Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Doctor’s referral to see a Physiotherapist?
If you are attending Privately:
No, you do not need a referral to see a physiotherapist in Australia if you are attending as a private patient.
The physiotherapist will be able to do a complete assessment and can advise you of your problem and form a management plan.
In some cases, the physiotherapist may refer you to your doctor if further tests are required for scans or blood tests etc, or if you require medication. If we feel a specialist or surgical review would be of benefit, we will let you know, and your doctor will be required for a referral to any specialists.
If you intend to claim on a Workers Compensation or CTP claim, or Chronic Care Plan:
Yes, a doctor’s referral is required for all the above.
Workers Compensation and CTP will be discussed further in detail below as a number of requirements are necessary prior to attendance.
Chronic Care Plans (Medicare Enhanced Primary Care Program) are only for eligible patients and must be discussed with your GP. Limit is one plan per year with a max of 5 treatments per year subsidised (Please note these are not bulk billed and will be detailed further below). After this 5-treatment period you may continue treatment as a Private Patient.
Do you accept all health funds?
Yes, We have HICAPS facilities available for your convenience. HICAPS accepts all major health funds and you can check their website to ensure yours is listed.
Please bring your health fund card to every appointment in order to process your rebate.
If on the odd occasion the refund is declined, you forget your card or the fund is down at the time of consult, we will require you to pay in full and can provide a receipt for you to claim directly with your health fund online or in store where applicable.
How much will I receive back from my private health fund?
All health fund rebates are different depending on your level of coverage and the fund itself.
We recommend searching your fund online or calling your fund to find out what your benefits are in your level of cover.
Is physiotherapy covered under Medicare?
No, unfortunately Medicare does generally not cover physiotherapy.
The exception is only if you are eligible via a Chronic Care Plan which you will need to discuss with your doctor if you meet eligibility criteria. This is for Chronic conditions like diabetes, chronic back pain etc not for acute injuries like ankle sprains etc.
Do you accept Enhanced Primary Care Programs (EPC) /Chronic Care Programs?
Yes, we do accept EPC plans from GPs.
Please note these are not free or bulk billed. Full payment is required and a rebate will be available however there will be a gap.
You will be eligible for a rebate from Medicare, which will vary depending on if you have hit your Medicare threshold for the year.
Mostly claims can be processed on the day, however sometimes they may be required to be sent to Medicare for claiming the rebate if it is declined. This is usually due to Medicare being down at the time of claim or the paperwork not being processed yet.
You will need the plan to be address to our clinic and will need to bring the form to your consult.
How it works: We will require full payment of the treatment session cost. We will then process your Medicare claim through our terminal and if approved by Medicare the rebate will appear and can be credited back to your debit card. Most rebates occur immediately or at least by the following day.
Please note credit card payments are accepted for the payment however you must have a debit card to accept the rebate. If you do not have a debit card, we can provide you with a receipt to then claim directly yourself with Medicare via Medicare Online Services or in store.
Physiotherapy Treatments:
What do physiotherapists do?
Physiotherapists are highly trained health professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat a broad range of health conditions.
These can be subdivided into three main areas:
In private practice the majority of our work comes under the musculoskeletal banner, however we do see some clients from the other areas also who prefer to be managed in their community setting.
We see people from all walks of life, from office workers with postural pain, to sports people, people with chronic pain issues, people who have had accidents or surgeries, to any everyday person who has just had an injury occur or woken up with some sort of pain.
A physiotherapist can assist in:
What do Treatment Sessions entail?
We use various ‘hands on’ treatment techniques including:
Your physiotherapist will be able to
Your appointment is scheduled 1:1 with the physiotherapist. We do not cross over between multiple patients at the same time as some other practices will do. This means your full session is dedicated to listening to your concerns and addressing them. You can ask any questions and the physiotherapist will explain what they are doing as they go. Even for the same problem every session will be different based on how you present on the day and where you are in your treatment plan.
We do not use machines (e.g., interferential (the one that tingles!), therapeutic ultrasound etc) as these do not have evidence for their effectiveness and are therefore wasting your precious consult time which can be used with more effective evidence-based techniques. We do have a real time ultrasound as noted prior with is an imaging Ultrasound like what you will have in a Imaging clinic which allows us quick assessment of mm tears, tendinosis, and bursa without having to send you elsewhere. We also use this for teaching you how to work the correct muscles which is excellent in the learning process.
