We are very pleased to announce that Osteopathy is now available with Nash Crawford starting from Wednesday 23rd November.

Osteopathy focuses on your whole body, including the soft tissues (such as muscles, ligament and tendons), the spine and nervous system, and may use a variety of different hands-on methods including:

• Spinal manipulation
• Soft tissue massage techniques
• Articulation – gentle rhythmic joint movements
• Stretching muscles and joint capsules
• Muscle energy techniques – encouraging muscles to work against resistance
• Visceral manipulation – gentle movement of the abdominal and pelvic areas

Consultations are ‘hands-on’ and osteopaths also provide advice on home management.  Osteopathic techniques also include a gentle approach and can be suitable for many people, including children and the elderly, and for those with complex medial problems.

What conditions can Osteopath’s treat?

• Spinal pain
• Lower back pain and ‘sciatica’
• Headaches and migraines
• Sports injuries
• Knee pain
• Jaw pain
• Shoulder pain
• Heel and arch pain
• Pregnancy-related pain
• Many many more!

Nash is a dedicated and passionate osteopath who aims to help his patients achieve their health goals, getting them back to what they love doing most!  He will be available on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 4pm to 7pm.

Click here for more information.

Last week we said a sad farewell to Nando, and as you can see he was also pretty upset to be leaving our PhysioFit team!  We wish him all the very best for the future as he moves towards a new physiotherapy pathway, and know that his patients will miss him too!

Classes are back up and running on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays with Emma!

Our Clinical Exercise Classes are conducted by our physiotherapist in small groups of up to 4 clients and are ideal for the rehabilitation and management of injuries, particularly in the treatment of chronic back pain, as well as improving general strength and fitness.

Prior to beginning classes, the physiotherapist will perform a detailed individual assessment in order to prescribe a tailored exercise program to suit your individual needs and goals.

Your program may consist of exercises for strength, flexibility, balance, as well as some Pilates-based exercises for strengthening the core postural muscles used for balance and to support the spine (important in managing and preventing back pain). Some exercises may involve the use of specific equipment such as the Pilates Reformer (for spring-loaded resistance), as well as weights, resistance bands, yoga or stability ball, balance board or other specific equipment.

Please contact reception for availability or for further information.

Its that time of year to get your Archies ready for summer.

At $40.00 each or 2 for $70.00 they are walking out the door! Perfect for a birthday or X-mas pressie, and colours and sizes to suit the whole family.

We are very sad to report that Josie has closed down MyoPhysics Massage Therapy effective immediately. It has been a difficult last 18 months for her business with the pandemic, and due to this and other personal reasons she has made the difficult decision to close her business.  We wish her all the very best for the future, she will be definitely be missed by everyone.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Victoria, have made it very clear that during stage 4 lock down restrictions, you should still seek the healthcare you need, which includes physiotherapy.  

What do the stage 4 lock down rules mean for Physiotherapy?

According to the DHHS physiotherapy guidelines, if you are in pain, and worried that your condition may deteriorate or worsen, which may possibly result in you needing an escalation of care (e.g. a requirement for specialist input/review, an increase in care needs and/or alternate accommodation, avoiding a hospital admission or emergency department presentation) then you are  definitely allowed to seek physiotherapy care.

Please don’t underestimate your condition! Recently, we have had people attend our clinic with what they thought were minor issues, and they turned out to be  serious injuries, some being stress fractures.

If you are unsure whether or not you should attend, but you are in pain, then we would prefer to see you for a face-to-face consultation. This will allow you to gain a firm diagnosis and plan for your recovery. Where required, we’ll continue to see you in the clinic for face to face physiotherapy consultations.

If we feel your condition doesn’t require further immediate care, then we can review you via telehealth to continue to provide you physiotherapy care. Otherwise, we will give you a plan to help you get through until you are able to attend again face-to-face.

Do I need a GP referral to see a Physiotherapist during stage 4 lock down?

No, you do not need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist during lock down. 

There was some initial confusion relating to this, but the DHHS have confirmed that, just like normal, you do not need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist during stage 4 lock down.

Can I travel more than 5km to go and see a physiotherapist during stage 4 lock down?

Yes, you can travel outside the 5km restriction zone to seek healthcare from your physiotherapist. You can use your appointment confirmation SMS message as proof that you have an appointment.

You can also accompany someone for essential medical treatment if you are a parent, guardian or necessary support person.

A reminder: DHHS have advised you to continue to seek the healthcare you require and not put off getting medical care. 

