Category Archives: General

Working with the enemy: My experiences within the umpiring fraternity

Over the past 5 years I have been lucky enough to work with the AFL Umpiring Department’s High Performance Team, first as a trainer and now as a physiotherapist. I have been fortunate to work at the biggest games in our native sport including Grand Finals, ANZAC Day and Dreamtime at the ‘G. Whilst a few of you might be able to remember vividly where an umpire cost your team the game, I can personally attest to them being good blokes!

Unlike footy players, umpiring is a part-time profession meaning these men and women have to juggle the demands of full-time work on top of their weekend roles. They typically train as a group twice a week, which involves skills, decision-making and film review sessions plus a fitness and strength component. They are then expected to complete subsequent strength and conditioning and running sessions individually or within small groups. Within the department, there are three very different and distinct disciplines: field, boundary and goal umpires, and each play a pivotal role in officiating the game. This specialisation leads to different physiotherapy management and different injuries for each discipline.

Both boundary and field umpires run in an excess of 15km per game, but how they complete those kilometres are very different. Field umpires running involves a lot of change of direction and lateral running to allow them to be in the best decision to make accurate calls whilst almost 1/3 of boundary umpires total kilometres are ran backwards! The most common injuries experienced by umpires are soft tissue injuries such as calves and hamstrings, lower limb tendinopathies and lower back injuries caused by repetitive bouncing and boundary throw ins.

Like at Restore, rehabilitation of umpires involves settling acute pain, increasing strength and flexibility, improving movement patterns and developing a structured and individualised gradual training program. The High Performance Team works collaboratively with the athlete and coaches to  develop a plan to allow for return to participation, and then optimal performance.  In comparison to AFL players, the typical age of umpires is a lot older and as such requires different considerations in rehab such as more recovery and treatment time in training, a more gradual return from injury and more support networks.

Gameday management and preparation is usually overseen by trainers as physiotherapists cannot service every game. Gameday preparation involves activation and warmup, soft tissue treatment, joint strapping and hydration management. Trainers are situated throughout Australia and report directly to the Head Physiotherapist and High Performance Manager.

Working within the High Performance team has given me a valuable insight into the rehabilitation of sub-elite athletes and allowed me to experience many great opportunities. I will continue my role in 2021 along with my full-time role at Restore. Hopefully it will finish with watching the Saints win their first flag since ‘66!

Will Ogle graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science and a Masters in Physiotherapy from La Trobe University. Will has also completed his APPI Matwork and DMA Clinical Pilates certification and is a certified ASCA Strength & Conditioning Coach. Will has been working with the AFL Umpire Department for the past 5 years giving him a sound introduction into injury prevention and rehabilitation of sub-elite athletes. Will’s special interests include treating back and neck pain, knee injuries, and shoulder pain along with sports specific rehabilitation including basketball, golf and football.

Will uses a holistic approach to treatment including clinical exercise prescription, education and manual therapy to help his clients manage and rehabilitate their injuries to their highest functional capacity.

CLINICAL EXERCISE GROUPS ARE BACK AT RESTORE

Starting Monday November 9 Restore will be reinstating Clinical Exercise Groups for our clients. Our spacious open plan Pilates space is ample room to continue to maintain safe social distancing.

With Victoria opening up and us all now allowed to interact and socialize with others, this is a great time to reconnect with your Restore Physio Team and reap the health and well-being benefits of our Clinical Exercise Classes supervised by our wonderful Restore physios.

Restore will continue with our high standard of hygiene measures and practices to ensure the health of our clients and staff. These include:

  • Asking patients to wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer on entry to Restore.
  • Wiping down and sanitization of all Clinical Exercise equipment, treatment surfaces before and after patient use, as well as furniture and reception desk.
  • Adhering to social distance measures within the clinic.
  • The wearing of masks by both staff and clients.

1:1 CLINCAL EXERCISE SESSIONS

Should you still have concerns about exercising in small groups we are still offering 1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions. For these clients we are now pleased to offer an exciting new product:

10 pack of 1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions for $850. This is a 10% discount off the usual $95 1:1 Clinical Exercise price. Ask at reception for further details.

