NDIS Physiotherapy & Exercise Physiology Services in the Sutherland Shire

As a registered NDIS provider, we offer tailored physiotherapy and exercise physiology solutions that align with the unique needs of each NDIS participant. Our team of skilled physiotherapists and exercise physiologists understand the challenges faced by individuals with various disabilities and are dedicated to assisting them in achieving their health and mobility goals.

What We Offer

1. Personalized Care Plans: Each NDIS participant receives a customised care plan, designed in consultation with our experienced clinician. These plans are developed to address individual goals, whether it's improving mobility, managing pain, or enhancing overall physical well-being.

2. High-Quality Healthcare: Our team are not only highly qualified but are also passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of our clients. We utilise the evidence-based treatment in our boutique rehabilitation studio to ensure the best possible outcomes.

3. Collaborative Approach: Collaboration is key in our approach. We work closely with NDIS participants, their families, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic and integrated approach.

How to Access Our Services

If you are an NDIS participant looking for a qualified physiotherapist, look no further. Accessing our services is straightforward:

1. Contact Us: Reach out to our friendly team to discuss your needs and how we can assist you.

2. Plan Review: We will review your NDIS plan to understand your goals and how our services can best support you.

3. Service Agreement: Once we have established your needs, we will set up a service agreement outlining the specifics of the physiotherapy services we will provide.

Conclusion

Being a registered NDIS provider is not just about offering physiotherapy and exercise physiology services; it's about being a part of a supportive community that uplifts and empowers its members. Our team is excited to extend our expertise and care to NDIS participants, helping them to achieve better health and mobility. Contact us today to learn more about how our services can support your journey towards improved well-being!

Book online today

As football season approaches, it's important to take steps to prevent groin injuries. Groin injuries are common in sports that involve running, jumping, and quick direction changes. These types of movements can put a lot of strain on the adductor muscles, which run along the inner thigh and are responsible for moving the leg toward the midline of the body.

Here are 4 tips to help minimise groin injury this season:

1. Include adductor strengthening in your strength and conditioning program.

Reduced hip adductor strength is associated with an increased risk of groin injury in sport (Whitaker et al 2015). Therefore, it's important to incorporate exercises that target the adductor muscles into your strength and conditioning program. Examples of exercises that can strengthen the adductors include side-lying leg lifts, standing hip adduction with resistance bands, and adductor machine exercises.

2. Include some flexibility training targeted to the adductors or groin muscles.

Stretching is an important component of injury prevention. Including flexibility training that targets the adductors or groin muscles can help reduce the risk of injury. Examples of stretches that can help improve flexibility in the adductors include the butterfly stretch and the standing adductor stretch.

3. Include speed work with straight and curved line elements.

Gradually exposing the body to high-speed running that will be required in-season can help reduce the risk of groin injury. Incorporating speed work with straight and curved line elements into your training program can help improve your body's ability to handle these movements.

4. Perform an injury reduction warm-up program like the FIFA 11+, Touch Time, Footy First.

Warm-up programs that are specifically designed to reduce the risk of injury can be highly effective. The FIFA 11+ program, for example, is an injury reduction program that incorporates specific strengthening, motor control, and jumping/landing exercises into a structured warm-up session 2-3x weekly. The FIFA 11+ has been shown to reduce football injuries in recreational/subelite football by 39% (Harøy et al 2019). It was also shown to reduce hamstring, hip/groin, knee, and ankle injuries (60%, 41%, 48%, and 32% respectively). A meta-analysis (a statistical procedure for combining data from multiple studies) showed that injury reduction programs (like FIFA11+), can not only decrease ACL injury up to 50%, but all knee injuries by 30% (Thorborg et al 2017).

It's important to note that injury prevention/reduction is more nuanced than just completing a specific warm-up. However, incorporating the FIFA 11+ warm-up program can provide a valuable tool to help guide future directions in minimising the burden of injury in the football population.

