Our Services
Due to our large team of highly qualified, dedicated and friendly Physiotherapists we are able to offer a complete range of Physiotherapy services including but not limited to;
Sports
Sport is a vital part of the Australian lifestyle. It provides exercise, social contact, relaxation, competition and promotes good health. It may also cause injuries. Most sports injuries can be effectively treated by your physiotherapist, enabling you to return to your sporting activities as soon as possible. Common injuries include bruises, ligament sprains and tears, muscle and tendon strains, joint injuries, overuse injuries and stress fractures. Rod Farr and Shane Robertson hold Master of Sports Physiotherapy degrees. Our Physiotherapists are highly qualified and trained in the assessment and treatment of soft tissue injuries, with a comprehensive knowledge of biomechanics, tissue pathology and healing. Before you can safely return to sport, not only will the injury need to be completely healed but it is essential to regain strength, mobility, balance and coordination.
Orthopaedics
Physiotherapy is an important rehabilitation process following surgery for repair, reconstruction or joint replacement. The doctor may order treatment following surgery to help maintain or regain normal function. Exercises for your limbs, assistance with regaining mobility or fitting of splints or walking aids may also be required. Surgery may affect important muscle groups and your Doctor may request treatment as part of a total recovery plan.
Healthfocus Physiotherapy attend the Albury Wodonga Private Hospital 365 days of the year and our physiotherapists are fully trained to rehabilitate muscle, joint and other injuries. Your physiotherapist will discuss the goals for your treatment during the first consultation.
Spinal
Back Pain - If your back hurts, don't ignore the pain. Physiotherapists have the training to correctly assess the problem and provide safe, effective treatment. For rapid recovery, see your physiotherapist early. Causes of back pain can be postural stress, muscle strains, joint strains, ligament sprains, disc problems or arthritis. Everyday activities can trigger back pain.
Physiotherapists treat back pain in a variety of ways. Recent research indicates that one of the most important treatments for low back pain is that the patient be encouraged to move and exercise.
Low back pain - Physiotherapists are skilled in the assessment, diagnostic decision making and treatment of low back pain arising from a musculoskeletal disorder. There is strong evidence to support that general exercise programs result in reduced disability, reduced absenteeism and faster return to work rate.
Neck Pain - Injury and postural problems are the main causes of neck pain. Physiotherapists can identify the reasons for your neck pain and provide effective treatment. Diseases such as arthritis or degeneration of the discs can also cause pain in your head, shoulders, arms and upper back. Physiotherapists will be able to determine the source of your neck pain and treat it effectively. They may use mobilisation, massage, remedial exercise, postural assessment, correction and advice, relaxation therapy, laser, ultra sound, electrotherapy and heat treatment.
Work Injury
Healthfocus physiotherapists have a strong interest in the prevention, management and treatment of work related injuries. Our goal is to help patients return to work by managing work-related injuries in a way that minimises lost time and maximises productivity. We also educate workers and managers on injury prevention. Vocational rehabilitation is aimed at assisting the individual remain at or return to work.
Safe Manual Handling - Manual Handling injuries are a common cause of back pain. You can protect yourself against damage with better lifting habits, both at home and in the workplace. Physiotherapists are well trained in human movement. They understand how your muscles, bones, joints and ligaments work and how injuries happen. They can show you how to handle loads safely, how to prevent injury with proactive workplace programs, assess your muscle strength and design an appropriate fitness program, treat muscle, joint and ligament injuries to ensure a speedy recovery.
Gym
Exercise - Medical evidence shows that if you keep physically fit by exercising regularly you increase your changes of living a healthier life, feeling well, looking well, staying mobile and independent. Exercise tones muscles, increases circulation, increases strength and prolongs mobility. A physiotherapist can assess you physically and give advice on the best forms of exercise. Your physiotherapist can teach you how to adopt good postural and exercise habits to prevent future movement problems. Physiotherapists encourage elderly people to keep active with sensible exercises suited to their age and physical condition.
Increasing your fitness level means being able to do more with less effort. Incorrect exercises can be worse than no exercise. The right exercises needs to be done correctly and regularly. Your progress needs to be monitored. Always warm up and end with some controlled muscle stretches. Wear sensible comfortable clothes and shoes when exercising. Do not over exert yourself.
Walking - a basic pleasant effective activity, brisk enough to increase your heart rate.