We aim to provide information also for self-management to assist you in between consults to help maintain treatment changes and will also provide information of any activities which might aggravate the condition which should be avoided if necessary. We do like to take an active approach to treatment and the more you can help the more effective the treatments.
Exercises prescribed are expected to be adhered to in order to achieve great results in a shorter time frame. The therapist will encourage you to keep a diary for exercises.
Information and exercises sheets may be provided to explain details of your condition and help you to remember the information as we do realise, we can provide a lot of information in our sessions which are easy to forget!
If you are attending Privately:
No, you do not need a referral to see a physiotherapist in Australia if you are attending as a private patient.
The physiotherapist will be able to do a complete assessment and can advise you of your problem and form a management plan.
In some cases, the physiotherapist may refer you to your doctor if further tests are required for scans or blood tests etc, or if you require medication. If we feel a specialist or surgical review would be of benefit, we will let you know, and your doctor will be required for a referral to any specialists.
If you intend to claim on a Workers Compensation or CTP claim, or Chronic Care Plan:
Yes, a doctor’s referral is required for all the above.
Workers Compensation and CTP will be discussed further in detail below as a number of requirements are necessary prior to attendance.
Chronic Care Plans (Medicare Enhanced Primary Care Program) are only for eligible patients and must be discussed with your GP. Limit is one plan per year with a max of 5 treatments per year subsidised (Please note these are not bulk billed and will be detailed further below). After this 5-treatment period you may continue treatment as a Private Patient.
Do you accept all health funds?
Yes, We have HICAPS facilities available for your convenience. HICAPS accepts all major health funds and you can check their website to ensure yours is listed.
Please bring your health fund card to every appointment in order to process your rebate.
If on the odd occasion the refund is declined, you forget your card or the fund is down at the time of consult, we will require you to pay in full and can provide a receipt for you to claim directly with your health fund online or in store where applicable.
How much will I receive back from my private health fund?
All health fund rebates are different depending on your level of coverage and the fund itself.
We recommend searching your fund online or calling your fund to find out what your benefits are in your level of cover.
Is physiotherapy covered under Medicare?
No, unfortunately Medicare does generally not cover physiotherapy.
The exception is only if you are eligible via a Chronic Care Plan which you will need to discuss with your doctor if you meet eligibility criteria. This is for Chronic conditions like diabetes, chronic back pain etc not for acute injuries like ankle sprains etc.
Do you accept Enhanced Primary Care Programs (EPC) /Chronic Care Programs?
Yes, we do accept EPC plans from GPs.
Please note these are not free or bulk billed. Full payment is required and a rebate will be available however there will be a gap.
You will be eligible for a rebate from Medicare, which will vary depending on if you have hit your Medicare threshold for the year.
Mostly claims can be processed on the day, however sometimes they may be required to be sent to Medicare for claiming the rebate if it is declined. This is usually due to Medicare being down at the time of claim or the paperwork not being processed yet.
You will need the plan to be address to our clinic and will need to bring the form to your consult.
How it works: We will require full payment of the treatment session cost. We will then process your Medicare claim through our terminal and if approved by Medicare the rebate will appear and can be credited back to your debit card. Most rebates occur immediately or at least by the following day.
Please note credit card payments are accepted for the payment however you must have a debit card to accept the rebate. If you do not have a debit card, we can provide you with a receipt to then claim directly yourself with Medicare via Medicare Online Services or in store.
Physiotherapy Treatments:
What do physiotherapists do?
Physiotherapists are highly trained health professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat a broad range of health conditions.
These can be subdivided into three main areas:
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: this may include
- Sports injuries e.g. ligament sprains, muscle strains, tendon problems.
- Musculoskeletal conditions e.g. scoliosis, neck pain, hip pain etc
- Chronic health conditions like osteoarthritis or osteoporosis
- Headaches/Dizziness/Vertigo
- Work related injuries or motor vehicle accidents
- Post-operative and pre-operative management e.g. for fractures, knee/hip replacements, reconstruction surgeries, arthroscopies etc
- Pre and post-natal care and exercise
- Neurological Physiotherapy: this includes rehabilitation and management of conditions like stroke, spinal cord or brain injuries.
- Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy: this may include COPD, post op care for heart and lung surgeries, Cystic fibrosis care etc of which most are managed in a hospital setting.
