Costa Health provides expert physiotherapy in Mijas and Marbella, treating back pain, sciatica, sports injuries, and musculoskeletal conditions. Physiotherapists Flora Muijzer and Daniele Delicati offer evidence-based physiotherapy and manual therapy designed to restore movement, reduce pain, and support long-term recovery.
Patients visit the clinic from across the Costa del Sol, including Marbella, La Cala de Mijas, Fuengirola, and surrounding areas. Treatment programmes are personalised to each patient and may include manual therapy, rehabilitation exercises, dry needling, shockwave therapy, and movement education.
What Is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession focused on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect movement, muscles, joints, and nerves. Physiotherapists assess how the body moves and identify dysfunctions that may cause pain or limit mobility.
Treatment programmes are designed to restore normal movement, reduce pain, and improve strength and stability. Importantly, physiotherapy at Costa Health aims not only to relieve symptoms but to address the root cause of the problem and prevent it from returning.
Physiotherapy treatment may include:
- Manual therapy
- Rehabilitation exercises
- Posture and movement correction
- Injury prevention strategies
- Patient education
Manual Therapy in Physiotherapy
Manual therapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy involving hands-on treatment techniques used to improve joint mobility and reduce muscular tension. These techniques are performed by trained physiotherapists and are commonly used to treat spinal problems, joint stiffness, and muscular pain.
Manual therapy techniques may include:
- Joint mobilisation
- Spinal mobilisation
- Soft tissue therapy
- Trigger point treatment
- Muscle release techniques
When combined with targeted rehabilitation exercises, manual therapy can significantly improve recovery and long-term movement function. It is particularly effective for neck pain and back pain caused by spinal stiffness or joint restrictions.
Flora Muijzer: Physiotherapist in Mijas and Marbella
Flora Muijzer is an experienced physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, manual therapy, and sports rehabilitation. Originally trained in the Netherlands, she has more than fourteen years of experience working with patients across different healthcare settings.
Her areas of expertise include:
- Spinal health
- Disc-related back pain
- Sciatica treatment
- Sports injury rehabilitation
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
Flora is particularly experienced in treating disc injuries and complex back pain, helping patients recover from conditions such as disc herniation, nerve irritation, and persistent lower back pain. She takes a detailed, educational approach to treatment, ensuring patients understand their condition and how to support their own recovery.
International Experience in Sports Physiotherapy
Before working on the Costa del Sol, Flora gained extensive international experience treating elite athletes and performers. Her professional experience includes working with:
- The Chinese Olympic windsurfing team
- Porsche Carrera Cup Asia racing drivers
- The Chinese Women’s Football League
- The Netherlands Dance Theatre
- The Dutch National Ballet
Working with elite athletes demands advanced knowledge of biomechanics, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. This experience allows Flora to apply high-level physiotherapy techniques to both competitive athletes and everyday patients seeking relief from pain or injury.
Daniele Delicati: Physiotherapist at Costa Health
Daniele Delicati holds a Master’s degree in Advanced Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy from King’s College London and has extensive experience working in private practice alongside leading orthopaedic surgeons in London. His clinical expertise focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries and helping patients return safely to physical activity.
Daniele regularly treats conditions including:
- Spinal pain and lower back pain
- Sciatic nerve irritation and nerve-related pain
- Shoulder injuries and rotator cuff problems
- Knee injuries including ligament and meniscus conditions
- Tendon injuries such as tennis elbow or Achilles pain
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
He also has experience treating patients with complex pain conditions including fibromyalgia, rheumatological conditions, and neuropathic pain.
Experience Treating Athletes and Active Individuals
Daniele has worked with both professional and recreational athletes across many sports, including running, cycling, rugby, boxing, dance, gymnastics, swimming, and football. His treatment approach combines manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation, and patient education to improve mobility and prevent recurring injuries.
This broad sporting background allows him to understand the physical demands placed on the body during sport and design rehabilitation programmes that support a safe return to activity.
Physiotherapy Treatments Available in Mijas and Marbella
Patients receiving physiotherapy at Costa Health may benefit from a range of evidence-based treatments, selected according to their individual condition and needs.
Manual Therapy
Hands-on treatment techniques restore joint mobility and reduce muscular tension. Manual therapy is particularly effective for spinal problems, neck pain, and joint stiffness.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Targeted exercises improve strength, stability, and movement control. Rehabilitation exercises help prevent recurring injuries and support long-term recovery.
Dry Needling
Dry needling releases muscular trigger points that contribute to pain and tension. The technique can improve muscle function and reduce localised discomfort.
Medical Taping
Medical taping supports injured muscles and joints while allowing normal movement. It is commonly used during rehabilitation and sports recovery.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is often used for chronic tendon injuries such as plantar fasciitis or tennis elbow. It stimulates tissue healing and can reduce persistent pain in cases that have not responded to other treatments.