In conclusion, preventing groin injuries requires a comprehensive approach that includes strengthening, flexibility, and speed work, as well as incorporating an injury reduction warm-up program. At our physiotherapy clinic, we can help develop a personalised injury prevention program that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you stay injury-free this season.

If you've recently injured your ACL, you may have experienced a pop or snap at the time of the injury, or you may have felt pain immediately.

Some people don't feel any pain initially but notice that their knee feels "off."

In the hours and days following the injury, it is common to experience swelling around the knee, instability, and difficulty controlling the movement of the knee.

It is also possible to have additional injuries to the meniscus or cartilage in the knee.

If you have injured your ACL, it is important to seek medical attention to properly diagnose and treat the injury.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, daily walking has numerous health benefits. The study followed a group older women for about 7 years and found that those who walked at least 4,400 steps per day had a lower risk of death from all causes, as well as a lower risk of death from heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Not only that, but the study also found that the benefits of walking were seen at all levels of intensity, from leisurely to brisk. This means that it's not necessarily the intensity of your walk that matters, but rather the fact that you're walking at all.

In addition to its physical health benefits, walking has also been linked to improved mental health and cognitive function. So not only can it help you live longer, it can also make the time you do have more enjoyable.

So if you're looking to improve your overall health and well-being, consider incorporating daily walking into your routine. It's a simple and convenient way to improve your health, and it doesn't require any special equipment or gym memberships. Just put on a comfortable pair of shoes and get moving!

References:

Lee, I. M., Shiroma, E. J., Kamada, M., Bassett, D. R., Matthews, C. E., & Buring, J. E. (2019). Association of Step Volume and Intensity With All-Cause Mortality in Older Women. JAMA internal medicine, 179(8), 1105–1112. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.0899

Chenaya Cooper is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who has a passion for helping women throughout all stages of life on their journey to better health. Today, Chenaya discusses the role of exercise when you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer..

Breast cancer and exercise

A new study has been released by Schutz et al. (2021) on the long-term effects of different continuous physical activities on Breast Cancer survivors and provide some great research outcomes! If you or anyone you know is a Breast Cancer survivor, keep reading below!

During the study the researchers have collated numerous studies investigating different exercise modalities on the effectiveness in reducing adverse side effects resulting from Breast Cancer treatment. Despite the effectiveness of Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, and Hormone therapy in the removal of Breast cancer, side effects can include pain, body weight gain, decreased cardiovascular function, reduced muscle mass and strength and most commonly cancer-related fatigue (Kaltsatou et al., 2010).

In the present study, the researchers investigated previous research which incorporated exercise interventions from 8-16 weeks and again from 3-12 months, and included aerobic, anaerobic or a combination of these types of physical activity.

Major findings

Major findings of were centred around a reduction in cancer-related lymphedema, increased muscle and bone mass, improved sleep quality and reduced daily fatigue, greater cardiovascular fitness, and reduced pain and pressure sensations for those who underwent Chemotherapy.

Moderate-high intensity resistance-based exercise showed significant improvements in improving muscular strength and reduced fatigue. Coupling this with aerobic training showed an even greater reduction in fatigue for individuals both during and after treatment. Enhanced lean body mass and reduced body fat percentage was significant enough to improve sleep quality for generally sedentary women.

Common side effects of treatment

During treatment, a common side effect is increased bone resorption, accelerated bone loss and consqeuently a dangerously greater risk of bone fractures. The incorporation of safe impact-based exercise was effective in stimulating bone remodelling and increased bone mineral density (Kirkham et al., 2016).

Recommendations

Finally, the study recommended the incorporation of an Exercise Physiologist as an imperative guide for recovery throughout exercise. Exercise programs must be individualised to each individual condition, though the researchers suggested general guidelines as below:

• Minimum 2x week of resistance based exercise at moderate intensity

• Incorporating aerobic load-bearing exercise frequently

• Combining high intensity interval training in conjunction with aerobic exercise

• Exercise programs should be followed for a minimum 3 months is recommended

Our Women’s Health Exercise Physiologists at Flow Physio Co are here to help you with your Breast Cancer recovery!

