Frequently Asked Questions

If you have injured yourself at work, home, sport or in everyday life and you have symptoms lasting more than a few days, it is best to see a Physiotherapist to help assist you with your recovery.

You may also consider getting physiotherapy if you suffer from chronic pain or a condition that is worsening or affecting your daily activities and quality of life. Physiotherapy is also very beneficial post surgery, for healing and rehabilitation, such as after a joint replacement.

Physiotherapy can improve overall health. Some conditions that can benefit from it include:

• Various types of muscle and joint pain
• Sprains and Strains
• Back & Neck Pain
• Arthritis
• Headaches
• Poor Posture
• Asthma
• Lung Congestion
• Inflammatory Conditions
• Pins and Needles
• Poor Gait
• Shoulder Pain
• Knee Pain
• Tennis Elbow
• Foot & Heel Pain
• Bursitis
• Wry Neck
• Corks
• Shin Splints
• Sciatica
• Pinched Nerves
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Vertigo
• Pelvic Floor Weakness & Incontinence Issues
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) Jaw Pain

No, you do not need a referral to see our Physiotherapists. Often, your GP or specialist will refer you to us or recommend you seek treatment from a Physiotherapist, but you are welcome to make an appointment without a referral, and you will be covered as per normal by your private health insurance. The only instances we require a referral from a Doctor, is for Workers Compensation, Motor Vehicle Accident, Department of Veteran Affairs and Medicare claims.

Yes. All clients need to make a prior booking to see our physiotherapist. We will endeavour to book you in at a time that is convenient for you and same day appointments are usually available. Bookings can be made online through our website, our facebook and instagram pages, or by calling the clinic directly on (08) 9361 3477.

No. Same day appointments are usually available and you can select the day and time you would like on our online booking system. Please call the clinic if you cannot find something suitable and we will be happy to assist you further, or place you on our cancellation list.

Yes. Our physiotherapists understand that unexpected events may prevent you from making your physiotherapy appointment on time. However, we do request that you call the clinic to notify them of any change 24hrs prior to your scheduled appointment time. Cancellations without prior notice or non-attendance to your appointment will incur a fee.

It would be very helpful to bring all necessary reports, X-Rays, scan results and doctors letters relating to your injury, along with your private health card. Please hand all paperwork to our administration staff upon your arrival, to be electronically loaded for your Physiotherapist to view.

Depending on the area of injury, it is more than likely that the physiotherapist will need to view and assess the area of injury for adequate investigation and treatment. We ask that you wear comfortable, loose clothing that could easily expose the area of injury or be removed. For example, if you have a sore shoulder, a singlet would be best or if you need treatment on your knee, then please wear shorts. Form fitting underwear is recommended and there is a change room available for you to use. If you are required to disrobe, your physiotherapist will ensure you are adequately draped and maintain privacy at all times. We ask that you remove jewellery and be clean and free of dirt and sweat before your treatment sessions.

Yes. We accept ALL Private Health Funds at Archer St Physiotherapy Centre. We use HICAPS facilities for you to claim your rebate immediately at your appointment, and you will only need to pay a remaining Gap. Your rebate amount depends on the type and level of Private Health Cover you have. Please check with your insurance company for exact amounts.You must bring your private health card or digital card in order for us to process your rebate.

Yes, Archer St Physiotherapy Centre will provide treatment and management for patients under all types of insurance claims, including – Workers Compensation, Motor Vehicle Accident and Department of Veteran Affairs claims. We require a referral for Physiotherapy management from your GP or specialist, and claim details from your Insurance Provider. Our administration staff can assist you in the management of your physiotherapy services under your insurance claim. All our insurance patients are fully covered under your claims and there is NO gap to pay for physiotherapy treatments.

In certain circumstances, Medicare will provide a rebate for Physiotherapy appointments. You will need to obtain a referral and an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC) and Team Care Arrangement paperwork from your GP. These forms are for patients with chronic medical conditions and/or complex care needs, and you may receive a rebate for up to five Physiotherapy sessions per calendar year. Similar to Private Health Insurance, there will be a small gap to pay on top of the Medicare Rebate. You will need your Medicare Card and an EFTPOS Card for us to process your rebate on the day of treatment.

Yes, our physiotherapists believe in providing you with symptomatic relief and management as soon as possible. Our Physios are highly skilled practitioners and we believe manual therapy provides superior benefits over machine or exercise based treatments alone.

On your first visit, there will be thorough questioning about your presenting complaint, along with a detailed examination. A treatment plan will be devised and immediately commenced to give you quick relief using a variety of hands-on manual techniques. You may also be given a range of exercises and management strategies to continue at home.

Follow up treatment sessions are more than likely. Although our physiotherapists tailor each management and treatment plan to suit each client individually, follow up sessions are usually advised to evaluate the effectiveness of the initial treatment, ensure that you are doing your self-management plan properly, further treat your symptoms, and progress your return to activity, work or sport.

Our Physiotherapists provide each patient with an individualised, tailored treatment and management plan, based on a thorough assessment, severity of injury, and your functional needs and wants. It is our aim, to have you feeling better, self-managing and not needing to see us as quickly as possible! But some injuries and conditions may require ongoing management or rehabilitation.

Typically, our Physiotherapists will provide you with quality hands-on therapy to help alleviate your symptoms, and a follow-up appointment is usually required to assess your response to treatment and go through any further concerns. You will be provided with self-management techniques and home based exercises to help you further between appointments.

