At Strathalbyn Physiotherapy, we believe it is very important to provide our clients with high quality, scientific assessment and treatment techniques, which may include the use of different traditional manual therapy techniques. Manual therapy encompasses the physiotherapist using hands on treatment techniques as an adjunct to treating a wide variety of musculo-skeletal conditions. Manual therapy includes: the manipulation of muscles and soft tissues (massage, deep tissue massage, myofascial release and trigger point therapy); joint mobilisation and manipulation (gentle or firm joint oscillations); muscle stretch and release; techniques designed to mobilize the neural system or nerve pathways; Strain/ Counterstrain and Muscle Energy Techniques; exercise therapy. Our physiotherapists regularly participate in professional develop, which allows for continuing education and knowledge of the latest manual therapy skills and how to apply them in the clinical setting. Additional Treatment options used by our physiotherapists include: Dry Needling Electrotherapy modalities including: ultrasound, electrical muscular stimulation, TENS.

The sporting athlete has a wide range of needs from pre-season injury screening to managing in-season demands/ injury. Anyone who takes to the competitive sports field, the running track, or enjoys just keeping active may be subject to injury at some time. Consider sporting endeavors as being like multiple, repetitive actions. These repetitive actions add significant potential for injury, especially if your bio-mechanics (how your feet, hips, shoulders or spine aligns and functions under load) is not quite right... Our aim is to keep you at your peak ability. How can we achieve this? Firstly, "screening" or assessing to help you recognize areas of your body which may be showing early signs of stress or strain (sometimes before you're even aware they're there!) due to over-demands or poor bio-mechanics; Advising you regarding ways to: better align, improve muscle balance and control provide better support to the area whilst developing control; Providing further advice regarding stretch, strengthen, conditioning, and control to help self treat; Provide hands-on management to address key issues Sporting injuries fall into two (2) broad categories: Overuse/ muscle imbalance type injuries (eg nagging shoulder ache) Direct or indirect trauma (eg ankle sprain, twisting injury of the knee) In either case, when an injury has occurred, we will undertake careful assessment to identify the key factors, develop a management plan together incorporating a clinic and home based program, and establish a timeline for returning to sport/ activity. If required, we are happy to liase with coaches on your behalf and if necessary liase with or refer to other medical/ health professionals to help facilitate a successful return to sport, and prevent further injury.

Strathalbyn Physiotherapy is committed to listening to the story of the person who has taken the time to meet with us. Stories of pain and suffering give us an opportunity to piece together the greatest priorities in your life and this allows us to chart a course together. Persistent Pain is like an alarm system that has gone awry and sounding an alarm when it perceives a threat. An alarm system is always protective, just like the Brain which is the headquarters of the pain system. However, when Pain continues for a long period the Brain comes to expect threat with normal non-threatening movements thru a process of conditioning and eventually reduces the ability for a person to cope with non-threatening daily activities. Physiotherapy here is a process of graded exposure to non-threatening activities and movements within acceptable limits. There is no one size fits all in this situation and every pain story in unique. There are multiple things we will try to re-write the neural pathways of your nervous system to shift the association from threat to safety. Sometimes, cognitive skills such as Mindfulness are worked on depending on your specific need and to ensure a high standard of objectivity, we use EEG neurofeedback for this purpose. If you would like to know more, there is a short video we like to recommend to you:

At Strathalbyn Physiotherapy we know that exercise rehabilitation is one of the most effective ways to treat and prevent pain. It also positively impacts on a person's balance, bone health, immune system, cardio-vascular system and mental health. Exercise rehabilitation needs to be prescribed correctly, to ensure there are no serious side effects. We also know that pain can be a huge obstacle for people to exercise and can impact on their ability to do the things in life that they love. Therefore, exercise needs to be personalised to an individual's needs and goals in order to build their confidence to get back to doing the things they want to do. We provide one-on-one and group classes for: Movement training Functional Rehabilitation Strength and Conditioning Exercise Studio At Strathalbyn Physiotherapy we have a fully-equipped Exercise Rehabilitation Gym (including cardio, strength, conditioning and Reformers). Our physiotherapists are skilled in the identification and optimising of movement patterns through specifically tailored exercise programs. This can help relieve pain and enhance function. We offer one on one gym sessions with our qualified physiotherapist as well as gym membership packages for when you are confident and ready for independent rehabilitation. The gym is available during business hours; Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm. Hydrotherapy We utilise Sue Pryor Swimming's heated in door pool for our hydrotherapy classes. Heated to just the right temperature for optimal water benefits for a wide range of conditions, including: Pre and post surgery, including orthopaedic Total Knee/Hip/Shoulder replacements, arthroscopies, ligament and tendon repairs; Chronic or persistent pain management, including fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndromes and long standing musculoskeletal conditions; Acute pain management and musculoskeletal conditions; Arthritis and joint stiffness, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis; Neurological, such as Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Scoliosis; Cardiovascular/Pulmonary conditions, especially important for rehabilitation following chronic heart failure or exacerbation of respiratory disease.

