Month: February 2024

The NDIS is a participant-centred scheme, meaning individuals can allocate their funds to the support they need most. These can include services like occupational therapy.

OT can help you to get more out of your day and improve your quality of life. Whether you need to shower, shop, work, learn, play or enjoy your hobbies.

Occupational therapists help people with disabilities to do the things they want to do.

Occupational therapy is not only one of the most important, but also the most empowering types of support for people with disability. Whether you have a permanent disability or are recovering from an injury, an OT can help you to live the life you want, through the things you need to do.

OT’s use a holistic approach and assess physical, cognitive and emotional capabilities to enable the development of personalised therapy to improve a participant’s quality of life1. Their services are wide-ranging and include:

Many people have access to occupational therapy through the NDIS via their registered NDIS provider. This can be found through the NDIS website. However, if you are self-managing your funding or you have a NDIS support package that does not include an OT then you can seek a private occupational therapist by searching NDIS occupational therapy Cairns.

You will need to speak with your NDIS planner to determine if this is an eligible expense. Your NDIS plan will allocate a percentage of your funds to capacity building, so it’s important to check that you have sufficient allocation and that the service is considered ‘reasonable and necessary’ before seeking an OT assessment.

Depending on the type of disability you have, an OT can assist with a range of activities including daily living tasks, such as cooking or washing; recreational activities; and navigating public transport or managing finances. They may also recommend assistive technology and make modifications to your home, car or work environment.

Occupational therapists can work closely with other allied health providers to provide you with the best possible care. For example, they may suggest physiotherapy, speech pathology or psychologists to assist with your goals. They may even work with your GP to coordinate a holistic care plan.

They help people with disabilities to do the things they need to do.

The Royal Rehab LifeWorks Cairns provides individuals with a range of support, including occupational therapy, to help them live as independently as possible. These services can include helping people to get around in their homes, and making their homes more accessible. OT also helps people to manage their daily routines and improve their physical and cognitive skills. They can help people with disabilities to perform everyday tasks, such as cooking and bathing, and they can also teach them how to use assistive technology and manage their health and wellbeing.

The OT approach to the NDIS program is client-centred, meaning that the individual’s needs determine what type of assistance they receive. This removes the threat of wasting funds on unnecessary services and instead allows participants to learn to prioritise items that bring the most benefit in alignment with their goals. Home Caring’s NDIS support coordinators can assist participants to identify what sort of NDIS OT services would signal the best use of their funding, and they can provide guidance on how to access these services.

Occupational therapy can also work with other forms of NDIS funding, such as home modifications or assistive technology. They may work with a person to identify the home modifications that are needed in order to make their home more accessible, and they can also help to train people to use assistive technologies.

When preparing an NDIS application, it is important to be as detailed as possible about your disability and how it impacts your life. The more detail you provide, the more likely the NDIS will be to approve your request. It is also helpful to write your report in day-to-day language rather than using medical jargon, and you should try to include as much documentation as possible in order to streamline the process.

They help people with disabilities to do the things they want to do.

Occupational therapy provides individuals with the tools they need to achieve their goals and participate in their daily lives. OTs work closely with NDIS participants to assess their individual needs and create customised intervention plans that empower them to live more fulfilling lives.

For many, the goal is to be able to manage their everyday tasks as independently as possible. That could mean gaining access to assistive technology, improving home or community set ups and exploring what other forms of support are available. It also means being able to engage in activities they enjoy, whether socialising with family and friends or taking part in hobbies.

OTs can help people build independence by introducing new ways of doing things and by teaching them skills to overcome challenges they may face in their daily life. For example, they can teach people to use public transport independently and help them develop strategies to manage stressors. They can also support people in participating in work and leisure activities by providing training on how to use assistive equipment or adjusting job duties as needed.

Capability building tasks can also be crucial in preventing the need for people to enter residential care. Occupational therapists can assist with the setup of a safe and comfortable living environment, which can give individuals confidence to stay at home rather than transferring into a care facility.

