Elevate Physiotherapy & Pilates

20/07/2025

Here are the top 5 common causes of neck pain:
1. Poor posture – Slouching, looking down at phones or laptops, or sitting with rounded shoulders can strain the muscles and joints in the neck over time.
2. Muscle strain or tension – Often caused by stress, overuse, or sleeping in an awkward position, tight or overworked neck muscles can lead to pain and stiffness.
3. Joint degeneration (arthritis) – As we age, the joints in the neck can wear down, leading to stiffness, inflammation, and discomfort from conditions like osteoarthritis.
4. Disc problems – The discs between the neck vertebrae can bulge or herniate, pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain that may travel into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
5. Injuries (e.g., whiplash) – Sudden movements, like in a car accident or fall, can damage the soft tissues in the neck, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.

Physiotherapists can help by identifying the cause and creating a plan to relieve pain, restore movement, and help prevent it from coming back. Book an assessment by visiting our website (link in bio), or calling 9836 1126.

13/07/2025

07/07/2025

If you've met Rushabh, you'll know he's pretty zen and loves physio. Swipe across for 8 things you might not have known about him!

Clinically, here is what you might like to know about Rushabh....

Particular Interests
Back and hip pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Chronic Pain
Headaches (including BPPV)
TMJ (Jaw) Pain
Dry needling

Qualifications
B. Physio – University of Newcastle
M. Physio (Msk) – University of Queensland
APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

Supplementary Qualifications, Awards and Previous Positions
Newcastle University Anatomy Tutor
Credentialled McKenzie Therapist
Newcastle City Blues AFL sports trainer
Balwyn Tigers assistance physio
DMA Qualified Pilates instructor
Dry Needling Certified
Watson Headache Institute level 1 trained
Sivandanda Yoga Teacher training in India

29/06/2025

It’s important for a physiotherapist to assess your back pain because not all back pain is the same, and effective treatment depends on understanding the root cause. A proper assessment helps pinpoint what’s contributing to your pain—whether it’s muscle weakness, joint stiffness, poor posture, nerve irritation, or something else. Without this step, treatment may only mask symptoms rather than solve the problem.

An assessment also ensures that any serious or underlying issues aren’t missed, and it allows your physio to tailor a program that’s safe, specific, and effective for your body and your lifestyle. In short, a good assessment sets the foundation for real, lasting relief.

When assessing back pain, physiotherapists use a variety of tools and techniques to understand what’s causing the issue and how best to treat it. Here are some key things they typically do:

Ask questions – They’ll take a detailed history, asking when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, how it affects your daily life, and whether you’ve had any injuries or other health conditions.

Observe posture and movement – They’ll look at how you stand, sit, walk, bend, and move to spot any imbalances, stiffness, or compensations.

Palpation – Using their hands, they feel for areas of tenderness, tightness, or muscle spasm along the spine and surrounding muscles.

Test flexibility and strength – You might be asked to move in certain ways to assess your range of motion, muscle strength, and how your body responds to different positions or loads.

Neurological checks – If there are signs of nerve involvement, they may test your reflexes, sensation, and coordination.

If you would like one of our physios to assess your back pain, book online (website link in bio) or call 9836 1126 today.

20/06/2025

Elevate Physio & Pilates is excited to announce a collaboration with Endota Spa Balwyn.
Coming July 1st.
Stay tuned.

Elevate Physio & Pilates
To find out more information or to book a session, call us on 9836 1126, or visit www.elevatephysiobalwyn.com.au (link in bio) to book online.

15/06/2025

Back pain becomes more common with age due to natural changes in the muscles, discs, and bones of the spine. As we get older, the spinal discs—which act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae—begin to lose fluid and flexibility, making them less effective and more prone to wear and tear (a process called disc degeneration). At the same time, the muscles that support the spine often weaken if not regularly exercised, reducing stability and increasing strain on the joints and ligaments. Bones may also become thinner and weaker with age due to conditions like osteoporosis, which raises the risk of fractures and spinal compression. Together, these age-related changes can lead to stiffness, reduced mobility, and more frequent or persistent episodes of back pain.

Physiotherapy can help manage and reduce back pain in many effective ways, especially as we age. A physiotherapist assesses how your body moves and identifies areas of weakness, stiffness, or imbalance that may be contributing to your pain. Through tailored exercises, they help strengthen the muscles that support your spine, improve joint mobility, and correct posture and movement habits that may be causing strain. Hands-on techniques like massage, joint mobilisations, or dry needling can relieve tension and improve circulation. Physiotherapists also provide guidance on how to move safely during daily activities to prevent flare-ups. Overall, physiotherapy not only treats pain—it empowers you with tools to stay active, mobile, and confident in your body.

Are you suffering with back pain? Book an initial consultation with our physios today to get to the root cause of the problem - Call 9836 1126 today.

08/06/2025

Strengthening muscles is especially beneficial for arthritis because it helps reduce the load and pressure on your joints. When muscles around a joint are well-conditioned, they help absorb shock from everyday movements, protecting joints from further wear and tear. They also control movement, and keep the joint in proper alignment. Strong muscles also provide better support and stability, which can decrease pain and improve mobility.
Regular strengthening exercises boost circulation, which can reduce inflammation and stiffness—two common symptoms of arthritis. In short, strong muscles act like a protective cushion for your joints and make it easier for your joints to do their job without getting irritated - helping them move smoothly and comfortably so you can stay active and pain-free.

Join our GLA:D program today, specifically designed to help people with hip and knee arthritis. Call 9836 1126 to talk to our friendly reception team today :)

:DinBalwyn :Datelevatephysiobalwyn

01/06/2025

Meet Abbey Our stellar Senior Receptionist
For over 5 amazing years, Abbey has been the warm welcome, the friendly face, and the steady heartbeat of our front desk.
As our senior receptionist, she’s mastered the art of making everyone feel right at home—whether you're walking in for the first time or coming back for the hundredth.
She’s not only a people person through and through, but also our resident plant whisperer.

Abbey's magic is in nurturing the plants in the clinic, making sure they have everything they need to thrive and grow: a smiling face, a lending hand, enough sunshine, enough water, and years of care and tending to. Her green thumb keeps our space blooming, and her energy keeps us all grounded.

So now you know why you're in good hands.

We’re so lucky to have her!

26/05/2025

Myotherapy and physiotherapy are both hands-on therapies that aim to reduce pain and improve movement, but they differ in their focus and approach.

Physiotherapists are university-trained professionals who treat a wide range of conditions affecting the muscles, joints, nerves, and overall body movement. They often use a combination of manual therapy, exercise prescription, and education to help with injury recovery, chronic pain, and complex conditions.

Myotherapists, on the other hand, are soft tissue specialists who focus specifically on muscular pain and dysfunction. They use techniques like deep tissue massage, dry needling, trigger point therapy, and cupping to release tight muscles and reduce tension.

While physiotherapy takes a broader, movement-based approach, myotherapy provides targeted relief for muscle-related issues — and in many cases, the two work best together.

25/05/2025

Thank you to our beautiful patient Lissa for sharing her experience in our red light pod. Sleep is a key pillar of longevity and we are thrilled you are now getting that essential rest your body needs.

19/05/2025

Thank you to Mr Michael O'Brien for a brilliant PD session with our physios.