The complete approach to injury rehabilitation

General physiotherapy

Our General Physiotherapy Division is dedicated to treating all types of injuries and conditions that may be preventing you from living a healthy pain-free lifestyle.

These injuries range from the acute ‘accident’ to the long term chronic injury. You are never too young or too old to benefit from physiotherapy intervention. Some of the more common injuries that we treat in the General Division include:

• Lower back and neck complaints
• Headaches and postural issues
• Acute and chronic shoulder injuries including rotator cuff pathology and 'frozen shoulder'
• Lower limb injuries including hip and groin pain, ITB and patellofemoral syndrome, ankle and foot injuries
• Osteoarthritis of the knees, hips and spine.
• Arm and wrist injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ‘tennis elbow’
• Workers Compensation and Compulsory Third Party injuries

Clinical Exercise Classes

Our Clinical Exercise Classes incorporate the principals of Pilates with a scientific and research based approach to rehabilitation and exercise.

These classes are the perfect way to progress your rehabilitation following an injury, to prevent injury and to improve your general well-being. Some of the many benefits of our Clinical Exercise Classes include:

• Postural restoration
• Improved mobility and flexibility
• Enhanced muscular control and tone of your back and limbs
• Increased core/trunk/spinal strength and stability
• Improved breathing biomechanics and circulation
• Address dysfunctional movement patterns
• Improved balance
• Improved coordination
• Stress management and relaxation
• Increased body awareness
• Improved concentration

Classes are limited to a maximum of 4 people allowing maximum supervision, coaching and care by our trained physiotherapists. Our small classes also allow for your particular injury history and specific health goals ensuring you get the most out of every class.

Classes include plenty of variety and include the use of mat work, swiss balls, free weights, therabands, reformers, trapeze tables and a whole array of other tools to allow you to exercise in a challenging, safe and fun way.

For more information and class times please contact us.

Post surgical rehabilitation

At Figtree Physio we provide the most up to date post-operative care to ensure our patients get optimum results after surgery, whether that means getting you back to sport, work or simply everyday activities.

Figtree Physio has well-established relationships with most Illawarra & Sydney based Orthopaedic Surgeons and Sports Medicine Physicians. We will communicate with your surgeon to ensure their specific post-operative rehabilitation protocol is followed closely and keep them updated with your recovery.

Some of the orthopaedic surgeries we have extensive experience with include:

• Shoulder surgery such as rotator cuff repairs, shoulder stabilisations, acromioplasties and labral repairs.
• Elbow surgery including tennis elbow release, golfers elbow release, elbow fractures.
• Wrist tendon repairs, fractures and carpal tunnel releases.
• Hip replacements, hip labral repairs and hip arthroscopy.
• Groin and inguinal hernia repairs, psoas and adductor tendon releases.
• Knee replacements, ACL and ligament reconstructions, arthroscopes, meniscal repairs, chondroplasty, ITB releases, patella tendon transfer.
• Ankle ligament reconstruction, tibialis posterior tendon transfers, arthroscopes.
• Lumbar or cervical spine discectomy, micro-discectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusions and disc replacements.

Sports physiotherapy

Whatever your chosen sport or activity is, getting injured is sure to hinder your performance or even take you out of action altogether.

Our physiotherapists will guide you through your rehabilitation as quickly and safely as possible. At Figtree Physio we understand that no two athletes or injuries are the same, therefore a specific rehabilitation program will be designed to not only treat your injury but also take into account the physical demands of your sport.

Our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience working with professional athletes and national sporting teams across a range of sports including:

• Soccer
• Rugby League, Rugby Union, Touch Football and Oztag
• AFL
• Hockey
• Netball and Basketball
• Overhead/throwing sports eg Tennis, Volleyball, Baseball and Softball
• Running, Athletics (Track and Field), Triathlons and Cycling
• Swimming and Rowing Sports
• Skiing and Snowboarding
• Gymnastics and Dancing
• Martial Arts, Judo and Boxing
• Golf

Preventative sports medicine is a primary focus at Figtree Physio. We want to not only assist you in returning to the sporting arena in a timely fashion but keep you there performing at your best. Our highly trained team can assess the biomechanics of your sport or activity, implement a preventative program to minimise the risk of recurring injury and allow you to keep performing at your best throughout the season and onwards.

Casting and Bracing

If you have had the misfortune of fracturing a bone, we can help. At Figtree Physio we have skilled Physiotherapists trained at applying upper and lower limb fibreglass casts, back slabs and thermoplastic splints.

The synthetic casting materials (fibreglass) we use in our practice are lightweight, highly comfortable and completely waterproof whilst still being strong and durable to preserve fracture healing. We can also remove casts when you're healed and ready to begin your rehabilitation. Thermoplastic splinting can be used as an alternative to casting and is usually prescribed for hand, wrist or finger injuries.

We also have a wide range of boots and braces for a variety of conditions. We supply walking/moon boots for injuries to the foot and ankle in addition to stocking a number of braces and guards to support shoulders, elbows, wrists, back, pelvis, knees and ankles. If we don't have exactly what you need we'll order it in for you.

Performance Division

At Figtree Physio we understand that performance has a different meaning for everybody.

Our performance division takes into account your current or past injuries and your performance goals to design an individualised exercise program. Performance isn't limited to elite athletes, we enjoy working with anybody with a desire to perform.

We run one-on-one performance sessions and High Performance Classes using our injury management expertise and specialised exercise prescription knowledge.

