Chest physiotherapy in Northcliff, Johannesburg, for children and adults
A chest that stays congested long after a cold should have passed, sinus pressure that won't shift, or a little one whose breathing sounds rattly and chesty. These are worrying in different ways, but they share a common thread. Chest physiotherapy uses gentle, hands-on techniques to help clear congestion and support easier, more comfortable breathing.
No referral needed — physiotherapists are first-contact practitioners in South Africa.
What chest and sinus physiotherapy involves
Chest physiotherapy is a well-established area of practice focused on the respiratory system, helping to loosen and clear secretions, ease congestion, and support more effective breathing. It's often used alongside medical care rather than in place of it, and the right approach always depends on an individual assessment.
For sinus-related congestion, physiotherapy for sinusitis may also help ease pressure and discomfort as part of a broader plan.
Whether the person we're helping is six months or sixty, the starting point is the same: understanding what's going on before deciding how best to help.
Care for adults and children
For adults: chest congestion and sinus issues
Adults often seek help for a chest that stays heavy and congested after a respiratory illness, ongoing sinus pressure, or breathing that feels harder than it should. Chest physiotherapy can support the body's natural clearing of the airways and help you breathe more comfortably, and it's frequently used as part of care guided by your doctor. Mandy Gossip brings over 20 years of experience across general and respiratory physiotherapy, and every session is one-on-one and tailored to you.
For babies and children: gentle, reassuring care
If your baby or child has a congested, chesty cough, it's natural to feel anxious, and you're not alone in wanting to help them feel better. Paediatric chest physiotherapy uses very gentle, child-appropriate techniques to help ease congestion and support easier breathing, always as part of care alongside your doctor or paediatrician. Gabi Honsbein, our paediatric physiotherapist, has particular experience in paediatric respiratory physiotherapy and works with little ones in a warm, calm, and unhurried way.
An important note for parents: if your child is struggling to breathe, breathing very fast, going blue around the lips, or is acutely unwell, please seek urgent medical attention straight away. Chest physiotherapy is a supportive therapy, not a substitute for prompt medical care when a child is in distress.
What to expect at Northcliff Physiotherapy
Every visit begins with a careful assessment so that treatment is matched to the individual adult or child and coordinated with their wider healthcare, where relevant. Sessions take place in a tranquil, home-based practice designed to put both nervous grown-ups and little ones at ease.
Mandy (Amanda) Gossip
- BSc (Physiotherapy), UCT, 1995
- Over 20 years' experience in general & respiratory physiotherapy
Gabi Honsbein
- BSc (Physiotherapy), Stellenbosch, 2015
- Paediatric physiotherapist — experience in paediatric respiratory physiotherapy
Frequently asked questions
What is chest physiotherapy used for?
Is chest physiotherapy safe for babies?
Can physiotherapy help with sinusitis?
Do I need a referral?
Breathe a little easier
Whether it's a stubborn adult chest, ongoing sinus congestion, or a chesty little one you'd love to see more comfortable, a gentle, thorough assessment is the best place to start. Book an appointment at Northcliff Physiotherapy for a paediatric visit. Just let us know it's for your child, and we'll arrange a paediatric assessment with Gabi.
Get in touch to book