Stay safe everyone!

Have you been hanging out for a massage? Well wait no more!

MYOPHYSICS MASSAGE THERAPY is back up and running after a break, and with two additional therapists you are sure to find a time to suit. For more information or to book an online appointment please visit http://www.myophysicsmassage.com.au

The festive season is over, and with the end of the holidays many Australians will be returning to sitting at a desk for extended periods of time, which research has shown to have a serious impact on well-being. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is urging employees and employers alike to ensure their health – and the health of their staff – isn’t compromised in the post-Christmas return to the office.

The feeling of waking up without an alarm clock and the taste of that glorious Christmas feast may feel like distant memories this week, as the holidays inevitably draw to a close. There’s no doubt about it, coming back to the office from extended time off can be a struggle. Upon returning to work, it’s important – for both physical and mental wellbeing – not to revert to long, uninterrupted periods of sitting.

Besides potentially causing musculoskeletal problems such as neck, shoulder and lower back pain, sedentary behaviour has also been associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and certain types of cancers.

Dave Hall, Chair of the APA Occupational Health group, says ‘Building movement into your working day can be a big step towards increased health and productivity’. Some of Dave’s tips for maintaining movement in the workplace include:

1. The simple act of just standing up every half hour and having a five second stretch can make an immense difference.
2. Take phone calls standing. In fact, use phone calls as a trigger to stand and talk.
3. Drink plenty of water. Better hydration means more frequent need to go to the bathroom, as well as the need to fill up the water glass (i.e. plenty of short burst walking).
4. Build a coffee / tea break routine into your day, e.g. coffee 10am, tea at 3pm.  The body likes routine and after a while you will crave these breaks, which means they in turn will become an integral part of your work day.
5. Walk over to talk to a colleague rather than sending an email.
6. Form a group to conduct some general exercise; from a yoga class to a quick 15 minute walk. Anything is better than nothing, especially when you’re just starting out.
7. Move the bin and printer away from work station areas so you need to walk to them when required.
8. Make your meetings standing or walking ones. Some organisations resist the idea of walking meetings because they need whiteboards or audio-visual aids. However there are often aspects of meetings where walking, and a change of scenery, will be helpful – and possibly even more beneficial – to the meeting outcome. If notetaking is required, allocate this to someone with a small mobile device or tablet which is easily carried, meaning no one needs to be anchored to the spot just to take minutes.
9. Walk to and from work or the train / bus stop, or park further away.
10. Embark on a team building event such as an obstacle race or ‘steps-per-day’ challenge.
11. If you’re an employer, create an office geared towards movement. Activity-based work spaces promote versatility, movement and collaboration in the work place. They may include meeting pods where people stand, more collaborative meeting areas, flexible work stations that permit more standing and movement, for example.

Our Physiotherapists at PhysioFit are highly qualified in prescribing exercise programs for all sorts of scenarios, including injury prevention, chronic disease and pain management, as well as to aid general fitness and well-being.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an ailment of the wrists, fingers and hands. The condition is often characterized by pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling sensations, trembling, throbbing and / or abnormal weakness in the wrist, fingers and thumb. In severe cases of CTS, the patient may find it challenging to grasp and hold objects because the thumb is not functioning properly. Pain can sometimes go beyond the hand, extending into the arm and possibly even into the shoulder.

Carpal tunnel syndrome was given this name because of its association with the carpal tunnel passageway that runs through the wrist and into the hand. There is a prominent nerve, known as the median nerve, which also shares this passageway into the hand. In connection with some other components of the nervous system, the median nerve is responsible for providing feelings and sensations in parts of some of the fingers.

The carpal tunnel also plays host to multiple tendons that pass through it. Swollen tendons can compress the median nerve, which is often the cause of the pain and other unpleasant symptoms associated with CTS.

Risk Factors for Becoming Afflicted With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There are several situations that could put you at an increased risk of experiencing CTS:

• Getting pregnant – especially if you are pregnant with twins or multiples, or if you gain an excessive amount of weight during your pregnancy.
• Reaching menopause
• Taking birth control pills
• Gaining weight rapidly or becoming obese
• Suffering from one or more chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypothyroidism, lupus, diabetes, kidney disease or gout
• Working at a job that frequently requires repetitive motions such as typing, operating a cash register or turning a screwdriver
• Working at a job that requires frequent use of vibrating power tools
• Enduring significant levels of stress, either at work or at home
• Reaching middle age, particularly if you’re female; a significantly high percentage of people who suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are women between the ages of 40 and 60.

