About Dr Myles Burfield

Dr Myles Burfield is a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist practising in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. With 20 years of experience across private practice and elite sport, he works with professional and recreational athletes as well as people from the wider community who want to understand their injury and establish a clear direction for recovery.

Myles has particular expertise in running injuries, complex presentations and second opinions for injuries that are not progressing as expected. His approach combines detailed assessment with practical rehabilitation planning, helping each patient understand what may be contributing to the problem, what options are available and how progress can be evaluated.

Patients looking for a Specialist Sports Physiotherapist in Fortitude Valley can consult Myles at Sports & Exercise Physiotherapy’s Brisbane clinic.

Professional Background

Myles’ career spans private practice, elite sporting environments, postgraduate education and research. He has worked with the Australian Institute of Sport, Cirque du Soleil and the Australian Canoe/Kayaking Team.

As physiotherapist for the Australian Sprint Kayak Team, Myles supported athletes competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. This work gave him direct experience of the physical demands placed on athletes and the importance of carefully planned assessment, rehabilitation and return to sport.

Today, Myles applies that experience to people at every level of activity, including professional athletes, recreational competitors, runners and members of the general population.  Learn more about his treatment approach on the Sports & Exercise Physiotherapy about us page.

Qualifications and Professional Recognition

Myles was awarded the designation of Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist in 2023.  Specialist Physiotherapists have completed a formal specialisation pathway and demonstrated advanced expertise in their field. The Australian College of Physiotherapists explains the role of Specialist Physiotherapists and when specialist input may be helpful.

Myles is registered with AHPRA and holds memberships with the Australian Physiotherapy Association, Sports Medicine Australia and the APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy Group.

Clinical and Sporting Experience

Myles’ clinical work includes the assessment and rehabilitation of both straightforward and complex injuries. His background in elite sport informs his understanding of training demands, performance environments and the decisions involved in progressing an athlete towards participation.

The same principles apply to recreational athletes and members of the community: establish a clear clinical picture, understand the person’s goals and develop a manageable plan that can be reviewed as rehabilitation progresses. Patients needing structured, ongoing support may also benefit from the clinic’s sports rehabilitation program.

Areas of Expertise

Running Injuries

As a distance runner working towards completing all of the World Marathon Majors, Myles understands running from both clinical and personal perspectives. He works with runners experiencing new injuries, recurring problems or difficulty returning to their preferred training volume.

Assessment considers symptoms, injury history, strength, capacity, training demands and goals. Management may involve education, exercise-based rehabilitation, load planning and a staged return to running. Learn more about the clinic’s approach to running injury physiotherapy in Brisbane.

Complex and Persistent Injuries

Some injuries do not follow an expected course. Symptoms may recur, progress may plateau or different opinions may leave the patient uncertain about what to do next. A consultation may involve reviewing the history, previous diagnoses, imaging, earlier treatment and current rehabilitation before outlining realistic options for the next stage of management.

Second Opinions

A second opinion may be useful when the diagnosis is unclear, an injury is not improving as expected or a patient wants another perspective before making a rehabilitation decision. Depending on the findings, a consultation may reinforce an existing plan, suggest a modification or identify the need for further investigation or referral.

Patients unable to attend the Brisbane clinic can ask whether physiotherapy by telehealth is appropriate for their circumstances.

Shoulder Instability and Sports Injuries

Myles also has a clinical interest in shoulder instability and sports-related shoulder injuries. Assessment considers symptoms, previous injury, movement, strength and the physical demands of the person’s sport or activity. Rehabilitation is planned around the individual presentation and the requirements the patient needs to regain.

Who Myles Works With

• Professional and high-performance athletes
• Recreational competitors and active adults
• Runners across a range of distances and experience levels
• People with complex, persistent or recurring injuries
• Patients seeking a second opinion
• Members of the general population seeking a clear assessment and recovery plan

The clinic also provides personalised physiotherapy in Fortitude Valley for sports injuries and broader musculoskeletal concerns.

Treatment Philosophy

Myles believes patients deserve to understand their injury and have a clear pathway for recovery. His approach begins with listening to the patient’s history, concerns and goals. Assessment findings are explained in straightforward language, with time to discuss the available management options.

The resulting plan is individualised and may include education, load modification, exercise-based rehabilitation and staged progression towards work, sport or everyday activity. Progress is reviewed so the plan can be adjusted in response to the patient’s needs.

Research and Teaching

Myles teaches within the Master of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy program at Australian Catholic University, contributing his clinical and sporting experience to postgraduate physiotherapy education.

He is also an author of a systematic review and meta-analysis examining weekly running volume and knee osteoarthritis prevalence. The research was published in