Spinal Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists are experienced in treating spinal pain

Physiotherapists are experts at treating spinal pain. Your physiotherapist will assess your injury and determine not only the optimal treatment for you but also teach you how to prevent the injury from recurring. A staggering 80% of all adults will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. Many of us know the discomfort of back pain, back spasm and sciatica. At Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach Physiotherapy, we firmly believe that educating the patient on their injury, and on how to prevent it, is a vital part of their treatment.

Conditions Spinal Physiotherapy can help with

Headaches
Joint stiffness
Lower Back Pain
Neck pain
Sciatica
Whiplash

Sciatica or nerve pain “pinched nerve” in the leg(s) or foot (feet), +/- pins and needles and numbness in the leg(s) and foot (feet)
Rib and chest pain (of musculoskeletal origin)
Nerve pain “pinched nerve” in the arm(s) or hand(s), +/- pins and needles and numbness in the arm(s) or hand(s)
Injury to the back or neck including sports injury, workplace injury, car accidents including whiplash injuries
Joint stiffness or restricted movement
Poor sporting performance
Poor bladder control

Causes of Spinal pain or dysfunction

Injury to the back or neck including sports injury or workplace injury
car accidents including whiplash injuries
genetic problems eg scoliosis, ankylosing spondylitis
poor muscle tone or weak postural muscles
poor ergonomics of your work station
Poor postural habits
Lifestyle choices

What to Expect

Your physiotherapist will perform a detailed assessment, including:

Postural assessment – this may be done in standing and sitting but also actively moving from position to position as posture is not static but constantly changing
Joint/muscular flexibility – movements of your spine will be assessed. Nearby joints may also be checked to assess if these are impacting your condition
Palpation of joints/soft tissues – the Physio will manually check how the joints are moving and the state of the soft tissues eg muscles and ligaments
Taking a detailed history – history of the presenting problem as well as any relevant medical history

Your physiotherapist may utilise a variety of techniques to help you improve, including:

Manual therapy (including soft tissue massage, stretches, trigger point releases)
Joint mobilisations (joint mobilisations are techniques used to improve joint movement and pain. Mobilising joints can often achieve similar results to manipulation (”cracking joints”), but without using as much force, eliminating the risk that can be involved with spinal manipulation)
Prescription of exercises – these will be provided specifically for you and your condition
Advice and education – With a better understanding of your condition you can take positive steps on a daily basis to reduce symptoms and prevent future recurrences.

If your physiotherapist is concerned regarding your injury, they may refer you for investigations ie x-rays/MRI, or they may recommend you see your GP or a Specialist.

What to Bring

Comfortable clothes
Any imaging and the reports that are relevant
Medications list

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist?

No. You can book directly with a Physiotherapist, Exercise Physiologist, Massage Therapist or Podiatrist without a referral.

But, if your treatment payment is part of a specific insurance, Dept of Veteran's Affairs, workers' compensation or Medicare program, a referral IS required.

Do we accept Medicare Care Plans (CDM/EPC)?

Yes.

Please send it to us, ideally, before your first appointment. Your physio will write to your GP after the first visit to detail how we will work together with you to address your issue. At the end of treatment program, your physio will write again to the GP with a discharge summary.

Chronic Disease Management plans allow you a Medicare rebate for up to 5 visits over a 12 month period. You can choose which health professional you use those visits at. The 5 visit total is across all allied health disciplines though, unfortunately. So if, for example, you need to see a dietician and a physio for your condition, those 5 visits will be shared between the 2 practitioners.

If you use a care plan to subsidise your physio treatment, you cannot also use your private health fund for the same visit. Rehabilitation for complex conditions usually take greater than 5 visits to manage, and so if you have private health cover, you can use this to subsidise the treatments once you have used up your care plan.

Do we bulk bill Care Plans (EPC/CDM)?

No.

We provide at least a 30 minute appointment and up to 60 minutes for pelvic floor condition assessments. There is also associated paperwork which is a compulsory government requirement.

Medicare rebates do not adequately recompense for this time spent.

Do we do Dry Needling?

Yes.

Several of our physiotherapists have completed further training to ensure they have the qualification to safely deliver this treatment modality, should they think it suitable for you. We also have an electrical stimulator which can supplement dry needling.

Please ask our admin team which therapists have this qualification when booking if Dry Needling has worked for you in the past. There are multiple ways to address muscular issues but if you & your physio decide dry needling is the preferred treatment and your physio doesn't do it, they will refer you to one of our therapists that do.

Is there parking?

Yes, there is ample street parking right in front of the practice on West St, Burleigh Heads. It is 3P metered, so you can either use the "Easypark" app or pay at the machines. If you have a disabled sticker, displayed clearly, Gold Coast City Council don't expect you to pay for metered parking.