Sometimes carpal tunnel syndrome happens when none of these circumstances are evident.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Pregnancy

Pregnancy can create numerous uncomfortable changes in a woman’s body. During this time, the body ramps up production of blood and other fluids to ensure that the developing baby’s needs are met. Hormonal changes can also contribute to fluid retention in the body. Excess fluid can sometimes collect in the hands and other body parts including the face, ankles, legs and feet, resulting in swelling known as oedema. This swelling is particularly common in the third trimester of pregnancy, although it can happen at virtually any time during a pregnancy.

When this build-up of fluid adversely affects the tissues in your wrists, it can result in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Often, carpal tunnel syndrome will resolve on its own after the birth of the baby. However, it doesn’t always vanish straight away after childbirth. There are instances when it can linger, or sometimes even develop for the first time, after the birth of a baby. If that is your situation, we recommend mentioning it to your GP or midwife – or giving us a call to discuss the matter.

When Your Job Puts You at Risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Workers in some occupations are prone to developing CTS. This condition commonly affects typists, mechanics, chefs, athletes, carpenters and musicians. If you find yourself spending a lot of time typing or doing similar repeated motions, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Take frequent breaks to relax and stretch your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders. If you aren’t sure how to do this effectively, do get in touch with us. We can help you learn a series of stretches and exercises that will be of tremendous help to your hands.
• Be sure to periodically switch between tasks; after duration of time spent typing, ensure your hands can rest a bit. Stop and take care of some filing, telephone calls or other items on your to-do list. Return to typing after your hands have had a substantial break.
• Consider supplying your office with ergonomic furnishings and accessories. There are ergonomic computer keyboards, ergonomic chairs and ergonomic desks available, among other things.

How Physiotherapy Can Help Patients Experiencing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Hand therapy is one of our specialties, and it can be especially beneficial for people who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. We can help you customise a treatment programme that might include hand splints, mobilisations, exercises, stretches and remedial massages. Steroid injections and surgery are also options, but they may not be necessary if the less invasive interventions are able to provide relief. We’re able to help many of our patients recover from carpal tunnel syndrome without a need for surgery.

Physiotherapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Relating to Chronic Conditions

Perhaps you have a chronic condition or disease such as arthritis or diabetes that is causing or contributing to your carpal tunnel syndrome. If so, it is possible that you might be qualified to claim Medicare benefits to cover up to 5 physiotherapy sessions in certain extremely specific circumstances. The Australian government does allow a limited number of allied health services to be covered by Medicare for patients who suffer from chronic conditions. If you’re hoping to qualify for Medicare benefits under this scheme, you’ll need your GP to refer you to a physiotherapist for treatment that is both medically necessary and directly relevant to your chronic condition.

Claiming Private Health Insurance Benefits to Cover Physiotherapy for CTS

Most physiotherapy treatments are not eligible for cover by the government subsidised Medicare programme. However, private health insurance does often cover visits to your physiotherapist for medically necessary therapies relating to carpal tunnel syndrome.

There are two types of health insurance policies that are likely to include cover for physiotherapy services: extras cover policies, and customised policies that bundle together both extras cover and hospital cover.

Extras cover policies offer varying levels of cover, depending on which type of policy you’re signed up for. The top-level extras cover policies typically cover multiple types of physiotherapy services. Policies offering lesser levels of cover might or might not include physiotherapy, so it’s important to check the details of your policy before submitting a claim for benefits.

We hope you now have a clearer understanding of what carpal tunnel syndrome is, what causes it and how physiotherapy can help you heal from it. Please do get in touch with us if CTS is a condition you’re currently suffering from. It is also advisable to contact us if you suspect you have CTS, and you’d like to have a professional evaluation. We can help you confirm whether carpal tunnel syndrome is, indeed, your issue. If it is, we can also help you customise the gentlest possible recovery programme that will be effective given your current condition.

Being a Tradie, your body is the most important tool yo own…if it is damaged through injury or illness you may not be able to work to the best of your ability…and that’s where Physiotherapists can help!

Physiotherapists are highly trained and experienced in helping with all sorts of problems, including soft tissue damage, joint or muscle pain….but did you know that physiotherapists can also help you with chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as problems with your plumbing!

So, stay fit and well on the job, and make your health and safety a priority and see how a physiotherapist can help you!

Visit https://choose.physio/fortradies to add some health tips to your toolkit.