Spearwood Physio

29/08/2025

📢 Part 5 of 5: National Road Victim Month 🛑

For the final post in our series, we are looking at specific injuries that can result from a car crash: seatbelt sign and seatbelt syndrome.

While wearing a seatbelt is the most effective safety measure to significantly reduce the risk of death or serious injury, the immense force of a collision can still cause injuries where the seatbelt is located. A seatbelt sign is a visible bruise or abrasion, and its presence is a key indicator that significant force has been applied to the body. More serious underlying issues are known as seatbelt syndrome.

After a significant motor vehicle accident, it is crucial to be checked out at the Emergency Department or by your GP. Early detection and appropriate management are essential for the best outcomes. If there is pain and/or visible bruising over the neck, chest, or abdomen, scans may be needed to check for underlying trauma to your organs, nerves, or bones.

It's also important to be aware that signs and symptoms can sometimes be delayed. If you've been cleared and discharged but later develop increased pain, or experience bleeding in your urine or stool within 24 hours, it's vital to return to your doctor to be rechecked.

For many, injuries are mild, involving soft tissue bruising of the muscles and skin. These can be managed conservatively with physiotherapy, ice, gentle movement, and time. Our team at Spearwood Physio is here to help you recover from these injuries and get back to normal function.

25/08/2025

Did you catch our latest newsletter? 📧 As National Road Victim Month comes to a close, we're sharing our latest blog on understanding and recovering from whiplash. Click to read now!

https://manningphysio.com/understanding-whiplash-recovery/

Discover how physiotherapy supports whiplash recovery after a car accident. Learn symptoms, myths, and the best rehab strategies for long-term results.

22/08/2025

📢 Part 4 of 5: National Road Victim Month

This month, as we remember those affected by road incidents, we are highlighting common injuries and the paths to recovery. Following our discussions on whiplash, concussion, and ICWA support, we now turn our attention to another serious injury: fractures.

Depending on factors like the speed and angle of a collision, fractures are a reasonably common injury sustained in a road incident. Unlike a simple fall or sports injury, it is not uncommon for road victims to sustain more than one fracture in multiple joints, which often leads to a more complex and longer recovery process.

Physiotherapy is a critical part of post-fracture healing. Once the bone has been stabilised, our expert team will work with you to regain lost strength, restore normal movement patterns, and improve flexibility. We create a comprehensive and personalised rehabilitation plan to help you recover your full function and get back to doing what you love. Don't let a fracture hold you back—our team is here to support you every step of the way.

18/08/2025

August's Exercise of the Month

During National Road Victim Month, we remember those affected by road accidents and focus on recovery and prevention. Around 75% of survivable road accidents result in whiplash. Evidence has shown that those who suffer from whiplash or other types of neck pain have decreased use of their deep neck flexors and increased use of the superficial (closer to the skin) muscles.

Deep neck flexion exercises are simple yet powerful movements that help strengthen the deep muscles in your neck — crucial for posture, stability, and healing after whiplash or neck trauma. Whether you're recovering from an injury or looking to build resilience, these gentle exercises can support long-term neck health and comfort.

15/08/2025

📢 Part 3 of 5: National Road Victim Month

As we continue our series on common road crash injuries, we turn our attention to the back. From minor strains to more severe issues, back injuries from crashes can vary widely, and symptoms can sometimes be delayed.

While the majority of these injuries involve mild ligament or muscle tears, the right approach to rehabilitation is key. Physiotherapy plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth and speedy recovery. Our expert team will create a tailored program to aid healing, strengthen the muscles that support your spine, and restore pain-free movement.

With the right guidance, you can not only get better faster but also reduce the risk of pain returning in the future. If you've been in a road crash and are experiencing back pain, our physiotherapists are here to provide a thorough assessment and guide you on the path to a full recovery.

12/08/2025

🎉Happy International Youth Day!🎉

Today, we're celebrating the incredible energy and potential of young people everywhere. At Spearwwod Physio, located right here in Spearwood, we believe in empowering the next generation to live life to the fullest, free from pain and limitations.

We know youth sports offer amazing benefits – from physical wellness and social connections to setting healthy habits for life. But with growth and development also comes the risk of injuries, some unique to youth. This shouldn't deter participation!

Around ages 12-14, accelerated growth can significantly affect a young person's coordination, balance, and strength, leading to imbalances. Another major factor in increased injury risk is training when fatigued or training overload, with many youth today participating in sports up to six times a week.

That's where we come in. Our therapists at Spearwood Physio have extensive knowledge and experience working with active youth, whether in school or social sports. We're here to help your son or daughter:
* Recover well from injury.
* Discuss appropriate sports load to prevent burnout.
* Work on strength imbalances, balance, and coordination tasks to build resilience.
* Design an individualised rehab program to help them get back on the field with confidence and a reduced risk of re-injury.

Let's keep our young athletes in Spearwood moving strong and safely!