Once again, the Restore Team would like to thank all our loyal clients for their wonderful support throughout 2020 and we look forward to providing our high level of quality of care and health management to all our clients into the future.

Because at Restore, your health is our priority.

The Restore Physiotherapy Team

Restore Physiotherapy – COVID 19 Update

The Victorian Government has deemed Physiotherapy an essential service, to keep patients out of hospital and doctor’s practices for musculoskeletal injuries and ailments during Stage 4 restrictions.

As a result Restore will still be open for business Monday to Saturday.

The Victorian Government has also allowed people to travel greater than 5km to receive essential healthcare.

Restore has already made a number of changes to our services to ensure that we are adhering to Government and Department of Health Guidelines. Including, providing Online consultations, see details below:

Online consults:

We acknowledge that some patients may not feel comfortable attending Restore at this time. In response to this Restore is happy to now offer online consults with all our available physiotherapists. This will be conducted via an online platform.

Our physiotherapists are experts at giving advice, exercise prescription and injury management all of which can be provided remotely.

So, if you have sustained an injury and want some advice and management strategies to deal with this at home or would like to continue your Clinical Exercises without having to leave the house then contact reception for more details regarding our online service.

Hygiene:

Restore is a COVID Safe workplace and we will continue our high level of hygiene measures and practices to ensure the health of our clients and staff is the highest priority.

These include:

  • All patients and staff are required to wear a mask within the practice.
  • Physiotherapists will also wear Face shields for face to face consults to protect both clients and staff.
  • Asking patients to wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer on entry to Restore.
  • Wiping down and sanitization of all equipment and treatment surfaces before and after patient use.
  • Adhering to social distance measures within the clinic.

 

Finally, we would once again, like to thank you, our amazing clients for your continued support during this difficult time. We acknowledge that everyone has been affected in some form during this latest lockdown, but together we will get through this.

Stay well.

The Restore Physiotherapy Team

Restore Physiotherapy – COVID 19 Update

At Restore your health and well being is our priority.

We would like to inform all our clients that Restore will continue to be open for business and more than happy to help our loyal clients maintain their health and well being during these difficult times.

As the Victorian Government and Department of Health have reintroduced Stage 3 restrictions for Melbourne to combat the recent outbreak of COVID 19. Restore has again made a number of changes to services to ensure that we are complying with Government and Department of Health Guidelines, and continue to meet the health and well-being needs of our clients.

Exclusive 1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions:

From Thursday July 9 all our Clinical Exercise Groups will be replaced with exclusive 1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions for our clients. These sessions were widely popular during the last shutdown period and will enable you to continue to receive the health and well-being benefits of your group sessions whilst minimizing interaction with others.

Sessions will be run for 30mins and only be charged at the Clinical Exercise Group rate:

$60 per session or $540 for 10 sessions.

Online consults:

We also acknowledge that some patients may not feel comfortable attending Restore again at this time. In response to this Restore is happy to now offer online consults with all our available physiotherapists. This will be conducted via an online platform.

Our physiotherapists are experts at giving advice, exercise prescription and injury management all of which can be provided remotely.

So, if you have sustained an injury and want some advice and management strategies to deal with this at home or would like to continue your Clinical Exercises without having to leave the house then contact reception for more details regarding our online service.

Many of our clients have requested a desire to perform their Clinical Exercise sessions at home. This can be provided via an online consult or alternatively through a 1:1 Clinical Exercise session at Restore.

 Home Visits:

Restore is also offering Home Visits to clients that wish to continue either their Clinical Exercise program with supervision, or clients who wish to have hands on treatment without leaving their home. Please contact reception for further details regarding this service.

Work from Home Ergonomic Assessment:

At Restore all our physios are trained in ergonomics and appropriate desk set up. With many Melburnians again working from home it is essential that they are set up properly to avoid the pitfalls of poor posture. These can commonly include neck or back pain, headaches or arm pain.

Our home ergonomic assessments can be performed either online or by having one of our physios visit your home.

For more details regarding our Ergonomic Assessment please contact reception.

 

In addition to the above services, Restore, has also implemented a number of measures to ensure it complies with hygiene and social distancing measures within the clinic, ensuring the health and safety of all our clients.

