Questions?
What should I bring?
Although we have ample towels for draping and a pair of shorts for your convenience to change into, it is best if you wear clothes you can move in.
I can often look them up on your behalf but if you have any imaging reports, specialist letters or previous rehab programs, please bring them along to best support your story.
What happens in a first appointment?
Allow an hour. Expect a lot of questions and a lot of movement. I will often ask you to bend, turn, load, maybe stand on 1 leg, and I will ask what you notice while you do it. Some of that will be the area that hurts. A lot of it might not, and I will tell you why I am looking each time, and I welcome any questions throughout.
Will you actually treat me, or just assess?
Both. But the assessment decides the treatment, not the other way round, so the first session is weighted toward working out what is actually going.
What is dry needling?
A very fine needle placed into muscle or connective tissue to rapidly tension and discomfort. It is not acupuncture, and it works on a different rationale. It is optional, and if you would rather not, we will do something else as there are many ways to treat the body.
How much home exercise will I have to do?
Usually one movement. Sometimes two. A program you will not do is worth less than a single exercise you will.
I have already seen several physios and nothing has stuck. What would you do differently?
I do not know yet, and I would be wary of anyone who answered that before examining you.
What I can tell you is where I start. Not with what hurts, but with why it keeps coming back. Then I test that theory in front of you and we reassess on the spot, so you can see whether it holds.
By the end of the first hour you will know what I found and what it means. If I do not think physiotherapy is your answer, I will say so.
Where are you?
I currently practise out of Southside Clinical with a wonderful team of talented practitioners. Southside Clinic is located at 1 Hughes Street, Unley SA 5061.
When are you there?
At the moment Monday, Wednesday, Friday starting as early as 7am for those that need to squeeze in a visit around work.