Services

Physiotherapy

The physiotherapist’s overall management of your problem involves:

  • Observing and assessing your movement and your overall physical condition
  • Analysing and identifying your problems
  • Developing a treatment program with you (and your family or carers) and, where appropriate, other members of the health care team
  • Managing the treatment or training program based on your jointly agreed goals
  • Evaluating progress, modifying treatment if necessary, and stopping treatment once goals have been reached

All Active Functional Retraining and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programs are individually tailored for the specific needs of the individual as well as the sporting and non-sporting population (private and insurance covered).

In the endeavor to provide a detailed and specialised service in the treatment of Spinal and Musculoskeletal conditions “Take Control” Active Rehab has chosen longer consultation times combined with a strong emphasis in client involvement in functional muscle retraining. The aim is to minimise the number of repeat visits and maximise results by providing detailed Biomechanical treatment with the latest technology of Real Time Ultrasound, muscle Biofeedback training with functional spinal muscle exercise programs.

Women's Health
Did you know, 50% of people don’t get the correct pelvic floor activation technique by reading about pelvic floor exercises?

It is commonly reported that 1 in 3 women who have ever had a baby have been affected by incontinence, but we often don’t fully appreciate how much it can affect people’s quality of life in an often unmentionable “affliction”.

Pelvic floor muscle training can be helpful in the resolution of symptoms of urinary incontinence – both stress and over active bladder; both before and after surgery for prolapse repair; and ante- and post-natally.

We have the following services available to our Women’s Health patients:

  • Antenatal and Postnatal Care
  • Continence Issues
  • Pelvic Floor Assessment
  • Pelvic Pain Treatment
  • Complex Pelvic Pain - including overactive bladder syndromes, interstitial cystitis, vaginisimus and other complex pain conditions.

We also have the facility to offer biofeedback and real time ultrasound to facilitate a high standard of service that is sensitive to the individual’s needs. We offer a professional yet comfortable consultation environment with the empathy and sensitivity required for this aspect of care.

Bounce Back Classes
Move with confidence and control

Retrain your brain and body with spinal strength and ball exercise classes, designed by physiotherapists and delivered by specially trained healthcare experts.

Research has demonstrated that subtle changes occur in how our brain and muscles work together following an injury. The BOUNCE back® program retrains control and communication between the brain and the spine, while building strength for long lasting results.

What are BOUNCE back® classes?

BOUNCE back® classes typically consist of an 8 week series of one hour classes with specific exercises to progressively improve your spinal and core strength, co-ordination and balance. This allows you to return with confidence to the activities you enjoy doing or improve the way you do them. Each class is run by a tertiary qualified health care professional and is limited to a maximum of 8 participants. Each week you will receive an illustrated list of easy-to-follow exercises with clear instructions to continue at home between classes.

Class selection
As BOUNCE back® classes are highly specialised and focused on the individual it’s recommended that you undergo an assessment by one of our physiotherapists before taking your first class.  This ensures that you will be allocated to the appropriate class for your current level of ability.

NEW TO BOUNCE BACK - KIDS BOUNCE BACK!
Bounce Back 4 Kids is a research based, innovative children's exercise class for children aged 5-12 years old. The classes have been designed by Trish Wisbey-Roth and Tahnee Westbury (an Occupational Therapist) and the work on developing fine and gross motor skills, balance, awareness, posture, core strength and motor planning. There is a maximum of 4 people in a class for individual attention within a fun, social setting.

Who is ideal for Kids Bounce Back?
Children with:
- delayed fine and gross motor development
- writing and hand/eye co-ordination issues
- low muscle tone, postural issues with aches and pains
- poor balance, co-ordination and motor planning

See the latest Bounce Back 4 Kids brochure here

For more information please visit bbclasses.com.au/takecontrol

Real Time Ultrasound & Muscle EMG Biofeedback
A breakthrough in motor control – retraining of the key stabilising muscles of the spine and pelvis

Back pain is a common ailment which affects up to 80% of the population. Research suggests that following an acute episode of back pain, up to 50% of sufferers will have a reoccurrence. This more than doubles the chance of back pain becoming a chronic problem.

 

What happens following back pain?
Studies conducted within the past ten years demonstrate conclusively that following an initial episode of low back pain, the spinal stabilising muscles cease to function as the normally would (Hodges, 2003), and may also reduce in size (Hides, 1994). Muscles including the transversus abdominus, multifidus and pelvic floor showed delayed activation with body movement, hence leaving the spine without sufficient support, leading to rick of re-injury.

 

Both Real Time Ultrasound and Muscle EMG Biofeedback are used diagnostically to identify faulty muscle recruitment patterns and as a treatment tool to teach patients how to use their muscles in the most efficient way.  It provides powerful visual feedback to assist patients motor relearning.

 

Here in the picture we are using Real Time Ultrasound (RTUS) to assess activation of the pelvic floor muscles, which are a group of muscles that sit at the bottom of your pelvis and act as a sling and lift up to support you. Studies show that low back pain can inhibit activation of this muscle and reduce the thickness in chronic cases. Using RTUS we are also able to assess activation of other muscles such as transverse abdominus, iliacus, quadratus femoris and multifidus.

 

 

Also is a picture of us using EMG biofeedback, to compare the Gluteus Maximus muscle and the Hamstrings.  The gluteals are an important stabilizer of the lower back, SIJ and hip region.Similarly with pain this muscle can be inhibited and people will commonly overuse their hamstring or adductor muscles to compensate.  This then has effects on the pelvic position and can cause subsequent hip, groin and knee problems.