Book your appointment online

References:

• Kaltsatou, A., Marmeletzi, D., and Douka, S. (2010). Physical and psychological benefits of a 24-week traditional dance program in breast cancer survivors. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 15, 162–167. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2010.03.002

• Kirkham, A. A., Bland, K. A., Sayyari, S., Campbell, K. L., and Davis, M. K. (2016). Clinically relevant physical benefits of exercise interventions in breast cancer survivors. Curr. Oncol. Rep. 18, 12–20. doi: 10.1007/s11912-015-0496-3

• Schutz S, Aidar FJ, Souza RLM, et al. Different Methods of Physical Training Applied to Women Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review. Front Physiol. 2021;12:639406. Published 2021 Apr 14. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.639406

Craig and Jason discuss Nicky Ryan’s knee injury and hypothesise about structures potentially injured given the mechanism and immediate footage post match. They also discuss the anatomy, mechanism of injury and management pathways for posterolateral corner injuries that they have commonly seen in BJJ practitioners, soccer players and rugby league players.

Craig and Jason discuss their thoughts on Conor's fracture and the possible causes, Tommy Turbo's hamstring, the Quadrant of Doom for hamstring injuries and what you can be doing during the Sydney lockdown period to minimise injury.

With new COVID lockdowns in place for Greater Sydney and community sport taking a 2 week break, we often see these types of unscheduled breaks lead to injuries when sport resumes.

Planning ahead and implementing some strategies for injury prevention will help you navigate the lockdown break and keep you on the pitch for longer.

Hamstring injuries are common amongst professional footballers and Sunday afternoon superstars alike.

Some research into hamstring injuries has demonstrated that if the hamstring musculature is strong and flexible as opposed to weak and short then it significantly decreases the risk of hamstring injury throughout the course of a season (Timmins et al. 2016 and Bourne et al. 2018). 

The Quadrant of Doom

Below is an infographic from YLM Sports Science that clearly demonstrates the relationship between strength, flexibility and injury risk. The other way to frame this is in terms of capacity. The greater the strength and movement capacity then the less likely things are to go wrong. 

The other benefit from all of the below is that by incorporating this it will not decrease injury risk but also improve performance!

Knowing this is all well and good but we also want to practically act on this. How do we build things up from a loading, flexibility and strength point of view. Below is another great infographic from YLM Sports Science that shows specific ways to address all these areas.

In summary to build strong, functional and flexible hamstrings then it is worth looking at an exercise program that includes hip and knee dominant exercises that is gradually overloaded to create adaptation. It is also worth adding some running and sprint work into the program as this is shown to have a protective effect and also some loaded flexibility work to strengthen the hamstrings in lengthened positions (Oakley et al.2018).

Take Home points for hamstring performance and health:

• Strong and long hamstrings are the goal

• Use knee and hip dominant strengthening exercises

• Incorporate sprint work

• Work on flexibility

• Progressively overload

• Stay consistent

References:

1. Timmins RG, Bourne MN, Shield AJ, et al. Short biceps femoris fascicles and eccentric knee flexor weakness increase the risk of hamstring injury in elite football (soccer): a prospective cohort study. Br J Sports Med 2016;50:1524-1535. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/50/24/1524

2. Bourne, Matthew N., Timmins, Ryan, Opar, David A., Pizzari, Tania, Ruddy, Joshua, Sims, Casey, WIlliams, Morgan, & Shield, Anthony (2018) An evidence-based framework for strengthening exercises to prevent hamstring injury. Sports Medicine, 48(2), pp. 251-267. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-017-0796-xhttps://ylmsportscience.com/

3. 2017/11/26/hamstring-strain-injury-escape-the-quadrant-of-doom/

4. https://ylmsportscience.com/2017/05/06/holistic-hamstring-health-not-just-the-nordic-hamstring-exercise/

5. Oakley AJ, Jennings J, Bishop CJ. Holistic hamstring health: not just the Nordic hamstring exercise. Br J Sports Med 2018;52:816-817. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/13/816

Bladder Pain Syndrome (Interstitial Cystitis)

Charlotte Conlon & Heidi Barlow are a Women’s Health Physiotherapists from Flow Physio Co Sutherland. Today they talks to us about Bladder Pain Syndrome (Interstitial Cystitis)

What is bladder pain syndrome?

