Hunter Functional Health

05/06/2025

Meet Tommy! 👋 We’re excited to welcome Chiropractor Tommy Coltman to the HFH team!

With a background in competitive sport—including long-distance running and county-level rugby—Tommy has an integrated approach to care, blending manual therapies with functional exercise. He is also trained in techniques such as shockwave therapy, acupuncture, vestibular rehab, and nutrition.

From managing migraines and vestibular dysfunction to chronic pain and sports injuries, Tommy loves working with clients to build strength, resilience, and confidence in their bodies.

Fun fact: A contact sport injury first introduced Tommy to chiropractic care.

He’s new to Newcastle, so feel free to share your favourite coastal walks, coffee spots, and bakeries! 🥐☕️

👉 Book with Tommy now via the link in bio.

21/12/2024

We're taking a short break! Holiday trading hours:

👉 CLOSED 22 – 26 December
👉 OPEN 27 – 28 December
👉 CLOSED 29 December – 6 January

We’ll reopen on January 7th, ready to kick off another fantastic year!

Here’s to a healthy and happy New Year! We can’t wait to see what 2025 brings for all of us.

20/12/2024

The holidays are here! 🎄✨ While this season brings magic – it can also feel overwhelming for children with sensory sensitivities or difficulty adjusting to change.

We’ve put together practical tips to help you support your child during this festive time —from managing routine changes to handling sensory overload.

👉 Read more on our blog: www.hunterfunctionalhealth.com.au/blog/supporting-your-child-through-the-holidays

20/12/2024

As we close out another year – we want to say a huge THANK YOU for your incredible support & trust. It's been a year of growth, challenges, and countless achievements, and none of it would have been possible without you!

We hope your holiday season is filled with joy, laughter, and some well-deserved relaxation.

Please note our holiday trading hours:

Closed from December 22 – January 6
Open December 27 – 28 (reduced trading hours)

We’ll reopen on January 7, ready to kick off another fantastic year!

Here’s to a healthy and happy New Year! We can’t wait to see what 2025 brings for all of us.

20/11/2024

Ever wonder why your child acts so differently at home vs. school? 😇 😈 Some kids hold it together all day only to release it all at home, while others feel calm at home but anxious in class. Understanding these shifts helps you support your child’s needs in both settings.

👉 Discover why this happens and get practical tips on our blog!
https://www.hunterfunctionalhealth.com.au/blog/why-kids-act-differently-at-home-and-school

11/10/2024

SOCIAL SIGNALS 🌟 Missing key social cues can make friendships & daily interactions tough for kids. But with a little guidance, they can learn to navigate these social signals with more confidence.

Some signs a child may be struggling with social skills:

* Misreading facial expressions or body language
* Missing tone of voice cues (like sarcasm or frustration)
* Standing too close or too far from others
* Making or maintaining friendships
* Group activities, turn-taking, and listening
* Over-reacting (or under-reacting ) to social feedback.

These challenges can impact their confidence, friendships, and performance at school .

👉 In this blog, we explore four key social cues—facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and personal space—and how understanding them can help your child strengthen their social skills, build friendships, and thrive.

🔗 https://www.hunterfunctionalhealth.com.au/blog/understanding-social-cues

Discover expert tips, strategies, and resources to help your child reach their full potential at home, school, and beyond.

02/08/2024

PLANNING (AND SEQUENCING) FOR SUCCESS ⚡ Planning involves thinking ahead and organising steps to achieve a goal, while sequencing is about putting those steps in the correct order. Together, they empower children to tackle tasks like getting dressed, doing homework, and playing games with confidence and ease.

Why are these skills so important for kids?

👉 Promote Independence: Kids can complete tasks on their own, boosting self-esteem.
👉 Enhance Problem-Solving: Helps children approach problems methodically.
👉 Support Academic Success: Essential for following instructions and completing assignments.
👉 Improve Social Skills: Needed for games and group activities.

Some kids may struggle with these skills due to developmental delays, ADHD, or learning disabilities. Our OTs work with children to build these skills through challenging and engaging activities during therapy – but, you can also help build on these skills at home.

Some skill building strategies:

👉 Encourage children to break down tasks into smaller steps.
👉 Use visual aids like charts or diagrams to outline sequences.
👉 Practice through fun activities like cooking, crafts, or building projects.
👉 Play games that involve following steps, such as treasure hunts or board games.

Activity idea🌟
Planning (drawing) and then building an obstacle course together.
Bonus: This planning and sequencing activity also works on developing balance, strength, and coordination.

Our Occupational Therapists can help your child reach their full potential using engaging activities designed to build core skills support their overall development – ensuring therapy is effective and fun. For more info, head to our website or give us a call on 0466 074 208.

19/07/2024

09/07/2024

FINDING BALANCE ⚡ School holidays are an exciting time, but they can disrupt the familiar routines that many children depend on. Whether it’s sticking to a bedtime schedule or preparing for social gatherings – Here are some effective strategies to help balance fun with the familiar during the school holidays:

👉 Maintain Routine: Stick to regular meals, therapy, and bedtime for stability.

👉Ease Transitions: Use visual schedules and discuss changes to smooth transitions.

👉Sensory-Safe Space: Create a calming area with items like weighted blankets and soft lights.

👉Therapeutic Play: Encourage skill-building through recommended play activities.

👉Manage Gatherings: Strategise breaks at social events and prepare for group interactions.

👉Active Engagement: Choose activities tailored to your child’s interests to maintain engagement.

👉Coordinate with Caregivers: Ensure all caregivers understand your child’s needs and strategies.

Our Occupational Therapists can help your child reach their full potential using engaging activities designed to build resilience and support their overall development – ensuring therapy is effective and fun. For more info, head to our website or give us a call on 0466 074 208.

06/07/2024

REFRESH & RECHARGE ⚡

As we hit the halfway mark of the year, right after a bustling end-of-financial-year and school term, it’s the perfect moment for a mid-year reset. It's time to pause, breathe, and set our intentions for the months ahead.

🎯 Reflect on Your Journey: What have you accomplished so far? Take a moment to celebrate your achievements—big or small!

🌱 Introduce New Habits: Is there something new you'd like to start? Maybe a weekly unwind session or a new wellness routine? Maybe you've been keen to join the local run club or gym class. Now’s the time to weave those into your life.

🛌 Prioritise Rest: If the past few months have felt like they were in fast forward, let's slow down. Remember, rest is just as important as activity for our overall health.

🤝 Lean on Community: You're not alone. Join our community for support and accountability as you refocus and reenergise. We're here to help guide and support you through your wellness journey.

Let’s inspire each other to take on the second half of the year with renewed energy and focus!

24/06/2024

WE HAVE MOVED⚡ We're looking forward to welcoming you to our new, improved location. Please update your records and feel free to contact us with any questions at 0466 074 208.

Thank you for being part of our community. We can't wait to continue providing excellent care for your all at HFH.