Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on helping individuals improve the quality of their life and physical function. This involves education, exercises and manual therapy to improve health outcomes, prevent and treat injuries, reduce pain, and improve mobility.
2. What conditions can physiotherapy treat?
Physiotherapy can help with a variety of conditions, including:
- Musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., sprains, strains, fractures)
- Chronic pain (e.g., arthritis, long standing injuries)
- Neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis)
- Post-surgical rehabilitation (e.g., joint replacement, tendon repair, fracture stabilisation)
- Sports injuries (e.g., sprains, strains, tendon injuries)
- Injury prevention (e.g., workplace set up, gym technique, fitness programs)
3. How long will my physiotherapy treatment take?
The length of treatment varies depending on the condition being treated and the patient's progress. It is important to note that you are paying for expertise and a treatment, not a block of minutes. If you require slightly more or less time, your appointment will be adjusted accordingly. Typically, sessions last around 20 minutes, and the number of sessions will be determined by the therapist based on your specific needs.
4. Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist?
No, you don’t need a referral to see a physiotherapist. However, any additional documentation you have (e.g, surgical notes, GP plan, scan reports/results) are important and should be brought to your session.
5. What should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?
It's best to wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. If you're receiving treatment for a specific area, you may need to expose that part of your body (e.g., wearing shorts for lower limb issues or a tank top for upper body problems).
6. Is physiotherapy painful?
Some physiotherapy treatments may be uncomfortable, especially if you are experiencing acute symptoms. We will tailor the treatment to your comfort level and will always communicate with you to avoid causing unnecessary pain.
7. What can I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?
During your first visit, we will conduct a thorough assessment, including taking a detailed medical history and performing physical tests to evaluate your condition. Based on this, we will form a diagnosis and create a personalised treatment plan. You will leave this session having a good understanding about your condition, healing timeframe and the steps involved in your recovery.
8. How often should I see a physiotherapist?
The frequency of sessions will depend on your presenting condition and goals and will be decided mutually between you and the physiotherapist. Initially, you may need to see the physiotherapist more frequently but as your condition improves, the sessions will become less frequent.
9. Do I need to do exercises at home?
Depending on your condition, it's highly likely that you will need to do some exercises at home. Consistent exercises can be crucial for your recovery, and helps improve strength, flexibility, and movement.
10. Is physiotherapy covered by health insurance?
Many health insurance plans cover physiotherapy services, but the coverage and limits vary depending on your provider and plan. It's always a good idea to check with your insurance company before starting treatment. If your policy includes extras, this normally incorporates physiotherapy.
11. How do I pay for treatment?
You can pay for your treatment using either EFTPOS or by paying with cash. We also offer HICAPS, which allows us to process claims directly with most private health funds. TAC, WorkCover, and DVA patients incur no out-of-pocket costs.