Examples of performance goals that we have achieved with our members include:

• Building a stronger back to prevent recurring injury
• Improving STRENGTH to work in the garden and around the house
• Improving BALANCE to minimise the risk of falling
• Improving MOBILITY to play with the grandkids on the floor
• Improving strength to MINIMISE the RISK OF INJURY in the sporting arena
• Improving POWER and SPEED for use in the a variety of sports
• Improving TRAINING and LIFTING techniques within the gym

So if you want to perform in life at the highest level then contact us today.

Incontinence and Pelvic Floor

Physiotherapist Michalene Goodsell has specialised training and extensive experience working with patients suffering from pelvic floor conditions including:

• Incontinence
• Pelvic organ pain
• Pelvic floor muscle pain
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Pre and post gynaecological surgeries

Many people accept incontinence and other pelvic floor problems as an inevitable part of ageing or having a baby. Whilst incontinence is common, affecting 40% of women over 30 and 50% of women having a baby, you will probably be surprised to know that 12% of young women who have never given birth also have trouble with their waterworks.

Research shows that improving pelvic floor muscle function is effective in preventing and treating many types of bladder issues and in some cases can avoid the need for surgery.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy involves identifying risk factors for developing pelvic floor problems, assessing the function of pelvic floor and developing an appropriate management plan. Many people delay seeking treatment for pelvic floor problems out of embarrassment or because “it’s not that bad”. However as with most things early intervention often results in the best outcome.

Dizziness and vertigo

Dizziness and vertigo can be very disabling and severely interfere with your activities of daily living.

Both these symptoms can be caused by a number of conditions and therefore it is important that you are accurately assessed by your doctor and/or physiotherapist to determine the exact cause of the issue.

Two of the main causes of dizziness and vertigo include neck pain and/or the semi-circular canals within the inner ear. Vertigo is defined as “the sensation of spinning or the room spinning around you”, especially when changing your head position such as rolling in bed or getting out of a chair. It is often associated with a feeling of nausea or sickness and can affect your balance. Vertigo is generally caused by a problem with your vestibular system which is the balance system of your inner ear.

One of the main vestibular disorders people experience is known as BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) and once diagnosed correctly can be easily treated by your physiotherapist.

If you are experiencing dizziness or vertigo related symptoms then book an appointment with one of our physiotherapists so we can assess you thoroughly and determine the best course of treatment.

TMJ disorders and Jaw pain

Did you know that Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD) and jaw pain can be treated with physiotherapy?

TMD currently affects up to 34% of the general population and is a collective term referring to disorders of the temporomandibular joint and/or muscles of mastication (chewing).

Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty and/or pain with opening your mouth (e.g. for oral care and dental procedures)
• Difficulty and/or pain with chewing, eating, drinking and yawning
• Clicking and locking of the jaw
• Jaw pain, neck pain and headaches
• Tinnitus or "ringing" in the ears

Patients at Figtree Physio are assessed by our specially trained physiotherapists to determine the cause of their jaw pain and dysfunction. Our physiotherapists can treat TMD through manual therapies including acupuncture techniques, soft tissue massage and joint mobilisation. We will explain the role that posture and chewing technique can have on TMD and prescribe specific exercises to relieve pain and restore normal jaw function.

Bite asymmetry, overbite/underbites or bruxism (clenching teeth at night) may also contribute to symptoms. Figtree Physio has well-established relationships with most Illawarra Dental Practices and will keep an open communication with your dentist if further dental intervention is required in addition to physiotherapy. Patients may present without a referral or may be referred by their Doctor, Dentist or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

Telehealth Consultations

Telehealth physiotherapy is essentially an online video consultation rather than a face-to-face consultation.

In light of the growing community health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, patients may not be able to attend our clinic due to illness or self-isolating. For others, telehealth is a great alternative for those who may find it difficult to access high-quality physiotherapy services due to living in rural areas or outer state.

Our telehealth consultations will continue to deliver the same outstanding level of care as our in-clinic services, where our experienced physiotherapists will assess, diagnose and provide a tailored treatment plan (including prescribing exercises) to help reach your health goals.

All you need is a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone that has a camera and access to the internet. Our physiotherapists can successfully treat most conditions using Telehealth such as musculoskeletal injuries, post-operative care and education, workstation ergonomics, injury triage and exercise-based rehabilitation programs.

Medicare patients who have a current EPC (Enhanced Primary Care) Plan can now claim Telehealth from 30 March 2020. DVA and workers compensation claims also have coverage for Telehealth consultations. Private Health Insurers are creating Telehealth physiotherapy items that will be available from 14th April 2020. Stay tuned for the latest information as these additional items are rolled out.

NDIS Registered Provider

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new way of providing support for individuals living with disability.

Figtree Physio is a specialised and approved NDIS Registered Provider. That is, we are fully accredited by the NDIS to provide physiotherapy services to a diverse range of patients with disability.

Our Physiotherapists can help patients improve mobility and movement, enabling them to:

• Feel stronger
• Feel more comfortable and independent
• Learn new skills

Our friendly and compassionate team can provide therapy services including rehabilitation, maintenance programs, pain management, falls prevention and functional assessments to name a few. We will also educate parents and carers on:

• How to provide effective therapy exercises.
• The best and safest way to work with their loved ones.
• How to help use assistive equipment and aids.

We welcome and accept all NDIS plans. The practice has on-site disabled parking and is wheelchair accessible. We can also provide home visits for those patients who require this type of care.

Upright & Strong Club

Are you looking to improve your balance & confidence in everyday life?

Figtree Physio is excited to introduce you to our "Upright & Strong" Exercise Class.

These classes focus on
- Trunk & lower body strength
- Balance
- Coordination
- Mobility

- Falls Prevention

Classes are kept small & run by a Physiotherapist in our specialised rehab gym
to ensure you receive individual and specific assistance to help meet your goals.
Take the next step to improving your strength, balance and confidence in the
Upright & Strong Club.