Dr Joshua Saxton | Osteopath & Exercise Physiologist Unley
Meet Josh
Dr Josh Saxton is both an Osteopath and Accredited Exercise Physiologist. He brings a unique approach that blends hands-on treatment, exercise, and education to help patients recover from pain, move better, and build confidence in their own bodies.
Josh’s philosophy is simple:
“Manual therapy is the panel beater. Exercise is learning to drive. First we reset, then we retrain, and finally we reload.”
This balance of osteopathy and exercise physiology means he can treat the immediate problem while also guiding patients toward long-term resilience.
Josh’s Treatment Approach
Josh works with a structured framework: Reset → Retrain → Reload.
Reset: Hands-on osteopathic techniques such as soft tissue release, dry needling, Muscle Energy Techniques, and joint mobilisation to calm pain and restore movement.
Retrain: Coaching better movement patterns through targeted exercise, rehab drills, and habit change.
Reload: Building strength and resilience so patients can return to the activities they love without fear of setbacks.
He estimates his sessions are about 20–25% manual therapy, 35% exercise, and 40% patient education. For Josh, education is the biggest piece:
“My best treatment on my best day is still no match for someone’s habits. That’s why we focus on helping patients understand their body and make lasting changes.”
What Josh Treats
Josh has a particular interest in helping people with:
Neck, upper back and shoulder pain
Low back and hip pain
Headaches linked to posture and tension
Movement pattern problems
Sports injuries and return-to-gym programs
Rehab for CrossFit, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo athletes
Whether it’s getting back under the barbell, rolling on the mats, or simply playing with your kids pain-free, Josh’s goal is to reset the body and then build it back stronger.
His Philosophy
Josh believes the body is a connected system. Pain in one area often points to problems elsewhere, so he looks at the big picture rather than chasing symptoms. He’s influenced by the joint-by-joint theory, which recognises how stability and mobility alternate through the body’s joints.
But perhaps the most important part of his philosophy is partnership.
“I don’t fix you. I help remove the roadblocks and guide you, but you’re the driver of your own health.”
Josh brings humour and warmth into his sessions, making treatment less intimidating and more engaging. Patients often describe him as direct, approachable, and funny — someone who makes them feel comfortable while still getting the work done.
A Success Story
One of Josh’s most rewarding cases involved a patient with chronic neck and upper back pain after a motor vehicle accident. Other providers had offered piecemeal solutions, but nothing clicked. Josh developed a structured plan blending hands-on care with supervised exercise, then worked with the insurer to implement it.
Within 12 weeks, her pain was under control and her function had improved significantly. For Josh, it wasn’t just about the treatment — it was about creating the right roadmap and walking the patient through it step by step.
Life Outside the Clinic
When he’s not treating patients, Josh is usually on the mats or in the gym. He’s a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (training since 2015) and a black belt in Judo (20 years of practice). He also enjoys CrossFit and weightlifting to keep himself strong and resilient.
Outside of training, Josh loves family time with his partner Rosalind, their daughter Evie, and their 2 dogs Marshall and Grond. Snow trips, outdoor adventures, and time at the park are his go-to escapes.
Qualifications
Formal Education
Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science (Clinical Exercise Physiology, Hons) — University of New England
Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathy) — Southern Cross University
Master of Osteopathic Medicine — Southern Cross University
Functional Movement Systems (FMS)
Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Level 1
Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) Level 1 & Level 2
Y Balance Test
Clinical Education Series — Upper Limb, Cervical Spine, Lower Limb, Lumbar Spine
Dry Needling (CPD Health Courses)
Introductory
Advanced
Masterclass
Visceral Manipulation (Barral Institute)
Visceral Manipulation Level 1
Book with Dr Josh
Ready to take charge of your health and movement?
Book an appointment with Dr Josh Saxton
📞 1300 10 11 22 | 📍 1 Hughes St, Unley SA