Uniting Wellness

31/10/2025

06/05/2024

Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disabling disease that affects the brain and the spinal cord (the central nervous system). In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin sheath) that covers the nerves. This results in a disturbance in the signals that are sent to and from the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body.

The disturbance in these signals results in symptoms such as:

-Numbness

-Tingling

-Mood changes

-Memory issues

-Pain

-Fatigue

-Vision impairment and blindness

Balance training is one of the components of an exercise program.Balance training reduces the risk of injury and falls, increasing walking speed and overall physical functioning.Balance exercise should involve controlled body movements while standing in a narrow stance (or standing on one leg), with as little arm support as possible and on surfaces that are soft, slanted or unlevel. Added movement rather than staying stationary as well as altering head position and visual cues can create a sensory rich environment that effectively trains not only balance but muscle function as well. Exercises should be safe, so to start do your training with the support of another person or beside a table/seat/wall before trying by yourself.The more we challenge and alter these aspects the more our balance will be challenged!

Exercise is necessary for holistic health. If you haven't worked out in a little while, this is your friendly reminder to shake up your day with some movement!

02/05/2024

What neurological conditions can an NDIS physiotherapist help with?
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
-Dementia
-Stroke
-Motor neurone disease
-Huntington’s disease
-Acquired and traumatic brain injuries
-Developmental delay
-Cerebral palsy
-Spinal cord injuries
-Guillain Barre syndrome
-Muscular dystrophy
-Fibromyalgia
-Peripheral neuropathy
-Chronic fatigue syndrome
-Epilepsy
-Autism/autism spectrum disorders
-Functional neurological disorder

Did you know that neurological physiotherapy addresses the movement issues associated with neurological conditions by optimising the function of your nervous system organs and pathways?
The goal for NDIS participants is often to support enhanced function through better movement. For some NDIS participants, this may include using adaptive technologies and/or different movement strategies for achieving your goals.

24/04/2024

Cerebral Palsy Management

- Strengthening exercises: These aim to increase the power of weak muscle groups to support better function, such as the achievement of developmental milestones and fine and gross motor skills.
- Functional training: This involves therapeutic exercises and activities to enhance your child’s ability to complete functional tasks, such as walking, jumping, transferring, and climbing stairs.
- Aerobic exercise: Exercises that raise the heart and breathing rate over a sustained period (such as walking, cycling and swimming) can help to improve your child’s fitness and ability to participate in sport and recreational activities.
- Stretching: Muscle spasticity (increased tension) is a common characteristic of CP. Stretching techniques may be used to improve or maintain range of movement, reduce the risk of muscle shortening and contractures, and improve functional ability (e.g. walking ability).
- Casting and splinting: These may be used to provide gentle stretching over a longer period, with a goal of reducing contracture and spasticity and increasing range of motion. Serial casting is a specialised technique which involves repeated applications of a cast, usually every one to two weeks, to gradually increase range of motion.
- Pain management: Pain is another common feature of CP. In a 2020 study involving 3545 children and adolescents with the condition, 44% of participants reported experiencing pain, with 36% of these reporting that pain disturbed their sleep, and 61% their daily activities. Over time, physiotherapy may help to relieve pain as range of motion and joint alignment improve. Physiotherapy techniques such as hydrotherapy and heat and cold therapies may also help with pain management.

17/04/2024

One to one Physio Antenatal Pilates
Prenatal Pilates is a specialized exercise program designed for expectant mothers to help them maintain physical fitness, strengthen muscles, improve posture, and prepare for childbirth. Pilates exercises during pregnancy focus on gentle movements that are safe and effective for both the mother and the baby.
The benefits of prenatal Pilates include:
• Strengthening core muscles: Prenatal Pilates exercises target the deep abdominal muscles, pelvic floor muscles, and back muscles, which can help support the growing abdomen and alleviate back pain.
• Improving posture: As pregnancy progresses, changes in weight distribution can lead to poor posture. Prenatal Pilates helps improve posture by strengthening the muscles that support the spine and pelvis.
• Enhancing flexibility and balance: Prenatal Pilates incorporates gentle stretching exercises that help maintain flexibility and improve balance, which can be especially beneficial as the body undergoes changes during pregnancy.
• Promoting relaxation and reducing stress: Prenatal Pilates includes breathing techniques and relaxation exercises that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which is important for both the mother and the baby.
• Preparing for childbirth: Pilates exercises during pregnancy can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which can be beneficial for labor and delivery.
It’s important for pregnant women to consult with their healthcare provider before starting any exercise program, including prenatal Pilates, to ensure that it is safe for them and their baby. Additionally, modifications may be necessary as pregnancy progresses to accommodate the changing needs of the body.

