http://www.bensphysiotherapy.com/

Ben's Physiotherapy, Woolgoolga (2025)

27/01/2023

Although post pregnancy physio isn't my "specialty" our awesome admin girl Katie is heading off on maternity leave this week and so I thought 'd do a quick pregnancy related post in honour of her.

When a woman is pregnant her body releases a hormone known as relaxin, that helps prepare the body to grow and birth a baby.
As a result, our ligaments relax and soften, and our usually stable joints (like the pelvis and hips) become more mobile. This is obviously essential to birthing a baby, but can also result in Sacro Illiac Joint Pain (SIJ pain)

If you (or someone you love) are pregnant and experiencing SIJ Pain, an SIJ belt may be benefital in helping support and bring more stability back to the body.

The belt I would highly recommend is the Serola SIJ Belt for Pregnancy related back and pelvic pain relief.

This should help alleviate some of the pressure and discomfort. If the discomfort continues, you may need to be assessed properly by a professional.

After pregnancy this pain should correct itself as the pelvis comes back together.

I would highly recommend finding a womens health physio, who specialises in post partum physiotherapy to help you to continue feeling good and moving well after having had a baby.

We will be thinking of you Katie and hope you and your family settle into this next chapter with ease.

24/01/2023

Our wonderful client Gayle came in with severe plantar fascia pain due to weakened/deconditioned muscles in the feet. This was creating a disconnect between the hips and feet, resulting in her unable to enjoy her beloved headland walks.

After putting up with pain for the last 6 months and seeing that her orthotics were doing nothing to improve her condition. She decided that it was time to get proactive and find a different approach to the problem.

Which led her to us.

We can bang on about the importance of barefoot shoes all day- however it is important to note that for people who have relied on extra support for a long period of time… there IS a time for softer shoes (at the beginning of treatment) as part of the transition process that needs to take place. This is one of many specific things we can do to help bridge the gap from where we are, to where we want to be.

We want that transition to be smooth, sustainable and accessible for our clients.

Both physically and financially.

Gayle is on a journey that will eventually have her walking comfortably barefoot again.

In the meantime….to help transition her out of overly supportive orthotic style shoes, she is still wearing the same soft shoes, but making the effort to walk barefoot on the beach for at least 30 mins each day to help build up her strength and tolerance.

We are excited for the day that Gayle can get back to enjoying her head land walks again.

20/01/2023

DID YOU START 2023 THE RIGHT WAY?

We wanted to take a moment to wish you a (belated) happy, healthy, & fulfilling year ahead.

There is a long standing belief & habit pattern in place, that to have a great year, we MUST “hit the ground running”. We pressure ourselves to start the year strong, committed & motivated. We excitedly set new year's resolutions, rush to get started, without stopping to see “where we are at” & make a plan to safely bridge the gap between where we are, & where we want to be—we go a little too hard out the gates & then wonder why we injure ourselves. Our well meaning motivation fizzles out, leaving us feeling like we have failed, yet again.

We’re now at the end of January- & perhaps this is already mirroring your experience?

New year, new me- is a load of rubbish.
You may have new intentions & yes it may be a new year, but you carry into 2023 the same subconscious mind, nervous system & body. With the same history, injuries, weaknesses, strengths, abilities & limitations that you finished 2022 with.

We’re all for supporting you to be fitter, healthier & stronger. May we suggest that a smart way to begin (or restart)the year (if you have some health, exercise & fitness goals)- would be to book in to see a physiotherapist to get a thorough screening to identify the strengths, weaknesses & imbalances within your body. To highlight where issues may potentially arise for you.

You will receive specific strength, mobility, & alignment exercises to help you achieve better balance & harmony in the body to support you in achieving your fitness goals, improve performance,longevity & avoid injuries.

This would be highly beneficial for everyone, regardless of if you already maintain a consistent exercise regime , OR if you are starting out on a new fitness journey.

BOOK IN through the website or by calling 0408 252 322

20/12/2022

If you (or someone you love) have been suffering from Plantar Fascia pain, or have already tried everything your doctor or therapist have suggested that you do (like buy expensive orthotics or have cortisone injections to help stop the pain and inflammation) then you will want to read this….as there is still hope.

People are often told that Plantar Fascia pain is just something that occurs because of your job, age, family medical history or because of flat feet.

What actually causes plantar fascia pain is when the foot muscles get tight, deconditioned and weak causing the fascia to overcompensate and become the stabilising entity.

Yes, extra padding and support may help in the short term.

But it’s a bandaid-not a permanent or long term fix.

There are however many ways to effectively treat and improve plantar fascia pain.

