FAQ's
General Physio Questions
Can my physiotherapist refer for imaging? Why would they do this?
Yes. But there are conditions, – read on.
Physiotherapists in Australia undergo rigorous university-level education and training and registration that allow us to operate as first contact practitioners.
What does this mean? Just that you don’t need a referral from a doctor to see a Physio. A Physio will be able to assess your problem or injury, and know if further treatment or investigation is required, aside from the management a Physio can provide, such as to see a doctor, specialist, or if diagnostic imaging is required.
When you consult a Physio with an injury, they will provide a full subjective (questioning you) and objective (looking at the injury and feeling your movements etc..) assessment.
Most of the time, your Physiotherapist will be able to fully assess and diagnose physical injuries this way, without requiring x-ray imaging. Most physical injuries can resolve just fine, with x-ray and other imaging being reserved for specific situations, including when considering surgery, or to exclude a fracture, or to exclude other underlying pathologies. Your Physiotherapist can refer you directly to a radiology centre for any x-ray if recommended as a result of the assessment. The full Medicare rebate will only be applicable for x-rays referred by a Physiotherapist of the hips, pelvis, sacrum and coccyx, cervical thoracic and lumbar spine.
X-rays of other areas are NON-Medicare eligible. Physiotherapists are also able to refer for NON-Medicare eligible scans including Ultrasound scans of the area, and MRI scans, of the areas of clinical interest.
You will need to contact the Radiology provider to find out the out of pocket costs of these scans.
Do I need a Drs referral to see a physio?
No. In Australia Physiotherapists are licensed as first contact health practitioners. So if you have a physical problem you would like help with you can book straight in without any referral.
Your Physio can refer you for an xray if required and also provide a sick certificate as necessary if the condition warrants it, and will refer you to liaise with your GP with your consent as necessary.
In the instance you are eligible and need to claim your treatment on Medicare through the enhanced primary care programme you will need to organise this with your GP prior to your first appointment.
Your Physio can also refer you for an xray if they think it’s required.
Do we offer home consults?
Yes we do. You will need to call your closest Core Physio practice to organise a time for a Physiotherapist to attend.Your first home consultation will be a longer session to allow time for both assessment and treatment.
Subsequent home consultations will be scheduled for 30 minutes. Your treating Physio can bring any equipment required including a portable treatment bed.
Do you have both male and female physios available for treatments?
Does Core Physio & Pilates Studio treat patients without private health insurance?
At Core Physio & Pilates Studio we treat all patients including uninsured, private health members, workers’ compensation, DVA, and Motor Vehicle Accidents. Different fees and charges apply, so to find out more about this go to our What Can I Expect To Pay Page of the website.
How long is a physiotherapy appointment?
Your initial consultation which will include assessment questions about your current problem, as well as looking at the movements, muscle function and feeling the joints muscles and tissues related to your problem as well as treatment exercise and advice and plan of action will generally take around 40 minutes.
Subsequent treatment times when your Physio already knows your problem and does not require a full assessment last form 20-30 minutes.
A long consultation of 40 minutes may be required for a new problem, complex problems or multiple areas to be treated in one session. Please let reception know when booking if you think you will need a long appointment.
You cannot book a long appointment online.
PhysioX classes last 45 minutes
It’s my first appointment. How early should I arrive?
What are Core Physiotherapy & Pilates Studios opening hours?
Our opening hours vary from practice to practice, generally we’re open from 8.30am to 8.00 pm on weekdays and 8.30am-1.00 pm on Saturdays. Please check your locations page at your closest Core Physio and Pilates Studio practice. You can visit this link to find your local practice https://corephysio.com.au/locations
What is the difference between a physio and a chiropractor?
What should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?
The Physio will need to be able to see your problem area without clothing covering it.
Often, the areas surrounding the problem area are also relevant.
For example if you have a shoulder injury your Physio will want to see and feel your shoulder, shoulder blade and upper back/neck area. So a singlet of some kind would be ideal if you don’t want to take off everything!
At Core Physio & Pilates Studio, modesty gowns/or shorts (much like hospital attire) are always available if you need to come in your work clothes.
As a general rule loose flexible clothing that you can easily remove is the best.
Where is my closest Core Physiotherapy near me?
Visit the locations page of our website to find your closest Core Physio and Pilates Studio clinic. Press this link find your nearest location.
What Can I Expect To Pay?
How much does physiotherapy cost?
The pricing of these services varies according to your health fund.
This link shows you the highest and lowest amounts that you can expect to pay for our services.
You can select the pop up box that relates to your health fund on our Fees page
Is there a gap for medicare?
At Core Physiotherapy & Pilates Studio we accept all Medicare Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) referrals to a Physiotherapist. Bulk Billing is available with selected Physiotherapists at all our practices (Please note that not all Physiotherapists offer bulk billing, so please contact the practice for details of participating Physios). For Bulk Billed appointments this means there is no out of pocket cost to the client and the claim is typically made direct by the practice to Medicare. If you would like to see a non-participating Physio please contact the practice for details on full fees and claiming.
Please also note that some services, such as hydrotherapy and home visits, may incur additional fees for pool entry and travel time respectively.
