Physiotherapy

Why Choose Atkins Health for Physio Runaway Bay, Varsity Lakes & Canungra

From diagnosis of acute conditions, rehabilitation from surgery, medical conditions and injuries, including all sports physio injuries, through to ongoing management of longer-term chronic conditions, you can trust the physiotherapy Gold Coast team at Atkins Health. Our unique six-weekly client review program schedule ensures that we adapt to your evolving needs and expectations, so that you achieve your objectives. On average based on these frequent reviews, over 90% of our clients reach or indeed their health goals. We also offer exercise physiology services, remedial massage and Pilates classes, providing you with a thorough approach to your health care.

With the flexibility of our physio Runaway Bay clinic centrally located within the feature-rich Gold Coast Performance Centre, our modern facilities in Varsity Lakes and Canungra, or with home visits available across the Gold Coast and hinterland, learn how we can help with your specific needs: Call us today on (07) 3177 7779 or request an appointment.

If you are a new-to-Atkins Health client, you must first book an initial assessment so that we can make a diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan for you.

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is the study of the human body, its movement and its functions. It is an allied health profession that often deals with acute phases of injuries, medical conditions, disabilities or dysfunctions. Treatment usually consists of tests and assessments, hands-on therapy and physiotherapy exercises for rehabilitation or correction.

There are many different types of physio which are generally known as specialties. Physiotherapists who have undertaken additional training may specialise in geriatric, neurological, respiratory, paediatric and all sports physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy applies the knowledge and experience of the practitioner with best practices studied and presented in research journals to treat the patient and their condition.

For diagnosis, the practitioner will often apply a set of “special tests” comprising of physiotherapy exercises designed to assess the patient against a set date, indicating to the practitioner how the body and its systems are performing. These special tests are consistently tried and tested in research to increase or deny their validity to provide practitioners with reliable data and conclusions on the presentation of their patients.

When to Have Physiotherapy

There are four stages to an injury cycle and a physio works across all of these. The earlier a patient seeks intervention, the better the rate of recovery and overall outcome.

For this reason, a physio should be the first port of call if you are experiencing a new form of pain, swelling, redness or loss of function in a body part. This may be the result of a sports injury or generic lifestyle factors. A physiotherapist can then assess the source of discomfort and provide a diagnosis of the underlying cause or condition.

Other reasons it may be time to visit our physio Runaway Bay team can include:

• Waking up with a stiff back or neck
• Recently undergone surgery
• Poor flexibility
• Poor sleep
• Headaches
• Poor posture
• Recurring pain during specific movements
• Poor mobility
• Injury prevention
• Preparation for surgery

How Physiotherapy can Help to Reduce Pain and Discomfort

For hands-on physiotherapy treatment, our practitioner will apply manual therapy in the form of release techniques or manipulations to help the body reset and return to less aggravated state. This allows for improved freedom and quality of movement. A physiotherapist will often then prescribe a set of physiotherapy exercises to help re-educate the body to achieve improved movement patterns and others to reinforce all of the above through strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight muscles.

How physiotherapy helps patients individually is often dictated by the patients themselves, where they are in their rehabilitation journey and the condition they present with. In broad terms, our practitioners will help diagnose and educate you regarding the condition, help to reduce pain or discomfort, return your body to as natural a state as possible, and then help you to prevent further issues from occurring.

How to See a Physiotherapist

To see a physiotherapist the first step is usually a doctor (General Practitioner), who would then make a referral. This can help in aiding the diagnosis, planning and delivery of treatment, however physiotherapists are able to assess and diagnose a problem and they can see patients without a referral. To be able to claim a Medicare benefit (if eligible) a doctor’s referral is required.

Private health insurance can sometimes help cover the cost of physiotherapy. We recommend checking with your private health insurer before booking a consultation.

Is Physiotherapy Covered by Medicare?

Yes, therapy is covered under the Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP). General Practitioners (GPs), along with all other recognised allied health providers, can refer a patient for treatment for a total of five subsidised visits per calendar year, across all allied health disciplines.

Holders of a Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Gold or White Card can undertake physiotherapy sessions without charge. Learn more about funding.

NDIS Physiotherapy Gold Coast

With the introduction of the National Disability Index Scheme (NDIS) in Queensland back in 2016, Gold Coast physio is now offered under the Core Supports and Capacity Building Supports budgets. Here at Atkins Health, we offer NDIS physiotherapy Gold Coast services at our Runaway Bay, Varsity Lakes and Canungra clinics, in addition to home visits from Tweed Heads/Coolangatta to Beenleigh.

More information can be found on the applicable budgets on the NDIS website.