Our continence and women's health physiotherapist specialises in the assessment and management of bladder, bowel and pelvic floor dysfunction in women, including the management of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapsed. Allow us to help you empower yourself to improve your pelvic health and achieve your goals. Services we provide: Pelvic floor assessment and rehabilitation programs; Bladder continence management; Management of bladder urgency and difficulty emptying the bladder; Pelvic organ management; Pre and post operative rehabilitation programs for gynaecological and bladder surgery. Comprehensive Assessment Our initial one (1) hour assessment allows us to take a thorough history to assess all factors that may be contributing to your problem. All assessments are conducted in a private and supportive environment with a Continence and Pelvic health physiotherapist who has undergone further training through the Australian Physiotherapy Association in the area. In cases where the condition relates to pelvic floor, bladder or pelvic pain in adults an internal vaginal may be advised to achieve an accurate diagnosis. This will be discussed with you during your appointment. However if you are NOT comfortable with this we have other methods of assessment. Please be assured the physiotherapist will always respect your choice of assessment. When booking an appointment for Continence or pelvic health conditions, please let the receptionist know so we can book the extended initial assessment time. Management and Treatment We believe it is really important that you understand your condition and all factors that may be contributing to your condition, and we take a holistic approach to develop a collaborative plan with you. We will liaise with your referring GP and or specialist to ensure your care in integrated. Having a personalised exercise program for you based on your comprehensive assessment, is one of the most important aspects of managing pelvic health conditions. This includes pelvic floor muscle exercises. Treatment may include the use of hands on physiotherapy techniques, used to improve mobility, reduce muscle tension, ease muscle pain and allow you to return to functional activities.

What can we do after a surgery? Physiotherapy started out as a profession after World War 1, where there was a desperate need to rehabilitate returned soldiers with grievous injuries and give them the physical skills and capacity required to go back to a life after war. Going in for a surgery is a difficult decision that comes after a lot of waiting and persevering with pain and sometimes catastrophic trauma where a surgery is the only way out. After such a traumatic event we understand that recovery is not a straightforward journey but usually a complex equation between current capacity and the demands of life, work and return to normal expectations. We will assess your current capacity after a surgical procedure and make sure we chart a path to your destination which may be returning to all types of jobs at your workplace, your parenting responsibilities, your gardening, playing with your grandkids or even your favorite sport. To do this we will make sure your current capacity is above your current demand and over time we will build your capacity to cope with your long-term goals. This process is rarely linear, it is more like a zig-zag where there are a few days where you may feel like its two steps forward one step back. Rest assured because we will be with you all thru this journey and make sure you reach your destination. We use a combination of methods to get you thru the early tissue healing phase by helping control pain and inflammation and progress you to the gym to work on tissue strength, conditioning and flexibility goals. Are you being referred for pre-operative exercises? In the situation that you have been referred to Physiotherapy prior to a scheduled surgical procedure for "prehab" we will assess your current functional status, your current ability to move and the goals of the surgery. We will then walk you through the procedure you have elected to undergo, design an exercise program where you understand what to expect after surgery. We will also progress you through the exercises that will be part of your post-operative rehab phase, the standard timelines expected for specific milestones and help you gain confidence in a complex decision. Undergoing prehab will help conditioning patients and this can allow speed recovery from surgical trauma. Are you still undecided between surgery and conservative rehab? If you are still undecided regarding the choice of an elective surgery or arthroscopic procedure, we can help you make this decision based on your current level of functional ability. There are several recent research studies that have compared conservative and surgical interventions for orthopedic conditions and an important take away from the literature is to trial a period of conservative rehab to assess if surgery is ultimately necessary. The cost benefits of this decision are huge to the sufferer and the health care system in the long run. If surgery is necessary, we will refer and liaise with your GP and specialist on your behalf.

