Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists are often referred to as “movement specialists”. They are trained to assess and treat a variety of conditions that affect the physical function of adults and children. Physiotherapists work very closely with doctors, specialists such as orthopaedic surgeons, and other allied health professionals such as occupational therapists and exercise physiologists. This allows them to provide the gold standard in health care for their patients and to achieve optimal outcomes in treatment. Continue reading →

Clinical Pilates is a system of safe and effective exercises which meet your specific individual needs. Clinical Pilates is used by our physiotherapists to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions, ranging from low back pain and chronic pain to hypermobility and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is also used by elite athletes and dancers to improve essential movement patterns and enhance fitness and performance, as well as assisting with injury prevention.  By working into your body’s preferred movement, Clinical Pilates improves your mobility, stability, balance, posture and overall function.

Clinical Pilates offers a system of safe, effective and highly specific exercises appropriate for all ages and people. There are stages of exercises that you can progress through and will allow you to see the improvements in your strength, control and healing.

 

Differences between Regular and Clinical Pilates

There are important differences between regular Pilates and Clinical Pilates.

 

Regular Pilates is conducted by a Pilates instructor, whereas Clinical Pilates is prescribed and supervised by a Clinical Pilates trained Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist (E.P.). This difference is very important because a Physiotherapist or E.P., unlike a Pilates instructor, has an in-depth knowledge of injury, pathology, bodily function, healing and movement patterns. This knowledge allows a Physiotherapist to assess each patient and determine which exercises will be the most effective for each individual.  This becomes especially important if you have any history of injury – whether it be low back pain, whiplash, osteoporosis, or if you are an athlete coming back from an injury.  There will be certain exercises which need to be adapted specifically for you so to avoid further injury; this is something that only a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist is trained to do.  Like any form of exercise, Pilates can be wonderful for fitness, however still has the potential to cause injury or pain if not prescribed and monitored in the right way.

 

Benefits of Clinical Pilates

Clinical Pilates has been shown to prevent injuries, improve balance and stability, strengthen and tone muscle and improve bone density.  It is a great form of general exercise to improve fitness and improve technique in specific movements, such as dance, running and golf.  It is appropriate for all age groups from kids through to the elderly and is safe and fun!

• Prevention and treatment of back pain & injury
• Resolution of spinal pain
• Enhanced core stability and pelvic floor function
• For the elderly, enhancement in movement, balance, agility and flexibility
• Falls prevention
• Muscle toning without adding bulk
• Increased bone density (for Osteopaenia & Osteoporosis)

For more information, please do not hesitate to give our staff a call and find out more about the amazing benefits of Clinical Pilates at FirstIn Physio!

 

Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are recognised allied health professionals with a diverse range of knowledge and skills across the health, exercise and sports science fields.  Exercise Physiologists in Australia have strict standards to achieve accreditation with their national body, ESSA (Exercise and Sports Science Australia).  Training includes a 4-year university degree as well as the study of medical science subjects such as anatomy, neuroscience and physiology.  Their scope of practice ranges from rehabilitation following stroke and cardiac surgery right through to elite sport performance programs optimising biomechanics and injury prevention.  They are also qualified in treating children of all ages, whether it be for improving co-ordination, fitness, rehabilitation or sports performance.

The essential component of Exercise Physiology lies in development of specialist exercise programs for individuals which typically includes exercise delivery and supervision, advice and support, and a strong focus on successfully changing lifestyle behaviours.  Exercise physiologists work closely with doctors, specialists, orthopaedic surgeons and other allied health professionals such as Sports Dietitians in order to achieve the best possible outcome for their patients and athletes.

Who needs an Exercise Physiologist?

Anyone with the following goals could benefit:

– Weight loss

– Muscle gain

– Injury rehabilitation, for eg low back pain

– Post-surgery rehabilitation

– Technique improvement for sport

– Injury prevention programs

– Parkinson’s and stroke rehabilitation

– Individualised Exercise Programs to suit your goals

– Performance training

– To help manage chronic health conditions eg diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure.

Your Exercise Physiologist will

– Do an initial assessment to determine health status and exercise history;

– Explain how exercise therapy will help to treat or improve your condition and improve your quality of life;

– Discuss your exercise and health goals, and develop strategies to achieve these goals;

– Complete a physical assessment to determine your current physical abilities to enable a program to be designed;

– Instruction on how to complete the exercise program, including how to achieve good technique;

– Written reports back to your doctor and any other important allied health professionals;

– Ongoing assessment to track your progress and identify changes to your program as they need to occur;

– For athletes – ongoing performance markers and feedback sessions including coaches where appropriate;

– For weight management programs – ongoing outcome measures to give you a clear outline of your progress (eg skinfold and fitness measures).

How Much Does it Cost?

The consultation cost for AEP services varies.  A number of subsidies are available under Medicare Australia and The Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  Patients are also able to attract private health fund rebates from most private health insurers.  For further information, please check with your GP or Private Health Insurer.

What Should I Wear?

Exercises tailored to you and your body will be a part of all AEP sessions.  Wear anything that you feel comfortable in while exercising, as well as comfortable shoes (joggers are ideal).

For more information on how an Exercise Physiologist can benefit you, please call our friendly reception staff and have a chat about your goals today!

FirstIn Physio is proud to support many local athletes in the Burdekin region, and won the North Queensland Community Business Award in 2018 for their contribution to developing teenage athletes in sport.  

We work closely with the local Rugby and touch football clubs, as well as the Ayr and Home Hill swim schools and the local Dance schools.  The beginning of each year is always busy with Musculoskeletal Screenings and Injury Prevention Programs for our younger athletes, always important as they grow and adapt to their training loads.

Our resident Exercise Physiologist Richard Martin has many athletes of all ages and sports on his books for strength and conditioning programs, which run year-round.  Richard has a wealth of knowledge and experience in getting athletes to achieve their optimal potential through supervised and controlled workouts.  He has worked with runners, swimmers, track athletes, triathletes, rugby players and CrossFit athletes and has seen some amazing developments and achievements in his athletes throughout the years.  Options include small group coaching, individualised in-house coaching and individualised programs that you can perform in your own home or gym.  Richard also runs a very popular Adolescent Strength and Conditioning Program after school during the school terms, helping to tech our younger athletes correct technique and safely building their strength in a supervised environment.

The FirstIn Physio Run Group offers a guided running performance program, coached by our resident Physios and Ironman athletes, Kristy and Patrick Shannon.  This is the perfect program for both seasoned runners and complete beginners alike.  It is also ideal for recently-injured runners who are wanting a safe way to progress back into their run training, or who may have had some time away from the sport.  The program runs annually and is limited in numbers due to its popularity; to find out more about this wonderful group please call the clinic or send us an email.  Kristy and Patrick also offer year-round individualised run coaching for all distances from 5km fun runs through to the Ultramarathon and Ironman Triathlon

Since 2014, FirstIn Physio has supported the Burdekin Catholic High School with its High Performance Program.  This program fosters young athletes who show promise in their chosen sports through guided training, coaching, education and development.  We love being a part of this fantastic program and seeing our younger athletes achieve their dreams.

Whether you are interested in one-on-one performance coaching, group clinics, or injury prevention, we are here to help.  For more information, please call the clinic today.