1 simple thing that can quickly and dramatically help improve the pain (if done correctly) is to roll the foot, while standing up with a hardball (You should apply a lot of pressure, so that it feels like a 10/10 level of pain)

This will help release the joints, muscles and ligaments.
Once released, it creates the opportunity for the correct muscles to switch on and start working as they’re intended to.

For more actionable tips and advice to help you recover from plantar fascia- head to the link in my bio and download your free “13 ways to Fix your Feet” report covering some of the best ways to achieve quick pain relief and begin fixing the root cause of your foot pain.

If you don't currently have plantar fascia pain but would like to be proactive inorder to prevent yourself from getting it, you can roll your foot out at a level 10 pain twice a week.

14/10/2022

We do everything in our power to be accomodating towards YOUR NEEDS as we are passionate about genuinely helping people recover and move well.

We are committed to doing whatever is required to help make your instructions and exercises clear and easy for you to understand no matter what.

Usually Ben will film your exercises and stretches for you, so you can easily refer to them at home.

However, we have a few clients that don’t have mobile phones or email addresses, so for them.... it’s hand drawn (with love) diagrams and step by step instructions.

Notice how happy the client looks in the drawing as a result of doing the follow up exercises.... now that’s what it’s all about! 😀

Happy Friday folks.
Have a cracker of a weekend.

07/10/2022

⚠️ FRIENDLY REMINDER 🦶🏾

Ben is hosting three epic FREE workshops this weekend in Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour and Sawtell to help and support people just like you to improve foot function.

Ben is passionate about teaching YOU how to take ownership of your body, proactively improve your mobility, abilities & strength– so you can troubleshoot & independently fix issues yourself, before they escalate further. Without having to constantly depend on health professionals to “fix you”

The workshop will be hands-on & a lot of fun.

You will leave with a thorough understanding of;

▪️The importance of well functioning feet & how it impacts the function of the rest of the body.

▪️Issues with modern footwear & how it is negatively impacting our movement & health.

▪️How to troubleshoot to discover where your personal weaknesses & areas of improvement lie.

▪️Where to start on your journey to restoring optimal foot function.

▪️Solutions for plantar fascia pain, achilles problems, knee problems and hip problems.

🦶🏿WORKSHOP 1:
Location: Crossfit 2450 Coffs Harbour (24 Marcia Street)
Date: 15th October, 2022
Time: 08:30am
Cost: Free
To Book: Call Ben on 0408 252 322

🦶🏾WORKSHOP 2:
Location: Crossfit Tenet Sawtell
Date: 15th October, 2022
Time: 12pm
Cost: Free

🦶🏻WORKSHOP 3:
Location: Crossfit Woolgoolga
Date: 8th October, 2022
Time: 11:30am
Cost: Free

This workshop will be highly beneficial to anyone & everyone who owns a pair of feet and wears shoes.

Let us help you take back your power, move well & improve the longevity of your body.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Ben

07/10/2022

ATTENTION ALL DRIVERS

🚗IS YOUR CAR SET UP DRIVING YOU TOWARDS INJURIES🚘❓

Typically, cars aren't set up well and don’t support the body over long trips.

Every car is different. Every person's body is different and therefore the optimal car set up will vary from person to person.

Most people might move the seat forwards and backwards, alter the back rest position, but it usually stops there. The majority of people are driving their car in a way that causes unnecessary strain, puts the body out of alignment and doesn’t offer optimal support where it is actually needed.

Our awesome client Tony is heading off on a big road trip involving many hours of driving each day. He is also recovering from a back injury.

But as you and I both know, life is for living and our time here is far too short to put epic adventures on hold.

So Ben wanted to help set him up with a solid plan so he can still go on his trip, and enjoy it without the unnecessary added pain, and discomfort.

We wanted Tony to enjoy his trip, not to suffer as a result of it.

So, we customised his driver setup. To ensure it’s positioning is as comfortable and supportive as possible.

We lifted the steering wheel and propped his bottom upon a pillow so he is sitting deeper in the chair. This corrected his alignment and provided optimal support where it’s needed.

He was also given some customised exercises and stretches to do on the road (every two hours) to help counteract the effects of being seated for prolonged periods of time.

We wish you well on your travels Tony and can’t wait to see some photos and hear all about the amazing places you went and things you saw.

❓DO YOU DO A LOT OF DRIVING?

🚫ARE YOU HEADING OFF ON A BIG TRIP SOON?

OR CAN YOU JUST SEE THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMISING YOUR CAR SEAT SET UP TO AVOID INJURIES AND IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE?

