Gordonvale Physiotherapy

18/10/2025

Have you heard of Advance Care Planning (ACP)? It ensures your healthcare preferences are clear if you became seriously ill or injured and unable to communicate them. 🏥

ACP is voluntary and relevant to all adults regardless of their health status or age. Start planning when you're healthy—before there's an urgent need for a plan.

Planning your treatment preferences early helps your loved ones and health providers know what matters most to you. 🥰

The most common ACP documents in Queensland are:
👉 an Advance Health Directive: a legally binding document that allows you to give directions about your future or special healthcare
👉 an enduring power of attorney: that allows you to legally appoint attorney(s) and set out terms for how the power operates
👉 a statement of choices: a values-based document that records your wishes and preferences for healthcare.

It's important to share these completed documents with those involved in your care and provide copies of your documents to the Statewide Office of Advance Care Planning to be added to your Queensland Health medical record.

Learn more about these documents, and how to create your plan here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/support/advance-care-planning/making-a-plan

ℹ️ Source:
Queensland Health. Understanding Advance Care Planning

15/10/2025

🍿Dinner & Disaster this FRIDAY!!🍿

Mareeba Shire Council are hosting a FREE information & movie night at the Mareeba Drive In as part of Get Ready Queensland week! Join us for an evening dedicated to promoting disaster preparedness within our community.

📍Mareeba Drive-In, 5303 Kennedy Highway Mareeba QLD 4880
📅Friday, 17 October 2025
⏰04:00pm - 9:00pm

🚑 Meet your local emergency services – get tips on staying safe this disaster season.
🎨Face painting and badge-making activities for the kids.
🎥 Kick back for the free screening of a classic disaster movie 👽Independence Day!!!

🍔Food & drinks are available for purchase from the Mareeba Drive-In Cafe

Get ready for a night of fun, food, and community resilience—because preparing doesn’t have to be boring!

📌 Book here: https://ow.ly/Tfer50X1glY

This is a Get Ready Queensland funded event to get the community ready for disaster season.

09/10/2025

With the weather heating up make sure your body is not overheated.Some hints from WHO.

Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can worsen underlying illnesses.

It may impact the exposed and vulnerable populations, such as:

🔵outdoor workers
🔵people with underlying health conditions
🔵older people
🔵children
🔵people living in poverty

With longer, more intense heatwaves each year due to , this is how extreme heat impacts our health⬇️

30/09/2025

With the weather warming get some of that water powered wellness into you. Water can make you feel young again! Is water your happy place? Whether it's for fitness, relaxation or just plan fun, enjoy your dip. If you want to join a madcap group of old water rats, pop down to Gordonvale Aquatic Centre on Sundays at 9am and check out swim coaching for the mature body but young at heart with Cairns Mudcrabs Masters Swimming.

26/09/2025

I have had a few people ask me this week about measles and immunity in older adults
Do I need a measles vaccination in my 70 or 80s?
I have asked our local GP and also done a search and found out abit about this.
If you were born before 1966 in Australia, it is very likely you had measles as a child.
Before the measles vaccine was available, almost every child caught measles.
Having measles once usually gives lifelong protection.
This means you do not need the measles vaccine now.

What if I’m not sure I had measles?

If you don’t remember, you can ask your doctor for a simple blood test to check your immunity.

If the test shows you are not immune, a measles vaccine can still be given, and it is safe for older adults.

Why vaccination matters today?
People born after 1966 may not have had measles naturally and may need 2 doses of vaccine.

Vaccination protects you and helps prevent measles outbreaks in the community.

Summary

✔️ Born before 1966 + had measles → You’re protected for life
✔️ Unsure → Ask your doctor
✔️ Vaccine is safe if needed

23/09/2025

Living with COPD? Pulmonary Rehabilitation Can Help

COPD can make everyday activities—like walking, shopping, or even talking—feel harder than they should. The good news? Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is one of the most effective ways to improve your quality of life.

Pulmonary Rehab is more than just exercise. It’s a comprehensive program that includes:
Specialised exercises to improve strength and endurance and even chest wall flexibility.
✅ Breathing techniques to reduce shortness of breath
✅ Education about lung health and managing symptoms
✅ Support to build confidence in daily activities

Research shows that PR can:
✨ Reduce breathlessness
✨ Improve fitness and energy
✨ Lower hospital admissions
✨ Help you feel more in control of your condition

At Gordonvale Physiotherapy, our team understands the challenges of COPD. We work alongside your GP and respiratory specialist to give you the tools, exercises, and support you need to keep doing the things you love.