The bladder is a pelvic organ that stores urine which is produced by the kidneys, until we decide to empty, the urine then travels down the urethra and is expelled from the body.

Interstitial cystitis is a condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. Symptoms can vary from person to person and can range from mild to agonising. 


Common symptoms of interstitial cystitis 


• Pain in the bladder/abdomen when the bladder is filling up with urine. The kidney’s make urine constantly so they rarely get a break from pain, some may experience some temporary relief when they empty their bladder 


• Bladder urgency and frequency.  A person with a healthy bladder may urinate 7 times per day, in comparison to someone with bladder pain who may urinate in excess of 20 times day and night.

• Lower back and pelvic pain 


• Worsening of symptoms with menstruation 


• Pain with sexual intercourse 


• Ulcers/sore/bleeding in the bladder which sometimes can be seen in the urine 


• Lack of sleep to due increased urination over night 



Treatment options

• Lifestyle factors such as avoiding smoking and alcohol 


• Dietary factors such as avoiding caffeine, coffee, acidic and spicy foods 

• Managing constipation 


• Physiotherapy - Bladder pain syndrome is associated with an overactive tight pelvic floor, as the bladder fills the pelvic floor tightens and this can increase the severity of symptoms. Physio’s will perform internal and external releases of the pelvic floor and deep internal hip rotators and they can teach you how do do this. They will teach you bladder training and give you techniques to use to try and space out the time between urinating.


• Medication: Pain relief medication can help and your doctor may prescribe medication to help the bladder urgency and frequency


**There is currently no single treatment that has been found to be effective for majority of patients with bladder pain syndrome and to achieve symptom relief, many treatment options may need to be combined**

STEFFI & JESS ARE 2 PAEDIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPISTS FROM FLOW PHYSIO CO SUTHERLAND AND TODAY THEY CHAT THROUGH Congenital Muscular Torticollis.

If your baby has a flat head or only turns their head to one side they may have congenital muscular torticollis (CMT).

CMT affects the sternocleidomastoid muscle, this muscle either becomes tight due to:

• positioning in the womb

• having a flat head

• a mass in the the muscle making it difficult to stretch the muscle out

CMT occurs between 0.3% and 2% in newborn infants. It causes head tilt to one side and rotation to the other. 

In some children with CMT they may have issues with their hips or position of their spine, so it is important to get these checked by a professional. 

What to look for? 

• Does your baby tend to hold their head tilted to one side or do they hold their head in the midline?

• Does your baby prefer to look in one direction?

• If you lie your baby on their back, do they look evenly to both sides?

• When on their back, can they turn their head all the way to the left and to the right?

What can you do?

• Book in to see a professional for your baby to be screened. Your child may only need a once off appointment or may benefit from some monitoring.

• It is important for a professional to show you the correct stretches to do, to keep your baby safe. When given the appropriate stretches research says the 98% of patients will gain appropriate neck movement even when they have severe muscle fibre changes.

• Try some of the strategies suggested for a flat head

References: 

Congenital muscular torticollis. Kumar Nilesh and Srijon Mukherji. Ann Maxillofac Surg. 2013 Jul-Dec; 3(2): 198–200.

Clinical features and outcome of physiotherapy in early presenting congenital muscular torticollis with severe fibrosis on ultrasonography: a prospective study. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. Volume 46, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 1526-1531