HOW MUCH ARE YOUR HEADACHES IMPACTING YOUR LIFE?

By experienced Physio, Helen Sibbald who has a special interest in treating Necks, Vertigo & Balance Disorders

Did you know?

• There are over 300 different types of headaches and many issues that may trigger them.
• Physiotherapists, your GP and specialists, like Neurologists, are trained to assess and recognise which headache type you have and target their management appropriately?

THE GOOD NEWS:

Headaches can be debilitating and frustrating, and expensive while you shop around for a “cure”. The good news is: headaches are common, nearly everyone has them, and there are strategies that you can develop to help yourself during a headache or to prevent a headache.

WHAT CAN A PHYSIOTHERAPIST DO FOR A HEADACHE?

If you saw a Physio first, they would actively listen to your headache “story”. Firstly, to rule out so called “red flags” – these are the things that would require us to refer you to a Dr prior to any treatment. Secondly, to diagnose your headache type, based on your history and features of your headaches.

Secondly, the Physio would perform a thorough physical examination and if your examination fulfils the criteria, a diagnosis of Cervicogenic headache (coming from your neck) can be made and appropriate Physiotherapy management planned.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE THAT COMES FROM YOUR NECK?

These headaches are usually one-sided (with associated dysfunction on that side of the neck). They do not shift from side to side during that headache (like migraines can). They are aggravated by neck postures or movements and usually it feels like the pain starts in the neck and moves up to the head. The cause could be poor/prolonged postures; osteoarthritis of the neck joints; previous trauma for example, MVC, sports injury.

WHAT WOULD YOUR PHYSIO FIND IF THE HEADACHE WAS FROM YOUR NECK?

Physiotherapists would find, on examination, a pattern of impairment: loss of ROM of the neck, painful and or stiff neck joints and dysfunction of some of the “core” muscles of your neck – the deep neck flexors. Commonly, tight muscles, poor postural habits, dysfunction of the neck extensor and shoulder blade muscles can also be found. All of these may restrict blood flow to the nerves and change some of the local chemicals, firing off messages up to the brain which then produces pain and you have a headache.

WHAT WOULD YOUR PHYSIO DO? 

Depending on what we found, management would be tailored to your needs and would usually consist firstly of education and reassurance.

Studies have shown that if you understand that a major cause of your pain is extra sensitive nerves and if you understand what is causing your pain, your nerves will start to calm down and your pain will lessen.

Manual therapy would be performed to the neck joints and muscles to promote better movement and function.

Therapeutic exercises will be prescribed as well as home exercises to keep the neck moving well. Self -management strategies (to calm the nerves down) would be demonstrated.

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR POOR BALANCE, VISUAL DISTURBANCES AND YOUR HEADACHE MAY BE LINKED?

A portion of people with cervicogenic headaches also experience a feeling of light headedness, unsteadiness or visual disturbances. Your Physio would do a battery of tests that test balance, gaze stability, eye follow, and neck joint position sense and movement sense. Specific exercises to address these impairments would be prescribed.

YOU MAY HAVE A NECK ISSUE AS WELL AS A MIGRAINE/TENSION TYPE HEADACHE:

Some people have more than 1 type of headache or a mixed headache type and even if your headache is not cervicogenic/ or is a migraine or a tension type headache (for which, you may have seen a Dr for medication), you may also have co–existing neck pain that could respond well to Physio. The self -management strategies that your Physio will discuss with you can help all types of headaches.

If you have a headache, Vertigo, Dizziness, Nausea, Visual Disturbances or Poor Balance, come and see Physio Helen Sibbald for a Consult. Helen consults from our Runaway Bay/Labrador Clinic. For bookings phone 07 5500 6470 or Book Online

Has your Health Fund told you they are no longer giving rebates for “Pilates”?

Do not fear- we can still help you!

