Physiotherapy Services in Balwyn

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is the treatment of physical conditions using non-invasive physical methods rather than medications or surgery. The aim of physiotherapy is to get you back to optimal function. You will find physios treating people in cardiothoracic, orthopaedic and medical wards of a hospital; in paediatrics or women’s health clinics; in neuro rehab centres; on the sports field or in private practice treating musculoskeletal conditions.

What qualifications do physiotherapists have?

Physiotherapists are highly trained allied health professional that are registered with AHPRA after having studied at university for four years. At Elevate, our physios are experts in understanding the biomechanics of the human body and they will help you with any stiffness, pain, weakness you may have. Treatment techniques include:

Soft tissue massage
Trigger point release and deep tissue release
Exercise and movement prescription
Taping
Dry needling
Hot Cold therapy
Ultrasound, TENS machine application
Clinical pilates and strengthening programs
Joint mobilisation
Posture analysis and modification
Education including what to avoid to make your condition worse
Gait analysis and foot orthotics

What specific things do Elevate physios treat?

Our physios treat the following conditions:

Acute or chronic neck pain, Whiplash
Acute or chronic back pain, Sciatica
Headaches, BPPV and vertigo
Shoulder pain, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome
Ankle sprains, knee pain
Pelvic pain
Tight hamstrings
Anterior pelvic tilt
Posture malalignment
Pre-op strengthening, and post-op rehabilitation
Acute sporting injuries

What’s the benefit of seeing a physio?

There are three main stages of treatment that a physio can help you with.

Acute pain – you’ve got a flare up, or you’ve just injured yourself and you need immediate help. Elevate physios will work with you to reduce your pain and symptoms provided much needed relief. During this stage of treatment your physio will be using manual, hands-on techniques as well as gentle exercises is appropriate.
Addressing the problem – if you only treat the symptoms you can only expect short-term benefits. Elevate physios address the underlying problems causing the symptoms thereby empowering and educating you in the management of your condition. During this stage of treatment, your physio will introduce you to an exercise program that directly addresses your problem. The program can include strengthening, stretching, balance, proprioception, weight lifting technique correction, postural exercises, etc.
Breaking cycles – to stop the injury happening again, our physios may recommend some lifestyle or ergonomic changes that need to be made at home or work. When your environment supports your body, you can expect less injuries and wear and tear. During this stage of treatment, your physio will step you into Wellness, this is where you will want to work on building your strength globally and maintain good posture and health so that your body can thrive moving forward.

Is it worth it for kids to see a physio?

“Ah but kids will just bounce back!” It may look from the outside that a child has “bounced back” from an injury but we need to be aware that the body is very clever and that it will adapt and compensate to maintain function. At Elevate, our physios will ensure that your child is not compensating for a weak muscle and that the injury is not only healed but their body is back in alignment and working optimally.

Pregnancy and physio

It’s still sad that many pregnant women are told that “pain is part of pregnancy”. While pain is common during pregnancy, it’s not normal nor necessary. If you are in pain and pregnant, know that there is help and there are several things you can do to address the pain. Your body is growing and changing but it is completely natural. Pain can be caused from previous injuries and niggles flaring up with your body’s changes, or from the body becoming more flexible because of the hormone “relaxin” that is now in your body making everything more stretchy in preparation for birth. You may be experiencing pelvic girdle pain, public symphysis pain, rib pain, achy legs, sore neck or back. Physios can help with all of these symptoms.

Post partum and physio.

Now that the hard task of bringing that beautiful baby into the world is done, you are now thrown into a new world of caring for a little one whilst recovering from all the changes your body has been through with pregnancy and birth. Relaxin is still in your body for the first three months after birth. This means you still need to be careful when moving and exercising to not over-stretch your body which may cause strains and injury. A thorough physical assessment before you begin exercise is essential for all post-partum women wanting to get stronger after birth. Our physios can guide you through your journey back to strength and help you address any issues that have arisen since birth.

Should I see a physio?

There are several reasons why you would see a physio:

You’ve had persistent pain that is not going away
You’ve tried other modalities but you still have your pain, stiffness, etc
You want a professional opinion on something that is worrying you
You’ve been injured – fall, slip, sports accident, etc
You’ve been in a car accident and want to get assessed for injury
Your doctor recommended seeing a physio
You recently had a fracture that is now healed but you need to address weakness
Your pain is becoming unmanageable or unbearable
Googling the problem hasn’t fixed it yet (no judgment, we’ve all done it!)
You want to learn how to take care of your body in a way that is best for you
You want a referral for investigative scans such as ultrasound, MRI, XR, etc
You want to get the most out of you lifestyle – eg get back to golf!

Do I need a Doctor’s referral to see a physio?

No, you do not need a Doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist. Physios are primary healthcare practitioners meaning you can walk-in or call up and book your appointment with our physios without a referral from a Doctor.