Frequently asked questions.
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that assesses, diagnoses, treats, and works to prevent disease and disability through physical means. Physiotherapists are experts in movement and function who work in partnership with their patients, assisting them to overcome movement disorders, which may have been present from birth, acquired through accident or injury, or are the result of ageing or life-changing events.
How can Physiotherapy help me?
Physiotherapy can help you recover from injury, reduce pain and stiffness, and increase mobility. A physiotherapist can also help you prevent further injury by listening to your needs and working with you to plan the most appropriate treatment for your condition, including setting goals and treatment outcomes.
What should I expect at my initial consultation?
Your Physiotherapist will take a detailed history from you and perform a series of tests in order to make a diagnosis of your problem. An explanation of these findings will be given to you as well as your prognosis, an indication of how long it will take to recover from your injury and how much treatment you are likely to require.
Along with the initial treatment, you will be given education and in most cases an exercise programme to start at home.
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth refers to the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access and manage healthcare services remotely. It encompasses a broad range of healthcare services and applications, including:
Telemedicine: This involves providing clinical services remotely, such as consultations, diagnoses, and prescriptions, via video conferencing, phone calls, or secure messaging platforms. Telemedicine allows patients to interact with healthcare providers without physically visiting a clinic or hospital.
Remote Monitoring: Healthcare providers can monitor patients' health remotely using devices that collect and transmit data, such as wearable sensors, mobile apps, or connected medical devices. This is particularly useful for managing chronic conditions or post-operative care.
Health Education: Telehealth includes providing health education and information through digital channels, such as online resources, webinars, or interactive apps, to promote wellness and educate patients about managing their health.
Administrative Uses: Telehealth also encompasses administrative functions, such as scheduling appointments, electronic health record management, billing, and other healthcare operations conducted through digital platforms.
Telehealth offers several advantages, including improved access to healthcare services, especially for individuals in remote or underserved areas, reduced travel time and costs, and increased convenience for both patients and healthcare providers.
Telehealth services are typically delivered through secure and compliant platforms to protect patient privacy and adhere to healthcare regulations. While it complements traditional in-person care, telehealth has expanded access to healthcare and improved efficiency in delivering certain types of medical services.
Who would benefit from Telehealth?
Telehealth offers benefits to a wide range of individuals, healthcare providers, and healthcare systems. Here are some groups who particularly benefit from telehealth:
Patients in Rural or Remote Areas: Individuals living in rural or remote locations often have limited access to healthcare facilities and specialists. Telehealth allows them to consult with healthcare providers, access medical expertise, and receive follow-up care without traveling long distances.
Individuals with Limited Mobility: Patients with disabilities, elderly individuals, or those with mobility issues find it challenging to visit healthcare facilities regularly. Telehealth enables them to receive healthcare services from the comfort of their homes, reducing the physical burden of travel.
Busy Professionals and Working Parents: People with hectic schedules may find it difficult to take time off work or arrange childcare for medical appointments. Telehealth provides flexibility, allowing them to consult with healthcare providers during convenient times, such as lunch breaks or after work.
Patients Needing Routine Follow-up Care: Telehealth is beneficial for routine follow-up visits, chronic disease management, and medication management. It allows healthcare providers to monitor patients' health status remotely and intervene promptly if necessary.
Individuals with Chronic Conditions: Patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, or asthma, benefit from remote monitoring and ongoing support provided through telehealth. This can help manage their conditions more effectively and reduce the need for frequent in-person visits.
Mental Health Patients: Telehealth has revolutionized mental health care by offering remote counseling, therapy sessions, and psychiatric consultations. It improves access to mental health services, reduces stigma, and enhances privacy for individuals seeking psychological support.
Post-operative and Rehabilitative Care: After surgery or during rehabilitation, patients often require regular check-ins and adjustments to their treatment plans. Telehealth enables healthcare providers to monitor recovery progress, provide guidance, and ensure adherence to therapy protocols.
Healthcare Providers: Telehealth benefits healthcare providers by increasing their efficiency, reducing no-show rates, and allowing them to extend their reach beyond geographical limitations. It also supports collaboration among healthcare teams and specialists for complex cases.
Public Health and Emergency Response: During public health emergencies, telehealth facilitates rapid dissemination of information, triaging patients remotely, and managing outbreaks more effectively while minimizing exposure risks.
Overall, telehealth enhances access to healthcare services, improves patient convenience, supports continuity of care, and contributes to more efficient healthcare delivery systems.
Where do you deliver your services?
We currently service suburbs North, South, and East of the river – From Yanchep to Woodman Point to Mundaring, and everywhere in between. Not sure if we come to your area? Call us or send us a message!
What are your operating hours?
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday
What sort of services can you provide?
We provide professional Physiotherapy support in the comfort of your own home with Person-centred solutions with enablement strategies set to individual lifestyle factors and goals. We treat Chronic and Acute conditions including:
Lower Back Pain
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Ankle Pain / Injuries
Nerve Related Injuries
Post Operative Care
Joint replacement rehabilitation
Fall prevention
Gym Rehabilitation / Exercise Programs
Sports Injury Rehabilitation
Mid Back Pain
Knee Pain / Injuries
Plantar Fasciitis
Tennis / Golfers Elbow
Exercise Based Therapy
Vertigo / Vestibular Treatment
Chronic pain
We also offer advice on Environmental modifications: home installations, therapy products and adaptive equipment
How much do home visits cost?
Physiotherapy home visits within the metropolitan area serviced start from $130 for a 30 minute session to $170 for an hour.
If you have a homecare package from your service provider, an initial consult with a provided detailed assessment report will be $220.
All our prices include travel costs within the metropolitan area. There are no hidden fees.
