AUBIN GROVE PHYSIOTHERAPY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Physiotherapist’s are all University trained to ensure your injury is thoroughly assessed and correctly diagnosed. There are many circumstances that you should see a Physiotherapist for, some of the most common include:

• If you have any bruising, swelling, stiffness or a deformity
• If you have sustained an injury (at work, in a car accident or playing sport)
• If you’re experiencing muscle or joint aches or pains
• If you have pins and needles or numbness
• If you would like advice on weight loss and exercise programmes
• If you experience muscle weakness or joints giving way
• If you have problems with your balance or falling
• If you need advice on exercise or improving strength, fitness or flexibility
• If you are returning to work or sport from an injury or surgery
• If you want to improve your sporting performance
• If you’ve recently had a baby, and are experiencing pain
• If you have problems with continence

This list is by no means exhaustive and if you have a question about a specific problem you should talk to a physiotherapist.

Feel free to call and speak to one of our friendly Physiotherapists if you have any questions, or if you’re not sure if we can help. There is no charge for advice at our Clinics.

All our Physiotherapists are fully qualified and all regularly attend continuing education sessions to ensure they will incorporate the most up to date assessment and treatment techniques available to ensure you receive the best evidence-based treatment, and get you reaching your goals faster.

No, if you are attending as a Private Patient you do not need a referral. If you are seeking treatment for an injury that is a Workers’ Compensation Claim, after a Motor Vehicle accident you do need a GP referral.

If you are seeking treatment under the Chronic Disease Management Medicare Program you will also require a particular type of referral. For more information regarding Medicare subsidized Physio treatment please click here.

• Note: Veteran’s Affairs clients do need a doctor’s referral, but one a year is usually fine. If you already have a referral it is good for 12 months even if you have a different injury/complaint.

The length of treatment depends on a number of factors including:

• The area of injury
• The type of injury
• Your stage of recovery
• How much pain you are in
• How irritable your symptoms are

It often takes a little longer during your initial consultation than follow-up sessions as your Physiotherapist will want to perform a few extra assessment techniques and ask a few extra questions to ensure they make the most accurate diagnosis of your problem.

Generally initial consults will take between 20-40minutes. One of our Physiotherapist’s can give you a more accurate estimation of consult time by asking you these questions over the phone.

No, you don’t routinely require a scan prior to treatment. Your Physio will ask you a series of questions, and while your examination will advise you as to whether you need any further imaging to assist in your treatment.

Generally you should wear something loose fitting, your Physio will most likely need to see the affected area to treat it effectively.

Given this you may need to remove some articles of clothing. If you are uncomfortable with this or would like a Physio of a specific sex to be treating you, mention this to the person taking your booking.

Yes, if you have a referral, any scans (X-rays, MRI’s, ultrasounds etc.) or any important information related to you complaint/injury, bring them and give it to your Physio.

Try to think about what caused your injury, when it started, how it is progressing (better or worse), and what kind of activities make your complaint better or worse prior to your appointment.

This does depend on your type of injury, however as a rough guide only in the first 48-72 hours after an injury and if it is actively swollen, ice is usually the right thing to use. If the affected area is no longer bleeding or actively hot and swollen heat is often better.

Having said this neither treatment should be painful at any time, and you should always be careful not to burn your skin with either hot or cold therapies. If in doubt contact one of our friendly Physiotherapists and they will be able to give you further advice.

Physiotherapy can be covered by Medicare but you need a referral from your GP under the Medicare Chronic Disease Management Scheme.

You may be eligible for up to 5 Allied Health (ie. Physiotherapy, Podiatry) sessions per year covered by Medicare. Your GP must decide whether or not your injury is appropriate to be treated under this scheme.

Yes, if you have ancillary (Physiotherapy) cover on your Private Health you should receive a rebate on our services (including groups and classes run by physios).

Please remember that rebates and services covered vary between insurers and policies. We recommend that you check with your individual health fund to find out exactly what you get back.

Yes, each of our Clinics has direct rebate facilities. Due to the large number of Health funds, some funds do not have direct rebate services, we can check this for you in the Clinic.

See below for a list of Health Funds that do have direct HiCAPS claiming facilities.

HICAPS List of participating Health Funds (846 KB)

Yes, to find out how much a Concession consultation will cost, call our friendly reception staff now.

Kwinana and Aubin Grove Physiotherapy provide a Home Visit service to those you may not be able to attend the clinic.

When making a Home Visit booking please remember to make this clear to the reception staff to ensure we have all required paperwork and adequate time to look after you.

Yes, our Clinics are open outside of normal business hours and on Saturday mornings.

We now advise you think PRICER in early injury management, it stands for:

• P Protect the injured area
• R Relative Rest (don’t overload the injured area, if uncertain initially immobilise the injured segment)
• I Ice for 10-15mins on the hour
• C Compress the injured area, but be careful not to tourniquet off the injured limb
• E Elevate the injured segment above the height of your height
• R Referral, make an appointment with your local physiotherapist as soon as possible