Return to Work SA scheme An injury at work is a complex situation with physical, psychological and even workplace variables that can influence expected recovery and may present barriers to returning you to pre-injury work status. We are on every step of this journey with you. We will be advocating for your early recovery and strive to make this complex process smoother for you. Remember: Early intervention of a worker's injury and including the employer in the process is at the heart of the RTWSA scheme and will provide improved health and life outcomes for the work The employer is obligated to provide suitable duties and/or employment to people who have been unable to work at their pre-injury duties due to a work injury. The employer should actively support the employee's participation in recovery and return to work activities. If you work for an organization that employs greater than 30 employees, the employer must appoint (and retain) a return to work coordinator who will assist with helping injured workers remain at or return to work as early as possible. RTW coordinators will prepare and implement recovery/ RTW plans while liaising with medical professionals, case managers from RTWSA, worker and employer. They must also make sure adequate steps are taken by the employer to prevent further recurrence of further injuries. If the employer does not keep injuries down their premiums go up so they are incentivized to keep workers from injuries. When an injured worker is likely to be away from work for greater than 2 weeks the claims agent will send a mobile case manager to visit the worksite to meet with the worker and the employer so that they can be connected to services that help them recover as soon as possible and return to work. As your physio we will be in touch with your case manager to discuss your current capacity, treatment plan, or anything relating to your work injury claim. If you have not returned to your pre-injury work in 6 months due to medical reasons, your case manager will consider alternative employment via retraining or other services. As any injured worker has access to two years of income support it is important to identify permanent impairments early that could be barriers to returning to your pre-injury role. This is important to avoid delays in seeking alternative employment for those with permanent impairments as a result of their injury. As your physio it is our role to identify maximum medical improvement and cease treatment if you have reached this point. We will do our best to train your capacity and help you cope with your injury independently. If your whole person impairment is <30% your injury is classified as less serious and reasonable and necessary medical expenses will be covered for a maximum period of 3 years while income support will be paid for a maximum of 2 years. If your impairment is >30% your injury is classed as serious injury and you will receive income support until retirement age, medical expenses and support for life, return to work services if requested. As your physio it is our role to demonstrate measurable benefit from treatment to be reasonable and necessary in this duration. If the injury results in a permanent impairment the case manager will arrange for an assessment to be undertaken when there is medical evidence the injury has stabilized. This helps determine any lump sum payments and entitlements the person may receive. To know more watch:

Our women's health physiotherapist specialises in the assessment and management of discomforts associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Services we provide: Pain management for low back and pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy and following childbirth; Pregnancy related wrist and hand conditions, including carpal tunnel and de Quervain's; Exercise prescription and programs for pregnancy and returning to exercise after childbirth; Rectus Abdominus Diastasis or abdominal muscle separation rehabilitation; Management of mastitis and blocked milk ducts in breastfeeding mothers; Post-birth complications, including haemorrhoids, perineal truma and tail bone pain. Assessment, Management & Treatment All assessments are conducted in a private and supportive environment with a women's health physiotherapist who has undertaken further training through the Australian Physiotherapy Association. We will help you understand the factors that may be contributing to your problems and take a holistic approach to develop a collaborative management plan with you. We will liaise with your referring GP and or specialist to ensure your care in integrated. Treatment may include the use of hands on physiotherapy techniques, used to improve mobility, reduce muscle tension, ease muscle pain and allow you to return to functional activities. Depending on your individualised problem, the physiotherapist may offer the use of external supports, including belly-sized tubigrip or pelvis stability belts.

Rehabilitation Gym Use of the Exercise Gym is subject to an initial "One-on-One" session, booked with a physiotherapist in a standard 30 minute or extended 60 minute treatment time-slot. Three (3) month Exercise Studio memberships are available following your initial assessment and program set-up. Once your program has been created, you have the ability to book the gym in 30 minute intervals, 3 times per week. Hydrotherapy Tuesday 2-3pm Friday 1-2pm Mat based Exercise class Tuesday 9:30-10:30am Friday 9:30-10:30am Equipment based exercise class Thursday 9:30-10:30am