FAQs

How do I know if Physio is right for me and my condition?

Email us or give us a buzz; Ask us any questions you may have, with no pressure to book in.
Want to speak to one of our Physios personally? Leave your details, and preferred contact time, and they’ll be in touch.

Here’s an example email sent to us:

Hi PhysioCentral

I’ve suffered headaches regularly (2 or 3 per week) over the last few years. Nurofen is on my weekly shopping list. Headaches seem pretty common – so I figure it’s just something I have to live with. They’ve been particularly bad over the last few weeks so I finally mentioned it to my Doctor. She ordered brain scans, which are all normal. She then suggested I try Physio. She said they could be coming from my neck. I’d really like to speak to a Physio about it first, because I have a few questions about what’s involved in treatment, and don’t understand how it could possibly help.

Thanks

Feel free to check out our website or Facebook page for a list of conditions that we’ve successfully treated in the past. This may help you determine if Physio is right for you.

What does Physiotherapy do? What does it look after?

When you google the definition of a Physio, it’s a bit vague. That’s because there isn’t a short answer. The only way to answer this is to dive into the detail – but we’ll try to keep it simple!

The human body is made up of multiple ‘’body systems’’ that work together to give and sustain life. These include:

  • The Circulatory System
  • The Digestive System
  • The Urinary System
  • The Nervous System
  • The Reproductive System
  • The Lymphatic System
  • The Endocrine System
  • The Respiratory System

And, the two we take care of:

  • The Skeletal System, and
  • The Muscular System

Combined together, these are referred to as ‘The Musculoskeletal System’

If you visit your Doctor (GP), they can look after problems associated with ALL these systems. They’ll refer you to a Specialist if you need extra specialised care (e.g. a Cardiologist for a circulatory problem involving the heart, or a Gastroenterologist for an intestinal issue).

GP’s tend to recommend and refer people for Physio if they have a problem with either the Skeletal System or the Muscular System.

This means that we look after conditions related to human movement – muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and the nerves that supply these various elements that make up The Musculoskeletal System.

When looking after these conditions we utilise a variety of physical methods (we’re called Physical Therapists in the US), to treat people. From hands-on treatment like massage and loosening up tight, restricted joints, to exercise prescription to restore normal strength and flexibility.

Let’s use an Ankle Sprain as an example:

When someone first presents with a sprained ankle, the joint is usually quite swollen and painful.

Here’s an example of one of our patients who rolled his ankle.

One of the first questions we get asked is – “Do I need an X-Ray?

So, the first thing we do, as standard practice, is to perform a simple test to determine (with extreme accuracy), the answer to that question. The test we follow, and one that’s universally accepted as the Gold Standard, is called The “Ottawa Ankle Rules“.

Should you need an X-Ray, and it shows a fracture, we can put it in a walking boot (very expensive to purchase, so we hire these out to help lessen your cost), and loan you a set or crutches.

Certain types of fractures, or those involving a growth plate in the under 18’s, may require an Orthopedic Specialist consult. We’ll know what to do, and point you in the right direction. If it’s not obvious that you need to see someone else – one of those 50/50 calls – we’ll send a pic of the X-Ray to an Orthopedic Specialist to get their opinion. This can help save time, money, and the inconvenience of another potentially unnecessary appointment elsewhere. This is a wonderful service we offer to our patients, and is one of the advantages of making use of trusting relationships with other medical practitioners that we’ve built up over many years.

Moving along. If there’s no fracture, the next thing we do is go through a series of physical tests to determine the nature of your injury. Don’t worry – we’ll be gentle. We’ll be looking for ligament tears in particular and grading them from 1 to 3 along a scale of severity. This will decide the best course of treatment: walking boot for 3 -10 days, or a brace, or strapping tape, whether your allowed to walk on it or not, and advice on the use of ice, compression, and medication.

We’ll also be able to give you an accurate picture on how long it will take to heal, as well as when you can return to exercise or sport. You’ll also be given clear instructions on what you need to do to accelerate your recovery.

Towards the end of this last phase in your recovery, we’ll also do a few strength and balance tests on both ankles to determine what you need to work on to prevent it from happening again. There are certain problems that people can unknowingly have that make them more prone to spraining an ankle.

Ankle sprains are often easily prevented. We’ll show you how.

Returning to sport? We’ll show you how to strap it, or which brace to wear, if that’s more appropriate. We’ll also make recommendations on running shoes or footy boots, for example, that you’d be best suited to.

I need Physio but I can’t really afford it. Are there any options?

Yes! There are!

  • Private Health
    If you pay for extras cover, you’ll receive a rebate on the spot, and you need only pay a gap. If you’re unsure about your cover, give your health fund a call, OR let us swipe your health fund card and we can test it for you.

    HCF, for example, may give you one free treatment with us each year because we are signed up to their ‘More for Muscles’ program. One free treatment isn’t much but it’s something that should be taken advantage of anyway. After all, 1 treatment may be all you need. Come in. Get it diagnosed. Let us treat it and give you some advice and an exercise program to help you look after it yourself. We’ll download a customised exercise program onto our app that you can access via your phone. For free!

    Our Physios Jack, Jasmine and Elissa are BUPA preferred providers. Bupa members get a heavily discounted fee with no gap payment required for most kids under 25. (Please note that not all practitioners are Bupa providers.)
  • We offer Pensioner Rates
  • We accept patients through the Chronic Disease Management Plan (‘CDM’, also referred to as an ‘EPC’) run through Medicare. This gives certain patients with a chronic condition (older than 6 months) access to a Medicare part payment that will contribute $55.10 (MORE if you’ve reached your threshold) to your consultation fee.

