ENHANCING MOBILITY, RESTORING STRENGTH + INDEPENDENCE

Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a practice focused on helping clients improve movement, their physical functions and, by extension, improve their overall quality of life. This is achieved through methods such as exercise, manual therapy, and education.

The purpose of physiotherapy ranges between clients. It could be to help a client recover from an injury, manage a chronic condition, prevent possible future injuries, or enhance their general physical performance. It’s also a means of physical rehabilitation that can be employed for post-surgery or stroke recovery.

Chronic pain is a key condition that physiotherapy has been shown to effectively address. While very severe cases of chronic pain may require the use of prescribed painkillers or strong opioids, many chronic pain conditions can be effectively treated and managed through physical therapy.

Some methods used in physiotherapy for pain relief include:

• Therapeutic exercises
• Targeted stretching
• Electrical stimulation therapy
• Kinesiology taping
• Cold and heat therapy
• Ultrasound therapy
• Hydrotherapy 
• Massage 

Physiotherapists will also advise clients with chronic pain on how they can approach different tasks and activities in ways that reduce their likelihood of discomfort or further injury. This could include how they manage their posture, how they handle lifting and moving items, using tools that help relieve pressure on paint points, and more.

Physiotherapists can assist clients with a range of conditions, whether they’re physical, neurological, mental, or emotional. Some common conditions they treat include:

• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
• Intellectual and/or physical disabilities
• Neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, etc.)
• Developmental delay
• Autism and sensory issues
• Mental health conditions impacting physical health (e.g. chronic stress and fibromyalgia)

Professional athletes regularly engage with physiotherapists to help them recover from sports injuries and to lessen the likelihood of future sports-related injuries. Whether an injury results from partaking in a sport or in day-to-day life, physiotherapists can assist in recovery and strengthening the impacted areas.

Be mindful that engaging with a physiotherapist to address general sports injuries will not be covered by the NDIS. However, if an injury has resulted in a chronic pain condition that’s impacted you over a sustained period of time, this may be recognised as a disability under the NDIS.

You can assess your eligibility on the NDIS website.

Your first session with a physiotherapist is where you’ll lay the groundwork for your physio plan. It starts with assessing your disability, understanding your current physical capacities, and mapping out the appropriate plan to help you reach your goals. 

These goals could be purely focused on physical improvement, be it reducing pain, strengthening muscles, or improving your range of movement. They could also be social, such as improving your muscle strength or endurance so you can participate in more community sports or activities.

By the end of your first session, you and your physiotherapist will have the foundations of a treatment plan and a defined schedule for your future physio sessions.

Post-surgery rehabilitation is common, and physical therapy often plays a key role in informing these efforts. The ways in which physio aids in post-surgery rehab include:

• Pain management - helping clients with managing discomfort and pain post-surgery, methods include manual therapy, ice and heat application, electrical stimulation therapy, and ultrasound therapy.
• Restoring mobility - assisting clients with mobility issues post-surgery through techniques such as gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises.
• Strengthening muscles - if a client has experienced surgical trauma after invasive surgery or is impacted by immobilisation, muscle strengthening can be essential to recovery.
• Reducing scar tissue - if left unaddressed, scar tissue can impact muscles, joints, and tendons, which can reduce a client’s flexibility and range of movement. Through massage and stretching techniques, clients can reduce their scar tissue build-up.

Post-surgery physical therapy can also address circulation issues, balance and coordination, and help reduce the likelihood of recovery-related complications.

If you experience chronic back pain, physiotherapy is a viable option for treating and managing that pain. As with other forms of chronic pain, physical therapy can open the door to learning essential techniques and implementing modifications in your home that help you better manage and address your back pain.

The frequency with which you visit a physiotherapist is determined on a case-by-case basis. A client recovering from a stroke, for example, may need to engage with a physiotherapist multiple times a week during the initial stages of their rehabilitation.

If you’re living with a chronic pain condition, then your physiotherapy sessions may occur once every week or two as you slowly implement different exercises, stretches, and strengthening practices into your routine. 

When you engage with Conscious Healthcare SA physiotherapists, they’ll suggest how frequently you should engage with them.

While there is some overlap between physiotherapists and chiropractors and the conditions they treat, there are also many ways in which they differ. 

Overall, physiotherapists offer more holistic treatments for a range of physical conditions, including muscle and joint pain, recovery from injuries, stroke recovery, addressing neurological disorders, and others. Chiropractors, on the other hand, chiefly specialise in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal issues, especially those related to the spine.

