AA Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic

To our fathers and father figures 💚🩶🤍

👷What steps can I take to avoid back pain?

🧠 work smart – use good positions, good techniques and use the equipment available where possible to reduce strain on your back

🧰 correct back position for lifting means keeping a wide base of support, and keeping the load close to your body

🙋‍♂️ ask for help with heavy lifting where required

🤔 engage in regular risk assessments to ensure the design of the task is as friendly to the back as possible

💪 stay fit, flexible and strong enough to do your job.

Cancer Council is the only charity that works across every area of cancer, from research to prevention and support.
Today is Daffodil Day, a day to raise funds and awareness of the work of the Cancer Council.

Some cancer screening news:
From 1st July 2024, the Australian Government is lowering the eligible screening age for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program from 50 to 45.

People aged 50-74 will still be sent a free home test kit by the Australian Government every two years, and now people aged 45-49 can also request a free screening kit to be mailed to them.

The bowel cancer screening test is quick, simple, and completed at home in four easy steps.

Given the physical nature of a tradie’s work, it’s important that you go home safe, well and ready for action again the next day. To help you do this, follow a few simple steps:

Warm up each morning before you start work with some targeted dynamic stretches, such as heels walk or leg swings.

Stretch after a period of laborious activity or at the end of the day to cool down.

Static stretches should be used here.

Take regular recovery breaks to interrupt repetitive manual handling and mix in other types of tasks to help maintain our focus and wellbeing and avoid fatigue.

Communicate well with your workmates to ensure you are working in the most efficient and safe manner.

Adjust and set up your work vehicle to your body and needs.

Be willing to speak up if you are unsure about how to safely perform the task you have been asked to do. the level of risk you are exposed to at work.

Don’t put yourself at risk of injury by rushing

Seek advice from your physiotherapist if you experience any aches or pains that are persistent, rather than waiting till it’s bad enough to stop you from continuing work.

If you would like someone to have a look at a particular task or want advice on how you and your team can work safely, physiotherapists are here to help.

Happy Tuesday!!
Every body is AMAZING! Sometimes you just need some help to believe it!

6. Longer sleeps make for a longer career

Tradies get less sleep than most other professions particularly remote shift workers who have a higher risk of developing sleep disorders and experience higher injury rates. The physiological and cognitive impairments after being awake for 17 hours are to blowing 0.05% on a breathalyser and can increase your risk of accidents and injury and ultimately affect life expectancy. Too little sleep is associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and depression. It can also lead to fatigue, poor concentration and memory and lower reaction time.

Physiotherapist's can help tradies suffering sleep issues from pain and stress through hands on treatment, dry needling, acupuncture and tailored exercises. The specific requirements of a good bed, pillow and sleeping position can also change as we age or experience pains. Physiotherapists can provide advice on the most appropriate setup to help you have a good night’s sleep.

The Olympics might be over, but the golds keep coming!

Madeleine Edwards won the Jill and Jill Australian sawing championship with her team mate Anne Paterson. Our home-grown champ!

Healthy info from AA Physio -

Healthy info from AA Physio Calf muscle injuries are common among athletes and active individuals, often resulting from sudden, forceful movements like jumping, sprinting, or abrupt changes in direction. Here’s a quick breakdown to make it easy to understand:

🛠 TOP REASONS PHYSIOS CAN HELP TRADIES 👷‍♀️👷‍♂️continued! 🛠

⏱Act early when it comes to low back pain

One in six Australians suffer from low back pain. Heavy, awkward, and repetitive manual tasks undertaken by tradies puts them at an even greater risk of back problems which are a significant cause of pain, impairment and lost productivity. Don’t risk injury or acute back pain developing into a chronic condition.

Physiotherapy treatment can help you prevent, manage and recover from low back pain. Physiotherapists assess and treat using a range of interventions including tailored graded exercise programs, and offer guidance on injury management, return to work and prevention strategies.

💪Fit for work does not mean fit for life

75 per cent of Australian adults do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, putting them at risk for chronic conditions, including back pain, heart disease, and cancer, as well as experiencing decreased wellbeing. Research suggests that occupational physical activity (i.e., heavy physical work) alone does not provide the same health benefits as leisure time physical activity and is not a substitute for regular exercise.

Physiotherapists can work around your hours, assess your abilities and provide practical ideas and a tailored program to help you achieve your physical goals for work and life.

A stroke is a brain attack - just like a heart attack.