In private practice the majority of our work comes under the musculoskeletal banner, however we do see some clients from the other areas also who prefer to be managed in their community setting.
We see people from all walks of life, from office workers with postural pain, to sports people, people with chronic pain issues, people who have had accidents or surgeries, to any everyday person who has just had an injury occur or woken up with some sort of pain.
A physiotherapist can assist in:
- Assessing your injury or condition
- Providing education and advice on your condition
- Managing your pain or main area of concern
- Assisting in pre- and post-operative rehabilitation and care for neurological/spinal (e.g. back surgeries) or orthopaedic conditions (e.g. fractures or joint replacements)
- Injury prevention
- Biomechanical assessments to assist in optimising performance for sports
- Pre employment checks for workplaces
What do Treatment Sessions entail?
We use various ‘hands on’ treatment techniques including:
- Soft tissue releases
- Joint mobilisation techniques
- Neural mobilisation techniques
- Dry needling
- Real time ultrasound for muscle imaging or to help retraining muscle patterns correctly
- Exercise prescription as appropriate for rehabilitation, self-management of your condition and for injury prevention. This will include a home exercise program but may also involve use of our equipment in the practice including spring-based resistance machines, weights and resistance bands.
- Pilates
- Stretches
- Taping including rigid and Kinesio taping
- Brace fitting, sling fitting, CAM boot fitting, casting (for basic casts e.g forearm cast).
- Mobility aid prescription and training e.g., crutches
Your physiotherapist will be able to
- Assess your injury or area of concern to establish an accurate diagnosis and any other contributing factors to your injury or concern
- Explain your diagnosis
- Explain the treatment or management
- Specifically treat the area affected and any other connected or interacting areas
- Refer you for any appropriate imaging if required
- Estimate the time frame required for treatment to ensure a full recovery.
- Prepare a personalised care plan working towards your individual goals.
- Ensure you have a long-term strategy in place to assist prevent future recurrences or for you to understand your condition so it can be managed more quickly if it recurs and therefore it may not present as severely as past episodes.
- Provide you with an action plan to assist you with future bookings.
- Advice if you need further referral to an appropriate medical professional if further investigations are required e.g., GP , Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sports Physician, or Rheumatologist etc
Your appointment is scheduled 1:1 with the physiotherapist. We do not cross over between multiple patients at the same time as some other practices will do. This means your full session is dedicated to listening to your concerns and addressing them. You can ask any questions and the physiotherapist will explain what they are doing as they go. Even for the same problem every session will be different based on how you present on the day and where you are in your treatment plan.
We do not use machines (e.g., interferential (the one that tingles!), therapeutic ultrasound etc) as these do not have evidence for their effectiveness and are therefore wasting your precious consult time which can be used with more effective evidence-based techniques. We do have a real time ultrasound as noted prior with is an imaging Ultrasound like what you will have in a Imaging clinic which allows us quick assessment of mm tears, tendinosis, and bursa without having to send you elsewhere. We also use this for teaching you how to work the correct muscles which is excellent in the learning process.
We aim to provide information also for self-management to assist you in between consults to help maintain treatment changes and will also provide information of any activities which might aggravate the condition which should be avoided if necessary. We do like to take an active approach to treatment and the more you can help the more effective the treatments.
Exercises prescribed are expected to be adhered to in order to achieve great results in a shorter time frame. The therapist will encourage you to keep a diary for exercises.
Information and exercises sheets may be provided to explain details of your condition and help you to remember the information as we do realise, we can provide a lot of information in our sessions which are easy to forget!
How many appointments do I need?
This varies largely from person to person and depending on the type of condition or injury.
A number of factors will influence recovery times including:
Following your first appointment the physiotherapist will outline when they would like to see you next for optimal outcomes and how frequently they would like to see you to attend for treatment.
This will often be re-evaluated over the course of your management depending on how your body responds.
Some conditions have predictable recovery times like fractures which take roughly 4-6 weeks to heal but this does not take into the account the whole of the rehab process to ensure the side effects (like scarring, stiffness from immobilisation etc) are completely managed and you have returned to full function. So timelines for complete rehabilitation even for these types of conditions will vary. Things like back pain are even harder to predict as they can be influenced by many more factors but by following your plan, we will attend to ensure you recover with the best outcome in the shortest period possible.
At Waterfront Physiotherapy & Pilates we always aim not only to rehabilitate the original injury or problem but to ensure we investigate any associated factors that may have caused it. We avoid bandaid approaches that just patch the injury up only for it to occur again and again.