 

 

By using the dual channel EMG biofeedback we are able to assess the ratio of gluteal activation to hamstring and provide the patient with exercises which encourage optimal control, specifically at their level of control. Other muscle groups we are able to assess using Muscle Biofeedback EMG are Gluteus Medius vs Tensor Fascia Latae, Upper Trapezius vs Lower Trapezius, right Multifidus vs left Multifidus

Cycling Biomechanical Assessment
Is something preventing you from reaching your cycling potential?





The detailed Cycling Biomechanical Assessment has been designed and implemented by Olympic Physiotherapist Trish Wisbey-Roth, who worked as physiotherapist to the Australian Cycling Team for 10 years.




The entire assessment has been based on the latest cycling research and is constantly being updated.


The Cycling Biomechanical Assessments are designed to identify and correct inefficient/harmful bike set-ups and body alignment in order to minimise the risk of injury and maximise cycling performance in terms of speed and endurance.


The assessment involves:

  • Initial road and/or mountain bike set-up assessment
  • Musculoskeletal assessment – specifically designed for cyclists to identify the missing links in strength, flexibility and aerodynamic position
  • Video analysis – pre and post bike adjustment and musculoskeletal assessment
  • Adjustments to bike
  • Plan of areas that need to by worked on physically – including stiff joints and appropriate muscle strengthening/stretching program

Each assessment takes approximately 2 ½ hours. Assessments are completed by highly trained physiotherapists, specifically trained in the area of cycling biomechanical analysis.

Worker's Compensation

“Take Control” Active Rehabilitation Program
An active function based biomechanical and muscle retraining program designed for clients experiencing repetitive episodes of spinal pain, or chronic musculoskeletal and core stability problems. The program combines intensive one on one sessions and small group exercise classes to address biomechanical issues, musculoskeletal flexibility and spinal muscle stability deficiencies. Work related activity is an important and integral component of the program. As clients improve in strength and muscular stability, they are progressed on to specifically designed small group exercise classes, aimed at functional return to work and sporting activities. Goal setting, positive reinforcing, limited manual therapy, training efficient spinal muscle stability and an emphasis on self management are key elements of the Active Rehabilitation Program.

Fast Track Early Intervention program
A combined manual therapy/exercise retraining program designed for those experiencing acute low back pain. It involves limited manual therapy to settle the client’s symptoms and restore biomechanical function. Using real time ultrasound, the patient is taught how to use their spinal stabilizing muscles and is then progressed through a graded core stability exercise program aimed at early return to work and minimising the likelihood of re-injury.

Acupuncture & Dry Needling

JAPANESE ACUPUNCTURE

Is a lesser-known form of acupuncture compared with Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is an extremely gentle but a highly effective form of treatment.

Needling usually remains very shallow, about 1-2mm, without the need to manipulate needles, rather relying on location, direction of needle and breathing to create the required effect. Other times the needles do not even penetrate the skin, but rather simply touch the points. Points are located by palpation and patients verify immediately the effect via a reflex point.

The most common response people have to acupuncture is a deep level of relaxation and alleviation of symptoms. It is free of side effects and beneficial for acute or chronic disorders as well as preventative treatment. Japanese acupuncture seems to also have a very positive effect on musculo-skeletal problems for both its pain relief and healing qualities. Our physiotherapists are in an effective and unique position of being able to combine acupuncture with other treatment methods such as exercise, manipulation and massage, which has shown to enhance or speed up recovery. As mentioned previously the fact that it is painless means it is also very useful to treat children.

There are the eastern and western theories to explain the positive effects of acupuncture on the body. The eastern theory states acupuncture harmonises Ki in the body through the meridian system, whereas scientific evidence shows acupuncture stimulates the brain to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins. This assists the body to heal itself and gain pain relief. Scientific evidence has been steadily growing for the use of acupuncture for pain.

DRY NEEDLING

Dry needling is the use of a solid needle for therapy of muscle pain, sometimes also known as intramuscular stimulation. Such use of a solid needle has been found to be as effective as injection of substances in such cases as relief of pain in muscles and connective tissue. In the treatment of trigger points for persons with myofascial pain syndrome, dry needling is an invasive procedure in which a needle, often an acupuncture needle, is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point. A myofascial trigger point consists of multiple contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle.

Remedial Massage

Margaret Markus has been a remedial massage therapist for over 20 years. She works with the physiotherapists to enhance their treatment by using remedial massage techniques to reduce pain and alleviate the risk of injury. She was massage therapist to the Opals and Boomers, the Australian basket ball teams at the Olympics 2000 and has worked with various elite sporting teams. Margaret is also a teacher of massage therapy at Loftus TAFE. Margaret is Workcover accredited.

Remedial massage is the treatment of soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia) to prevent injury, maintain flexibility and aid in the rehabilitation process after injury. Remedial massage encompasses many styles but its main aim is to reduce the risk of injury and enhance performance. It is used for sports and occupational injuries as well as increasing relaxation.

ViMove by DorsaVi
Cutting edge technology to accurately and objectively measure how you move

The ViMove is the latest technology from DorsaVi that can provide invaluable feedback both in and out of the clinic. ViMove takes the guess work out of how you are moving; allowing you to obtain a better understanding of how particular movement patterns and postures are affecting your condition. It enables you to move in ‘good’ movement patterns and postures. It also helps you better understand the way your body moves, learn ‘better’ movement patterns and postures for your condition and discourage unwanted movements or postural positiong.

 

ViMove combines a lightweight recording device with wireless sensors that adhere to the skin. The sensors measure movement and muscle activity of the lumbar spine to assist in assessment and rehabilitation. The system is portable and unobtrusive, meaning it can be worn for extended periods whilst you go about your normal activity. ViMove technology is able to analyse movement data in real time. When you are moving in ways that are likely to cause an increase in back pain, you will receive an audible beep or vibration buzz to remind you to avoid these types of movements and/or postures.

 

For more information visit http://www.dorsavi.com/