For more information about Medicare EPC plans and your eligibility, please consult your GP.
What happens if I run out of health cover physio extras?
If you have used up all of your Health Cover Physio Extras throughout the year, and are a regular client at a Core Physio & Pilates Studio practice, you’re eligible to join our VIP program.
This allows you to receive a 10% discount off of subsequent consults, One on One PhysioEx sessions, and Group Exercise Classes. To find out more, you can give your local Core Physio & Pilates Studio practice a call or visit this link.
What will my out of pocket cost be?
This will depend upon your private health insurance fund. You should contact your private health fund for details on the rebates your level of cover provides. You can also refer to our Fees page
Physio Group Exercise
Can I do PhysioEx if I have an injury?
Yes. As long as you are not in acute pain, PhysioEx is great as a rehabilitative tool. We work with you at a pace that is suitable to help release or strengthen muscles around the problem area and focus on your goals. Returning you to your previous function and beyond is always a goal of any PhysioEx program. What differs are the exact steps required and that is the benefit of undertaking such a program under such detailed supervision.
Do we do semi-private physio group exercise sessions?
How is physio group exercise different from other forms of exercise?
Is it possible to do physioex when you have an injury?
What are the benefits of PhysioEx?
There are many benefits of PhysioEx:
- Better awareness and use of core musculature
- Increased strength and flexibility
- Improved joint alignment and posture
- Recovery from injury and trauma
- Prevention of injury or re-injury
- Greater understanding and use of core musculature
- The development of strength and flexibility
- The correction of joint alignment and posture
- Recuperate from injury and trauma
- Limit injuries and prevent re-injury
What is physio group exercise?
Physio Group Exercise otherwise known as PhysioEx, is a unique form of exercise that combines a range of different exercise disciplines into an individualised program tailored to a client’s particular issues and body needs. PhysioEx combines traditional strength and conditioning training with Pilates-inspired exercise, stretching, and joint mobilisation. A PhysioEx program utilises much of the regular equipment and weights you would see in a gym with specialised Pilates Studio Equipment.
PhysioEx incorporates classic strength and conditioning training with Pilates-inspired exercises, stretching, and joint mobilisation. A PhysioEx program uses resistance equipment and weights that are available in a gym, with the addition of specific Pilates Studio Equipment.
What is Pilates vs PhysioEx?
PhysioEx is the name we give the individualised exercise classes we provide.
We used to call these Pilates classes, because amongst other things we used Pilates equipment for rehabilitation exercise classes.
Before commencing you will have a full assessment and goal setting session with your Physio, who will then set you up with your own individualised program of exercises.
Each PhysioEx class of up to 6 people will be fully supervised by a Physio who will monitor all participants who are each working on their own exercise programs during that time.
As Physio’s we always prescribe some form of exercise as treatment to maximise your recovery and to get you back to the things you want to do, as well as to prevent debility and recurrence of injuries.
PhysioEx classes utilise many different types of equipment from treadmill/bike, weights, Pilates equipment (reformer, mat, trapeze table etc), mat/floor exercises, foam rollers and stretching.
Pilates is the name for a particular form of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates – in the early to mid 1900’s that uses a specific style of movements and Pilates equipment.
In Australia you cannot receive any health insurance rebates for Pilates classes.
For PhysioEx classes loose flexible clothing, a T-shirt or loose track pants, shorts, or leggings suitable for exercising are required so that you’re able to move well. Socks are required for hygiene reasons, we have a range of grip socks available for purchase.
What should I bring/wear to my PhysioEx appointment?
Dry Needling
Do we perform acupuncture/dry needling?
Yes, most of our Physio’s are trained in dry needling but not acupuncture.
Dry needling involves treating affected and localised muscle pain issues with needling techniques with the intention of getting the muscle to release and relax, and increasing blood flow to the area for healing.
However the philosophy behind this is very different from acupuncture, which is a holistic approach derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine addressing blockages in the energy systems of the body.
How does dry needling work?
Dry needling is a ‘Western style’ of Acupuncture that is used to manage injuries and their symptoms via its effect on the nervous system at localised myofascial trigger points. Expertly applied, dry needling provides substantially more release than a heavy massage does and with far less surrounding tissue damage. As a result, this technique is now used widely in sports medicine and day-to-day Physiotherapy and is a large part of Core Physiotherapy and Pilates Studio’s service offered to clients.
Dry needling is not Acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by Acupuncturists. Dry needling is a part of modern Western medicine and based around principles that follow the anatomical function of the muscular and nervous system.
Dry needling involves a very thin needle that penetrates the skin and stimulates underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular and connective tissues. Needles are single-use, sterile, and are disposed of in appropriate sharps receptacles. The Needles are of different lengths, which are used for getting to trigger points in different sized muscles.
Is dry needling painful?
The sensation caused by dry needling is variable but it can be painful; particularly if the trigger point being needled is related to the pain that brings the client to the Physio. The pain can be experienced in two ways:
- When the needle is inserted through the skin into the muscle, there may be a slight contraction or twitch within the muscle that creates pain. Although twitches in the muscles can create an initial (but brief!) painful response, twitches in the muscles are considered a good sign that the desired trigger point has been impacted by the needle. In such cases, the pain will subside in a short time.