Swimming - an excellent form of general exercise, wonderful for bad backs or stiff joints. For those who can not manage the cold or normal swimming conditions, aquatic physiotherapy pools are recommended.
Cycling - a low impact choice with little jarring on joints - an outdoor social activity or indoors on an exercise bike.
Osteoporosis - A common problem for older women is osteoporosis - a condition which involves a loss of bone density. It often affects the spine, causes shrinkage in height, poor posture and backache. Research has shown that exercise is important in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Balance (Vestibular)
Balance dysfunction can occur at any age and can be influenced by many factors. In more severe cases, it can result in falls, and the development of a 'fear of falling'. When deficits are identified from the assessment process, targeted retraining programs can be developed to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. With both balance disorders and vertigo, physiotherapy can significantly improve the quality of life of patients, maintain mobility and independent living.
Walking Aid - The physiotherapist will ensure the correct aid is selected and the patient is educated about correct use. An exercise program may ultimately improve balance to the stage where the aid is no longer required.
Vertigo - "a condition with sensation of whirling and tendency to loose balance - dizziness". This is a common problem especially for many older people. Physiotherapists can assist in identifying the activities which trigger vertigo and modify movements to reduce the severity of symptoms.
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema (swelling) is a high protein oedema caused by an abnormality, malfunction or obstruction of the lymphatic system. The reduced lymph flow results in the stagnation of a protein-rich fluid in the space between tissue cells and can be a life long progressive condition. The affected limb can be grossly swollen, heavy, painful, tight and incapacitating, forcing a change in the patient's life style, creating considerable stress, psychological trauma and adaptation of personal and social relationships. Early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance as it is easier to arrest the development of the oedema and keep it under control rather than treat it later when the oedema is fibrosed.
Physiotherapy was first prescribed in the treatment of Lymphoedema by Winiwarter (1882) a German surgeon who suggested that meticulous cleanliness, bed rest, elevation, compression bandages, massage and remedial exercises would help the drainage of the oedema fluid.
Healthfocus lymphoedema physiotherapists have under gone post-graduate training in the treatment and management of lymphoedema and venous oedema. The treatment is labour intensive and is given daily for approximately one hour a day for one to three or more weeks. Lymphoedema is managed by complex physical therapy which includes: exercise, education, compression and skin care.
Aquatic (Hydrotherapy)
Aquatic Physiotherapy is a form of physiotherapy treatment conducted in a heated pool. Whilst under supervision by physiotherapists with specific training in aquatic physiotherapy, specifically designed exercises are undertaken to help regain or enhance the physical well being. The effects of turbulence and buoyancy, combined with warm water, helps reduce pain and muscle spasm. Patients do not need to be able to swim in order to benefit from aquatic physiotherapy.
Aquatic physiotherapy can help strengthen muscles, mobilise joints, relieve pain, promote relaxation, improve general fitness, improve balance and coordination. Aquatic physiotherapy can offer specific relief to people with arthritic problems, back and neck pain, sports injuries and work related injuries.
Regular weekly sessions are arranged through the Wodonga clinic.
Chest (Cardiothoracic)
Physiotherapists can assess, plan and implement programs to assist patients with conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease, angina, following heart attach, chronic lung diseases. Physiotherapy plays a vital role in rehabilitation after cardiac surgery. Programs are designed to educate patients and their relatives on lifestyle changes necessary to achieve optimal post operative recovery and minimise the risk of relapse.
In - Patient Service
In many post operative conditions, physiotherapists play a key role in enabling patients to successfully manage their own recovery process. Healthfocus Physiotherapists service the Albury Wodonga Private Hospital 365 days per year to assist in maximising the patient's functional ability and overall recovery.
Arthritis
The treatment of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions is a core function of physiotherapy practice. Patients with arthritis benefit from joint mobilisation, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and muscle strengthening exercises. Physiotherapy reduces arthritic pain and reliance on drug therapy. Unlike pharmaceuticals, physiotherapy has minimal side effects and few contraindications.
OSTEOARTHRITIS is also commonly called degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis of the knee is essentially a wearing away, or degeneration of the surface of the bones in the knee joint. In a normal knee joint, the surface of the bones has a protective layer that is very smooth and does not have any nerves in it. This protective layer allows the knee joint to move effortlessly and without pain. When the protective layer wears out, the surface becomes rough and the bone and nerves underneath are exposed. This causes pain and stiffness in the knee joint.