14/04/2024

Huntington’s disease
Huntington's disease is a condition that affects the brain, causing gradual loss of control over movements, thinking, and emotions. It's a progressive disorder, meaning it gets worse over time.

Living with Huntington’s disease can present challenges, but there are ways to help manage symptoms and stay active. Physiotherapy, for example, focuses on keeping you moving and independent.

During a physiotherapy assessment, your therapist will check how well you move around, keep your balance, and handle daily tasks like going up stairs or getting in and out of a car. They'll also talk to you about your medical history, what you're experiencing now, and what you hope to achieve.

Physiotherapy for Huntington’s disease often includes exercises and techniques to:

- Improve mobility, balance, and coordination

- Recommend tools like walking aids to make moving around easier

- Teach you how to maintain good posture and prevent stiffness and pain

- Offer guidance on staying active and exercising safely

- Provide strategies to avoid falls.

These interventions can make a big difference in helping you maintain your independence and quality of life, despite the challenges of Huntington’s disease.

07/04/2024

Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain in the muscles and bones, overall fatigue and tiredness. Many who live with Fibromyalgia are less physically active.

Pain is a complex process the body experiences. It is unpleasant and evokes responses both internally and externally from the individual. When pain persists, and is chronic, it can become debilitating to one’s daily life. If you are in pain, you may know you need to move, but it may be hard to move because you are ‘trapped by the pain’.

The key is to MOVE, as benefits arise from exercise that focuses on strengthening muscles to decrease the above listed symptoms.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFICIAL EXERCISES?

- Slow stretching

- Light resistance exercise

- Low-intensity aerobic activity

- Low-impact walking

- Swimming

- Tai Chi/Yoga

AEROBIC EXERCISE

Why aerobic? Aerobic exercise is now regarded as a standard treatment for Fibromyalgia because of its benefits to overall well-being as well as fitness.

How: The style, type, intensity and duration of your aerobic training must be individualized and is best assessed by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

RESISTANCE EXERCISE

What are the benefits? Strength gain, lower pain level, reduced tenderness, greater overall well-being and functionality.

How long until you start to see benefits? At least 6 months until benefits are seen.

How should you begin resistance exercises? First consult an Exercise Physiologist prior to commencing resistance exercise. Intensity to avoid onset of pain. A safer alternative is using therabands and dumbbells (free weights), and gradually increasing resistance.

TAI CHI AS A FORM OF NEW THERAPY

What does the research suggest? Tai Chi should be used as an adjunct to physical therapy as benefits will not yield alone. Practicing Tai Chi twice weekly over 12 weeks in a study produced worthwhile benefits in balance, functionality, pain control and severity as well as sleep. Tai Chi is also beneficial for muscles to stretch, improving flexibility in a low impact manner.

The mind: Research also revealed the psychological improvement to pain when performing Tai chi. The controlled breathing and movements lead to restful state and mental tranquility, which likely raised pain thresholds.

Four tips for managing Fibromyalgia symptoms:

Listen to your body; reduce intensity when you are experiencing greater and increased levels of pain,

Understand that pain will not cause further damage,

Our muscles and ligaments love to move and feel better after movement,

When you first commence exercise, be sure to exercise on non-consecutive days, in order to allow the body to recover and rest.

Contact us today to see an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who is qualified and experienced in exercise prescription for those living with chronic conditions.

04/04/2024

Paediatric physiotherapy is a specific branch of physiotherapy that focuses on treating children from infancy to adolescence. Paediatric physiotherapists work with children and young people to improve their physical abilities, promote independence, and enhance their quality of life.
Physiotherapy can help children with different paediatric conditions:
- Build muscle strength, flexibility, balance or coordination
- Keep up with their peers
- Reach developmental milestones
- Develop skills to participate in sport or school activities
- Become more independent with daily living
- Access their community.