Quick Tip: If you have been given physiotherapy exercises to do at home, consistency matters more than intensity. Short, regular exercises are far more effective than occasionally doing them. Consistency counts.
Case Study: Treating Sciatica from a Lumbar Disc Herniation
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. One of the most common causes is a lumbar disc herniation, where part of the spinal disc presses on a nearby nerve root. You can read more about the causes and symptoms of this condition in our guide to sciatica symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
A patient living in Marbella developed severe pain travelling from the lower back down through the leg. Symptoms included sharp nerve pain, tingling sensations, and difficulty sitting for prolonged periods. As the pain worsened, an MRI scan confirmed a lumbar disc herniation compressing the sciatic nerve.
A spinal surgeon reviewed the scan and advised that surgery was not necessary at that stage, recommending instead that the patient find a physiotherapist specialising in disc injuries and sciatic nerve pain. After researching physiotherapists in the Marbella and Mijas area, the patient found Flora Muijzer and booked an appointment at the Costa Health clinic.
During the first consultation, Flora carried out a detailed assessment of the spine, nerve mobility, posture, and movement patterns. She carefully explained:
- How the disc herniation was affecting the sciatic nerve
- Which movements were increasing pressure on the disc
- Which positions could help relieve nerve irritation
- Which activities should temporarily be avoided
Treatment included manual therapy to improve spinal mobility and reduce nerve irritation. The patient also received clear guidance on daily activities such as sitting, standing, and bending, helping protect the spine while the disc healed.
Within three weeks, the patient experienced a significant improvement. The sharp nerve pain had reduced considerably, mobility improved, and everyday activities became much more comfortable. This case illustrates how specialised physiotherapy can effectively manage disc herniation and sciatica without surgery.
If you are unsure whether you need imaging before beginning treatment, our guide on whether you need a scan for back or neck pain may help you decide.
Quick Tip: If you have been diagnosed with a disc herniation, try to change position regularly throughout the day and avoid prolonged sitting. Your physiotherapist can advise on the best resting positions for your specific symptoms.
Why Early Physiotherapy Treatment Matters
Many people delay seeking treatment when back pain or nerve symptoms first appear. Early physiotherapy can help reduce inflammation, restore mobility, and prevent the condition from becoming chronic.
Early intervention may:
- Reduce pain sooner
- Improve recovery time
- Prevent long-term mobility issues
- Reduce the likelihood of requiring surgery
If back pain has persisted for more than a few days, or if symptoms are radiating into the leg, seeking an assessment promptly is advisable.
Physiotherapy for Active Lifestyles on the Costa del Sol
Many residents in Mijas and Marbella enjoy active lifestyles, including golf, tennis, cycling, gym training, and water sports. Physiotherapy helps active individuals maintain mobility, prevent injuries, and recover safely when problems do occur.
Many athletes and active individuals use physiotherapy not only for injury recovery but also to improve performance and reduce the risk of future problems. Whether you are returning to sport after injury or looking to stay active as you get older, a structured physiotherapy programme can make a real difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower spine through the hips and down the leg. When the nerve becomes irritated, pain may travel from the lower back into the buttock and leg.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Common symptoms include lower back pain radiating into the leg, burning or sharp nerve pain, tingling or pins and needles in the leg or foot, numbness in parts of the leg, and weakness in the leg. Symptoms often worsen with prolonged sitting or bending.
What causes sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is a lumbar disc herniation. Other causes may include disc bulges, spinal degeneration, spinal stenosis, and muscle tightness affecting the nerve. A physiotherapist can help identify the underlying cause of sciatic nerve irritation.
Can physiotherapy treat sciatica?
Yes. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for sciatica. Treatment focuses on reducing pressure on the nerve, restoring spinal movement, and strengthening the muscles that support the spine.
Can a slipped disc heal without surgery?
Many disc herniations improve without surgery. Physiotherapy can help reduce nerve irritation and support the healing process through movement guidance and rehabilitation exercises.
How long does sciatica last?
The duration varies depending on the cause and severity. Some patients improve within a few weeks, while others require longer rehabilitation. With appropriate physiotherapy treatment, many patients see significant improvement within several weeks.
What should you avoid with sciatica?
Patients are often advised to avoid heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, deep bending movements, and twisting under load. A physiotherapist can provide specific guidance on safe movements during your recovery.
Is walking good for sciatica?
Walking can help promote circulation and gentle spinal movement. However, walking tolerance varies depending on symptom severity, so it is best to discuss this with your physiotherapist before increasing activity.
When should you see a physiotherapist for back pain?
It is advisable to seek physiotherapy if back pain lasts more than a few days, radiates into the leg, or affects normal daily activities. Early assessment helps prevent the condition from becoming chronic.
Can physiotherapy prevent back pain in the future?
Yes. Physiotherapy can strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, improve posture, and correct movement patterns that contribute to back pain, reducing the likelihood of recurrence.