Physiotherapy Column
There’s a moment in almost every Barefooters treatment journey where we make a change together and we both get excited – the client and the physio! Usually this is in a Range of Motion test or Neurodynamic nerve test – but it could be in anything that is meaningful to why that person walked in the door to Barefoot for help
That moment matters.
Because most people don’t come to physio, wondering what muscle is tight.
They come wondering why their body hasn’t settled.
Why the same thing keeps flaring up?
Why stretching hasn’t helped.
Why it feels like they’re doing all the ‘right’ things… and still not getting lasting change.
This is where our approach to physio at Barefoot differs.
We don’t start with pain.
We don’t chase symptoms.
And we don’t assume we already know the answer.
We use the Barefoot Physiotherapy framework – 2 major components of that are
The concept of testing to R1(or Resistance 1): the first point of resistance in a test or movement.
These are on a scale of R1, R2 (resistance 2), P1 (where you start to feel symptoms – or Pain 1) and P2 (where pain increases). You can probably instinctively understand that if we are testing to R1 there is less chance of flare up and there is more objectivity as it isn’t relying on reporting pain.
The use of Treatment Direction Tests (TDTs): we use these to listen to what the body wants and needs. These TDTs are how we determine what areas of the body to treat to help a movement.
Pain is loud.
But it’s not always specific.
Pain is the brain’s protective alarm system. It tells us something isn’t happy, but it doesn’t reliably tell us what is driving the problem or what to treat first.
If we only follow pain, treatment often becomes:
You might feel better for a bit… but then the same thing comes back. Or something new pops up.
That’s frustrating for clients.
And honestly, it’s frustrating for clinicians too.
So we work differently.
R1 stands for Resistance One.
It’s part of a scale we use to measure how your body moves before pain appears.
When we assess movement or nerve range, there are usually four key points:
Most assessments in healthcare rely on pain as the outcome.
At Barefoot, we don’t.
We train our physios to palpate and feel the very first sign of resistance in the body is your R1. This requires highly developed hands-on skills and a lot of practice.
Why this matters for you:
You don’t need to push into pain for us to understand what’s happening.
Let’s say you turn your neck to the left.
Most approaches focus on where it hurts.
We focus on why resistance shows up so early.
Because if we can improve R1 – your pain-free, unrestricted range – your body almost always feels better.
This is where the real magic happens.
Treatment Direction Tests are how we determine what actually helps your body in real time.
Once we’ve identified restricted movements at R1, we test different inputs:
Then we immediately re-test the movement.
If R1 improves, we know we’re on the right track.
If it doesn’t, we keep asking better questions.
This allows us to:
Your body leads. We follow.
This is one of the biggest lightbulb moments for clients.
Pain is often local, but the driver is frequently elsewhere.
For example:
The body is brilliant at compensating.
Those compensations are protective – until they aren’t.
By using R1 and TDTs, we can work out where the load is really coming from, not just where it’s shouting the loudest.
his phrase comes up a lot at Barefoot, and I want to explain what it actually means.
Your brain is constantly responding to input from your body:
Its job is to protect you.
Sometimes that protection shows up as:
These responses aren’t random. They’re intelligent. They just don’t always serve you long-term.
When we test and treat to R1, we’re essentially asking:
“If we help here, does your system relax elsewhere?”
The body answers immediately.
That’s what we listen to.
Bodies change.
Lives change.
Load changes.
What you need this month may not be what you need next season.
One of the joys of long-term care is that we start to see themes in a body. When someone returns years later, we can often settle things quickly by revisiting known drivers.
But we never assume the answer is the same.
R1 and TDTs allow us to:
This is why care at Barefoot doesn’t feel cookie-cutter.
From a client perspective, this approach means:
It also means your homework is targeted.
No time-wasting exercises.
No ‘just stretch more’.
Homework supports what we do in the clinic – it doesn’t replace it.
People regularly tell us they’re surprised by:
The body remembers.
And when you listen carefully, it tells you exactly what it needs.
At Barefoot, this framework isn’t held by one person.
Every physio is trained in R1 and TDTs.
Every case is shared.
Every plan is discussed.
So when you see one of us, you’re supported by all of us.
That’s how we maintain consistency, curiosity and care – even as the team grows.
Bodies are intelligent.
They’re adaptive.
And they’re always communicating.
Our job isn’t to overpower them.
It’s to listen carefully, respond thoughtfully, and walk alongside people as their bodies change.
That’s what R1 and Treatment Direction Tests allow us to do.
And it’s why we love this work.
R1 (Resistance One)
The first point of resistance felt during a movement, before pain appears.
R2 (Resistance Two)
Increased resistance following R1.
P1 / P2
The first and second points at which pain is felt during movement.
TDTs (Treatment Direction Tests)
Real-time testing to see which treatments improve R1.
Neurodynamic Testing
Tests that assess how nerves glide, slide, move and tolerate tension.
Compensation
A protective strategy where one area works harder to protect another.
What makes Barefoot Physiotherapy different?
We use objective testing (R1 and TDTs) to guide treatment, rather than relying on pain alone. Care is shared across a highly trained team and adapts as your body changes.
Is R1 testing painful?
No. R1 testing is designed to be gentle and non-aggravating.
What is I am in pain at rest?
If you are in Pain at rest that means you are in P1 already – this is very important information for us as we get to work to settle the body without aggravating it further. We do this by choosing a limited number of very specific tests to gently get started. Then come back to further testing once your body is more able to tolerate it.
Why doesn’t my physio always treat where it hurts?
Pain isn’t always the driver. Treating the source of restriction often leads to better and longer-lasting outcomes.
Do I need to do lots of exercises?
No. Exercises are targeted and support in-clinic treatment rather than replacing it.
Is this approach suitable for complex or long-term pain?
Yes. In fact, this framework is particularly helpful for complex, changing or long-standing issues.
Do all Barefoot physios use this method?
Yes. This framework is embedded across the entire team.
AT BAREFOOT PHYSIOTHERAPY, WE’RE PROUD TO SERVE CLIENTS FROM ALL CORNERS OF AUSTRALIA WHO MAKE THE JOURNEY TO OUR CLINIC IN TENNYSON, BRISBANE.
Below is a list of nearby suburbs that many of our local clients come from. Whether you’re near or far, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional care tailored to your needs.