Instead we aim to look at you as a whole, rather than just treating the symptoms to ensure good long-term outcomes with less frequent recurrences.
The end result is that we want to ensure you achieved your goal of treatment and that you have as much knowledge as possible if the problem did ever recur to recognise when it needs treating and have some self-management strategies in place that you can start immediately when you recognise early signs of the problem.
By having this approach, we find any future episodes are less frequent, usually quicker to recover and require less treatment sessions saving money in the long term.
Can physiotherapists refer for medical imaging?
Xray: Physiotherapists are able to refer for x-rays of the spine, neck , hips and pelvis. All other xrays require referral from a GP. We can also refer for EOS scans which are great for imaging scoliosis as it will give a full spine view and more 3D bi-plane imaging. ( https://www.casimaging.com.au/our-services/overview/eos-imaging/ )
MRI: Physiotherapists can refer for MRI scans however no Medicare rebate is available on these. Medicare rebates may be available on MRI scans if referred from a GP or Specialist.
Ultrasound: You require a GP referral for Ultrasound. However, some of our practitioners are trained in conducting ultrasound and can perform ultrasound in the clinic for basic conditions. More complex conditions are still referred to radiography clinics as their ultrasound machines are of greater clarity.
CT scan: requires referral from a GP.
Do you offer Dry needling?
Some of our physiotherapists are trained in dry needling. Please ask reception if you are looking for this technique.
Dry needling can be an effective technique where indicated and can be incorporated into your treatment. We tend to use it as an adjunct to treatment in most cases not necessarily as a whole treatment.
What is Real Time Ultrasound?
The Ultrasound we use in the clinic is the same as those used in radiography clinics.
Some of our practitioners are trained in diagnostic imaging which is where we use the ultrasound for imaging injuries like muscle or ligament tears. This allows us to quickly diagnose the extent to allow us to formulate an appropriate management plan immediately or if more severe will refer on for further investigations if we feel necessary. Anything more detailed we always suggest you attend a radiography clinic so their doctors can review the results.
We can also use the ultrasound for assessing muscle function to determine what muscles are being used. In some cases, some muscles can become too overactive, and others do not correctly activate or turn on too late resulting pain or instability in some areas.
The ultrasound gives you a visual image so you can see what muscles are working and so we can re-teach you how to activate them correctly. This is useful to ensure your rehab is specifically targeting the right muscles in your exercises.
For example, for things like pelvic floor retraining, we often find in the past someone will just get told ‘turn on your pelvic floor and do this’ but are never explained how to turn it on but are just expected to know. Through the imagery we can show the patient if the muscle is turning on correctly, any muscles that are trying to compensate for it, and the size of the contraction. We can also try training the muscle group in different positions e.g. lying, sitting or standing to work out which position gets the best contraction therefore optimising your program.
What is involved in a pre- or post-natal appointments?
Pregnancy Care:
As every woman’s experience is different in pregnancy, we see a great range of different presentations in pregnancy.
In pregnancy the body changes in many ways. Along with changes in hormones, there are dramatic physical and postural changes. These are all normal adaptations that our body is designed to do to support the growing baby and prepare for the birth itself, however in some cases may cause pain in some women.
Some of the most dramatic changes we see may include:
We can assist in:
Types of conditions we see in pregnancy:
Whether you are looking for general advice and guidance in staying fit and healthy in pregnancy, or to address any pain or problems you are experiencing we are happy to help.
Our practitioners have completed extra education in Women’s health, Pregnancy care and Pre and post-natal exercise and are happy to help. Please inform the admin staff when booking that you are coming for pregnancy care, and they will book your appointment appropriately.
Post-natal Care:
Having a baby is an exciting time but is one of the most major events that your body will go through in your life!
Recovery after giving birth is important for your health and for your ability to take care of bub.
You may have been seen by a physiotherapist in the hospital if you were lucky or may have been advised by your Obstetrician or midwife to see a physiotherapist after to address a certain concern. However, your time in the hospital is often a whirlwind of learning and assessments so often post-natal physiotherapy care is not discussed in detail.
We welcome all new mums to come for a post-natal review regardless of whether you have a specific concern or not, just for an overall assessment and guidance in your recovery and especially prior to starting back any vigorous exercise.