 Hygiene:

We will continue with our hygiene measures and practices to ensure the health of our clients and staff. These include:

  • Asking patients to wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer on entry to Restore.
  • Wiping down and sanitization of all Clinical Exercise equipment and treatment surfaces before and after patient use.
  • Adhering to social distance measures within the clinic.

Restore Facilities:

Both our treatment rooms and spacious open plan Pilates space more than comply with the 4m2 space per individual. So you can be safe in the knowledge that you will be able to comply with social distancing measures within our facility.

 

We will continue to notify our loyal clients of changes as they develop.

 

We would also like to thank our amazing clients for their continued support during this difficult time. We acknowledge that everyone will be touched in some shape or form by the COVID 19 outbreak, but together we will get through this.

Stay well.

The Restore Physiotherapy Team

Clinical Exercise Groups are back at Restore

Starting Tuesday June 9 Restore will be reinstating Clinical Exercise Groups for our clients. Our spacious open plan Pilates space is ample room to continue to maintain safe social distancing.

With us all now allowed to interact and socialize with others, this is a great time to reconnect with your Restore Physio Team and reap the health and well-being benefits of our Clinical Exercise Classes supervised by our wonderful Restore physios.

Our high standard of hygiene measures and practices will continue at Restore to ensure the health of our clients and staff. These include:

  • Asking patients to wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer on entry to Restore.
  • Wiping down and sanitization of all Clinical Exercise equipment, treatment surfaces before and after patient use, as well as furniture and reception desk.
  • Adhering to social distance measures within the clinic.

 

1:1 CLINCAL EXERCISE SESSIONS

Should you still have concerns about exercising in small groups we are still offering 1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions. For these clients we are now pleased to offer an exciting new product:

10 pack of 1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions for $850. This is a 10% discount off the usual $95 1:1 Clinical Exercise price. Ask at reception for further details.

 

Once again, the Restore Team would like to thank all our loyal clients for their wonderful support over the past few months and we look forward to providing our high level of quality of care and health management to all our clients into the future.

Because at Restore, your health is our priority.

The Restore Physiotherapy Team

Restore Physiotherapy – COVID 19 Update

At Restore your health and well being is our priority.

We would like to inform all our clients that Restore is still open for business and more than happy to help our loyal clients maintain their health and well being during these difficult times.

Physiotherapy is deemed essential in keeping patients out of hospital and doctor’s practices for musculoskeletal injuries and ailments during this crisis.

As the Government and Department of Health further increase their measures to combat the Corona Virus. Restore has made a number of changes to services to ensure that we are complying with Government and Department of Health Guidelines, and continue to meet the health and well-being needs of our clients.

Exclusive 1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions:

We have responded to some concerns regarding exercising in small groups. From Monday April 6 all our Clinical Exercise Groups will be replaced with exclusive 1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions for our clients. These sessions will enable you to continue to receive the health and well-being benefits of your group sessions whilst minimizing interaction with others.

Sessions will be run for 30mins and only be charged at the Clinical Exercise Group rate:

$60 per session or $540 for 10 sessions.

Online consults:

We also acknowledge that some patients may not feel comfortable attending Restore at this time. In response to this Restore is happy to now offer online consults with all our available physiotherapists. This will be conducted via an online platform.

Our physiotherapists are experts at giving advice, exercise prescription and injury management all of which can be provided remotely.

So, if you have sustained an injury and want some advice and management strategies to deal with this at home or would like to continue your Clinical Exercises without having to leave the house then contact reception for more details regarding our online service.

Many of our clients have requested a desire to perform their Clinical Exercise sessions at home. This can be provided via an online consult or alternatively through a 1:1 Clinical Exercise session at Restore.

 Home Visits:

Restore is also offering Home Visits to clients that wish to continue either their Clinical Exercise program with supervision, or clients who wish to have hands on treatment without leaving their home. Please contact reception for further details regarding this service.

Work from Home Ergonomic Assessment:

At Restore all our physios are trained in ergonomics and appropriate desk set up. With so many Australians now working from home it is essential that they are set up properly to avoid the pitfalls of poor posture. These can commonly include neck or back pain, headaches or arm pain.

