
Physiotherapy & Movement Therapy in Amsterdam
Treating Pain by Improving How the Body Moves and Adapts
Many people try physiotherapy hoping their pain will disappear.
Yet even after multiple sessions, the problem often returns.
In our experience, this is rarely because physiotherapy “didn’t work.”
More often, it is because treatment focused on where it hurts, rather than how the body moves, compensates, and adapts over time.
At Alter Physio & Acupuncture, physiotherapy is not just about exercises or manual techniques. It is a process of understanding how your body handles load, movement, and recovery—and helping it move more efficiently and with less strain.
This approach is particularly effective for people with recurring pain, movement limitations, or physical demands that exceed their body’s current capacity.
What We Focus On in Physiotherapy & Movement Therapy
Rather than isolating a painful area, we assess the body as a connected system.
Our focus includes:
- Movement patterns and coordination
- Load tolerance and recovery capacity
- Breathing and postural control
- Protective tension driven by the nervous system
Pain is often the result of inefficient movement strategies, not tissue damage alone. By improving how the body distributes effort and adapts to stress, symptoms can change more sustainably.
How Our Approach Is Different
Many physiotherapy approaches rely on predefined protocols or standard exercise programs. While these can be helpful, they do not always address why the problem developed in the first place.
Our physiotherapy:
- Is guided by movement quality, not just muscle strength
- Adjusts treatment based on nervous system responses
- Integrates manual therapy only when it supports movement change
- Evolves as your body adapts, rather than following a fixed plan
This allows treatment to remain specific, responsive, and relevant to your daily life or sport.
When Physiotherapy & Movement Therapy Is Most Helpful
This approach is particularly suitable for people who:
- Experience recurring or persistent pain
- Feel stiff, unstable, or restricted during movement
- Have returned to sport but lack confidence or control
- Develop pain without a clear injury
- Want to prevent future problems, not just manage symptoms
Physiotherapy is not only for rehabilitation—it can also be used to improve movement efficiency and resilience before pain becomes limiting.
Integration With Other Treatments
Physiotherapy & Movement Therapy is often combined with other approaches at Alter Physio & Acupuncture.
Depending on your condition, treatment may include:
- Japanese Acupuncture, to regulate the nervous system and support recovery
- Myofascial Release Therapy, to reduce protective tension that limits movement
- Japanese Bodywork (Seitai approach), to improve coordination and whole-body balance
These methods are not used as separate services, but as tools that support movement-based change.
What a Session Looks Like
Your session begins with an assessment of how you move, breathe, and respond to load.
Based on this, treatment may involve:
- Targeted movement work
- Hands-on guidance or manual techniques
- Simple but precise exercises tailored to your needs
The goal is not to overwhelm you with exercises, but to help your body move with less effort and better control.
Who This Approach Is For
Physiotherapy & Movement Therapy at Alter Physio is suited for:
- Active individuals and athletes
- People with physically demanding jobs
- Those who have tried treatment elsewhere without lasting improvement
- Anyone seeking a thoughtful, whole-body approach to physiotherapy
Start With an Assessment
You do not need to know exactly which treatment you need.
Your first session focuses on understanding your body and selecting the most effective approach.
Book an appointment to explore how physiotherapy and movement therapy can support your recovery, performance, and long-term health.