Physiotherapists use various treatment techniques, including muscle strengthening, stretches, massage, electrical stimulation therapy, and more. They also often advise clients more extensively, providing them with essential education on looking after their physical well-being outside of sessions.

Chiropractors may occasionally provide some general advice for addressing musculoskeletal issues, but they mostly treat clients by actively performing their own spinal adjustments and manipulations during appointments.

Overall, physiotherapists can address a wider range of conditions and disabilities.

If you’re in need of a physiotherapist in Adelaide and qualify for NDIS coverage, Conscious Healthcare SA can help. Our physiotherapists offer their services in-home, in-clinic, and in-gym, including hydrotherapy.

Our clinics are located in Mawson Lakes (north) and Seacliff (south). For in-home therapy, our physiotherapists can travel between Gawler, Aldinga, and Mt Barker.

To get started with Conscious Healthcare SA, you can Refer & Book, call us on (08) 8166 4700, or email enquiries@chcsa.com.au today.

Hi, I’m Ben, and I’m a physiotherapist here at Conscious Healthcare SA.

With a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Physiotherapy, I’ve spent the past six years helping people in private clinics, the community, and the disability sector. My approach is evidence-based and holistic, focusing on empowering you to take charge of your own health journey. I believe in fostering independence and promoting long-lasting, positive changes that extend beyond our sessions.

I specialise in working with individuals in the disability sector, particularly those aiming to increase their independence in daily activities. Building strong, trusting relationships is at the heart of my practice. From our very first session, my goal is to make sure you feel comfortable, understood, and fully supported as we work together to achieve your goals. Some of my key areas of expertise include stroke rehabilitation, intellectual disabilities, and chronic pain management.

Outside of physiotherapy, I have a personal passion for sports, and I love to bring that energy into my work. Whether through structured therapies or creative functional exercises, I aim to make our sessions fun, interactive, and focused on achieving real, meaningful outcomes. Together, we’ll build your confidence and work towards living more independently.

Hi, I’m Jack, a physiotherapist at Conscious Healthcare SA.

I believe that physiotherapy is all about collaboration. I take a friendly, approachable approach, making sure you feel at ease from the very first session. Together, we’ll set realistic and meaningful goals, and each session will be designed to help you achieve them in a way that feels right for you. My focus is on empowering you with the knowledge and confidence to take control of your own recovery, so you leave not just feeling better, but more connected to your body and its potential.

I graduated from the University of South Australia in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy, and I’ve been working full-time for the past 4-5 years. My experience spans a wide range of areas, including Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injuries, Neurological Conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and Parkinson’s, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Stroke Rehabilitation, Intellectual Disabilities, Chronic Pain, and community-based aged care. One of my key strengths is Hydrotherapy, a water-based technique that can help you achieve your goals more effectively. I’m always looking to stay on top of the latest developments in physiotherapy, having recently attended the 3rd Global Congress on Innovations in Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Medicine in Istanbul.

I specialise in working with neurological and complex conditions, from brain injuries to chronic pain management. Hydrotherapy is one of my passions because it offers a unique, low-impact way to improve mobility and recovery.

What drives my passion for physiotherapy is the belief that, with the right support and encouragement, everyone can improve their quality of life. I like to explain things clearly, so you always understand what we’re doing and why. This way, you’ll feel confident and ready to take charge of your health. Outside of work, I stay active by playing basketball, running, and participating in social netball. It’s all about practicing what I preach!

Hi, I’m Jonathan, a Physiotherapist at Conscious Healthcare SA.

With a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia and over five years of experience, I’m dedicated to helping individuals of all ages take control of their health journey. My background includes working in community settings with disability and aged care clients, a musculoskeletal clinic, and elite sports teams. This diverse experience has equipped me to support a wide range of clinical conditions, including stroke, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and Parkinson’s disease.

My approach to care is holistic, compassionate, and client-centred. I believe that everyone has the potential to lead a happy and fulfilling life, and I’m here to support you every step of the way. In our sessions, I strive to create an environment where you feel at ease, understood, and fully supported, making sure you’re empowered to achieve your goals in a way that feels right for you.

Outside of work, I enjoy staying active through activities like going to the gym, running, playing tennis and footy, and spending hours fishing.

I look forward to working with you and helping you reach your health and wellness goals.