There are many causes of osteoarthritis of the knee. The most common causes are previous injury to the joint that has damaged the protective layer, and cumulative wear and tear with ageing. Although osteoarthritis is usually associated with older people, early stages of osteoarthritis affect people in their 30's and 40's. Most people with early signs of knee joint osteoarthritis can continue to be active but must limit activities that cause forces to be transmitted through the knee joint. In mild cases, this may mean they can not run, and in severe cases it may mean that they need the support of a stick to walk.
Osteoarthritis of the knee can be managed and improved by physiotherapy. Definitive physiotherapy intervention can prevent deterioration of the condition and improve quality of life of arthritis sufferers by relieving pain and increasing knee joint movement. Research shows that physiotherapy management of knee joint osteoarthritis is highly effective. (Bennell K and Crossley K. Knee Joint Osteoarthritis Position Statement, 2001.
Physiotherapy can reduce pain, improve movement and posture, strengthen muscles and improve independent function. Treatment methods include gentle passive movement, heat, electrical treatments, aquatic physiotherapy, splints and advice on preventing further joint damage.
Massage
Stress Management - Physiotherapists offer a number of stress management techniques and treatments which can help improve a patient's heath and well being. Programs include exercise, massage, muscle relaxation or general fitness advice. Physiotherapists use an initial assessment to clarify the nature of the problem and develop strategies and treatment which are acceptable to the individual. Physiotherapy can assist by reducing muscle tension, increasing vitality, improving concentration, improving the feeling of general well being, decreasing blood pressure, reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing pain, improving patient general attitude.
Paediatrics
Paediatric physiotherapists work with young people from premature babies to adolescents to ensure optimal physical function and development. Physiotherapists treat a range of conditions including cerebral palsy, developmental delay, syndromes and other genetic conditions, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, brachial plexus lesions, juvenile chronic arthritis, visual handicaps, premature babies with dystonia, postural problems, respiratory problems such as cystic fibrosis, sports injuries, growth problems, foot problems, general fitness, weight reduction and asthma.
Physiotherapists work closely with families, and other health professionals. For better outcomes and most effective treatment results, early referral is the key. The approach is holistic and practical with an emphasis on gross motor function and posture.
Video
The digital video provides an excellent tool for the accurate bio-mechanical analysis of function such as sporting activity, throwing, running and walking. Viewing the video allows the Healthfocus physiotherapist to specifically determine the cause of pain and injuries and problems can be addressed during patient management.
Pre-Employment
Tests can be carried out either "pre-employment" - to aid in suitable employee selection or "post-employment" - to ascertain the employee's training needs in regard to manual handling, general fitness, flexibility or posture.
Work Hardening
Functional Outcomes (previously called Work Hardening) programs are designed to benefit both the Employer and the Employee by assisting to help people undergoing rehabilitation following occupational injury. The programs are designed for the individual patient under a contractual agreement between the physiotherapist, the Employer and the Employee. The program is run over a fixed time period with set goals and outcomes. The patient is individually supervised by the physiotherapist in the Clinic Gym.
Women's Health - Continence assessment and treatment
One in 3 women who have ever had a baby, have bladder control problems. All symptoms are manageable, treatable and often cured without surgery. Treatment includes an exercise program and may involve use of specialised equipment such as a perinometer or real-time ultrasound to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. MEN can also suffer from incompetent pelvic floor muscles causing incontinence. They can also benefit from accurate assessment and treatment.
Pilates
Spinal rehabilitation classes are designed to enhance lumbo-pelvic stability, improve strength and reduce low back pain with exercises perscribed to the patient's specific needs. Pilates classes are available at each of our four clinics.
Orthotics
Healthfocus modifies commercially available orthoses (Formthotics) to suit individual needs for gait correction. Proper selection and modification can significantly improve lower limb function and reduce pain caused by improper limb alignment.
Headache
Treatment and management of headache and general pain is available at all Healthfocus Clinics. Headaches are often caused by disorders of the neck or physical and emotional tension. Healthfocus Physiotherapists can successfully treat headaches originating from the neck or soft tissue and show you how to prevent the pain recurring.
Real-time Ultrasound
Real-time Ultrasound allows our trained physiotherapists to evaluate your 'core stabilisation' muscles. These muscles are necessary for a healthy spine aswell as bladder and bowel health. You can see your muscles work, feel how they work and learn techniques to strengthen these muscles.