NDIS participants can access occupational therapy through a range of registered providers. To find an OTA-approved provider, visit OTA’s Find an OT directory.

Alternatively, NDIS participants can self-manage their funding and choose any registered provider that meets their requirements.

OTA remains committed to raising awareness about the important role that OTs play in the NDIS and advocating for vital improvements to the NDIS system. This includes ongoing advocacy around pricing arrangements, which need to reflect the cost of running a business and address the impact of the price freeze on allied health services.

You should get regular urological care to maintain urological health and help detect problems early. Seek out a urologist with whom you feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues like men’s sexual dysfunction and family planning.

A urologist will ask for your medical history and do a physical exam. They’ll also order tests, including imaging tests and a blood test that helps determine what the kidney stones are made of.

Symptoms

The kidneys — two fist-sized, bean-shaped organs on either side of the spine, below the rib cage — serve as filters, removing waste and balancing fluids. When too much waste builds up, it forms a hard pebble-like mass called a kidney stone. It can get stuck in the kidney, the ureter, or the bladder, causing pain and possibly a urinary tract infection. The symptom that usually starts it all is sharp, severe pain in the back or abdomen, often in one spot below your ribs. Sometimes it moves into the lower belly or groin, and may be accompanied by a burning sensation while you urinate. Other symptoms can include blood in your urine, fever and chills, and nausea and vomiting.

To find out if you have kidney stones, consulting with Melbourne urological surgeon is the best thing to do. their doctor or urologist will do a physical exam. You’ll also have a 24-hour urine collection test, which shows whether you’re excreting too many stone-forming minerals or not enough substances that prevent them from forming. You’ll also have imaging tests, such as an abdominal X-ray and a computed tomography scan (CT), which help doctors see the size of your kidney or any blockages in your urinary tract. You may have other tests to check your blood and kidney function, and a procedure called shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) to break up a large kidney stone into smaller pieces so they can pass more easily. in the urinary tract. tract.

Diagnosis

Kidney stones can be diagnosed by urologist who knows to look for the symptoms: a sharp pain in your back or side, often moving to your lower abdomen and groin; feeling like you have to urinate more frequently; blood in your urine; and a goopy feel when you urinate. our doctor will want to get a sample of your urine to test for stone-forming minerals and find out whether you are lacking substances that prevent them from forming. A 24-hour urine collection may help your doctor decide if you need kidney stone treatment in Melbourne or are at risk of developing kidney stones.

Imaging tests (X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound) can show the size, shape and location of your kidney stones. Your doctor will also order a blood test to check for signs of infection and to see if you have too much of the minerals that form kidney stones. A 24-hour urine collection can also reveal these minerals.

Depending on the type and size of your kidney stones, you may need a procedure to break up or remove them. For small calcium-containing stones, your doctor may suggest a wait-and-see approach, taking medicine to decrease pain and the amount of urine you produce (tamsulosin; Flomax). You can reduce your risk of getting these types of kidney stones by limiting animal protein, which makes your urine more acidic, and drinking plenty of fluids, especially water.

Treatment

Kidney stones form when too much waste combines with not enough liquid. The body’s master chemist, the kidney, usually eliminates these chemicals by washing them out with urine. But if the amount of fluid isn’t enough or other chemicals in the urine prevent them from passing out of the kidney, the waste forms crystals that become larger and bigger until they block the flow of urine.

The fist-sized, bean-shaped kidneys filter 120 to 150 quarts of blood each day to remove waste and balance fluids. The waste becomes urine, which leaves the kidneys through tube-shaped ureters into the bladder. Larger kidney stones can get stuck in the ureters, which causes pain. You may also feel pain in your belly area (abdomen), back or groin. In men, the pain can move into their testicles or labia (vagina).

A urologist treats problems related to your kidneys and urinary tract. He or she will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Your doctor might also order a urine test and imaging tests, like an X-ray and CT scan.

Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help reduce discomfort. Your doctor might also prescribe a medicine called an alpha blocker, which relaxes the muscles in your ureter, so that the stone passes more easily. Your doctor may want to save the stone for testing, which can give him or her clues about how to stop future kidney stones from forming.

Prevention

In most cases, you won’t know you have a kidney stone until it causes pain, usually in the belly or side of your back. You may also notice blood in your urine or have trouble urinating, and you may feel sick to your stomach and have chills.

If you’re having symptoms, your doctor will do a physical exam and order blood tests to check your kidney function and look for crystals in your urine. He or she will also ask you to drink two liters of water every day to flush out your kidneys and lower the concentration of stone-forming substances in your urine.

Kidney stones form when certain minerals concentrate in the kidneys. Most kidney stones are made of calcium. But it’s possible to have stones from other substances, like oxalate or uric acid.

To prevent a kidney stone, you should eat low-sodium foods. Too much sodium increases the amount of calcium that leaks out of the kidney into your urine. This makes it more likely that you’ll form another kidney stone.

You should also limit your intake of animal proteins and sweetened drinks and foods. Instead, eat fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains and nonfat beverages. If you want to eat protein, choose lean meats and fish. Avoid processed meats, like salami and ham.

Physiotherapists treat musculoskeletal pain and injury, assist with pregnancy and childbirth and manage long-term health conditions (such as respiratory disorders). They also improve age-related mobility and function.

Our analysis identified nine favorable conditions for research use at three interdependent system levels: personal and interpersonal factors; organizational and professional culture; and interaction with academic institutions. These findings support strategies to promote a more evidence-based practice in healthcare professions.

Chronic Conditions

Physiotherapists work with patients to prevent or reduce the impact of chronic health conditions that cause pain and disability. They help to maintain health for people of all ages, enabling them to manage their own care and wellbeing through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice.

Optimise Health physiotherapists  are expert to treat neurological disorders that affect the brain and spinal cord. This can include dizziness, tremors and balance issues. They also help to improve mobility and range of motion for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis. They use exercise programs, manual therapy and gait training to address balance, strength and functional ability.

They can reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and relaxation techniques. They can also implement strategies to promote positive mental health like mindfulness and psychoeducation.

Those who suffer from chronic health conditions often have multiple diagnoses or comorbidities, which can impact their quality of life and increase the risk of functional decline. Adding initiatives like case discussions to a busy clinical schedule can be hard for clinicians to prioritise, and they may not have the resources or skills to conduct these activities independently. Future research needs to investigate how physiotherapists can improve their capacity to integrate psychosocial approaches. This is important because a person’s expectations can significantly impact their experience of care and outcomes, especially if those expectations are not realistic.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Pregnancy can be a wonderful time, but it can also cause significant physical discomforts. If you’re experiencing back pain, pelvic discomfort or trouble with movement, a Optimise Health physio clinic can provide treatment to alleviate these symptoms and help you prepare for childbirth.

One of the main reasons women seek out physiotherapy during pregnancy is to ease back pain. As your center of gravity shifts, your spinal cord has to adjust to support the extra weight, which can lead to lumbar spine (lower back) pain. A physiotherapist can help strengthen your back muscles and teach you how to improve posture to reduce this pain.

During the latter stages of pregnancy, a physiotherapist can also help you prepare for labor and delivery. This includes teaching you how to move and what stretches and exercises to do, which can help you have a less complicated delivery. They can also give you techniques for breathing and other aspects of preparing your body for childbirth.

Women who have undergone physiotherapy during their pregnancy have claimed that it has helped them have a shorter, faster delivery. They’ve also had fewer complications, including incontinence. They’ve also had lower rates of fetal distress and a faster recovery after delivery. This is due to the fact that women who undergo physiotherapy during pregnancy have stronger abdominal muscles, which will help them recover after birth.

Sports Injuries

Physiotherapists work with athletes and those involved in physical activities to optimize their performance and prevent injuries. They conduct assessments of an athlete’s strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination to determine their injury risk factors. They also advise athletes on training techniques and proper technique to help minimize injury risks.