It may be in your best interest to book in for a session with Ben, to get your car set up adjusted to best serve and support you.

He will help create a plan to help you do what you need to do in a way that helps keep your body aligned, happy and moving well.

🚗😆🤌🏼🚌💪🏽🏃🏽‍♀️🚙

30/09/2022

Ben from Ben’s Physiotherapy Clinic, will be running 3 FREE, highly informative, interactive & value rich workshops called High Functioning Feet & Natural Movement.

Our feet form the foundation of our bodies, & everything else stacks upwards in accordance with our base. If our feet aren’t functioning optimally then it causes extra strain on the joints, ligaments & muscles stacked above them.

Most of the people we see with dysfunctional (not working properly) feet, don’t actually experience foot pain. The issues in their base manifest as low back issues, hip imbalances, knee pain, ankle issues etc. Many of these issues can be traced back to a weakness, imbalance or issue in their foundation.

Ben is passionate about teaching YOU how to take ownership of your body, proactively improve your mobility, abilities & strength– so you can troubleshoot & independently fix issues yourself, before they escalate further. Without having to constantly depend on health professionals to “fix you”

The workshop will be hands-on & a lot of fun.

You will leave with a thorough understanding of;

▪️The importance of well functioning feet & how it impacts the function of the rest of the body.
▪️Issues with modern footwear & how it is negatively impacting our movement & health.
▪️How to troubleshoot to discover where your personal weaknesses & areas of improvement lie.
▪️Where to start on your journey to restoring optimal foot function.
▪️Solutions for plantar fascia pain, achilles problems, knee problems and hip problems.

🦶🏿WORKSHOP 1:
Location: Crossfit 2450 Coffs Harbour (24 Marcia Street)
Date: 15th October, 2022
Time: 08:30am
Cost: Free
To Book: Call Ben on 0408 252 322

🦶🏾WORKSHOP 2:
Location: Crossfit Tenet Sawtell
Date: 15th October, 2022
Time: 12pm
Cost: Free

🦶🏻WORKSHOP 3:
Location: Crossfit Woolgoolga
Date: 8th October, 2022
Time: 11:30am
Cost: Free

This workshop will be highly beneficial to anyone & everyone who owns a pair of feet and wears shoes.

Let us help you take back your power, move well & improve the longevity of your body.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Ben

20/09/2022

Ben was away in Bellingen staffing and helping facilitate the Mankind Project’s - New warrior Training over the weekend.

Ben explains that “Being involved in mens work has transformed my life for the better and is now one of the ways I like to contribute and give back.”

The New Warrior Training Adventure is a life affirming personal development event, an initiation of sorts for men, honouring the best in what men have to offer the planet.

The kind of stuff this world needs more of.

20/09/2022

The dreaded Sciatica pain. It’s debilitating, it’s disheartening and it can be bloody painful too……If you know, you know.

What causes Sciatica?

There can be so many different causes, but to put it simply, it’s when the nerve down the back of leg is being irritated.

Some common causes can be;

▪️An old back injury that’s aggravated
▪️A new back injury
▪️Any obstruction or impingement occurring along the path of the nerve (i.e in the piriformis muscle or down into the muscles in the calf muscles also)

The key to settling the nerve pain is firstly to find out what's aggravating the nerve in the first place and then work backwards from there.

Notice is it most aggravated while sitting down or standing up?

Then consciously do more of the thing that doesn't aggravate it, and less of the thing that does.

Sounds obvious right? You’d be surprised how often people push on and continue to do the thing that hurts.

SO…..
If it hurts when you sit, make a conscious effort to do lots of walking and standing.

If it hurts when you walk, spend more time sitting and resting.

Until the nerve pain settles.
Your body will tell you what it needs- listen.

The other thing you’ll benefit greatly from is getting in to see Ben (or your physio of choice) as soon as possible. This will help you avoid overcompensation, pain transference and things escalating further.

✔️You deserve to heal.
✔️You deserve to feel good and to move well.
So jump on it. 🤌🏼

13/09/2022

Growing old is inevitable, but certain healthy habits can help keep us feeling young & moving well. Things like:

1. Hang out with people of all ages. We become like those we hang out with. If you spend all your time with old people, you will become an old person. Socialise with people younger than you & it will rub off.

2. Reduce time spent sitting in chairs. Excess sitting is detrimental to our energy levels, flexibility, core strength & overall health. Instead: stand up, walk around, sit on the floor etc it will improve your balance, engage core muscles, stretch the bodies front line & hip flexors. Our bodies are designed to move. Give the body what it needs & it will reward you.

