FAQs
When should I see a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists are equipped with the skills to assess and diagnose almost all injuries.
Some common examples we see include if you:
-
have any bruising, swelling or deformity
-
have sustained an injury (at home, in a car accident or playing sport)
-
are experiencing muscle or joint aches or pains (particularly high levels of pain or over long periods)
-
experience muscle weakness
-
have pins and needles or numbness
-
have problems balancing or experience falls
-
need advice on using exercise programmes
-
need advice on exercise or improving strength, fitness or flexibility
-
returning to activity or sport from an injury or surgery.
-
want to improve your sporting performance
-
have recently had a baby and are experiencing pain
This list is by no means exhaustive and if you have a question about a specific problem you can talk to our awesome team of physios.
Our Therapists
What sets us apart?
All Strength and Pilates Physiotherapists come from licensed professional backgrounds in physiotherapy and/or exercise science. Some of our team have added qualifications including personal training, strength and conditioning, Pilates, and dry needling. In addition to their extensive professional training, our therapists take on professional development courses and internal in-service training sessions frequently to keep up to date with the latest research to give you the best treatment outcomes possible.
As Strength and Pilates Physiotherapists, we take pride in our commitment to learning and delivering excellent service. We take the time to assess and treat your body from a holistic perspective, not just the localised area of pain. There may be underlying causes as to why you are getting your symptoms and this requires an in-depth understanding of the body's relationship with each other as well as a thorough assessment process.
We consider ourselves lifestyle therapists. We want to be the place where you will not only go to fix any pains or injuries but also to learn how to move better to optimise your health and wellbeing long-term for a better lifestyle.
Your health is your greatest investment!
Appointments
Do I need a referral from my GP to see a physiotherapist?
Private patients do not need a referral to see any one of our therapists. We accept walk-in's subject to availability.
However, if you are coming under WorkCover, Medicare EPC, CTP or DVA, you will require a doctor’s referral before making an appointment to receive treatment.
Do I need an X-ray or scan before I come for Physiotherapy treatment?
No, you don’t routinely require a scan prior to treatment. Your physio will ask you a series of questions, and after your examination will advise you as to whether you need any further imaging to assist in your treatment.
If you already have received a scan relevant to your injury or pain, please bring this in for us to review and explain to you.
How long are consultations? What do they consist of?
The length of treatment depends on a number of factors including:
-
The area of injury
-
The type of injury
-
Your stage of recovery
-
How much pain you are in
-
How irritable your symptoms are
It often takes a little longer during your initial consultation than follow up sessions as your physio will want to perform a number of assessment techniques and ask a few questions to ensure they make the most accurate diagnosis of your problem. Then treatment will be a focused combination of manual therapy, massage, acupuncture and exercise to help relieve any symptoms in the short and long term.
Typically sessions go for 40 minutes, but 60 minute initial and follow-up sessions are available on offer and are generally recommended for complex cases with multiple sites of pain or injury. If you are unsure, give us a call and we will advise you on the length of your session that will be most suitable for your problem.
Can you fix / do you fix (condition / injury)?
For the majority of musculoskeletal injuries, yes we can. However, for most injuries do not expect a quick fix. Most conditions do not resolve overnight and we have to aid and respect the body's timeline throughout the tissue repair phase. We highly recommend seeing your therapist as early as you can during the acute phase of an injury. This is because generally the more chronic the condition, the longer it would take until we see a significant response to treatment.
Everybody and every case is different and depending on how you respond to treatment will differ depending on your injury/condition. If we feel you are not making as much progress throughout your rehab as you should be, we may refer on to a specialist for a second opinion, or someone who will be able to help.
How many sessions will I need?
Your therapist will be able to give you more insight in regards to your rehab timeline following your initial consultation, as each treatment plan is tailored to the individual.
For minor, acute injuries we can see huge improvements within 4-8 sessions.
For major, sub-acute type injuries we are looking at around 8-12 treatment sessions.
For complex, long-term chronic issues, we may be looking at 12-16+ sessions depending on your condition.
These are general guidelines and every patient case is different but you will notice significant improvements early on. If we feel you are not progressing along the rehab path as expected, you may be referred on to get scans, see a specialist, or merely for a second opinion as we are about prioritising your health and wellbeing.
Can I still see a Strength and Pilates Physiotherapist if I’m not in pain?
Yes, you can still see one of our therapists if you don't have any pain. Our therapists are trained to assess and identify body imbalances, reduced mobility or weaknesses that may contribute to injury in the future. We aim to be preventative, to treat it before it actually becomes a problem for you.
What should I wear to treatment?
We recommend something comfortable and loose-fitting such as a t-shirt and some shorts. Depending on the area that needs to be assessed and treated, we may ask you to expose certain areas if you are comfortable with it such as your mid-back. We can always drape you with towels if you feel more comfortable with it, and if not, don't worry, we will never ask you if you feel uncomfortable doing so. We will manage and find a way around it.
Should I bring anything to my treatment?
If you have any relevant information such as scans, reports, referrals, doctor's letters, insurance information, claim numbers etc. then it does help to bring those along with you to the appointment. You will also need to bring your health fund card which can be swiped at the clinic, as well as a payment method via cash/card.
Payment
How much does a session at Strength and Pilates Physiotherapy Cost?
All of our pricing is displayed on our online booking platform and depends on if its an initial visit or a follow-up, and type of service required. In order to optimise your treatment, there may be added costs associated with certain products if the therapist deems them necessary and beneficial in regards to your condition.
How much is the Gap payment?
This depends on your individual health fund provider and the level of cover you have. We recommend checking with your insurance coverage policy. As a service provider, we do not have access to that information.
Insurance
Can I claim my private health on physiotherapy treatment?
Yes, our team of licensed practitioners and their range of services can be claimed through your private health fund through our HICAPS terminal. We swipe your health fund on the spot and you will just have to cover the gap cost upfront. We accept cash and all major credit cards. Please check with your health fund provider prior to making an appointment to make sure you are covered for that particular service.
Can I claim private health insurance directly at the clinic?
For DVA and CTP insurance, yes generally we will bill the insurance provider directly for the cost of the services, provided the claim has been approved and a claim number given to us by you or the claim manager. In special circumstances, we may need to process the payment in full. At the time of payment, we will provide you with an invoice that you can submit to your private insurance provider to be reimbursed.
Is physiotherapy covered by medicare?
Medicare does not cover the cost of any physiotherapy sessions unless your GP has provided you with an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan (now termed Chronic Disease Management plan). This is generally for select-individuals with chronic conditions that have to be discussed with your doctor prior to any physiotherapy appointments.
If your doctor deems you are eligible for the Medicare plan, Medicare will rebate you for up to a total of 5 allied health services for the calendar year in the amount of $55.10 (your doctor will advise you on how many can be allocated to physiotherapy).
To be able to claim this rebate, we ask that you pay the full amount for the session upfront, then swipe your medicare card and rebate the $55.10 back onto your debit card. You should receive the rebate straight away back into your account.