11/08/2025

National Road Victim Month

August is National Road Victim Month, a time to remember and honour those who have been killed or injured in a road crash. To provide support, we have been sharing a 5-part series on common road-related injuries we treat as physiotherapists. Our first two posts covered whiplash and concussion.

Today, we want to highlight the support available for road crash victims in Western Australia. We know that navigating the aftermath of a crash can be confusing and overwhelming. That's why we're here to help you understand how to access care.

The ICWA’s Motor Injury Insurance scheme helps cover the cost of medical and allied health services for those with a valid claim. To access this help, you must first report the incident to the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA) at [crashreport.com.au](http://crashreport.com.au/). Once your claim is validated, ICWA will cover or subsidise a wide range of approved services, including physiotherapy.

Spearwood Physio is an approved provider for ICWA claims, and our team is here to help you get the treatment you need to recover. For more information, please visit the ICWA website at [https://www.icwa.wa.gov.au/](https://www.icwa.wa.gov.au/).

09/08/2025

08/08/2025

📢 Part 2 of 5: National Road Victim Month 🛑

Following up on our last post about whiplash, let's talk about another serious injury that can result from a road incident: Concussion

A concussion is a short-term functional injury to the brain, often caused by a sudden acceleration, deceleration, or twisting of the head. This rapid movement causes the brain to shift inside the skull, temporarily disrupting its normal function.

While most concussion symptoms—such as headaches, dizziness, or confusion—resolve within 1-2 weeks, inappropriate management can significantly increase the risk of developing Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS), where symptoms can linger for months or even years.

Proper recovery is a delicate balance of rest and carefully managed activity. This is where a physiotherapist can play a crucial role. We can guide you through a safe, symptom-led exercise program to help restore your balance, manage dizziness, and address any associated neck pain that often occurs with a concussion.

Don't risk your long-term health. If you or a loved one has experienced a concussion, get a professional assessment to ensure you're on the right path to recovery.

04/08/2025

📢 Part 1 of 5: National Road Victim Month 🛑

This month, we're dedicated to raising awareness about common road incident injuries and how Spearwood Physio can help. Let's start with one of the most frequent: Whiplash

Whiplash is a common injury resulting from a rapid acceleration-deceleration force to the neck. While many people recover within a few weeks, for some, the pain can be significant and even lead to long-term issues if not managed correctly.

The key to recovery is staying active and getting the right support. Research has shown that an active approach to recovery is far more effective than immobilisation. A classic study in The BMJ found that patients who began early active mobilization saw significantly greater improvement in both neck movement and pain intensity compared to those who wore a soft collar (Mealy et al., 1986).

At Spearwood Physio, our team will provide a thorough assessment and a personalised management plan, including targeted exercises to restore movement and retrain the muscles affected by the trauma. Don't let whiplash hold you back—we're here to help you get back to normal function, whether your injury is recent or from years ago.

Book your appointment today and take the first step toward recovery!

27/07/2025

✨Hot vs. Cold: Understanding Pain Management for National Pain Week!✨

It's the last day of National Pain Week, and we're diving into a common question: When should you use hot or cold packs for pain? Both have their place in managing discomfort, so let's break down their benefits to help you decide!

Heat Therapy

Heat brings warmth and increases blood flow to an area. This helps to:
Reduce joint stiffness
Ease muscle spasms
Heat is great for general muscle aches and can be beneficial 48 hours after an acute injury. However, it's not advised in the first 48 hours after an acute injury, especially if there's swelling or bleeding.

Cold Therapy

Cold helps to reduce blood flow and numb the area. It's excellent for:
Reducing swelling
Decreasing inflammation
Minimizing bleeding
Cold is highly recommended for use in the first 48 hours after an injury. For recurrent swelling after an injury, you might consider intermittent use after aggravating activities or rehab exercises. Another good use for cold is to temporarily numb an area to block pain signals.
Important Note: It's generally not advisable to use cold packs before sport or exercise, as exercising with cold muscles can increase your risk of injury.

We hope this helps you understand when to reach for a hot or cold pack! What are your go-to pain relief methods? Share in the comments below!

🔥❄️

24/07/2025

✨ National Pain Week ✨

We are halfway through National pain Week.
Have you read our blog on Exercising with Pain that we shared on Monday?

We have another blog on the topic of Pain and its relationship with Sleep. Did you know that Pain can lead to poorer sleep and Poor Sleep can lead to more pain and sensitivity? We explain it more in our blog below.

https://manningphysio.com/how-sleep-affects-health-and-pain-why-quality-rest-is-essential-for-your-body-and-mind/

This National Pain Week we want to recognise the impact that pan has a peoples well being and ways that this pain can be addressed and improved.

If you have been experincing ongoing pain and have not gotten it address why not take this post as a sign to make the first positive step to getting treatment and book in with one of our understanding physiotherapists.

Call us on 9450 4433 or online at https://manningphysio.com/online-bookings/