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  Contact : Ph: 03 9707 4452 Email: reception@physiofit.clinic

All Posts Tagged: Physiotherapy

GLA:D program STARTS SOON, book your spot now!

GLA:D®, from ‘Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark’, is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms.  It was then brought to Australia in 2016 to help Australians with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

What does GLA:D® involve?

This education and exercise program reflects the latest evidence in osteoarthritis (OA) research. It also includes feedback from people with OA and trainers on what works in the real world to help patients manage OA symptoms.

GLA:D® Australia is run in private, public, and hospital physiotherapy clinics. The cost of the program can vary depending on the location. Please discuss this with your physiotherapist. You do not need a referral from your doctor.

Eligible participants may be able to use Medicare funding to cover costs of assessments and some people may be eligible to access publicly-funded services.  Private health claims should be discussed with your insurer.

The GLA:D® Australia program consists of:

  • An initial appointment to explain the program and measure your current functional ability
  • Two education sessions which teach you about OA, its risk factors, treatment options, and self-management strategies.
  • Group exercise sessions twice a week for six weeks to improve your control of the joint, your confidence in the joint and your strength
  • A review at 3-months with your physiotherapist to discuss progress and goals, and re-measure your functional ability
  • Completion of a questionnaire on registration with the program, and then again at 3 and 12 months after registration to measure changes in areas such as pain, function, quality of life, and medication use.

Can I Participate in GLA:D® Australia?

GLA:D® Australia is a program for all individuals who experience any hip and/or knee pain or symptoms of OA, regardless of severity.

You may participate in the GLA:D® Australia program if you have a hip or knee joint problem that resulted in visiting a health care provider.

You may need to explore other options than the GLA:D® Australia program if:

  • You have other reasons for your hip and/or knee pain, including: tumor, inflammatory joint disease, results of leg fracture, soft tissue or connective tissue problems
  • You have other symptoms that are more pronounced than the osteoarthritis problems (for example chronic generalized pain or fibromyalgia)
  • You are unable to understand and communicate in English

However, there may be parts of the program that will still be helpful for you.  Your physiotherapist will discuss your best treatment options with you as part of the assessment process.

Osteoarthritis Treatment in Australia

Osteoarthritis is the most common lifestyle disease in individuals 65 year of age and older, but can also affect individuals as young as 30 years of age.

Current national and international clinical guidelines recommend patient education, exercise and weight management as first line treatment for everyone with osteoarthritis.

In Australia, treatment usually focuses on medications and surgery. The GLA:D® Australia program offers a safe alternative that may reduce your need for medications, avoid the need for surgery, and improve your ability to participate more actively in work and recreational activities.

This program is unique in that the education and exercises provided can be applied to everyday activities, ensuring participants develop skills to self-manage their osteoarthritis. By strengthening and improving confidence with exercise, participants develop better capacity to become or stay active, prevent symptom progression, and reduce pain.

Research and the GLA:D® Program

Research from the GLA:D® program in Australia (GLA:D® Australia Annual Report 2020) found an average reduction in pain of 27% (hip) and 33% (knee), improved quality of life by 20% (hip) and 29% (knee), and reduced usage of pain medication by 45% (hip) and 49% (knee).  It was also found that less people desired surgery after completing the program.

GLA:D® Australia continues to collect information from participants so that it can keep working towards improving access to the best possible care for people with osteoarthritis.

 

Please contact our friendly reception team for more information if you are interested in participating in the GLAD program.  

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GLA:D program – Best first treatment for hip & knee osteoarthitis

GLA:D®, from ‘Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark’, is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms.  It was then brought to Australia in 2016 to help Australians with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

What does GLA:D® involve?

This education and exercise program reflects the latest evidence in osteoarthritis (OA) research. It also includes feedback from people with OA and trainers on what works in the real world to help patients manage OA symptoms.

GLA:D® Australia is run in private, public, and hospital physiotherapy clinics. The cost of the program can vary depending on the location. Please discuss this with your physiotherapist. You do not need a referral from your doctor.

Eligible participants may be able to use Medicare funding to cover costs of assessments and some people may be eligible to access publicly-funded services.  Private health claims should be discussed with your insurer.

The GLA:D® Australia program consists of:

  • An initial appointment to explain the program and measure your current functional ability
  • Two education sessions which teach you about OA, its risk factors, treatment options, and self-management strategies.
  • Group exercise sessions twice a week for six weeks to improve your control of the joint, your confidence in the joint and your strength
  • A review at 3-months with your physiotherapist to discuss progress and goals, and re-measure your functional ability
  • Completion of a questionnaire on registration with the program, and then again at 3 and 12 months after registration to measure changes in areas such as pain, function, quality of life, and medication use.