    We will also be accepting CDM patients and bulk billing them (meaning no gap payment required) with certain practitioners. Need or want to access this? – give us a call, or email us, and we’ll make sure we book you in with the correct Physio.
  • We accept all Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party claims – no cost to you, and we will invoice the insurance company directly on your behalf.
  • We accept all Veteran’s Affairs and ADF (through Bupa) Claims – once again – no cost to those covered.
  • We offer different rates – simply give Vanessa or Kasia a call and they can help choose the right therapist for you to suit your budget.

Our number one goal is to help you heal.

In terms of reducing cost. Our aim is to help you recover as quickly as possible, using the fewest appointments with us as possible.

In fact, our business thrives on it.

I don’t have time.
  • We have appointments available before and after work hours. We can even come in on a Saturday if it’s the only time you can make. If none of our advertised hours are suitable, please ask. We’re quite happy to open earlier or stay later just to help you out.
  • Some people simply have difficulty with their mobility. It’s just too traumatic to even think about leaving the house. Think 2 broken ankles, Vertigo, Parkinson’s, or even Agoraphobia. Luckily for them, we can visit them in their home.
  • Your health is important. Don’t brush it off as a low priority item on your To-Do list. This will simply make it worse for yourself down the track, and prolong your recovery process.
  • Another little known fact about Physio – We can provide you with a medical certificate to give you time off work and allow you to come in and see us.
Will it hurt?

Remember – we are experts in pain relief. We deal with it every day. We’re here to relieve you of pain as quickly as possible – not cause you more.

Everyone has different levels of pain tolerance, and sensitivities. Some people simply have a far worse injury than others. Or have put up with it for longer.

Some people have a real fear of pain – almost like a needle phobia.

All in all, the sensation of pain, and people’s responses to it are wide and varied.

We understand this completely and adjust what we do accordingly. You don’t even have to tell us – we can tell, and we know what to do.

I have too many questions and concerns and I feel silly asking them.

Some common concerns have included:

“What approach/techniques do Physio’s use?”

“Will I need to wear particular clothes?”

‘I’m really uncomfortable getting undressed’

► It’s often easier to wear or bring appropriate clothing. For example: Shorts with a leg problem; Singlet top for a shoulder etc. You’ll be given complete privacy to get changed. We’ll also use strategically placed towels to cover up all the parts we’re not treating. However, a lot of patients book in on their lunch break and don’t have time to go home and get other clothes. It’s okay! We have some clean shorts here so you don’t need to! We will work around it.

► We have male and female therapists available, and, you’re more than welcome to bring a family member or friend along to sit in during the consultation.

► You’ll find all of our staff extremely kind, helpful, and understanding no matter what concerns you may have. We pride ourselves on this. If you do however, have any concerns, please talk to one of us so that we can accommodate you.

Will I be pressured to keep coming back for multiple appointments month after month?

Nope! Definitely not!

We’ll check out what’s bothering you, give you a complete and thorough explanation, and answer all your questions, to give you a comprehensive understanding of your problem.

We’ll then offer you our recommendations.

We give you the info, and you decide.

Everyone’s circumstances are different. We understand and appreciate this.

Some people just want the info, and to be shown what to do to try and get rid of the symptoms themselves. They’re happy for it to take longer to come good, as long as they know they’re on the right track.

Others want to make use of our treatment skills, book in a few times a week to gain quick relief and accelerate their recovery.

As mentioned previously – our business thrives on getting people better as quickly as possible using the fewest appointments as possible. When we do this, and we do it well, the word gets passed on. They recommend us to friends and family – and the cycle repeats.

PhysioCentral has developed a long and trusting relationship with thousands of people over the years.

All of our Physio’s are diligent in furthering their education, spending hours per week, each and every week on their Continuing Professional Development – even when we’re on holidays! With a geek like interest in the human body and how it works, how we can improve it, and how we can relieve pain, coupled with years and years of experience – makes our knowledge and advice rock solid.

This will make Graeme feel old, but he’s treated people many years ago when they were kids, who now bring their kids in to see him. Now that’s loyalty! And based quite simply on trust.

We also have lots of online reviews from previous patients, so feel free to check them out!

Can I bring my children to my appointment?

Absolutely! We have toys and even a chalk board wall to keep them occupied during your sessions.

What other services are available at PhysioCentral?

Podiatry, massage therapy, dietitian, casting, dry needling, hire boots

How  can seeing a dietitian help me with my injury?

Diet can be manipulated during recovery to enhance the body’s healing mechanism. Specific nutrients introduced at just the right time will have an incredible effect on helping with decreasing inflammation, improving joint mobility and tissue flexibility and increasing strength. 

If you would like to do some further reading on this, our amazing dietitian has written a blog about it here

When should I see a podiatrist?

Our podiatrist deals with all concerns of the lower limb. For example, nail and skincare, foot and joint pain, biomechanics of the feet and legs, and footwear advice, helping you to restore functioning to natural movement patterns. She ultimately promotes a long-term solution in favour of a “quick fix” treatment. 

Do I need a referral?

Nope! You do not need a referral to see a physiotherapist, dietitian, podiatrist or massage therapist.

However, if you do already have one from your GP or specialist bring it along to your appointment with you!

The only time we do need a referral from you is if you wish to claim any of your sessions through Medicare. Ask your doctor to see if you’re eligible.