Using manual examinations and diagnostic tests, physiotherapists can assess the extent of an athlete’s sports injury and identify underlying issues contributing to it. This allows them to develop targeted treatment plans for rehabilitation and recovery.

Common injuries that physiotherapists treat include sprains and strains. Sprains are a result of overstretching or tearing of ligaments while strains involve the same process but with tendons, which connect muscles to bones.  can address both these types of injuries using treatment methods like joint mobilization, soft tissue manipulation, and myofascial release.

Overuse sports injuries such as tennis elbow are another common ailment that physical therapists can help alleviate. These types of injuries are often caused by repetitive actions, such as throwing a baseball, which can cause the forearm to become inflamed and cause pain. Physical therapists can reduce pain and inflammation using RICE — rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

Physiotherapists can also teach athletes how to improve their balance and proprioception, which is the body’s ability to sense its position in space. This is important because injuries can occur if the body isn’t able to sense its movements and compensate accordingly.

Ageing

When people are older, Our physiotherapists often work with them to reduce pain and improve their physical strength, mobility, and balance. They may do this in , hospitals, nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities, or they can go to patients’ homes. They also may work with doctors to provide feedback on how a patient is progressing.

Elderly patients can benefit from a variety of treatment techniques including exercise to increase muscle mass, bone density, and cardiovascular endurance, manual therapy to reduce pain and stiffness, and education on proper body mechanics and posture. Physiotherapists also can help to prevent falls and enhance balance, which is a major cause of injury for seniors. Physiotherapy can reduce the need for medications by improving overall physical health and reducing the effects of chronic health conditions.

When assessing an elderly patient, it is important for physiotherapists to take into consideration their social history and the availability of informal supports (such as family or friends). For some, these factors could be what drives them to engage in unbeneficial health behaviors such as smoking. To address this, physiotherapists can use motivational interviewing (MI)—a counseling technique to explore ambivalence—to motivate clients to change their unhealthy habits. MI involves a short exchange of dialogue between the therapist and client, with both parties rating their importance and confidence in each area on a scale of 0-10. The result is that the most important health behaviours are identified and prioritized.

Have you ever returned home from a visit to the doctor with more questions than answers? It is important to keep a list of your symptoms and any questions you may have so that you get the most out of your appointment.

Pain, numbness or swelling in your feet and ankles for no apparent reason are signs why you should regularly see your podiatrist. Here are 6 indications you should do just that.

Bunions

A bunion is a painful bump that forms at the base of the big toe. It develops when the bones that form the big toe joint change shape, pushing the toe at an angle towards the second toe. It causes pressure against the skin and irritates it, leading to calluses and corns. It can also lead to pain in the ball of the foot, called metatarsalgia. The bump is usually surrounded by bursae (painful fluid-filled sacs that cushion the feet).

A podiatrist will diagnose bunions through a physical examination. They’ll look at the bump, check how your toes move when you stand, walk and sit, and ask about your symptoms. They’ll also x-ray your foot.

Podiatrists have training in foot biomechanics and know how to maintain healthy feet and treat bunions using a range of treatments. These include splints and orthotics (special shoe inserts shaped to your feet) that reposition the big toe, and reduce the amount of pressure on the area. They can also prescribe medicines to reduce pain and swelling. If these don’t help, surgery may be recommended.

Calluses and corns

Corns and calluses are hard areas of thick skin that develop when the body tries to protect an area from pressure or friction. They are more common on the bottom of your feet — on the bony areas that carry most of your weight, on the big toes or heels — but they can also form on the hands of people who use them for repetitive activities such as guitar players or weightlifters.

Both can be painful and cause you to walk differently or have difficulty wearing shoes. You may be able to manage them at home with routine soaking and filing with a pumice stone or foot file, moisturizing the area and using donut-shaped shoe inserts, which can relieve pressure.

