Kylie - The Founder of
The Functional Physio
Kylie founded Functional Physio to help people achieve their goals and move freely without limitations. With over 20 years of experience in strength training and as a hybrid athlete competing in CrossFit, Hyrox, and running events, Kylie brings both expertise and personal insight to her work.
At The Functional Physio, Kylie focuses on more than just treating injuries. She takes a holistic approach, uncovering root causes of pain or dysfunction and creating personalised plans to build strength, resilience, and confidence. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, aiming for athletic performance, or simply want to move better in daily life, Kylie is here to help.
The Functional Physio is about more than recover, it’s about empowering you to unlock your potential and thrive.
Kylie Takarangi
APA Titled Sports Physiotherapist,
Masters Sports Physiotherapy
PG Sports Physio, BPHTY, BSC, APAM, ASCA Level 1 Coach.
Kylie is a highly accomplished, New Zealand-trained, APA-titled sports physiotherapist with over 19 years of expertise in the field. Her dedication to excellence is reflected in her impressive academic achievements, including a Postgraduate Master’s in Sports Physiotherapy from La Trobe University, a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Otago. As a lifelong learner, Kylie continually expands her knowledge to provide the best possible care for her clients and also contributes to research as an assistant at La Trobe University.
Kylie's career has taken her across the globe, with extensive experience in New Zealand, Doha, South Australia, and Melbourne. She specializes in injury management, biomechanical retraining, and exercise-based rehabilitation, helping athletes recover, rebuild, and excel.
Kylie’s personal journey as an athlete enhances her understanding of the physical and mental demands of sport. A passionate runner, she has completed marathons in New Zealand and Australia. Her background in CrossFit and strength training further complements her physiotherapy practice, providing her with a unique perspective on athletic performance and recovery.
Kylie’s experience with runners has driven her to develop specialized running assessments tailored to individual needs. Combining her deep understanding of biomechanics with her hands-on experience, she creates comprehensive evaluations that identify inefficiencies, imbalances, and injury risks. These assessments form the foundation for personalized programs that enhance running technique, optimize performance, and prevent injuries. Kylie’s ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice has empowered runners of all levels—from beginners to elite athletes—to achieve their goals with strength and confidence.
Running is not just a profession for Kylie; it’s her passion. Her achievements in the sport have inspired her to help others overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Many of her clients have transitioned from injury recovery to elite performance, a testament to her expertise and commitment.
Driven by a holistic approach to health and wellness, Kylie collaborates within integrative health frameworks to help athletes achieve their full potential. Whether it’s recovery, injury prevention, or peak performance, Kylie’s experience and dedication make her an invaluable partner in achieving your goals.
Diagnosis, management and exercise rehabilitation
Sports Injury Rehabilitation & Return-to-sport programs
Hyrox, Crossfit and endurance training
Running assessment and management
Individualised strength programming for runners and athletes
Manual therapy/Dry Needling
Running Programs/training plans
Run Strong APP - Strength program for runners
Background & Experience
Specialities
Interests
In 2023, Kylie proudly ran the Melbourne Marathon and raised over $6k for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
Google Reviews
I cannot recommend Kylie enough! She is extremely knowledgeable and goes above and beyond for all her clients. I’ve seen Kylie for various running related injuries and her rehab programming is always personalised, manageable and well thought out. Most importantly, she truly is dedicated to getting you back to doing what you love as quickly as possible!
- Emily
Best physio in town! Not to mention best dry needling…
- Jose
Kylie has been my physiotherapist for nearly 10 years. As a 50 year old who participates regularly in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and CrossFit, I have had my share of injuries in that time. Kylie is the cornerstone of my medical management of issues and performance improvement - her exceptional knowledge and experience has translated into effective treatment and rehabilitation in an easy to understand manner. Whatever your physiotherapy requirement, she is your solution. I would rate higher than 5 stars if I could, and have referred numerous other clients to her, always with the same outstanding feedback.
-Gerald
Kylie has become a trusted advisor with her extensive knowledge and calm approach. Her dedication to the craft, precision, and authentic compassion sets her apart from others. She is someone who is truly committed to your long term recovery and making sure you get the best value and outcomes from your treatment with her. I highly recommend seeing her if you are someone dealing with long term chronic pain and have struggled to find answers and the right support to date.
- Sarah