BULK BILLING at Physio Flex Sports and Health Centre Gold Coast

Physiotherapists at PhysioFlex can bulk bill 20-30 minute consults with their patients if the client has a GP or doctors referral under the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) medical rehabilitation program.

How it works:
A client presents to their local general practitioner complaining of 6 months or longer chronic musculoskeletal pain. This can be any part of the body, neck, knee, ankle, back etc. At the doctors discretion, they can then write a referral to any allied health professional for a total of 5 allied health visits per calendar year. These can all be for Physiotherapy, or a mix of allied health professions and for example have 2 podiatry and 3 Physiotherapy sessions or 4 for a dietician and 1 for exercise physiologist.

The cost:
It costs the client nothing to see the Physiotherapist at PhysioFlex. The client just requires the referral from the doctor (the EPC letter).

Availability:
PhysioFlex currently has 3 Physiotherapists. Many times are available every day in the morning and night and bookings can be made the day before but the more time prior to the appointment the better.

Over the sessions the Physiotherapists will ask a few questions and then help the client to develop a management program for themselves at home but also provide hands on physical treatment to initially help with those irritable symptoms. Once these symptoms have been made more tolerable a plan will be left with the client to help them at home and to manage their condition.

If you have any further questions or concerns please call the team at PhysioFlex on 55911816. We look forward to meeting you.

PhysioFlex Sports and Health Centre Gold Coast

GOLD COAST BULLETIN FUN RUN PROVES A GREAT SUCCESS!!

GOLD COAST BULLETIN FUN RUN PROVES A GREAT SUCCESS!!

Thousands of athletes turned up for last weekends Gold Coast Bulletin Fun Run which covered the half marathon distance, 10km and 5km! Our very own Physiotherapist Ben Mack competed and completed the half marathon in 1.29.28! 

Photo Courtesy of Gold Coast Bulletin

What a beautiful Autumn morning it was for this years leading warm up race to the big one in July The Gold Coast Marathon.  Leading the 10km was elite runner and our very own Michael Shelley, winning with a time of 29minutes over a relatively hilly course and beating 2nd place by 4 minutes. This is great preperation for the marathon in Rio this August. He awaits selection which will be shortly announced post the London marathon this weekend. We are only 10 weeks away from the Gold Coast Marathon this weekend so ensure the mileage is increasing but obviously not too quickly as you might end up with an overuse injury. We wish you all your best in preperation!

Southport & Gold Coast Podiatry Joins the Physiotherapy Team at PhysioFlex Sports & Health Centre!!

Southport Podiatrist  Aleks Baraksopulo (BHlthSc (Podiatry), BSc, (Biomedical)) joins the team at PhysioFlex Sports and Health Centre! Aleks is a member 

Aleks is a member of the Australasian Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, Member of Sports Medicine Australia, Member of the Australian Podiatry Association, and a Clinical Supervisor Podiatry Southern Cross University, Gold Coast. Aleks Baruksopulo is a Gold Coast Podiatrist who graduated with his Podiatry degree in 2007 and his Biomedical Science Degree in 2001.  His main interest and background is in the prevention, treatment and management of sports and musculoskeletal injuries of the feet and lower limb.  He has gained his experience working within Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine clinics and a Sports shoe store his whole career, working as part of a team to treat athletes and sporting teams of all ages and levels. His specialties within Podiatry practice include injury management within a sports medicine team environment, management of athlete activities during injury period, treatment and management of injuries of the junior athlete, exercise prescription, foot strength exercises, return to running programs, dry needling, biomechanical assessments, running and walking video gait analysis, sports foot orthotic therapy, foot orthoses for casual shoes, footwear assessments, running & sports shoe referrals, diabetic foot assessments & care and treatment of conditions of the toe nails and skin. Please contact PhysioFlex Sports and Health Centre in Southport to book an appointment with Aleks on any Monday or Friday afternoon! 55911816.

Running on the Gold Coast

I have lived on the Gold Coast for 30 years and have run over every terrain, over every hill, and across every course within it. Running was a hobby, then a challenge, then a competition, then a goal, then a release, then it was a horror and then it finally became a hobby again.  It takes you away on a journey every time you set out on foot. It is safe to say that running was the main reason I started my Physiotherapy profession.  Whatever reason you may run, we always need a great place to do it. I am often asked by patients what the best places to run are and after much deliberation and thought these are my top 5 places on the Gold Coast:

1. Coombabah Lakeland reserve.

This place is fantastic under foot with soft surfaces and slow winding bends and only one very small hill. It is great for the beginner and has a large loop of ~4-6 km with different add on loops if required. 

I personally love the feeling of being secluded away from any roads or hustle and bustle. The run takes you under a large canopy of trees and surrounds you with your favourite animals including hundreds of kangaroos. It is definitely my favourite.

