When you walk in the door

You will receive a reminder call or SMS (your choice) the day before your appointment. When you arrive there is some paperwork to fill in, including a privacy policy we ask you to sign. 

Please leave some time before your appointment to find a carpark and fill in the paperwork, then we will run on time, to everyone's benefit.

If your treatment is to be paid by a third party, Veterans Affairs or an insurance company there may be another form to complete. Our reception staff will help you with these.

When you see the physiotherapist

Firstly:

The physiotherapist will meet you in the waiting area and take you to a cubical or room. At this stage the physiotherapist will want to hear from you about your problem by asking you about it in some detail. It is important for the physiotherapist to take a full history, to ensure that the correct diagnosis is made.

Secondly:

Generally the physiotherapist will then want to examine the area and related areas. This often involves taking some clothes off (you may want to bring a pair of shorts with you although we do provide shorts and gowns).

The examination may look at the range of movement of joints and muscles about the area, looking for muscles spasm and or weakness, stiffness, poor co-ordination and habitual movements amongst other things.

The treatment will be based upon your history and the findings of your examination. Treatment may consist of joint mobilization or manipulation, massage, movement re-education, strength training, muscle stretching, hot and cold therapies, electrical therapies, taping or splinting, balance and proprioceptive training...... sometimes just advice.

Finally:

Some people get better in one treatment, which is great. Ingrained patterns of movement generally take some time (can be months) to overcome and require someone to assist in that. If this is the case we might suggest a few sessions in quick succession initially, then see you monthly, for a few months, in order to keep the progress going.

Initial consultations are 45 minutes long and Standard consultations are 30 minutes long. If you need two distinct areas assessed, you need a 45 minute appointment.