When you see the physio, you should come away with exercises. This may be very basic to start with, but then develop and get more difficult as you get better and stronger. Exercises need to be progressive and adjusted regularly to ensure that you continue to get better. If you just did the exercises that you were given at the start, then you are only rehabilitating your body to that level. But, we know that life requires much much more! Lifting, sitting, bending, standing, walking, running, contact, gardening, putting the washing out and more. There are also conditions that require long term rehabilitation - like chronic pain. So what options do you have available to ensure that your exercises are progressive and long term?
Home exercise programs: There are set by your physio and involve you completing them at home. You may be required to use some basic equipment - such as a theraband - to do some exercises. Ideally, these should be progressed as well, which may require a physio session to ensure that you are performing them correctly, and also ways to progress them. This works really well - and is integral, even if you are doing another exercise class! But - it requires you to do the program! if you don't do the exercises, then your rehabilitation will be limited.
Over 55's class: A specific balance and strength class for Over 55's is run each week at the Aspendale Gardens Community Centre. This circuit class is a great way to keep active, and also to promote independence in people who are at most risk of falls and serious injury.
Pre and Post Natal Classes: We have a series of pre and post natal classes that are designed to help you to continue or get back into exercise in pregnancy or post pregnancy. These sessions focus on pelvic floor activation and exercise that will help you to look after your little one!
Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is a great way to exercise for those who like to swim, use the resistance of the water or who struggle to do heavy weightbearing exercises. Click here to learn more. Our Exercise Physiologist, Katrina, runs these sessions at a local pool in Dingley. Participants don't need to pay pool entry.
Gym sessions: Katrina also runs exercise classes at local gyms, where she uses the equipment to create safe and effective exercises for patients. As an Exercise Physiologist, Katrina has done 4 years at University to study injury - and the best and safest way to exercise to help rehabilitate your injury. These classes can also be used for Type 2 Diabetes sufferers. Diabetes sufferers can get 8 of these gym classes bulk billed through Medicare through a referral from your GP. Please click here to learn more about Diabetes.
Clinical Exercise Sessions: These sessions (formally Pilates - please click here to learn about this change) are limited to a maximum of 4 patients. This means that there is a lot more attention given to you to ensure that you are performing the exercises correctly. These sessions are run by Physio's and are held in our gym. They are an extension of the early rehab work completed in the gym and can be used long term to continue to manage chronic pain or prevent recurrence of injury.
So there are lots of options for you when looking at rehabilitation. There should not be a barrier to trying to get better. The biggest thing is to stick with it, as many injuries take time to settle and recover fully. if you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call on 95801985 or click here to book a FREE initial assessment.