If you can’t manage them at home or they interfere with daily activities, see a local podiatrists. They will ask you questions about your symptoms, watch you walk and perform a physical exam of your feet. X-rays of your feet may be done, especially if the doctor suspects an underlying issue such as a deformity or arthritis.

Lumps

Despite the fact that most bumps and lumps on the feet and ankles aren’t dangerous, it is still important to see a podiatrist if you notice them growing larger. In addition, it is essential to consult with a podiatrist if the foot bump is painful or interferes with your daily activities.

For example, a pain-causing lump can be a plantar fibroma, a noncancerous, firm nodule of fibrous tissue that develops on the bottom of the foot’s arch. It is also possible that the bump may be a ganglion cyst, which is a sac filled with jellylike fluid that grows in a tendon sheath or joint capsule and often forms on the heel.

A podiatrist can help treat many common conditions of the feet and ankles, such as bunions, hammertoes, and calluses and corns. In addition, they can diagnose and treat more serious conditions, such as sprains, fractures, and arthritis. They can also advise on footwear and other lifestyle adjustments to prevent foot injuries and speed recovery from those that do occur. They can perform tests, such as an ankle-brachial pressure index test, that can help identify circulation problems in the lower legs and feet.

Fungal infections

Fungi (mushrooms, mildew and mold) are primitive organisms that grow in moist, warm, unwashed areas like the area of your feet and toenails. They spread via tiny spores in the air that you can inhale or they can land on you in public places like showers and locker rooms. Fungal infections can be cured by following basic preventive measures such as washing your feet daily with soap and water, allowing them to dry thoroughly, avoiding shoes made of materials that don’t breathe, and cutting your toenails straight across.

Fungus infections of the nails can be difficult to treat at home. If you notice your nails are brittle, discolored or thickened and/or they separate from the nail bed and emit a foul odor, make an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss treatment options.

Swelling in your foot is another indication to see a podiatrist. This can indicate an injury or an infection, poor circulation and even serious conditions such as diabetes or nerve damage. Failing to get the condition treated could lead to permanent damage.

Pain

If you have pain in your feet or ankles that doesn’t go away, it may be time to visit a podiatrist. Podiatrists can help you with many foot and ankle issues such as bunions, calluses, ingrown toenails, heel spurs and shortened tendons. They can also treat sports injuries, such as sprains and strains.

Symptoms of a sprain or strain include swelling, pain and a noticeable difference in the injured area. Seeing a podiatrist right away will ensure that the injury is properly treated, so you can return to your normal activities sooner.

Neuromas are painful conditions that occur when a nerve becomes compressed and thickened, often due to narrow, high-heeled shoes. A podiatrist can assess the condition and develop a treatment plan that may involve medication, orthotics or surgery. They can also help you with nutritional advice, proper foot hygienic practices and which footwear is best for you.

Despite what you may think, pain relief does not come in the form of a pill. This Special Health Report explores beyond the standard approaches of drugs and surgery to reveal other ways that you can manage your pain.

Physiotherapy helps you improve your posture and body mechanics to minimize injury. They can also identify risk factors and develop a program to help you stay injury free.

Physiotherapy is a Non-Invasive Approach

Physiotherapists at Optimise Health physio clinic are highly trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating and managing musculoskeletal conditions, injuries and disabilities. They use a variety of techniques including exercise, manual therapy and electrotherapy. The main role is to help patients improve their strength and functional abilities to enable them to overcome the physical challenges of illness or injury.

Personalized exercise programs are a key element of physiotherapy. They are based on a thorough physical assessment and are designed to address your particular condition and goals. The program can enhance mobility, muscle strength, and coordination, resulting in a faster recovery and a return to normal activities.

In addition, Our physiotherapists offer a wide range of services related to the cardiovascular and respiratory system. These include implementing exercise programs for people with cardiac and respiratory disorders, breathing techniques to assist with mucus clearance, and education on proper body mechanics.

