Busting the Myth: You Need a Referral to see a Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists in Australia are considered to be primary contact practitioners. This means that a referral to see a physiotherapist from a medical practitioner is NOT required. This has been the situation in Australia since 1978. Australian physiotherapists were the first in the world to attain primary contact status. Many countries around the world have subsequently followed this move.

The only exception to this rule in Australia is if the patient's injury is subject to workers compensation or a compulsory third party insurance claim.

Concussion - Do You Know How To Recognise It?

Concussion is a serious injury which can result from direct or indirect impact to the head. The ramifications of concussion can be serious and therefore must be managed appropriately by trained medical professionals. How though do you determine whether someone is concussed and when to seek medical attention? Earlier this year, a group of world leading concussion experts met and developed a Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool. If you, your partner, your children or anyone that you know participates in activity whereby concussion may occur, I urge you to download a copy of the Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool and have it accessible to you.

Physio Fast Facts #4

1. Did you know that you have "core muscles" in your neck? "Core muscles" are regularly referred to in relation to your back, however they exist in your neck to help with your posture and to support the weight of your head.
2. Not everyone has the same number of bones! You can have little extra bones in many areas of the body although most commonly in the feet.
3. Try standing balancing with one foot directly in front of the other. Now try with the other foot in front. More than likely you were more balanced with one foot in front than the other!
4. Have you ever been referred to as being "double-jointed"? You won't actually have any additional joints. Your joints more than likely just allow you to have more movement than most people and this is referred to as being hypermobile.
5. After you injure yourself, your body doesn't necessarily move as it did before! Physiotherapists can help you to move "normally" again after you have an injury.