Our home ergonomic assessments can be performed either online or by having one of our physios visit your home.

For more details regarding our Ergonomic Assessment please contact reception.

 In addition to the above services, Restore, has also implemented a number of measures to ensure it complies with hygiene and social distancing measures within the clinic, ensuring the health and safety of all our clients.

 Hygiene:

We will continue with our hygiene measures and practices to ensure the health of our clients and staff. These include:

  • Asking patients to wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer on entry to Restore.
  • Wiping down and sanitization of all Clinical Exercise equipment and treatment surfaces before and after patient use.
  • Adhering to social distance measures within the clinic.

Restore Facilities:

Both our treatment rooms and spacious open plan Pilates space more than comply with the 4m2 space per individual. So you can be safe in the knowledge that you will be able to comply with social distancing measures within our facility.

 

We will continue to notify our loyal clients of any changes as they develop.

We would also like to thank our amazing clients for their continued support during this difficult time. We acknowledge that everyone will be touched in some shape or form by the COVID 19 outbreak, but together we will get through this.

 

Stay well.

 

The Restore Physiotherapy Team

OUR NUTRITIONIST’S GUIDE TO BOOSTING IMMUNITY TO FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

In such an uncertain and challenging time we are all reminded of the importance of good health and self care. As we all know, not only the elderly are at risk of complications relating to COVID-19 but also those with chronic health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, and those with compromised immunity. Thankfully we have a level of control over these conditions simply by making healthy diet and lifestyle choices. Building up our immune system is key throughout this current pandemic and helps to prepare our body’s fight against COVID-19 and other virus/infections. I have put together some simple steps you can take now to help strengthen your immune system.

IMMUNE BOOSTING FOODS

Eating a colourful and varied diet with “real” good quality whole foods is essential for a strong immune system and general wellbeing.

Antioxidants: Focusing on colourful fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants (particularly Vitamin C) helps to support the immune system by counteracting any damage and inflammation caused by pathogens and our immune response. The more vibrant the colour, the richer the antioxidant content. Think berries, pomegranates, papaya, citrus fruits, mango, carrots, broccoli, beetroot, leafy greens, brussel sprouts, sweet potato. Additionally, tea, EV olive oil, nuts/seeds provide antioxidant/immune boosting properties.

Wholefoods: Get back to basics and eat foods in their whole, nutrient rich state. Wholefoods provide our bodies with a wide range of nutrients to help support proper immune function and ward off disease. Focus on good quality fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, healthy fats, protein sources, nuts and seeds.

Protein: Immune dysfunction can occur through inadequate consumption of quality protein by depleting immune cells, and inhibiting the bodies ability to create antibodies. The key here is QUALITY. Aim for a good quality protein source at each meal such as grass fed, free range meats including chicken, eggs, turkey, beef, lamb, wild caught fish and seafood (high in immune boosting zinc), and legumes, beans and nuts/seeds.

Water intake: Ensuring adequate fluid intake is another crucial element of a strong immune system and general wellbeing. Women should aim for around 2L of water per day and around 3L for men, in-between meals.

IMMUNE INHIBITING FOODS

Although it may be temping to indulge at such an unsettling, stressful time such as this, it’s equally as important for a strong immune system to restrict our consumption of calorie dense, nutrient deplete, immune destroying foods. Avoid where possible highly processed “foods” (ie. most packaged food), processed meats, refined carbohydrates, refined oils, food colourings, additives and preservatives, sugar and sugar substitutes, and alcohol.

Stay safe,

Steph Horsburgh

 

Stephanie is a qualified Nutritionist, her studies were undertaken at Ivy College and since then she has become a member of the CMA (Complimentary Medicine Association).

 Stephanie’s approach is holistic, individualised and educational. She encourages her clients to practice healthy habits surrounding health and weight management with a strong focus on gut health and eating nutritious, wholesome foods which promote optimal function of the body and mind.

 To speak to Steph about your own Nutritional needs and requirements, contact reception for an appointment (online consults are now available).

Restore Physiotherapy – COVID 19 Update

At Restore your health and well being is our priority.