If you live outside the designated area, please don't hesitate to contact us to arrange a visit and discuss your options.
What is TMS (Tension Myositis syndrome)?
Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) is a term coined by Dr. John Sarno to describe a theory he developed regarding the cause of certain chronic pain conditions, particularly those related to the musculoskeletal system. According to Sarno, TMS is primarily a psychosomatic condition where psychological factors, rather than physical ones, are the root cause of chronic pain.
Key aspects of TMS include:
Psychological Origin: Sarno proposed that repressed emotions, particularly anger and other unconscious emotional conflicts, lead to the development of chronic pain. The pain serves as a distraction from these emotional issues, manifesting physically in the body.
Mind-Body Connection: TMS posits that the brain induces pain in the body as a protective mechanism, to divert attention away from emotional stressors that the individual may not be consciously aware of.
Characteristics of Pain: The pain associated with TMS is often described as being variable, moving around the body, and not necessarily correlating with specific structural abnormalities visible through medical imaging or tests.
Treatment Approach: Treatment for TMS typically involves education about the mind-body connection, acknowledging and addressing repressed emotions through psychotherapy or other psychological interventions, and reducing fear and anxiety related to the pain. Unlike conventional treatments that focus on physical therapies or medications, TMS treatment aims to alleviate pain by resolving underlying psychological conflicts.
Who is John Sarno?
John Sarno (1923-2017) was an American physician and professor of rehabilitation medicine at New York University School of Medicine. He is best known for his controversial theories regarding the mind-body connection in chronic pain. Sarno proposed that many chronic pain conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal disorders, are primarily caused by psychological factors rather than structural or biomechanical issues. He coined the term "Tension Myositis Syndrome" (TMS) to describe his theory that these pains are manifestations of repressed emotions and unresolved psychological conflicts.
Sarno's approach was considered unconventional within mainstream medicine, as it challenged the prevailing view that structural abnormalities and physical trauma were the primary causes of chronic pain. Instead, he argued that the brain creates pain as a distraction from emotional issues, aiming to protect the individual from unconscious psychological stress.
Despite skepticism from some medical professionals, Sarno gained a following among patients who found relief through his treatment methods, which often involved education about TMS, psychotherapy, and strategies to reduce fear and anxiety related to pain.
His books, including "Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection" and "The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain," became popular among those seeking alternative explanations and treatments for chronic pain.
How do I know if I have TMS?
Diagnosing tension myositis syndrome (TMS) or its related concepts like Mindbody Syndrome (MBS) often involves a process of exclusion and self-reflection, as it is primarily a diagnosis of exclusion. Here are some common signs and characteristics that might suggest you could be experiencing TMS:
Chronic Pain with No Clear Physical Cause: If you have persistent pain (such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, etc.) that doesn't seem to improve with conventional medical treatments or therapies, and if medical tests (like MRI, X-rays, etc.) do not reveal significant structural abnormalities that would explain the severity of your pain, TMS might be considered.
Pain that Moves or Changes: TMS pain often shifts from one location to another or varies in intensity and location over time. It might seem inconsistent or not clearly related to specific activities or movements.
Association with Stress or Emotional States: TMS pain tends to flare up or worsen during times of emotional stress, anxiety, or when dealing with unresolved emotional issues. Often, there may be a history of significant stress or emotional turmoil preceding the onset of symptoms.
Other Psychological Symptoms: Alongside pain, individuals with TMS may experience other psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or feelings of frustration related to their pain condition.
Positive Response to Mind-Body Interventions: If you find that approaches focusing on the mind-body connection, such as relaxation techniques, stress management, psychotherapy aimed at addressing emotional conflicts, or techniques from Sarno's books (like journaling about emotions) help alleviate your pain, this may further suggest TMS.
It's important to note that diagnosing TMS should ideally involve consultation with healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about this concept and can rule out other possible physical causes for your pain. A comprehensive assessment would typically include a thorough medical history, physical examination, and possibly imaging or other tests to rule out structural causes of pain. If conventional treatments have not provided relief and you suspect TMS may be a factor, discussing these symptoms and experiences with a healthcare provider who understands TMS can be beneficial.
How to treat TMS?
Treating tension myositis syndrome (TMS) typically involves addressing the underlying psychological factors believed to be contributing to the pain. Here are some approaches commonly used in the treatment of TMS:
Education and Understanding: Learning about TMS and accepting its principles can be an important first step. This includes understanding the mind-body connection and how emotional stressors can manifest as physical pain.
Psychological Interventions: Therapy aimed at uncovering and addressing repressed emotions, unresolved conflicts, and stressors can be beneficial. This might involve cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, or other forms of psychotherapy.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which may alleviate TMS symptoms.
Journaling and Emotional Expression: Keeping a journal to explore and express emotions, particularly those that may be repressed or unconscious, can be therapeutic. This helps in recognizing and addressing emotional triggers for pain.
Physical Activity and Exercise: Gradually reintroducing physical activity and exercise, guided by tolerance and not fear of pain, can be important in overcoming the fear-avoidance cycle associated with TMS.
Education about Pain: Understanding that the pain is not due to structural damage but rather a protective mechanism by the brain can help reduce fear and anxiety related to the pain, which in turn can lessen its intensity.
Medication Management: In some cases, medications may be used to manage symptoms of anxiety or depression that often accompany chronic pain. However, these are typically used in conjunction with psychological interventions rather than as standalone treatments for TMS itself.
Support Groups and Peer Support: Connecting with others who have experienced or are experiencing similar symptoms can provide validation, support, and additional coping strategies.
It's important to work with healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about TMS or mind-body approaches to chronic pain. They can help tailor a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and circumstances. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of these treatments can vary among individuals, and patience and persistence in applying these strategies are often key to success.