They also includes a variety of manual therapy techniques to increase joint motion and flexibility. These can include manipulation, mobilization, traction and massage techniques. Other modalities may include TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), ultrasound, and dry needling. These techniques reduce pain and improve healing by delivering energy to the tissue cells. They can also modulate pain signals by altering the receptors in the brain. This can be particularly useful in chronic pain conditions like arthritis. Physiotherapy can also help you prevent injuries by identifying bad habits, providing proper instruction on posture and movement, and developing a program to strengthen your joints, muscles and bones to help minimize the risk of injury.

Physiotherapy Addresses the Whole Body

Physiotherapy incorporates techniques such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations, electrical stimulation, heat or cold therapy, and relaxation techniques. These are used to relieve pain, break up scar tissue, enhance healing, and improve function.

Often, people who suffer from chronic pain have developed compensatory movements that put unnecessary strain on affected areas. Physiotherapists can identify these movements and work with patients to re-educate their movement patterns, improving biomechanics and reducing strain on affected areas.

The practice of physiotherapy also helps people regain movement and increase muscle strength. It can help prevent falls and other injuries that occur due to weakness or lack of balance and coordination. It can also be helpful during pregnancy and after childbirth, addressing musculoskeletal issues such as pelvic floor pain and breastfeeding.

In addition to pain management, physiotherapy can also address the emotional and psychological aspects of chronic pain. Often, pain can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression in those who are experiencing it. Physiotherapy can provide emotional support and teach patients to develop coping strategies that will improve their quality of life. This can include learning to exercise within manageable levels of pain, using pacing (taking breaks from activity), and changing how they think about their pain to reduce negative feedback in the nervous system. This can lead to improved self-esteem and a sense of control in those with chronic pain.

Physiotherapy Helps You Stay Injury Free

Physiotherapy helps you improve your mobility, reduce pain and prevent future injuries. Whether you are injured or suffering from a chronic condition like arthritis, Optimise Health physiotherapists will help diagnose the main reason for your discomfort and formulate a treatment plan that improves your strength, flexibility, balance and coordination and they will create a personalized treatment plan that will get you back to your normal life activities in as short a time as possible. This will ensure you have a strong foundation to maintain good health and fitness in the long-term.

They will use techniques to increase your muscle flexibility and improve your joint movement, as well as reduce pain with massage and ice therapy. This helps with blood flow to the area and decreases swelling, making your muscles and joints feel better. Physiotherapists will also recommend exercises to help with the flexibility of your muscles and joints, which will decrease the risk of injury in the future.

Another thing that physiotherapists can do is reduce inflammation and pain with techniques such as hot or cold treatments, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and massage. These techniques calm down your central nervous system, which is responsible for sending pain signals to the brain.

Physiotherapists have a deep understanding of the musculoskeletal system, pain mechanisms and exercise physiology and can use this to identify and treat injury and dysfunction.

Physiotherapy Helps You Get Back to Sport

In addition to providing immediate pain relief, physiotherapy addresses other health issues such as heart attack or stroke, managing long-term medical conditions like asthma or cystic fibrosis and helping people stay active by improving mobility and independence. Physiotherapy also helps improve physical performance through techniques designed to increase flexibility and endurance.

Whether you’re a professional athlete or just play recreational sports, high-intensity physical activities put strain on your body. That is why athletes turn to physiotherapy for help recovering from sports injuries, maintaining optimal health and reducing the risk of future injuries.

A physiotherapist can design a customized rehabilitation program based on the athlete’s specific needs and goals. This may include a mix of therapeutic, strengthening, and conditioning exercises to promote healing, reduce muscle soreness, improve balance, strength, and endurance, as well as activating the central nervous system.

Ultimately, a physiotherapist can help you return to your favorite sport quickly by minimizing your pain, preventing re-injury, and educating you on the best recovery strategies. If you have been injured or want to improve your performance in the future, schedule an appointment with a physiotherapist today. You’ll be glad you did! Upwell Health Collective offers physiotherapy in the Vancouver area. We are proud to provide clients with effective treatment plans that reduce pain and injury, prevent recurrence, and promote movement.