Act F.A.S.T. - you could save a life!

This week is National Stroke Week and we hope to spread awareness about the signs of stroke and what you can do to help!

Aaaaand this is for Abby now that uni has gone back for the semester.

What are you putting off?!

Top reasons physios can help tradies:

1. Work safe and smart for a long, healthy career

Tradies are disproportionately affected by workplace injuries. Body stressing, lifting, pushing, pulling or bending, is the leading cause of workplace injury.

Physiotherapists are experts in the function of muscles, joints, ligaments and bones. They can provide guidance on risk assessment, safety protocols, and manual handling at work to help you avoid musculoskeletal injuries. Occupational Health physiotherapists can also provide guidance on ergonomics and workplace design so you can work smarter and longer until you are ready to retire.

It's easy as pie to book an appointment time to suit you when you use our online bookings facility. You can choose your physio and your time from your phone or computer and lock it in!

Here's the link: www.aa-physiotherapy.com/appointments

People definitely have varied expectations of orthopaedic surgery...but this is out there!!

Calf muscle injuries are common, but they can cause problems if you don't treat them right!

There is no such thing as a "perfect" desk set-up. Every body needs to change position regularly and not get stuck at any desk for a long time. However, there are a few basics to keep you more comfortable and less likely to hurt yourself while having to work at a desk.

This picture is a good guide: make sure your eyes are level with the top of your screen when you're sitting upright, that your arms are relaxed and by your side, and that your feet are on the floor comfortably.

The MOST important thing is to move away from this position regularly: even if you stand up and move on the spot for just 30 seconds every 15 minutes, you'll go a long way to keeping yourself healthy at your desk!

Happy weekend to all your vertebrae!

So...we did set this up during COVID, but we still do telehealth sessions! We have a video consultation facility through our software so it is super-encrypted and safe, and allows us to help you with physio wherever you are in the world. Are you going away for work or play in the middle of your rehab? We can still see you! Or do you really really want us to see your family member but they live in another state? Also possible!

You can book Telehealth sessions through our online booking facility, or give us a call and we can talk you through it.

Are you keen to take advantage of the cooler weather and get into running? Inspired by those people running during the GC Running Fesitval, Park Run, or heard that running groups are the new way to meet singles? Here are our top tips to help you get started, and to stay injury free!

The time has come for our Elsie to head to the bright lights of New York City for dance school! We're going to miss her, and wish her an amazing time!

We'll need someone to fill her shoes (no dance experience required haha!) on Mondays and Tuesdays. It is a 1.5 to 2 day role, and would suit recent school leavers, or anyone with admin experience. If you're keen to work in a relaxed and friendly environment and get involved with helping people get back to the activities they love sooner, drop us a line at [email protected].

While parents are taking a breather from running their kids to school and sport during the school holidays, it'd a good time to think about what activities you can line up for your kids next term. The benefits of playing sport are enormous and extend beyond just fun and fitness. We have so many opportunities for kids to be active locally, it's easy to get involved!

Healthy info from AA Physio -

Healthy info from AA Physio Running is a fantastic way to stay fit, relieve stress, and enjoy the outdoors. Yet, it can also lead to injuries if not approached correctly. Here are some tips to help you stay injury-free while hitting the pavement.

Nothing wrong with having a little pun...

Happy Friday everyone! And Happy School Holidays as well!

Physiotherapy management of injuries begins moments after an injury occurs. Have you seen the physios on sporting fields? We start diagnosing and treating straight away!
Physios are what we call "Primary Contact Practitioners", which means we are qualified and registered to assess and treat injuries without needing to see a doctor first. We can refer for certain scans if needed and will always send you to a medical practitioner if necessary.
Even when an injury is all swollen and bruised we can get started! Physios can help with the pain and discomfort of a new injury, start your rehab Day 1, and give you the best information to understand what has happened.
We usually have same-day appointments available as well as online bookings. Get started on your recovery right away!

Do you want to take your plyometric training up a notch? It will help with sports like athletics, AFL, basketball and netball.

As with all new exercises, start slow and build up. You can get your hops on easily at home without equipment!

What exercise did the physio give to the engineer?

Glut bridges!

Can you come up with any others?!

Did you know that we have many bursae all over our body? They help out by cushioning soft tissues (like tendons and skin) that are close to hard tissues (like bone). You won't really notice the, unless they get inflamed. This is what we call "bursitis".

Read on...!