ZOOM
* To download course flyer: www.aca-physio.com
* All welcome 🌏

Attention all health professionals involved in exercise therapy!

Are you ready to elevate your practice and enhance your skills? Join us for an engaging and informative webinar designed to integrate strength training into your physiotherapy practice with a focus on injury prevention.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

Theoretical foundations of strength training
Role of strength training in injury prevention
Hands-on experience in designing effective strength training programs
Proper technique, progression, and exercise selection for lower limb and lumbar spine rehabilitation

💪 Why You Should Attend:

Enhance your knowledge and skills
Boost your ability to design personalized strength training programs
Improve patient outcomes with effective injury prevention strategies

🎯 Target Audience:
This webinar is designed for all health professionals involved in exercise therapy, from new and recent graduates to experienced clinicians seeking to refresh their approach. Health and fitness professionals, students, and new graduates are all welcome.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to advance your expertise and take your practice to the next level! Register now and secure your spot!

🔗 Register Now: by scanning the QR code
📌 For enquiries: Please contact us via WatsApp (+65 8877 8017); Email (courses@aca-physio.com)

Address

Melbourne, VIC
3000

Telephone

+61468411315

Website

https://johncontreras.physio/

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