📞 Call us today to learn how Pulmonary Rehabilitation can make a difference for you or someone you care about.

22/09/2025

Is Your Asthma Plan Up to Date?

With new asthma guidelines recently released, now is the perfect time for you and your GP to review your plan and make sure it’s in line with best practice.
At Gordonvale Physiotherapy, we know that physio plays an important role in managing lung conditions. Whether it’s:
Pulmonary rehabilitation - adding exercise in a graduated way
Airways Clearance - using breathing techniques or equipment to help to clear you airways
Or general support for your breathing health

…our team is here to help.

We’re also excited to share that Rhyce has just completed a refresher in respiratory physiotherapy, bringing the latest skills and knowledge into our clinic.

If you live with asthma, COPD, or another respiratory condition, remember that physiotherapy can be a vital part of your healthcare team.

Call us today and see how we can support your breathing health.

https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/news/2025/new-guidelines-state-saba-inadequate-treatment-for-asthma

18/09/2025

Ozempic & Your Body – Why Physiotherapy Matters

Medications like Ozempic can be helpful for weight management and diabetes, but they can also bring side effects that aren’t often talked about.

Loss of Muscle & Strength – Rapid weight loss can mean you lose muscle as well as fat. This can affect balance, mobility, and energy.
Women’s Health Changes – Some women notice changes like dryness, irritation, or a “flatter” look in the v***a area due to loss of fat pads and muscle support. Pelvic floor weakness or altered vaginal health may also appear.

How Physiotherapy Can Help
Strength & resistance training to rebuild and protect muscle
Balance & stability exercises to prevent falls
Pelvic floor and core programs for continence, support, and comfort
Lifestyle advice to keep you moving safely while on medication

At Gordonvale Physiotherapy, we work with women to address these changes – helping you stay strong, confident, and supported through your health journey.

Remember: weight loss isn’t just about the scales. Protecting your muscles, pelvic floor, and overall wellbeing is just as important.

18/09/2025

I am waiting for a treatment to cure arthritis but it looks like this stem cell treatment is not going to be it. So for now exercise therapy, a healthy diet, load management and evidence based team care is still the go. Don't waste time waiting for someone else to cure you, you hold an important key.

17/09/2025

“How can I stay active when I’m in pain?”

This is one of the most common questions we hear in the clinic. When pain is present, the natural response is often to stop moving. But gentle, safe movement is actually one of the best ways to reduce pain and prevent it from worsening.

Here are some tips:
Start small – even a few minutes of walking, stretching, or light exercises can help.
Choose low-impact options – swimming, cycling, or seated exercises reduce stress on sore joints.
Pace yourself – listen to your body, take breaks, and gradually build up.
Strengthen around the pain – often the muscles that support a painful area can be safely strengthened, improving stability and reducing discomfort over time.
Modify, don’t stop – if one movement hurts, there are usually safe alternatives. A physio can help find the right ones for you.

Staying active keeps circulation flowing, muscles strong, and joints mobile – all of which help manage pain long-term.

Remember: movement is medicine. The right activity, at the right level, can be part of your pain relief. If you need help, we are here to coach you through.

16/09/2025

Lifestyle Changes – What Do They Really Mean?

We often hear that “lifestyle changes” can help prevent or slow down chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, or even dementia. But what does that actually mean in day-to-day life?

It’s not about overhauling your life overnight. It’s about small, consistent habits that protect your body and mind over time:
Movement – staying active daily, whether it’s walking, stretching, swimming, or strength training.
Nutrition – choosing whole, unprocessed foods most of the time, limiting added sugars and excess alcohol.
Sleep & Rest – aiming for quality sleep and allowing your body time to recover.
Stress Management – using tools like breathing, meditation, or hobbies to calm the nervous system.
Social Connection – staying engaged with family, friends, or community activities.
Regular Check-Ups – catching small health issues before they become big problems.

These simple steps reduce inflammation, improve circulation, balance hormones, and support your immune system – all of which help you stay healthier for longer.

Remember: it’s the small daily choices that make the biggest difference over years. Start with one change, and let it grow into a healthier lifestyle.

14/09/2025

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