In your post-natal assessment, may include the following:
Pregnancy and post-natal E-guide now available for purchase!
$10 or free with any pregnancy or post-natal initial consultation.
Over 80 pages of evidence-backed information prepared by our experienced women’s health physiotherapist.
Contents include:
pregnancy___post_natal_e-guide_sample.pdf
Please speak to reception for more information or to purchase.
Will Physiotherapy hurt?
The aim of physiotherapy overall is to assist in improving you pain however in treating injured areas then this can sometimes be painful. We will however do our best to minimise the pain and try to utilise only the degree of pressure for example when we release muscles that you are able to handle or mobilise joints within a tolerable range.
We have a range of different techniques, and some will not be painful at all, so it really depends on the area that we are treating and the type of technique used.
Often areas can become sensitised and protective and as a result they will be sensitive to even the lightest pressure. This tends to reduce as we treat and the injury heals, and the body will becomes less sensitised.
Please always inform the physiotherapist if you experience any significant pain or ongoing pain beyond 2-3 days after treatment as this is unusual.
If more severe pain develops please present to hospital emergency room or doctor if you feel it requires further investigation.
What are Physiotherapy Exercise Sessions?
Please note all classes or individual sessions require an initial assessment consultation prior to attendance so that we can tailor the sessions for your individual injury or goal.
This varies largely from person to person and depending on the type of condition or injury.
A number of factors will influence recovery times including:
- Age
- The structure causing the symptoms e.g. bone, muscle, tendon , ligament
- Length of time symptoms have been present for prior to seeking treatment
- Fitness level and lifestyle prior to symptom onset
- General health
- How good you are at following the management plans, self-management strategies and home exercises set by your practitioner!
Following your first appointment the physiotherapist will outline when they would like to see you next for optimal outcomes and how frequently they would like to see you to attend for treatment.
This will often be re-evaluated over the course of your management depending on how your body responds.
Some conditions have predictable recovery times like fractures which take roughly 4-6 weeks to heal but this does not take into the account the whole of the rehab process to ensure the side effects (like scarring, stiffness from immobilisation etc) are completely managed and you have returned to full function. So timelines for complete rehabilitation even for these types of conditions will vary. Things like back pain are even harder to predict as they can be influenced by many more factors but by following your plan, we will attend to ensure you recover with the best outcome in the shortest period possible.
At Waterfront Physiotherapy & Pilates we always aim not only to rehabilitate the original injury or problem but to ensure we investigate any associated factors that may have caused it. We avoid bandaid approaches that just patch the injury up only for it to occur again and again.
Instead we aim to look at you as a whole, rather than just treating the symptoms to ensure good long-term outcomes with less frequent recurrences.
The end result is that we want to ensure you achieved your goal of treatment and that you have as much knowledge as possible if the problem did ever recur to recognise when it needs treating and have some self-management strategies in place that you can start immediately when you recognise early signs of the problem.
By having this approach, we find any future episodes are less frequent, usually quicker to recover and require less treatment sessions saving money in the long term.
Can physiotherapists refer for medical imaging?
Xray: Physiotherapists are able to refer for x-rays of the spine, neck , hips and pelvis. All other xrays require referral from a GP. We can also refer for EOS scans which are great for imaging scoliosis as it will give a full spine view and more 3D bi-plane imaging. ( https://www.casimaging.com.au/our-services/overview/eos-imaging/ )
MRI: Physiotherapists can refer for MRI scans however no Medicare rebate is available on these. Medicare rebates may be available on MRI scans if referred from a GP or Specialist.
Ultrasound: You require a GP referral for Ultrasound. However, some of our practitioners are trained in conducting ultrasound and can perform ultrasound in the clinic for basic conditions. More complex conditions are still referred to radiography clinics as their ultrasound machines are of greater clarity.
CT scan: requires referral from a GP.
Do you offer Dry needling?
Some of our physiotherapists are trained in dry needling. Please ask reception if you are looking for this technique.
Dry needling can be an effective technique where indicated and can be incorporated into your treatment. We tend to use it as an adjunct to treatment in most cases not necessarily as a whole treatment.
What is Real Time Ultrasound?
The Ultrasound we use in the clinic is the same as those used in radiography clinics.
Some of our practitioners are trained in diagnostic imaging which is where we use the ultrasound for imaging injuries like muscle or ligament tears. This allows us to quickly diagnose the extent to allow us to formulate an appropriate management plan immediately or if more severe will refer on for further investigations if we feel necessary. Anything more detailed we always suggest you attend a radiography clinic so their doctors can review the results.