3. Take care of your dental health. It has a major impact on your overall health & quality of life.

4. Get up & watch the sunrise. Health benefits include: Balances circadian rhythm, improved mood, regulation of metabolism & appetite, improved sleep & sharpness of mind.

5. Engage in 15-20 mins of movement daily. A walk, swim, dance, bike ride- whatever floats your boat. Benefits include: reduced risk of medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes & dementia. Improved sleep, brain function, weight loss/maintenance of ideal weight & improved bone health.

6. Choose spontaneity- making a conscious effort to shake up our daily routines & habitual unconscious patterns, challenges our brains & forces us to respond reactively. Doing things differently than you usually would (I.e taking a different route home, brushing teeth with the opposite hand, going on a trip, learning something new etc), or doing things that are outside of our comfort zone, helps keep us flexible, helps improve memory & cognition, helps improve mood, improved emotional intelligence, creativity & produces more “happy hormones”

7. Eat healthy foods & stay hydrated with good quality water. A balanced diet including: Protein,carbs & good fats is imperative to longevity. The closer foods are to how they appear in nature, the better. When it comes to water & hydration, quality is just as important as quantity.

Apply these simple lifestyle shifts.
What truly matters is how we live.
So get living.

06/09/2022

WHAT MAKES BENS PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC DIFFERENT?

Traditional physiotherapists approach pain & injuries by working solely with the muscles, ligaments & joints. These are important— but the body's muscles, movements & pain are all controlled by the nervous system.

Ben combines traditional methodology with cutting edge neuroscience to help get the nervous system & subconscious mind onboard to help accelerate the healing process & improve longevity. A more “holistic” approach that utilises the pre-existing interconnectedness of the body.

We value your time. We treat our clients time respectfully. We do everything in our power to run on time. If on the odd chance we’re not on time, we will do our best to let you know prior, to save you waiting around unnecessarily.

Excellent value for money. With us, you’re not just another number. We believe in blocking out more than enough time for each client. So we can explain everything thoroughly, so there is ample time to answer ALL of your questions & get to the core of the problem. Our aim is to make a real difference. There is nothing worse than paying money & being rushed in & out of your appointment.

Ben likes to call all new clients prior to your initial session, to get to know you, become clear on your desired outcomes, & to clarify the issue. The purpose of this is to be certain he can help you, prior to you spending your precious time & money. He is all about adding massive value & actually making a difference.

Although a small operation- Bens Physiotherapy clinic is committed to providing you with exceptional, personalised service & adding massive value to you as our client. We genuinely care about you & want to see you improve as quick as possible. We won’t drag your treatment plan out or have you spend money unnecessarily.

As an integrative Physiotherapist, Ben’s unique physiotherapy style is beyond what is expected for ‘normal’ physio’s.

Which is why he offers a FREE 60min session for new clients. The purpose of this is to provide massive value to you, & for both parties to see if it is a good fit.

There is no obligation to continue treatment.

Book a free taster session via our website today.

30/08/2022

Feet glorioussssss feet! Fabulous toes and ankles🎶

😬Did you cringe reading that?
Yep, the majority of people would have…..

There is a definite stigma attached to our feet and toes. We’re worried that if we obsess over our feet (in the way everyone probably should/would if they truly understood their importance) we will be seen as creepy and weird, or vain, or people may assume we have a foot fettish (no judgement from us, to anyone who does).

At the first mention of proactive foot care, people cringe, joke about it, shutdown or change the topic.

Our feet are loyal servants, absolutely essential to a solid physical foundation and absolute workhorses of the human body.

Yet, when the roll call of body parts comes around they get disrespected, covered up, pushed aside and forgotten.

Our feet tirelessly carry us around all day long, they help us outrun predators, play sports, dance all night, care for our family, walk on the beach… the list is truly endless.

Not only that but well functioning feet will in turn support our ankles, knees, hips and low back to function well too. They support us to move well and avoid injuries.

We’re keen to shift the current negative associations, so that people have not only more appreciation for their feet but also take the time, effort and money to prioritise their foot health.

Some things you can do to start improving the alignment, function, mobility and strength of your feet include;

🦶 Spending more time barefoot
🦶🏻Specific foot strengthening exercises
🦶🏽Stretching the toes, soles of the feet and tops of the feet
🦶🏾Balancing on a narrow cylinder shaped balance beam
🦶🏿Wearing minimal “barefoot” footwear

Ben will be hosting three epic workshops (in Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour & Sawtell) in October called HIGH FUNCTIONING FEET & NATURAL MOVEMENT SEMINARS.

These workshops are FREE, yet set to be full of valuable information, exercises and simple lifestyle changes you can implement immediately to start improving your foundation and ultimately the way you move.

