Core and trunk
Core and trunk physiotherapy, Hobart
A strong core is more than sit-ups.
Trunk pain, a core that doesn't feel like it's doing its job, or struggling to brace when you lift. We look at how your trunk shares load with your hips and back, and build it back step by step.
Book initial assessment Our approach
No referral needed. All major health funds.
- No referral needed
- All major health funds
- GP care plans accepted
- Hobart
Core training isn't about endless crunches. It's about your trunk doing its share of the work when you lift, carry and move, so your back and hips don't have to do more.
Trunk pain and core control.
This covers pain through the trunk and abdominal wall, and a core that doesn't feel strong or reliable when you lift, carry or train. It often shows up alongside back or hip pain. We look at how your trunk works with the rest of the system, and screen for anything that needs a GP first.
Can't brace
Struggling to brace when you lift or carry.
Core feels weak
A trunk that tires quickly or doesn't feel reliable.
Trunk pain
Pain through the side or front of the trunk with movement or load.
Back and hips
Trunk issues that come with back or hip pain.
What's loading it.
When the trunk isn't sharing the load, the back and hips pick up more work. When they can't, the force lands somewhere it shouldn't.
Bracing and breathing
How you breathe and brace when you lift.
Hip strength
Hips that don't share the load hand more to the trunk and back.
Training gaps
Lots of crunches, not much work under load.
The other 23.5 hours
Sitting, standing and carrying through the day.
Load spikes
A new program, a big lift, or a busy week on your feet.
Previous injury
An old back, hip or trunk injury that never fully rebuilt.
Sound familiar?
- Core feels weak
- Can't brace properly
- Back takes over when I lift
- Sore through the side
- Tires quickly
- Struggle with carrying
- Don't trust it under load
- Back and hips feel it too
How we work through it.
We start with bracing and control, then load the trunk properly until it does its share of the work.
Assess
We test bracing, breathing, trunk strength and how your hips and back share load, and screen for anything that needs a GP.
Explain
What's going on, in plain language.
Plan
A clear pathway, built around what you came in to get back to.
Load
Bracing and control first, then trunk strength under load.
Measure
We re-test bracing and trunk strength as you go.
Progress
Heavier and more varied loading, into a routine you keep.
Three phases. Your pace.
Calm
Settle any pain and learn to brace and breathe well. You learn what flares it and what eases it.
Coordination and capacity
Build trunk control and strength, light first, then under heavier load.
Challenge
Strength for life, so your trunk handles lifting, carrying and training.
What we measure.
A generic example of what we track. Your starting point is your own, which is why we measure rather than guess.
| Measure | Baseline | Re-test | What decides the next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bracing control | Hard to hold a brace | Control holding a brace | Good control moves you into loaded work |
| Trunk strength | Tires quickly | Hold time and control | Better strength means we add load |
| Your task | Can't lift or carry comfortably | What you can do now | Doing it comfortably moves you to full training |
Keep building once the pain's gone.
Phase three happens in our own gym. When you're ready, Strength By Design is where that work carries on, coached and physio-designed.
What makes us different.
We look at how you move
Not just where it hurts. The movement pattern, the coordination, and what's actually loading the sore spot.
Strength is the treatment
Pain relief is the start. Loading the right muscles in the right order is the work that follows.
We explain the why
You leave every session knowing more about your body than when you arrived.
Progress you can see
We measure where you start and re-test as you go, so you always know where you're at.
One standard of care
Every physio works to the same assessment-led method, every session.
Clinic and gym under one roof
Seven treatment rooms and a private gym, run by the same team.
Common questions about core or trunk pain.
Do I just need to strengthen my core?
Sometimes, but usually it's more about how your trunk shares load with your hips and back than doing more crunches. We test it and build it in the right order.
Should I stop training?
Usually not completely, but you may need to change what and how much you lift for a while. We'll find what your trunk can handle now and build from there.
What if my pain isn't muscular?
Trunk and abdominal pain can come from other places. We screen for that in your first session, and refer you to your GP if anything needs checking first.
I've had core work before and it didn't help. What's different here?
Often it was exercises on their own, without changing how you lift and move. We measure your bracing and strength as you go, and keep building under load.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly without a GP referral, unless your insurer or GP has specified otherwise. If you have a GP care plan (CDM or EPC), we accept it: you pay the full fee, we lodge the Medicare claim for you, and Medicare pays the rebate to you.
Ready to get on top of your core or trunk pain?
No referral needed. All major health funds. GP care plans accepted. Hobart.
Or call or text 0483 947 716, or email hello@bydesignphysio.com