Have you been notified by your Health fund that “Pilates” as an exercise program is being removed from receiving a Private Health Fund Rebate? From 2019, private health insurance will no longer cover natural therapies, including Aromatherapy, Bowen therapy, Buteyko, Feldenkrais, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Iridology, Kinesiology, Naturopathy, Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Tai chi, Yoga and Pilates (provider by Pilates Instructors).
This move comes after a recent review by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer found there was no clear evidence of the efficacy of these therapies. An expert committee will be established to consider the issue of ballooning and often opaque out-of-pocket costs.

BUT, DON”T DESPAIR! You can still claim your Private Health Rebates at Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health. 

At Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health our “Physio Pilates” service is really just a name given to a subtle Exercise program in disguise. We have experienced Physio’s delivering your Rehab Exercises, Posture and Movement Control Exercises, Exercise Program needs and a Physio Pilates program of Exercises. The delivery of these exercises in clinic can be as done as:
1. A one-on-one appointment, for either 30min or 45min with your Physio
2. A small group appointment with your Physio for 45min, with a maximum of 3 clients per 45min session (so you receive at least 15min individualised attention). This session ensures you get individualised exercises prescribed to your goals, and individualised feedback on your technique and performance of the exercises.

There is significant research evidence indicating the benefits of exercises in a supervised and controlled setting for many health needs, including:
– reduced joint and muscle pain
– eliminating the need for many expensive and often risky surgeries
– better post-operative outcomes after surgery
– reduced medical morbidities

So, because we have Physio’s that individualise your exercises, perform assessment and reassessment within your session and a plan a specific exercise pathway for you based around your physical and health goals, plus we document your individual pathway, we are able to ensure you will continue to receive a Physio Health Fund rebate for your “Physio Pilates/Exercise appointment” in clinic.

Our “Fitness Pilates’ small group classes conducted by Pilates Instructor & Massage Therapist, Katie Harders however will NOT continue to receive Health Fund Rebates under these changes. However, these classes are significantly cheaper than the Physio Exercise Sessions and are aimed at non-symptomatic individuals with less specific rehab needs, so these sessions are made very affordable without Health Fund Rebates in any case.

If you are unhappy about these Government Private Health Rebate Reforms, the best thing to do is to complain to your Health Fund. Below are the Direct Contacts for some of the bigger Health Funds:

Private health insurer contacts:

BUPA: Natalie Dubrowin <Natalie.Dubrowin@bupa.com.au> (03) 9937 4595     0408 988 833

HBF: Gemma Librizzi  <Gemma.Librizzi@hbf.com.au>         (08) 9265 6490      0425 427 519

HCF: Julie Macey       <JMacey@hcf.com.au>                      02 9290 0200

NIB: Donal Byrne       <D.Byrne@nib.com.au>                       02 4914 1805         0424 750 960

MEDIBANK: Rebecca Bell    <rebecca.bell@medibank.com.au>  07 3026 0500         0466 770 376 or   Craig Drummond < craig.drummond@medibank.com.au>

Don’t forget about our Physio Pilates/Exercise Packs for Purchase to reduce your costs further. Details here

Check our Timetable here

Otherwise, we look forwards to continuing to help you into 2019 and beyond with your Activity, Health & Sporting Goals. Phone us on 07 5500 6470 for enquiries or Bookings.

Has your Health Fund told you they are no longer giving rebates for “Pilates”?

Do not fear- we can still help you!

Have you been notified by your Health fund that “Pilates” as an exercise program is being removed from receiving a Private Health Fund Rebate?

From 2019, private health insurance will no longer cover natural therapies, including Aromatherapy, Bowen therapy, Buteyko, Feldenkrais, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Iridology, Kinesiology, Naturopathy, Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Tai chi, Yoga and Pilates (provider by Pilates Instructors).
This move comes after a recent review by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer found there was no clear evidence of the efficacy of these therapies. An expert committee will be established to consider the issue of ballooning and often opaque out-of-pocket costs.

BUT, DON”T DESPAIR! You can still claim your Private Health Rebates at Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health.

At Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health our “Physio Pilates” service is really just a name given to a subtle Exercise program in disguise. We have experienced Physio’s delivering your Rehab Exercises, Posture and Movement Control Exercises, Exercise Program needs and a Physio Pilates program of Exercises. The delivery of these exercises in clinic can be as done as:
1. A one-on-one appointment, for either 30min or 45min with your Physio
2. A small group appointment with your Physio for 45min, with a maximum of 3 clients per class, to ensure you get individualised assessment, exercises prescribed to your goals, and individualised feedback on your technique and performance of the exercises.

There is significant research evidence indicating the benefits of exercises in a supervised and controlled setting for many health needs, including:

– reduced joint and muscle pain
– eliminating the need for many expensive and often risky surgeries
– better post-operative outcomes after surgery
– reduced medical morbidities

So, because we have Physio’s that individualise your exercises, perform assessment and reassessment within your session and a plan a specific exercise pathway for you based around your physical and health goals, plus we document your individual pathway, we are able to ensure you will continue to receive a Physio Health Fund rebate for your “Physio Pilates/Exercise small group appointment” in clinic.

If you are unhappy about these Government Private Health Rebate Reforms, the best thing to do is to complain to your Health Fund.

Otherwise, we look forwards to continuing to help you into 2019 and beyond with your Activity, Health & Sporting Goals.

Do you know the difference between Pilates and Clinical Pilates (also known as Physio Pilates)?

You’re not alone if you don’t know the difference between the two.

What’s the history of Pilates?

It’s a fitness method developed by the German physical trainer Joseph Pilates during the First World War. He used it to help in the rehabilitation of injured soldiers. Joseph Pilates believed in early active intervention, and the exercises he created could be performed in a hospital bed.
Joe identified the importance of connecting the mind with the body. His idea was that “mindful movement” led to ongoing health and wellbeing. Concepts incorporated in his workouts included correct alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing and flowing movement. He called his exercise method ‘Contrology’, and released many publications outlining its benefits.

After he moved to New York in the 1920’s, Joe found his studio space close to several dance studios. His clients soon included many dancers. Before long the concepts of Pilates became popular among the wider dance community and among New York’s socialites. Joe continued to train clients until his death in 1967 at the age of 87. His students continued his work and by the 1980s the Pilates method had entered the fitness mainstream.

What is Clinical, or Physio, Pilates?

Clinical (Physio) Pilates takes Joe’s methods to the next level. It has evolved from traditional Pilates, with the input of physiotherapists and evidence-based research. If you need help with injury management, injury prevention or performance enhancement, the individual nature of Clinical Pilates ia for you.

In a Clinical (Physio) Pilates program, you do specific exercises based on clinical findings and a Physio assessment, with exercises adapted to suit your own goals and ability. Studies have shown that Clinical Pilates can assist in pain management, falls prevention, improving bone strength, increasing coordination and breathing control. This is in addition to the well-recognised benefits of improved flexibility, strength and core activation.

In equipment-based programs, like those we offer at Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health, your Physio will use equipment (reformer, trap table, wunda chair, sliders, balls, bands and more!) to challenge or facilitate your neuro-muscular (nerve, brain and muscle) system by adding resistance as well as increasing sensory feedback.

Our Clinical (Physio) Pilates program at Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health is suitable for anybody who wants to become pain-free, get moving or keep moving under the guidance of an experienced physiotherapist.

Please call us at the clinic or email us at pilates@www.gcphysio.robicoweb.com.au to find out how this program may be able to benefit you, and how we can tailor a plan to suit your needs. If you have extra’s cover that includes Physio, Private health rebates are available.

Has your Health Fund told you Heal Rebates will no longer be available for Pilates?

Read more here, but rest assured that you will still be able to use your Private Health Rebates for our Physio’s taking you for Pilates exercise Therapy in clinic.
With this change to Private Health Insurance to Pilates, watch for a change in name of Clinical or Physio Pilates as we will no longer be able to advertise that Our Physio’s do “pilates” per se. We will still have the Fitness Pilates classes in clinic run by the ever keen Pilates Instructor & Massage Therapist, Katie Harders.

And we will keep you posted on any name changes, but for now, let us help you achieve your Health, Well-Being, Sporting and Pilates Goals.