We can also use the ultrasound for assessing muscle function to determine what muscles are being used. In some cases, some muscles can become too overactive, and others do not correctly activate or turn on too late resulting pain or instability in some areas.
The ultrasound gives you a visual image so you can see what muscles are working and so we can re-teach you how to activate them correctly. This is useful to ensure your rehab is specifically targeting the right muscles in your exercises.
For example, for things like pelvic floor retraining, we often find in the past someone will just get told ‘turn on your pelvic floor and do this’ but are never explained how to turn it on but are just expected to know. Through the imagery we can show the patient if the muscle is turning on correctly, any muscles that are trying to compensate for it, and the size of the contraction. We can also try training the muscle group in different positions e.g. lying, sitting or standing to work out which position gets the best contraction therefore optimising your program.
What is involved in a pre- or post-natal appointments?
Pregnancy Care:
As every woman’s experience is different in pregnancy, we see a great range of different presentations in pregnancy.
In pregnancy the body changes in many ways. Along with changes in hormones, there are dramatic physical and postural changes. These are all normal adaptations that our body is designed to do to support the growing baby and prepare for the birth itself, however in some cases may cause pain in some women.
Some of the most dramatic changes we see may include:
- Changes in the body's centre of gravity or posture as the baby grows and changes position over the course of the pregnancy.
- Growth of the abdomen, widening of the rib cage and lengthening of abdominal muscles to accommodate the growing baby.
- Compression of digestive and pelvic organs.
- Increased extensibility and pliability of connective tissue. Hormone changes can alter collagen make up in connective tissues, like ligaments, which hold our joints together. This makes joints a little more flexible to allow expansion to keep up with the growth of the baby and to prepare the body for labour. This can affect all areas of your body but in particular the pelvis which takes the full load of the baby and where the pelvis needs to widen for the birth. Your baby’s resting position in the uterus can also influence where the most load is taken and may result in pain or feeling of instability in commonly one leg.
- Softening of the pelvic floor and pelvis connective tissue to prepare for the birth.
- Changes to blood vessels resulting in changes in blood pressure and swelling.
We can assist in:
- General pregnancy education throughout the stages of pregnancy, preparation for the birth and post-natal recovery.
- Pregnancy musculoskeletal assessments and treatment for any aches and pains that may present from the changes mentioned above.
- Tailored exercise programs for you to remain active in pregnancy to assist in everyday health, reducing risk of gestational diabetes, managing any pregnancy related pains or problems; and to prepare your body for the lifting and postural positions required in the post-natal period when caring for your growing little one!
- Pilates and group physiotherapy exercise classes (Please see our Physiotherapy group exercise page for more details).
- Real time ultrasound for muscle training e.g., for pelvic floor training.
Types of conditions we see in pregnancy:
- Pelvic girdle pain including Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain and dysfunctions, pubic symphysis pain
- Sciatica/nerve related pain
- Lower back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Mid back and rib pain
- Foot pain and plantar fasciitis
- Many others but these are just a few of the most common!
Whether you are looking for general advice and guidance in staying fit and healthy in pregnancy, or to address any pain or problems you are experiencing we are happy to help.
Our practitioners have completed extra education in Women’s health, Pregnancy care and Pre and post-natal exercise and are happy to help. Please inform the admin staff when booking that you are coming for pregnancy care, and they will book your appointment appropriately.
Post-natal Care:
Having a baby is an exciting time but is one of the most major events that your body will go through in your life!
Recovery after giving birth is important for your health and for your ability to take care of bub.
You may have been seen by a physiotherapist in the hospital if you were lucky or may have been advised by your Obstetrician or midwife to see a physiotherapist after to address a certain concern. However, your time in the hospital is often a whirlwind of learning and assessments so often post-natal physiotherapy care is not discussed in detail.
We welcome all new mums to come for a post-natal review regardless of whether you have a specific concern or not, just for an overall assessment and guidance in your recovery and especially prior to starting back any vigorous exercise.
In your post-natal assessment, may include the following:
- Discussion of your birth experience i.e. vaginal delivery, assisted delivery (e.g. forceps, ventouse delivery), C-section
- Discussion of any issues w incontinence, perineal tearing, prolapse etc
- Assessment of your pelvis which may have been affecting in the pregnancy or birthing process: including sacroiliac joint and pubic symphysis (note: this is a physical functional examination and not an internal examination and if you think you require an internal examination for a particular reason, we may refer you elsewhere).