Your Physiotherapist will spend time educating you on your condition, what to expect, and typical recovery timelines depending on your presentation, your goals and needs.

Assessment

An initial assessment will take place at your first appointment, where your physiotherapist will ask you many detailed questions about your pain or injury. Your personal goals in terms of general health and function should be tackled to help determine the course of the coming treatments. You may then be asked to undergo a series of physical tests. Your physiotherapist will use these tests to diagnose your pain or injury and determine the best treatment plan for you. These tests will measure functional aspects, like:

• Range of Motion (mobility and flexibility)
• Strength
• Ligament and Joint stability
• Reflexes, Sensation
• Swelling
• Tenderness (pain in an area when touched)

Treatment

Your diagnosis will determine your physiotherapy treatment. Education is one of the most important aspects of therapy. We will provide you with information about your condition and its management. By acquiring a deeper understanding of your condition, you can actively participate in your recovery. Treatment may involve:

• Manual therapy techniques including joint mobilisation, remedial massage, myofascial releases, trigger-point releases, spinal manipulation and passive stretches.
• Electrotherapeutic modalities such as Ultrasound Therapy, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Biofeedback using RealTime Ultrasound Scanning.
• Performing supervised exercises in the clinic during your visit.
• A home exercise program to manage and improve your symptoms between visits.
• Dry Needling and other specialised techniques.

Yes, our Physiotherapists are trained, qualified and experienced in the assessment and treatment of infants and children. Whether it be sports injuries, growing pains, postural issues, or problems related to childbirth – our physiotherapists can tailor an effective treatment plan and educate both child and parent on how to successfully manage the issue. Please use us as your point of call if you are worried about your child, as we can help refer to more specialised care if indicated.

All of our Physiotherapists are professional, caring, respectful and empathetic – with a large experience in treating all genders, ages and backgrounds of the local community. We aim to make you feel comfortable, confident, safe and understood. If you prefer to see a female Physiotherapist, please request our Physio Emma upon booking.

There are some minor similarities between physiotherapy and chiropractic care with both disciplines dealing with the treatment and management of pain and stiffness, however the approach and extent of management may vastly differ. Chiropractors focus more on the function of the spine and pelvis and its effects on the nervous system, using manipulation techniques (cracking). Whereas physiotherapists focus not only on the spine, but all areas of the body and help manage pain and symptoms of joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and connective tissue using a wide variety of evidence based techniques such as mobilistation, massage, dry needling and manual therapy. Physiotherapists aim to provide you with not only short-term symptomatic relief from pain, but will also assist you with long-term management, injury prevention and rehabilitation using a combination of manual therapy techniques and exercise prescription. All our Physiotherapy appointments are 30 minutes long at minimum.

Yes. If needed, the physiotherapists can communicate with your relevant doctors and specialists in regards to your treatment, management and current condition either via letter, email or phone. This is to ensure a well-rounded, holistic approach to your management, and ensures that all relevant professionals are kept informed and up to date.

Our physiotherapists can refer you to Radiology centres to receive x-rays or ultrasound scans which may be needed to investigate the source or severity of your symptoms. Investigations such as CT Scans or MRI need a referral from your GP which your physiotherapist can organise. Investigations have different pricing schedules and different rebates, and some require referrals from your GP. Your physiotherapist will outline the best possible financial and time efficient process for you as required.

Yes. The physiotherapists are fully qualified with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Physiotherapy from Curtin University of Science and Technology, and Notre Dame University. They are registered with the Australian Physiotherapy Board and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with full Police clearances, working with children checks, and First Aid Certificates. All of our Physiotherapists undertake ongoing annual Professional Development to ensure they provide you with the most clinically relevant and evidence based services available.

All children 16 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult during the treatment session.

Not at all! At Archer St Physiotherapy Centre we offer a range of quality, evidence based services including Manual Therapy, Remedial Massage, Personal Training, Pilates Classes, Rehabilitation, Home Visit Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy programs and Return to Work or Sport plans.

If you have an acute injury, suddenly hurt yourself or are in pain then most likely you need to see a physiotherapist. If you have symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, pins and needles, pain specific to an area or have limited range of motion then you should see a physiotherapist to address these issues. If you are free of the above symptoms, and only have mild discomfort and the majority of your symptoms are related to tight muscles across a large area of your body, then you are more likely to benefit from massage therapy. Please note that our physiotherapists regularly use massage therapy as a modality in their treatment sessions and can refer you on to remedial massage therapy if required.

Yes. Our supervised Pilates Classes have a maximum number of 8 people. Please call the clinic to receive information on our timetable and what spaces are available to reserve your spot in our classes.

For clinic hygiene and safety practices, we request that you reschedule your appointment if you happen to be sick. This is to protect our physiotherapists and other clients at the clinic. Archer St Physiotherapy Centre maintains a high level of hygiene with regular cleaning, hand-washing and sanitised equipment and linen.

Yes. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible with a convenient wheelchair ramp and disabled parking bay right near the entrance. We have disabled toilet facilities on-site and also have electronic beds which can be lowered to enable easy transfers.

Our clinic has free on-site parking at the rear of the building, and there is plenty of free unlimited street parking.

Carlisle Train Station on the Thornlie/Armadale line is only a short walk from our centre. There is a Transperth Bus Stop 14427 right outside the door, for routes 38, 284, 288 and 298. Our receptionist is also happy to call a taxi for you if you need transport after your treatment.