Keep eyes peeled for more info on these seminars- or if you can’t wait, DM us for the details 👣

26/08/2022

Two of our awesome tune up clients from this afternoon- Tom & Jason. These legends come in periodically to see Ben for ongoing maintenance and support.

In the same way that doing regular car services and maintenance will help keep your car running well– ongoing maintenance physiotherapy sessions will help keep you moving well and nip any potential problems in the bud before they escalate.

These sessions help keep clients accountable, help keep them feeling young, moving well and free from pain.

It’s about being proactive, rather than reactive.

It’s about valuing and prioritising your body and your health.

It’s about longevity and enjoying a greater quality of life.

We can’t recommend periodic tune ups enough.

The results speak for themselves.

23/08/2022

I had such a great time last month running my HIGH PERFORMING FEET & NATURAL MOVEMENT workshop at what a brilliant bunch of humans. It was so great to meet you all. Thanks for having me.

I Looking forward to running some more in the woopi, sawtell & Coffs areas in the near future- stay tuned!

23/08/2022

1. Spend more time barefoot.
Our feet are our bodies foundation. A well functioning foot = a well moving body.

Being barefoot strengthens the feet, knees & hips, improves ankle stability, foot mobility, balance, posture & alignment. It relieves lower back pain, fasciitis & decreases the chance of experiencing knee, hip & ankle pain.

2. Pilates.
A low impact, precise & controlled form of exercise that works the small, deep stabilising muscles that support the larger moving muscles.

Benefits of pilates include; improved flexibility & mobility, strengthen core stabilising muscles,better muscle control, body awareness, improves posture & alignment, joint support & helps prevent injuries.

🔈 Woopi locals- we recommend Pilates with Trudi

3. Yin Yoga
A slow, gentle & restorative practice.
Benefits include; Improved flexibility, alleviate muscle pain & tension, stretch the connective tissue, regulate the nervous system, improve sleep, promotes relaxation & focus. Helping improve body balance, support in recovery & injury prevention.

4. Swimming in the Ocean
is beneficial to your health & wellness. The magnesium in salt water relaxes the muscles, releases stress & relieves muscle aches, pain & soreness. Regular swims in the ocean can boost your immune system, relieve allergies, improve blood circulation, respiratory issues &help improve mood. The weightlessness is helpful in recovery & injury prevention.

5. A Selective Functional Movement Assessment is a thorough clinical assessment to systematically find weaknesses in the body that may be creating faulty movement patterns, resulting in inefficiency, pain &/or injuries.

The screening helps us understand where you are & to formulate a plan with specific stretches, mobility exercises & corrective exercises. To create better harmony & balance throughout your body, so you move better, experience less pain & greater longevity.

Value moving with greater ease & efficiency, enjoying greater strength, mobility & stability??? A SFMA screen is for you. Book in via our website.

26/07/2022

Have you recently broken a bone? Or know someone who has?

After the bone healed, cast came off and you were discharged did you experience;

❓Post break stiffness?
❓A lack of strength?
❓Less mobility?
❓Residual Pain? Or referred pain elsewhere in the body from overcompensation?
❓A feeling that you weren’t fully recovered? (just not feeling 100%?!)

You’re not alone, this is super common.

When you get discharged from hospital, although the broken bone has healed there is still work to do inorder to get you back to the level of strength, coordination, mobility and overall body interconnectedness you had pre-break.

To recover fully and regain pre-break abilities you need two things;

1. To be assessed to determine what has been lost and where you’re currently at.

2. A plan specific to you, to help rebuild the support structures, so the body can move well again.

Our awesome client Judy- hurt her wrist and had an arm cast. Although the cast came off, she found herself to be still experiencing stiffness in the shoulder.

Her body was overcompensating elsewhere in order to continue to function and perform her day-to-day duties. This led to referred problems and injuries elsewhere in the body.

We have been supporting Judy to release residual tension, improve mobility and strength.

Because of Judy’s proactive approach to her healing and recovery, she is well on the road to recovery.

Had a broken bone recently? Or know someone who has?

Encourage them to book in to see Ben, to help speed up their recovery, prevent further injuries and regain a sense of overall strength, balance and mobility in the body. So they can move well again and enjoy a greater quality of life. You wont regret it.

Ben's Physiotherapy

27/01/2023

24/01/2023

20/01/2023

20/12/2022

14/10/2022

07/10/2022

07/10/2022

30/09/2022

20/09/2022

20/09/2022

13/09/2022

06/09/2022

30/08/2022

26/08/2022

23/08/2022

23/08/2022

26/07/2022

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