World Cerebral Palsy Day is celebrated every year on October 6th with the aim of raising awareness for
a society where people with Cerebral Palsy have the same rights, access and opportunities as everyone
else.

What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement and posture and develops as a result of
non-progressive brain damage to an immature or developing brain. Cerebral Palsy occurs in 1 in 700
children in Australia and is the most common physical disability in childhood. Cerebral Palsy can affect
different areas of the body and to different degrees of severity ; therefore, people with Cerebral Palsy
can appear quite different to one-another, depending on their specific presentation.

Paediatric Physiotherapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Paediatric Physiotherapy plays an important role in the management of Cerebral Palsy. Paediatric
Physiotherapists play an important role in the management of Cerebral Palsy by supporting children and
their families to achieve goals which are important to them, and to reduce the impact of the physical
impairments. This often involves supporting children to achieve their maximum potential for physical
independence by improving their skills, strength and fitness levels.

Paediatric Physiotherapy support can include:

• Exercises and activities to support gross motor skill development.
• Exercises to improve strength and balance.
• Task specific practice – such as learning to control or push their wheelchair independently,
  learning to crawl, stand, walk, run or jump. Depending on the child, their goals and their level
  and type of Cerebral Palsy.
• The development of stretching programs to maintain joint range of motion and to prevent
  secondary complications, such as contractures.
• Completing assessments to track the child’s progress and to help develop therapy goals.
• Prescription of Assistive Technology to support the child while encouraging as much
  independence as possible. Assistive Technology can include equipment such as walkers,
  standing frames, supportive seating, car seats and wheelchairs.
• Providing support and education to the children’s family, daycare, school and other important
  stakeholders in their life on how to best support the individual child and their specific needs.

The Physio Clinic’s team of paediatric physiotherapists are well-versed in working with children with
Cerebral Palsy of all levels and types, all ages (ranging from a few months old to 18 years), and in a range
of environments (including clinic, home, daycare, school and playground).

The paediatric team are also qualified to perform multiple standardised assessments for children with
Cerebral Palsy, including, but not limited to:

• Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE)
• Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS)
• Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)

If you would like to find out more information about how our paediatric physiotherapists can support
your child, and/or you’d like to book an appointment, please call The Physio Clinic on 8342 1233.

References

“About World Cerebral Palsy Day.” World CP Day – October 6th, 2020, worldcpday.org/

Gibson, CS, et al. Cerebral Palsy in South Australia 2023. SA Cerebral Palsy Register, Women’s
and Children’s Health Network, 2024.

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness (or sometimes referred to as sea sickness or car sickness), is a common experience and complaint. It can occur when travelling on a bus/ car/ train/ plane or boat, but also when watching sports, scrolling on your phone and now, even in response to virtual reality. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, sweating and drowsiness, amongst others. 

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At TPC, we recognise that a stroke can have profound and lasting effects. The journey towards rebuilding motor skills and daily functions is ongoing and can be challenging. Physiotherapy is a vital part of stroke rehabilitation, empowering patients to achieve greater independence, enhance their quality of life, and improve physical abilities. Our dedicated rehab team is committed to supporting stroke survivors every step of the way.

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When learning about the pelvic floor, it’s common to come across information detailing the importance of preparing the pelvic floor for childbirth in women, and helping with recovery postpartum. The reality, however, is that our pelvic floor plays an incredibly important role for both men and women throughout our lives, forming part of our deep core muscles, and with pelvic floor problems affecting everything from continence to sexual health to back pain.

As such, our women’s, men’s and pelvic health physios can help with a range of problems – some that may surprise you. Here’s a look into why your pelvic floor is important, the kinds of problems our patients face when their pelvic floor isn’t functioning effectively, the relationship between the pelvic floor and the common problem of incontinence, and how our pelvic health physiotherapists work with both men and women to help.

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A woman’s life is typically marked by several unique life stages such as, menarche, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. These stages are exclusive to women, and as such can provide specific challenges to a woman’s quality of life. One area of the body commonly impacted by these life stages, and the changes that come with them, is the pelvic floor. A group of small, but very important muscles, found at the base of the pelvis, the pelvic floor has a huge role to play throughout a woman’s life and is often overlooked. Pelvic floor dysfunction has been found to impact at least 25% of women at some stage of their life before they turn 80, and even doubles after this.

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What is vertigo? 

Vertigo is a term commonly used to describe various sensations of dizziness. The technical definition of vertigo refers specifically to the perception of motion when there is no actual movement. Vertigo occurs due to a disturbance in what’s known as the vestibular system. The vestibular system is responsible for telling our brain when our head is moving and it allows us to keep our vision steady during movements. For example, when we are walking, the vestibular system is what allows us to turn our head to the left while keeping our eyes forward so we don’t fall over.

The vestibular system is a sensory apparatus that lies within the inner ear, which is why you may have heard people say that your ears are responsible for your balance! The inner ear is located within the bony labyrinth of the temporal bone and contains the cochlea, semicircular canals & the otolith organ.

Figure from https://www.brainkart.com/article/Vestibular-Apparatus—Control-of-Posture-and-Movement_21021/

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Whether you’re trying to stay physically active or just making your way around your workplace, for the 25% of adults that develop knee pain, movement and daily life can quickly become difficult and uncomfortable. So when it comes to getting help for your knee pain, a physiotherapist and an exercise physiologist can both help.

With both physiotherapists and exercise physiologists on our team, and both professions playing valuable roles in optimising the recovery following a knee injury, here’s a look into what each respective profession does and how they can help you.

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Type 2 diabetes is a condition that is rapidly increasing in prevalence with an average of 165 new diagnoses every day in Australia. However, the good news is that lifestyle interventions, such as regular physical activity, can play a significant role in both preventing and managing this condition. In this blog, we will delve into the importance of exercise and how the expertise of exercise physiologists and physiotherapists can be instrumental in the prevention, management, and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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Living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can be challenging, but incorporating regular exercise into your routine can make a significant difference in managing symptoms and improving your overall quality of life. However, exercising with POTS requires careful consideration and customisation to avoid exacerbating symptoms. This blog aims to provide the benefits of exercise for those with POTS and practical recommendations. It is encouraged that you work closely with a healthcare provider for an individualised plan based on your needs and capabilities. 

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