It's even a great place for a date, if they're from overseas ! 

2. Nerang Conservation Bushland

This course is not for the feint hearted. It is a lot tougher and I would expect each runner to have completed 4-6 weeks training before tackling this one (~60km weeks).

It is however a very close second on my list and takes you over some of the most toughest hills on the Gold Coast but at the same time spoils you with breathtaking views. I can spend 2 hours out here just running at a slow tempo but be prepared for the heart rate to fluctuate. The terrain is uneasy and can be a little unpredictable but it keeps you alert. I would expect each runner to have very supportive footwear and start slowly and build up a healthy duration with one run per week. 

3. Fleays wildlife park

This run includes burleigh heads and  takes you over some moderate hills but a firmer surface. As the name suggests you will run into some fantastic wildlife which hands down makes this an exhilarating experience. The views are second to none.

A faster course due to the firmer surface, I would normally use this location for a faster Fartlek type run or some hill repetitions up the burleigh hill. 

4. Main beach to the Spit

I have lived in main beach for the past 2 years and have started to know this course very well. It has epic views over the ocean plus towards the Broadwater an hinterland. It is also a great course for the beginner as is undulating but an out and back course so can choose your distance. It can be a little treacherous under foot with rocks, solid dirt and then sand but again keeps the runner focused and alert. I would recommend beginners to avoid the sand. 

5. Musgrave Hill Park

With so many possibilities to try and fit into the top 5 this was a tough choice. But having lived on the back of this park for most of my life, it wins hands down. 

It may be an odd choice for some with only a small 2km loop but this trail is exceptional for the kiddies and Fartlek type sessions. 

The track is predominantly grass with a bit of gravel so is very good under foot, preventing overload and use injuries. It also escapes from roads for half of the loop giving a sense of seclusion. A great place but not sure about this eye sore.

Well there you have it! My top 5 locations to run on the Gold Coast. From a physiotherapists point of view. I hope this may be helpful, whatever level of running  you are at. Remember from previous posts to start slow, stretch and have supportive footwear. Running is an escape and brings about euphoric feelings.  Enjoy the journey! 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask me. Keep an eye out for new running groups starting with me over summer! Most of which will start from the clinic at PhysioFlex sports and health centre!

Ben Mack

55911816 

www.physioflex.com.au

PhysioFlex Sports and Health Centre

Gold Coast 

PhysioFlex Sports and Health Centre: Calf Pain and Cramp- Running on the Gold Coast

PhysioFlex Sports and Health Centre: Calf Pain and Cramp- Running on the Gold Coast

Calf Pain and Cramp- Running on the Gold Coast

 

 

 

Calf Pain and Cramp

 

How to control cramp at night and how to prevent pain when starting a running program.

 

Running has become a very popular exercise on the beautiful shores of the Gold Coast. But far too often we experience many new beginners to the sport coming to PhysioFlex with calf, and shin pain.

 

Here are some simple tips for when you start your running program:

 

1. Always start off with short walk and run periods.

2. Ensure small increments in exercise

3. Keep to a firmer surface and avoid the softer sands.

4. Have very supportive footware. If unsure, visit us at Physioflex on the Gold coast.

5. Stretch before bed. This will also avoid cramping throughout the night.

6. Trigger point release each calf (gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) predominantly after exercise. This can be done with a foam roller or a small trigger point ball available at Physioflex

 

 

 

 

This should keep each of you in great shape! If you have any queries or questions please do not hesitate to call us on 55911816!

Physio for Gold Coast Children PhysioFlex Southport

PhysioFlex Southport targets Physiotherapy for Gold Coast Children. 

Physiotherapy will often be recommended by doctors to improve and regain strength and movement for children, after they have suffered from a sports injury, disease, illness or even disability. 

Physiotherapists are able to relieve pain after injuries occur and quickly resume children back to their daily activities and also educate kids on how to prevent future injury and propose exercises to improve strength and motion. Education is very important for children to learn how to protect their muscles from reoccurring injuries, especially children who play regular sports.

Physiotherapy for children can improve symptoms such as;

·         Sports injuries

·         Heart conditions

·         Head injury

·         Cerebral Palsy and other birth disorders

·         Muscle disease

·         Developmental delays

·         Limb deficiencies

·         Disability

·         Cystic Fibrosis

·         Cardiorespiratory conditions

It is essential in order for children to progress in their physiotherapy, that they remain positive and motivated, so here at PhysioFlex Sports and Health Centre in Southport we ensure our sessions are always fun and interesting so each child can enjoy their treatment while simultaneously being educated in muscle movement.

PhysioFlex is a Medibank preferred provider but all health cards are accepted and can be claimed after treatment within the practice for your convenience.