South Coast Physio Goolwa

12/04/2026

The whole crew is back on deck this week. Few appointments available for Thomas on Wednesday, get in fast the week is booking out.

04/04/2026

Hello everyone, Bruce here. Having wrapped up an incredible trip hiking the Nakesendo, We arrived in Matsumoto , foot sore but satisfied. We depart for Tokyo on Monday, flying back Tuesday. I've shared some highlights from the trip. Come Wednesday, I'll be back in the office, ready to dive back into work. See you soon Goolwa.

27/03/2026

Travelling in Japan , I came across this picture on a window. I can only assume was a physio or other professional that works with dizziness.

26/03/2026

13/03/2026

When Pain Sticks Around Longer Than It Should

A patient recently lent me a book called The Brain’s Way of Healing by Norman Doidge. It shares some remarkable stories about how the brain can change and recover.

One of the key ideas in the book is something we often talk about in physiotherapy.

Pain is the brain’s way of protecting you.

Normally this is helpful. If you sprain an ankle or strain a back muscle, pain encourages you to rest and protect the injured area while it heals.

But sometimes the brain’s protection system can become too sensitive.

Even after the tissues have healed, the brain can continue to interpret normal signals from the body as if they are dangerous. When that happens, people can experience ongoing or chronic pain, even though the original injury has settled.

The encouraging part is this:

The brain is adaptable.

Just as it can learn pain patterns, it can also learn new, safer responses. Education, movement, gradual exposure to activity, and understanding what’s happening in your body can all help reset that protective system.

One of my favourite sayings from pain education courses is:

“Pain is complex, but the educated brain hurts less.”

Understanding why pain occurs can be a powerful step toward reducing it.

For anyone dealing with persistent pain, there is reason for hope. The nervous system can change, and with the right guidance and approach, many people can regain confidence in movement and get back to doing the things they enjoy.

And if you're interested in the science behind it, The Brain’s Way of Healing is a fascinating read.

11/03/2026

😵 Common Misconceptions About Dizziness

Dizziness is one of the most misunderstood symptoms we see in physiotherapy. There are multiple types of dizziness and many various causes. Here are a few myths we hear all the time:

❌ “It must be my blood pressure.”
While blood pressure can cause lightheadedness, many dizzy episodes actually come from the inner ear (vestibular system).

❌ “I should just rest until it goes away.”
Too much rest can actually slow recovery. For many vestibular problems, the brain improves by gradually moving and retraining balance.

❌ “If the scan is normal, nothing is wrong.”
Whilst its imperative to clear potential brain ( central causes) Most vestibular conditions don’t show on MRI or CT scans, but they can still cause significant symptoms and are highly treatable.

❌ “Vertigo means something serious.”
Vertigo often comes from benign inner ear conditions like BPPV, which can usually be treated quickly.

❌ “Dizziness and vertigo are the same thing.”
They’re different.

Vertigo = spinning sensation
Dizziness = lightheaded, unsteady, or foggy feeling

✅ The good news: the type of symptoms give us a guide to the cause and aid in accurate diagnosis.

If dizziness is affecting your life, getting the right diagnosis is the key first step. Many forms of dizziness are highly treatable by suitably qualified vestibular physiotherapist.

28/02/2026

Cute little gift from the physio conference, nailed the personalized message!

27/02/2026

It's not all beer and beaches, we are actually learning stuff.
Here's Proof.

26/02/2026

While Bruce attends the Ultimate Physio Practice Conference on the Gold Coast on Fri/ Sat.

Thomas and the team are holding fort at Goolwa.

Conferencing is hard work.

24/02/2026

Great to share my passion for all things Dizziness with the team at Willunga Physiotherapy and EPs from the region. Thanks to Tom and the team for having me!

20/02/2026

One of our clinic regulars is "mulleting for mental health"
Consider donating for a great cause.
Link in comments.

16/02/2026

Thanks to all the people who filled in our Quality Survey.
Find out who won the Archies!!!