We would like to inform all our clients that Restore is still open for business and more than happy to help our loyal clients maintain their health and well being during these difficult times.

Physiotherapy is critical in keeping patients out of hospital and doctor’s practices for musculoskeletal injuries and ailments during this crisis.

As the Government and Department of Health ramp up their measures to combat the Corona Virus, Restore has put a number of measures in place to ensure that we are complying with Government and Department of Health Guidelines.

Hygiene:
As we have mentioned previously, we will continue with our hygiene measures and practices to ensure the health of our clients and staff. These include:

  • Asking patients to wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer on entry to Restore.
  • Wiping down and sanitization of all Clinical Exercise equipment and treatment surfaces before and after patient use.
  • Keeping social distance measures between clients in classes.

Restore Facilities:
Both our treatment rooms and spacious open plan Pilates space more than comply with the 4m2 space per individual. So you can be safe in the knowledge that you will be able to comply with social distancing measures within our facility.

1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions:
If you have concerns regarding exercising in small groups, then our 1:1 Clinical Exercise sessions are a great way to minimize interaction with other clients.

In addition to the above measures, Restore, is also responding to requests from a number of clients and providing additional services to meet the health and well-being needs of our clients.

Online consults:
We acknowledge that some patients may not feel comfortable attending Restore at this time. In response to this Restore is happy to now offer online consults with all our available physiotherapists. This will be conducted via an online platform.
Our physiotherapists are experts at giving advice, exercise prescription and injury management all of which can be provided remotely.
So, if you have sustained an injury and want some advice and management strategies to deal with this at home or would like to continue your Clinical Exercises without having to leave the house then contact reception for more details regarding our online service.

Many of our clients have requested a desire to perform their Clinical Exercise sessions at home. This can be provided via an online consult or alternatively through a 1:1 Clinical Exercise session at Restore.

Home Visits:
Restore is also offering Home Visits to clients that wish to continue either their Clinical Exercise program with supervision. Or clients who wish to have hands on treatment without leaving their home. Please contact reception for further details regarding this service.

Work from Home Ergonomic Assessment:
At Restore all our physios are trained in ergonomics and appropriate desk set up. With so many Australians now working from home it is essential that they are set up properly to avoid the pitfalls of poor posture. These can commonly include neck or back pain, headaches or arm pain.
Our home ergonomic assessments can be performed either online or by having one of our physios visiting your home.
For more details regarding our Ergonomic Assessment please contact reception or book online.

As always, we will continue to notify our loyal clients of any changes as they develop.
We would also like to thank our amazing clients for their continued support during this difficult time. We acknowledge that everyone will be touched in some shape or form by the COVID 19 outbreak, but together we will get through this.

Stay well.

The Restore Physiotherapy Team

Appropriate training on return to exercise. How to avoid common mistakes.

For many people the start of a new year is a catalyst for resetting your health, fitness and lifestyle goals. As part of this process many people embark on a new fitness or exercise regime.

However, should the training be inappropriate or performed incorrectly, a person will potentially sustain an injury which will sabotage their ability to achieve these goals.

What we will discuss in this article is ways to avoid these commonly made mistakes and the injurious consequences that may occur as a result.

Often the biggest mistake people make is overestimating their current level of fitness or training capacity. People commonly remember what their fitness or training levels were like the last time they exercised. However, this may have been 6 months, 12months or even 5 years prior. They then use this as the basis for their new training/fitness program.

With any activity you should always start your training at an appropriate level. This training should reflect your exercise history and current level of fitness. Training should then build gradually and systematically over time. Failure to do this will result in overloading structures within the body which will consequently lead to injury.

Structures within the body commonly injured due to this overloading profile are tendons, bone or muscle.

Tendons injured by running based activities, are the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon or gluteus medius tendon. The plantar fascia is a tendonous structure in the foot that is also a commonly injured due to overload. These tendons progressively get more painful over time and if left untreated will worsen to the point that the individual needs to stop activity.

Bone overload also generally occurs in the lower limbs and will present as a stress fracture or stress reaction. Common sites of a stress fracture/reaction are the bones of the foot such as the metatarsals or navicular, but also present in the lower leg – tibia (shin splints) and fibula.

