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1. What Happens at My first Consultation?
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Your first visit will involve a thorough questioning process by your therapist to determine where your problems are. You will be asked a series of questions and then asked to perform some physical movements so that your physiotherapist can complete a thorough assessment of your current problem. Your therapist may also palpate the affected area for further information.
Following questioning, your therapist may refer you on for further investigation. For example, an X-ray/Ultrasound or CT Scan or they may even send you back to your GP for referral onto a specialist. If your therapist is satisfied that no further investigation is required, then your treatment will begin. Your treatment on the first session will aim to reduce pain /restore movement and begin to regain function.
Treatment may include manual therapy, massage, heat /cold therapy, electrotherapy, advice on how to manage daily activities and exercises depending on your diagnosis.
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2. How Long are the Consultations?
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Your first consultation will be 1 hour and subsequent consultations will be 30 mins. If you have more than 1 area that need treatment a long consultation of 45 minutesmay be necessary for subsequent visits.
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3. Do I need a Referral?
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There are a few instances where a referral is required. If you are under medicare, workcover/CTP or DVA you will require a referral. In all other cases no referral is required to commence treatment.
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4. What Treatment will be Done in my Consultations?
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Physiotherapy has a wide variety of treatment techniques and what is used by your therapist is dependent on what the diagnosis is. Here are some of the types of treatment used by your Active Spine Physiotherapist. Manual Therapy, soft tissue/deep tissue massage, trigger point release, muscle retraining, muscle strengthening, flexibility exercises, functional retraining, education regarding posture, core retraining, electrotherapy, heat and cold therapy, chronic pain therapy, home exercise programs, return to sport programs and return to work programs.
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5. Why Should I see a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist?
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Physiotherapists who have worked consistently in one area often have a greater development of diagnostic skills and a broader range of treatment techniques to assist with efficient and effective recovery from your injury. Musculoskeletal Therapist have seen hundreds of musculoskeletal conditions which allow them to diagnose correctly and choose the best form of treatment to improve your injury. So choosing a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist will give you the opportunity for expert assessment and treatment of your injury.
6. Will I receive a Self Management Program?
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One of the most effective treatments in physiotherapy is for a patient to manage their improvements on a daily basis at home. Not only will you receive exercises to do and progress with, but advice on managing day to day activites and returning to your favourite sports/exercise.
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