02/04/2024

Dementia
Dementia is a broad term used to describe a deterioration in cognitive function that is not associated with normal ageing. This condition is mostly common in people aged above the age of 65 years.

What are the physical impacts of Dementia?

“Each person with dementia will experience the condition differently but some of the physical problems associated with dementia include:

- Slower reaction time

- Weaker muscles

- Poor coordination

- Trouble doing more than one thing at a time – for example carrying a cup of tea while walking, and

- Balance problems including falls.”

(Dementia Australia, 2022)

Evidence-based physiotherapy and exercise physiology interventions for people with Dementia.

A physiotherapist and an exercise physiologist can work in a multi-disciplinary team to maximise positive physical and cognitive outcomes in people with Dementia by providing an individualised, meaningful exercise program.

Evidence has shown that exercises can help improve the quality of life and independence of older Australians living with dementia, by:

- Improving motor skills such as gait and balance

- Reducing frailty

- Reducing the number of falls and fractures

- Slowing cognitive decline

- Improving cognition, agitation, mood

And there you have it! Exercises interventions can definitely maximise the physical and cognitive symptoms of someone with dementia and improve their overall quality of life!

Contact us today to see how we can help you.

28/03/2024

Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness associated with extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression) lasting for up to several months at a time.

Symptoms of manic episodes:

- High energy

- Easily excitable

- Reduced need for sleep

- Agitation

Symptoms of depressive episodes

- Low motivation and energy

- Low appetite

- Guilt and sadness

- Lack of interest in daily activities

Exercise has been shown to have both psychological and physical benefits for people with Bipolar disorder. Exercise Physiology services are beneficial for all people diagnosed with Bipolar disorder.

Contact us today to see how we can help you.

26/03/2024

How is therapeutic support funded under the NDIS?
NDIS therapeutic support can be funded under different categories of your Capacity Building budget.

Improved Daily Living (category 15)

NDIS funded therapeutic supports most often fall under this budget category. As the name suggests, this budget provides funding for the participants to work with therapists to improve your everyday living skills. Therapy under this NDIS budget category is about supporting you to become more independent, participate safely and confidently in your community, and reach your goals. Therapies funded under this category may be delivered individually or in group settings.

Improved Health and Wellbeing (category 12)

Therapy support funded under this budget category is about helping you to improve or maintain your physical mobility, health and wellbeing. For example, it could include funding for support from an exercise physiologist to create an exercise plan to help improve your fitness capacity so you can access your community or participate in sport. Or a dietitian can advise you about dietary changes to help you manage the effects of your disability. With regards to pricing for therapeutic support, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) sets price limits that help make sure NDIS participants get good value from their support packages. These prices are reviewed annually, with costs for different supports published in the ‘NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits’ document (formerly called the ‘NDIS Price Guide’).

Get support from our physiotherapists, exercise physiologists or dieticians!

24/03/2024

The Hardship Program is a joint philanthropic initiative between the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation (SBCF) and Essity, to support breast cancer patients experiencing financial hardship with short term access to quality compression therapy.

It is reported that 20% of all breast cancer patients will experience lymphoedema (swelling) of the breast or arm.

With knowledge that many patients do not have the financial means to access compression therapy during their recovery period, the SBCF and Essity have joined forces to support the most vulnerable. The Hardship Program offers medical compression products free of charge to help the probability of access to good care and regaining quality of life.

How do I apply to the program?

Treating lymphoedema therapists can apply for financial support for supply of a JOBST Bella or Bellisse product. Applications can be submitted directly to hello@sbcf.org.au. If eligible, SBCF will approve one application per person.

The program and approval process are managed by the SBCF to ensure independence and governance of charitable donations. Essity support the foundation through the provision of medical products.

Who is responsible for my prescription, fitting and follow up care?

Treating lymphoedema therapists will be responsible for all medical care needs including compression garment style prescription, fitting and follow up care. Any medical queries cannot be supported by the SBCF or the collection hubs and are the medical responsibility of the treating clinician.