Muscle injuries can occur due to overloading, usually in activities that require repeat acceleration/deceleration and/or high speed running. For example: tennis, basketball and sprint/interval training.
Common muscle groups injured are the hamstrings (speed and repeat acceleration/deceleration, quadriceps (kicking based sports or activities – such as AFL and soccer) and calf. Calf strains are more prevalent in the 30-50 year old age group, often after the resumption of running based activities.

The five ways to avoid all these types of injuries and staying on the path to achieving your goals are:

  1. Be honest about your current fitness levels and training history.
  2. Design a training program that starts at a level appropriate to your current fitness levels.
  3. Your training program is progressively overloaded. This should include a gradual progression of distance, speed, weight (for strength based activities) and skills (eg kicking).
  4. Take into account your past injury history, potential weaknesses and physical deficits. Often these limitations can still be prevalent years after the initial injury and may hamper your ability to undertake certain activities.
  5. Take into account your biomechanics and how your body is built – this may impact on your selection of footwear, running surfaces and types of activities you undertake.

Should you wish to be assessed or receive advice regarding resuming physical activity, or be prescribed an appropriate training/exercise program then contact us at Restore.

Prevention is often better than the cure – and our highly trained and skilled physiotherapists have wide experience dealing with not only elite athletes and weekend warriors but individuals taking up activity for the first time. Our physiotherapists will be able to guide you through an appropriate plan to ensure you reach your goals for 2019.
Because at Restore your well-being is our priority.

What’s that noise?

Over the years I have had many patients expressing concern when they experience noise when moving their joints and question whether further damage is likely to occur if they produce these sounds while exercising or participating in various activities of daily living.  Based on this, I am going to explain what crepitus is in a little more detail, outlining the mechanism in which this occurs and when/if you should be concerned.

What is crepitus?

Crepitus describes a crackling, creaking or popping noise or sensation that may occur whilst moving a joint. Most commonly, individuals will note crepitus in their knee joint but can occur in any joint within the body.

What causes the noise?

  • Tendon snapping over bony protuberances.
  • Connection between the two joint surfaces acts as a vacuum causing gas bubbles within synovial fluid (joint lubricator) to create a popping sensation.
  • Normal fluid flowing through slightly rough surfaces may cause a fine grating sensation.

Does the cracking sensation mean that I have Osteoarthritis?

Not necessarily. Interestingly, there has been research to say that individuals with Osteoarthritic (OA) joints often have a reduction, or loss, in vibration suggesting that these individuals may in fact be less likely to produce crepitus when moving their joints.

What is the noise experienced when having joint manipulation (back cracking)?

Many individuals who have had treatment on their back involving manipulation are under the impression that the ‘cracking’ sensation is their spine being ‘realigned’ because it is ‘out of place’. The most likely explanation for this noise is the gas bubble mechanism (discussed above), whereby once a joint is taken to its end range of motion, it causes an increase in pressure resulting in gas bubbles being released. Due to this you will feel better because you have more movement in the joint, not because your back has been ‘realigned.’

When should you be concerned?

A 2017 study determined that there is no research that has been able to support a direct link between a noisy joint and pathology, and therefore in most cases you should not be concerned if you are experiencing crepitus without associated pain or locking.

Should you experience any clunking, deep grinding locking or pain, it is advised that you seek an expert opinion from one of the physiotherapists at Restore to properly assess and manage your condition appropriately.

 

Bianca Myers

Bianca graduated from The University of Melbourne with a Doctor of Physiotherapy degree in 2014. Prior to this she completed a degree in Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University.

Since graduating, Bianca has worked predominantly in the private practice setting treating a variety of Musculoskeletal conditions through manual therapy, dry needling, hydrotherapy and Clinical Pilates.  In addition, Bianca has had exposure working as a physiotherapist in a sub-acute hospital, working with local football teams in the VAFA, as well as working part time as an Exercise Physiologist.

As a physiotherapist Bianca draws on knowledge from her background in Physiotherapy and Exercise Science in order to tailor treatment to the individual needs/goals. She believes a holistic approach to treatment is vital to ensure best outcomes are obtained.