- After the Physio treatment, the area may be a little sore for approximately 48 hours, however, this is not considered a cause for concern and should be expected for most patients. Our rule of thumb is that if you’re ever concerned about lingering pain after treatment you should contact your Physio immediately.
What is a trigger point?
NDIS Services
Can we put a service agreement together?
Can we service portal managed clients?
How big is the waiting room? Is there a place that I can go if it’s too noisy?
Is your physio able to write an NDIS report for you? How long does it take to write an NDIS report?
What do we charge for NDIS services?
What is the amount of time allocated for NDIS appointments?
Women’s Health
Do we help with women’s health?
Yes. All Physiotherapists are trained in Women’s Health, if your condition is related to pain or strain associated with pregnancy or postpartum care any of the Physios can help you with this.
However, some Physios specialise in this area through further training as they develop a special interest and expertise in that area.
If your condition/problem relates to a specific Women’s Health issue, such as incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse etc you’ll need to book in with a Women’s Health Physio.
Click here for more information on locations providing Women’s Health Physio services.
Do we offer internal women’s health examinations?
Some Physiotherapists receive special training to provide this form of assessment and treatment of the pelvic muscles and tissues.
If you are having problems in this area, mention it when you’re making a booking and be sure you are booking with one of the Physios with these skills.
Shockwave Therapy
Do we offer shockwave therapy?
How does shockwave work?
Shockwave therapy uses radial pressure waves which are a non-invasive treatment solution for long-term tendon insertion and soft tissue pathologies. Local treatment of the affected area will enhance and reset the healing pattern. The intensive pulses from the handpiece help to inhibit the transmission of the pain signal (Gate Control Theory). Shockwaves influence the tissue on a cellular level, promoting the release of pain inhibiting and inflammatory inhibiting substances.
It is also believed that RPW waves increase cell membrane permeability metabolically which allows old, damaged, and weakened cells to be removed and replaced with healthy viable cells. The application of repeated shockwaves on the affected area influences the blood flow promoting tissue healing and regeneration. Shockwaves help to restore a normalised muscle tone by action through trigger points as well as via reducing the impact of pain on the nervous system.
How long will a session of shockwave treatment be?
How many sessions do you require?
If your Physio thinks that RPW Shockwave Therapy is a good treatment option for you, they will start a course of treatments on your specific injury area. The number of treatments may vary between 4-6 depending on your condition and the outcomes. Most treatments are approximately 3-10 days apart depending upon the particular patient.
Once the course has been completed, your Physio will review the outcomes and decide on any further treatment plans.
The patient’s innate healing process will continue once the recommended course of Shockwave Therapy has been completed. Up to 92% of patients record a decrease in tendon pain after a course of Shockwave Treatment. It takes around 16 weeks to experience the full benefits of Shockwave Therapy.
Is it painful?
What is it like to have shockwave treatment?
Shockwave therapy incorporates the use of radial shockwaves or radial Pressure Waves that are introduced into the body by means of a freely moved applicator. The technology used in the equipment works via the compression of air to create shock waves that are sent through the transmitter. These shockwaves penetrate into the tissue and have a direct effect on the tissues directly under the transmitter.
RPW Shockwave Therapy does not utilise electrical currents, magnetic fields, or other waveforms such as infra-red waves or microwaves.
Shockwave Therapy feels like a strong tapping sensation on your skin. The machine makes an audible noise as it’s working due to the way that the machine creates the shockwaves.
What types of problems can shockwave therapy assist with?
The problems that Shockwave Therapy can assist with are:
- Plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and heel spurs
- Shoulder calcification, tendinopathy, and chronic shoulder pain
- Tennis elbow or lateral/medial epicondylitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Patella/knee tendonitis
- Gluteal tendonitis
- The reduction of myofascial trigger points (localised or referred muscle pain)
Paediatric Physio
Are there any appointments available outside of school hours?
Are you able to accomodate children with Autism, ADHD & Aspergers?
Can you accomodate for non verbal children?
Do we help children with low tone?
Do we offer paediatric physiotherapy services?
Do you help children who walk on their toes?
Do you help children with gross motor delay and fine motor delay?
Is there a minimum age before a physio can treat a child?
Massage Therapy
Do we offer lymphatic massage?
Do we offer massage services?
Yes and no. After assessing your injury/problem your Physio will come up with a plan of management. This could include any or more of the following as appropriate to your condition:
Joint mobilisation or manipulation, soft tissue release / massage / muscle release / dry needling, muscle energy techniques, McKenzie therapy, shockwave therapy, postural and lifestyle advice and movement pattern retraining, exercise therapy and exercise prescription.
In other words, we often use therapeutic massage as part of your treatment based on what we think will give you the best quickest and most effective outcome for your problem.
Our primary method of solving clients problems is via a hands on approach.
In this approach combined with massage are other techniques such as release of stiff and immobile areas.
We do not provide general remedial or relaxation massage.
Book an Appointment
Book an appointment with our friendly team of Adelaide physiotherapists today and take the first step towards better health and wellbeing. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate to you.