Can I Participate in GLA:D® Australia?

GLA:D® Australia is a program for all individuals who experience any hip and/or knee pain or symptoms of OA, regardless of severity.

You may participate in the GLA:D® Australia program if you have a hip or knee joint problem that resulted in visiting a health care provider.

You may need to explore other options than the GLA:D® Australia program if:

  • You have other reasons for your hip and/or knee pain, including: tumor, inflammatory joint disease, results of leg fracture, soft tissue or connective tissue problems
  • You have other symptoms that are more pronounced than the osteoarthritis problems (for example chronic generalized pain or fibromyalgia)
  • You are unable to understand and communicate in English

However, there may be parts of the program that will still be helpful for you.  Your physiotherapist will discuss your best treatment options with you as part of the assessment process.

Osteoarthritis Treatment in Australia

Osteoarthritis is the most common lifestyle disease in individuals 65 year of age and older, but can also affect individuals as young as 30 years of age.

Current national and international clinical guidelines recommend patient education, exercise and weight management as first line treatment for everyone with osteoarthritis.

In Australia, treatment usually focuses on medications and surgery. The GLA:D® Australia program offers a safe alternative that may reduce your need for medications, avoid the need for surgery, and improve your ability to participate more actively in work and recreational activities.

This program is unique in that the education and exercises provided can be applied to everyday activities, ensuring participants develop skills to self-manage their osteoarthritis. By strengthening and improving confidence with exercise, participants develop better capacity to become or stay active, prevent symptom progression, and reduce pain.

Research and the GLA:D® Program

Research from the GLA:D® program in Australia (GLA:D® Australia Annual Report 2020) found an average reduction in pain of 27% (hip) and 33% (knee), improved quality of life by 20% (hip) and 29% (knee), and reduced usage of pain medication by 45% (hip) and 49% (knee).  It was also found that less people desired surgery after completing the program.

GLA:D® Australia continues to collect information from participants so that it can keep working towards improving access to the best possible care for people with osteoarthritis.

 

Please contact our friendly reception team for more information if you are interested in participating in the GLAD program.  

Read More

New Telehealth Service

From 30th March 2019, we now offer Telehealth services for those who are unable to attend our clinic in person for physiotherapy treatment.

Covid-19 pandemic has presented us with an unprecedented challenge. Australians are being asked to take measures that we’ve never had to before, and you may be wondering how this affects your physiotherapy treatment.

We at PhysioFit Berwick, continue to offer quality care for our patients and there are many things we are doing as professionals to minimise risk of exposure through rigorous hygiene practices and patient screening to keep you and our staff safe.

Subject to our screening processes you are still welcome to come in for your treatment.  However, if  you are unable to attend your treatment in person you may like to consult with us via Telehealth. 

Telehealth uses digital technology that’s readily available on your computer, tablet or phone, to receive treatment from our physio. It is safe and effective, and our physios are trained to delivery telehealth consultations.

How to book?

Please just call and speak to our friendly reception staff by phoning 9707 4452.  Alternatively you may send an email request to reception@physiofit.clinic and we will contact you to schedule your appointment.

How does the appointment work?

In preparation for your appointment, you will need to have access to a device which runs a camera; preferably your computer, laptop or tablet (mobile phone is possible but not recommended).  It would be beneficial to setup your device where you have some room behind you to allow movement and to enable the physio a view of your whole body (about 3-4m2 if possible).

At the time of your appointment, the physiotherapist will send you an email invitation with easy to follow instructions of how to connect via Coviu, our software provider.

How do I pay?

We can accept payment by Stripe (secure online payment system), or by direct debit or credit card phone payments.

THIRD PARTY BILLING INFORMATION:

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has been working hard behind the scenes to advocate for funded telehealth services with third-party billpayers, and we are pleased to announce the following bill-payers which will fund Telehealth services…

WorkCover:  Yes, fully covered telehealth services.

TAC: Yes, fully covered telehealth services.

MedicareYes, fully covered with an EPC plan from the GP for chronic disease management, available to use from 1/4/2020 to 30/9/2020.

DVA (Veteran’s Affairs): Yes, fully covered and available to use from 1/4/2020 to 30/9/2020.

Private Health Insurance:  Yes, available from 14th April 2020 until 30/9/2020. Health fund members should check with their health fund to see if they will cover tele-physiotherapy consultations as some funds may impose additional conditions.

During this period, HICAPS has enabled key entry to process benefits over the phone (i.e. processing with manual entering of membership number). The balance of the account can also be paid over the phone with credit card, by direct debit or with Stripe (see above).

 

 

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