When it comes to concussion recovery, many may not be aware that physiotherapists play an important role in guiding individuals back to optimal health. It’s a lesser-known fact that you can seek the expertise of a physiotherapist for concussion management. Let’s delve into the reasons, methods, and benefits of consulting a physiotherapist when dealing with the aftermath of a concussion. 

The Unseen Side of Concussion Management: While conventional wisdom may associate physiotherapists primarily with musculoskeletal issues, their expertise extends to the intricate world of neurological rehabilitation, making them well-equipped to handle concussions. 

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In the rapidly advancing field of physiotherapy, staying ahead with the latest advancement in technology is crucial. We are thrilled to introduce BlazePods to our practice – a smart-reaction training device to elevate your rehabilitation experience. Whether you are managing a neurological condition, recovering for an injury, or looking to support your child’s developmental milestones, BlazePods can be a fun and creative way to make a difference in your rehabilitation journey. 

What Are BlazePods?  

BlazePods are a portable reaction training device, that brings a new dimension to physiotherapy. These small, versatile pods light up in various colours and can be controlled through an easy-to-use mobile app. BlazePods are designed to improve your reaction time, coordination, strength, and overall physical performance through engaging and dynamic exercises. 

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Falls are a significant health concern, particularly among older adults. They can lead to serious injuries, loss of independence, and even death. According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide. While the statistics are alarming, the good news is that falls are often preventable. One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of falls is through regular exercise.

In 2020-2021, 42% of hospitalized injury cases and 40% of accidental injury deaths in Australia were due to falls. Falls resulted in 243,000 hospitalization cases in Australia in the same period. This means that around 950 people per 100,000 population were hospitalized due to falls.

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There are several different assessments we use as paediatric physiotherapists when working with infants and children. These assessments assist us with objectively evaluating a child’s gross motor skills, identifying difficulties and tracking progress. Some of the assessments we use at The Physio Clinic include: 

The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS): 

The AIMS is a standardised observational assessment which is used with infants from birth to 18-months-old. The AIMS assesses an infant’s early gross motor development in 4 different positions: 

• Prone (lying on tummy) 
• Supine (lying on back) 
• Sitting 
• Standing  

The skills an infant demonstrates in each position are noted, and then compared against expected norms for their age (eg. 5^th percentile, 50^th percentile, 75^th percentile etc.). The AIMS is often used as a quick and easy screening tool to identify infants delayed in their gross motor skills, which supports early intervention. The AIMS is also very useful to track an infant’s progress over time and can be used as supporting evidence for NDIS applications.  

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Walking for the first time can be one of the most exciting milestones in a child’s early development. As paediatric physiotherapists, we often see parents who are concerned that their child is not walking yet but other children their age are.  

In a child’s first year of life, they are busy learning so many new skills at such a fast rate. Each new skill builds on the previous skill. To be able to walk, your child must have strong muscles, be able to keep their body balanced, be able to coordinate the reciprocal stepping pattern of walking and shift their body weight from one foot to the other. A child develops these skills when they are learning to sit, crawl, pull to stand, squat and cruise along furniture. There are so many ‘inch stones’ that build up to the complex milestone of walking! 

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Some children and their caregivers are not sure what to expect when they walk into a physiotherapy clinic to see a paediatric physiotherapist for the first time. Some even ask, “what can a physiotherapist even do to help my baby/child?!” 

Physiotherapists are experts in the human body and its movements, and this is no exception for paediatric physiotherapists. Paediatric physiotherapists are experts in the human body and the typical development and movement patterns in paediatric clients – ranging from infants to young adults. Children are not just little adults, and it can be important to see a specialised paediatric physiotherapist who is specifically trained to assess, manage and diagnose certain paediatric concerns and conditions – and who can also make physiotherapy fun! 

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17th-23rd September

Have you ever felt unsteady when standing on one leg or walking on an uneven path? If yes, your body’s “postural balance” may be challenged. More often than not, we take our balance for granted, but this complex yet wonderful system is what keeps us steady when we stand, walk, run, and, for some, perform interesting balance tricks like the lady in the picture below.

We, as individuals, move through space without thinking much about how we can maintain an upright position or walk in a straight line. These movements are possible because of our ability to balance automatically.

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Dance is a wonderful athletic activity that allows dancers to express themselves and stay active. Those dedicated to the craft reap a number of amazing health benefits, including developing and maintaining a healthy heart, strong lungs, muscles and bones. In saying this, due to the athletic nature of dance, it can also place intense physical demands on the body that can put one at greater risk of injury. 

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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are becoming increasingly more common in Australia, particularly amongst younger populations. An Australian study conducted between 2000-2015 found an increase of 43% (54.0 to 77.4 per 100,000 population) for ACL injury rates, with 74% of all injuries among those aged under 25 years old. Peak ACL injury rates in 2014-15 for men were those between 20-24 years old, and for women between 15-19 years old. However, the most rapid increase was noted for boys and girls between 5-14 years old, exposing how early ACL injury might need to be considered.

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What is Bipolar Affective Disorder?

Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) is a medical diagnosis characterized by wide mood alterations, with periods of both depression and mania that can last several weeks or even months at a time. A person experiencing depression or mania may have intense mood swings and changes in thinking and behaviour.

By definition, Bipolar means sharing two poles (high and low) and Affective Disorder means a disorder having to do with mood i.e. the way you think and feel. In most cases, the high pole is experienced as mania and the low pole experienced as depression.

‘Switching’ from depressive and manic periods can be unpredictable and occur in a short time frame.

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