NDIS Physiotherapy 101
Physiotherapy has been proven to reduce pain, improve quality of life and support people to achieve their own personalised goals.
Physiotherapy is so much more than giving a participant an exercise. At Vivir our physiotherapists are here to help educate, motivate, and support you by giving you the tools you need to gain greater independence and live your life the way you want to.
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a holistic approach to improve your movement and function; by using a combination of education, rehabilitation, and therapy techniques.
What conditions can physiotherapists treat?
- Physical disabilities
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Acquired brain injuries (ABI’s)
- Neurological (Strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease)
- Cerebral Palsy
- Genetic conditions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Intellectual disability
How can a physiotherapist help me?
Physiotherapists will listen to you and set a rehabilitation plan that is both realistic and achievable. They will empower you to make choices and take the time to explain each component of your program, and how this links to you achieving your goals. They will help you gain confidence and independence to manage your condition as independently as possible.
What's involved in physiotherapy treatment?
Assessment:
A physiotherapist will come to your home and complete an assessment. They will talk with you and your support coordinator to find out exactly what your main concerns are and your goals you wish to achieve. The physiotherapist will complete a thorough review of your home setup and look to see if there is anything else you may need to help you with day-to-day tasks. They will assess your range of motion, strength, balance, pain, mobility, and anything else they think is appropriate.
Interventions:
After the physiotherapist has completed a thorough assessment, they will develop a personalised rehabilitation program for you. They will discuss what the program will consist of and most importantly how this relates to you achieving your goals.
Education:
- Actions you can do daily to help you work towards your goals
- Activities to try minimising (if there is something you can change that is aggravating you)
- How specific exercises given relate to improving your functional requirements
- Ensuring correct technique with exercises
Motivation:
- Supporting you when you need that extra bit of motivation
- Encouragement and driving you to succeed from the program
Home Exercise Program:
- Exercises to improve range of motion at joints (stretching, using wall, pulley)
- Strengthening & endurance exercises (bodyweight, weights, theraband)
- Functional exercises directly related to your goals (climbing steps, putting heavy items on a high shelf, sit-stands from chair)
- Balance exercises (depending on level of ability this may include, changing visual cues, surface, adding movement)
- Hydrotherapy
Aids/ Equipment:
- Walking frame or walking stick
- Exercise-based equipment (theraband, weights, exercise bike, pedals
Manual Therapy:
- Soft tissue massage
- Joint mobilisation
- Stretching
- Functional mobilisation
Outcome:
After our physiotherapists have completed a thorough assessment and developed a unique rehabilitation program for you, they will continue to support you throughout your program. The physiotherapist will review your plan regularly with you, continuing to ensure that this is the best approach. They will adapt the program as needed and spend time with you improving your confidence and independence. By doing this, the physiotherapist is helping you to achieve what is most important to you and achieving your goals whatever they may be.
To find out more about how we can support you achieve your rehabilitation goals get in touch with us today.
We are an approved NDIS services provider, if you are an NDIS participant and wish to take advantage of our services, you can complete our online NDIS participant form to start receiving care.