- Diastasis Rectus Abdominus (DRAM) assessment for separation and advice on compression garments and treatment depending on the level of separation
- Treatment of any back pain, pelvic girdle pain, neck pain, rib pain , wrist and hand conditions relating to the birth and to the change in lifestyle after giving birth.
- Scar releases for C-section scars
- Tailored post-natal exercise programs for all mums: this may be targeting pelvic floor, abdominal muscle recovery, pelvic stability work for pelvic pain and dysfunction, postural training for feeding/lifting/holding postures, or just general guidance on returning to exercise in a safe manner.
- Real time ultrasound assessment for pelvic floor function and abdominal wall activity.
Pregnancy and post-natal E-guide now available for purchase!
$10 or free with any pregnancy or post-natal initial consultation.
Over 80 pages of evidence-backed information prepared by our experienced women’s health physiotherapist.
Contents include:
- Specific pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal sections
- Current recommendations for exercise at each stage of pregnancy
- Pelvic floor education and exercises in pregnancy, labour and beyond
- Discussion of common complications and conditions found in pregnancy and recommended management
- And much more!
pregnancy___post_natal_e-guide_sample.pdf
Please speak to reception for more information or to purchase.
Will Physiotherapy hurt?
The aim of physiotherapy overall is to assist in improving you pain however in treating injured areas then this can sometimes be painful. We will however do our best to minimise the pain and try to utilise only the degree of pressure for example when we release muscles that you are able to handle or mobilise joints within a tolerable range.
We have a range of different techniques, and some will not be painful at all, so it really depends on the area that we are treating and the type of technique used.
Often areas can become sensitised and protective and as a result they will be sensitive to even the lightest pressure. This tends to reduce as we treat and the injury heals, and the body will becomes less sensitised.
Please always inform the physiotherapist if you experience any significant pain or ongoing pain beyond 2-3 days after treatment as this is unusual.
If more severe pain develops please present to hospital emergency room or doctor if you feel it requires further investigation.
What are Physiotherapy Exercise Sessions?
Please note all classes or individual sessions require an initial assessment consultation prior to attendance so that we can tailor the sessions for your individual injury or goal.
What do I need to bring?
Physiotherapy Patients:
If you have any of the following, please bring them along:
Attending the Practice:
How do I get to the practice?
Walking:
We are located on the western side of the Piazza, on the corner of Amalfi Dr and The Piazza.
Wheelchair and ramp access is available at the end of the building on Amalfi Drive if you have difficulty negotiating stairs. There are 5 stairs up with hand rails directly in front of the shop otherwise.
Car Parking:
There is parking available in the Piazza area directly outside of the practice. If it is particularly busy, parking can also be found at the Archery centre on Bennelong Parkway with a 2 hour limit. This is located approximately 300m away and is the best option during busy periods. Be mindful where you park as some of the archery parking is solely resolved for the Archery visitors so look for the 2P section.
Please always allow extra time to find parking as it is often busy and we want you to get the most out of your allocated appointment time. Appointments are booked back to back so the time you have booked will be allocated solely to you. If you are late, your appointment time will still apply and cannot be extended. I.e. if you book 4-4.30pm this is your time, if you arrive at 4.15 you will only have 15 minutes remaining in your allocated time.
Bus:
No. 533 bus exiting at Bennelong Pwy opposite the Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre
No. 526 or 533 bus exiting at Hill Rd opposite the Woo-La-Ra Hill.
It is roughly a 5-10 minute walk from the bus stop to the practice.
Train:
Rhodes and Sydney Olympic Park train stations are the closest to Waterfront Physiotherapy and Pilates. From these stations you can catch the 533 or 526 bus to reach the practice or the walk is between 25mins to Olympic Park or approx. 40mins to Rhodes.
Ferry:
The F3 ferry to Sydney Olympic park Wharf, followed by the 526 bus towards Burwood to Hill Road. It is approximately a 25min walk from Hill Road to the practice.
Please see transport NSW trip planner to find your best route: https://transportnsw.info/trip#/
Physiotherapy Patients:
If you have any of the following, please bring them along:
- Medical images (eg. X-rays, MRI etc) and reports related to your condition – current and past if you have older images.
- List of any current medications if it is more extensive than you can recall off the top of your head.
- Referral letter. You do not require a referral to see us privately however, if you have one please bring it. (WorkCover, CTP, NDIS or Medicare Enhanced Primary Care Program please see further information specifically to these schemes below)
- Cash or Cards for payment. We require payment at the time of consult. If you are using private health insurance you require this for every appointment. Your Medicare card is also required each appointment if you are on an Enhanced Primary Care plan.
- Please wear comfortable clothing you will be able to move in.
- No shoes are worn in Pilates so you can teach your foot muscles how to work also! It is compulsory that you wear clean socks for hygiene purposes as you will be placing your feet on equipment that other people will use after you. This way you know it is clean for yourself as well. Non slip socks are available to buy at the practice.
- Some people like to bring a drink bottle and towel when attending however, this is your decision.
- If you are on a package, you will have paid up front and you will not need your wallet each time.
- If you are paying casually, payment is required each appointment. This includes your private health fund card.
Attending the Practice:
How do I get to the practice?
Walking:
We are located on the western side of the Piazza, on the corner of Amalfi Dr and The Piazza.
Wheelchair and ramp access is available at the end of the building on Amalfi Drive if you have difficulty negotiating stairs. There are 5 stairs up with hand rails directly in front of the shop otherwise.
Car Parking:
There is parking available in the Piazza area directly outside of the practice. If it is particularly busy, parking can also be found at the Archery centre on Bennelong Parkway with a 2 hour limit. This is located approximately 300m away and is the best option during busy periods. Be mindful where you park as some of the archery parking is solely resolved for the Archery visitors so look for the 2P section.
Please always allow extra time to find parking as it is often busy and we want you to get the most out of your allocated appointment time. Appointments are booked back to back so the time you have booked will be allocated solely to you. If you are late, your appointment time will still apply and cannot be extended. I.e. if you book 4-4.30pm this is your time, if you arrive at 4.15 you will only have 15 minutes remaining in your allocated time.
Bus:
No. 533 bus exiting at Bennelong Pwy opposite the Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre
No. 526 or 533 bus exiting at Hill Rd opposite the Woo-La-Ra Hill.
It is roughly a 5-10 minute walk from the bus stop to the practice.
Train:
Rhodes and Sydney Olympic Park train stations are the closest to Waterfront Physiotherapy and Pilates. From these stations you can catch the 533 or 526 bus to reach the practice or the walk is between 25mins to Olympic Park or approx. 40mins to Rhodes.
Ferry:
The F3 ferry to Sydney Olympic park Wharf, followed by the 526 bus towards Burwood to Hill Road. It is approximately a 25min walk from Hill Road to the practice.
Please see transport NSW trip planner to find your best route: https://transportnsw.info/trip#/
How can I Pay?
Payment is required at the time of your consult.
We accept Cash or Credit/Debit Card payments.
For Private Consults:
For Work cover/ CTP clients:
Payment is required at the time of your consult.
We accept Cash or Credit/Debit Card payments.
For Private Consults:
- We have HICAPS available for immediate health fund claiming of private health insurance. For Private health insurance claims your health fund card is required to be swiped and then you will just have to pay the gap amount. If you do not have your card we will require full payment and can provide a receipt to claim with your health fund directly.
- If you do not have private health insurance the full fee is payable.
- If you have a Medicare EPC (enhanced primary care plan) from your GP (please note this is not available to all people on Medicare- this is a special scheme for chronic health conditions only, you must have a referral and your GP will determine if you qualify) :
- We do not bulk bill for treatments
- There is a gap payment for EPC treatments
- You will need to pay the whole consult fee up front via cash or card:
- We will then require your Medicare card to process the claim and can process the rebate on the day. A debit card is required to process the rebate onto as Medicare will not rebate to Credit cards.
- If you do not have a debit card we will issue you a receipt to take directly to Medicare to claim your rebate.
- An EPC is only valid for one calendar year.
For Work cover/ CTP clients:
- Please ensure you come prepared with correct documentation such as case manager name and contact details, claim number, insurance company and date of injury.
- Please call our reception to provide this information prior to your first appointment as we will need to liase with your insurance company prior to commencing treatment.
- If this is not provided the appointments will need to be self-funded until the case is approved, however we will provide you with a receipt in order for the insurance company to later reimburse you.
