Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology

An article in news today. This is such an interesting read - not only for it being an ACL but in terms of surgery.

We have spent the last year working hard to find a solution for a ruptured PCL - the other knee ligament to the back of the ACL.

My advice following our experience- having seen 13 surgeons (some we saw for multiple consults) is shop around, ask questions and don’t be intimidated.

From a professional point of view, as an exercise physiologist and almost physio, the differences in results from the standard tests to assess knee laxity. The results ranged from no laxity to grade 4 which is the worst. I’m also very grateful for the professional pathway I’ve chosen so I had the benefit of knowledge behind me. Unfortunately even so it took far too long to get to a clear path for what had become a complex injury.

I have definitely been traumatised by our experience and I’m not the one with the injury and very disappointed that it’s so hard to find medical professionals who don’t just see you as a source of $$.

Finally through complete chance we came across a knee surgeon who gave us so much time and actually understood what was at stake and took us under his wing, quite literally.

Injury management changes but unfortunately for now for knee surgery there is a cookie cutter one size fits all approach. ACL surgery is a big money spinner but definitely not necessary in all cases.

Our journey to the right solution involved 3 big surgeries in 3 months. The last one 6 weeks ago should have been the only one and should not have taken so many consults.

Thank you for your generosity in donating to raising funds for research into a cure for type 1 diabetes.

We had a fantastic experience - never had such an adrenaline rush. 😂

Thanks to JDRF for organising and to our support crew.

Here’s to doing it again next year!

JDRF Australia

Skydiving to raise funds for research into a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

Following our youngest son’s diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, sparked by a Covid infection last year, we are keen to help fund research for a cure. It’s a very labour intensive and tricky disease.

You can read more about our story on the fundraising page .

Thank you to those who have already donated - it is very much appreciated.

https://bluearmy.jdrf.org.au/fundraisers/KickType1intoOrbit

My Son Benny and I are jumping out of a plane on 18th March to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and to raise funds for research into a cure.
Type 1 Diabetes is an auto immune condition, in Benny's case kicked off from having the Covid 19 virus. He is now insulin dependent and is fortunate to have an insulin pump which helps to look after his blood sugar levels 24/7. Being insulin dependent means that he can no longer just put food in your mouth without taking insulin so that the body can use the sugar from the food for energy.
Benny and I and all those living with Type 1 diabetes would appreciate any donation which goes straight to JDRF.
We are hoping to raise $3000.

https://bluearmy.jdrf.org.au/s/4168/3763

Please Support Sue to defeat T1D. Sue is fundraising with to support the 130,000 Australians living with type 1 diabetes. Please sponsor Sue to turn type one into type none! Type 1 diabetes can strike anyone at any time, and 8 Australians are diagnosed every day. Diagnosis means a 24/7 fight with no break and facing an...

I think it is time that I publish the research we have been undertaking for the last 25 years.

With the birth of our first son in September 1998 - Charlie and I as young parents were forced into involvement with the medical system in the UK. It was at the time a very steep and very unexpected learning curve.

Over the 25 years wears we have earned hospital frequent flier status and apart from a few exceptions our interaction with health professionals for the most part has been far from satisfactory.

The events of this last week have resulted in me deciding the time has come to conclude this research of the medical system/ industry.

The medical system is a minefield and an industry you want to keep out of and as far away from, as a patient, if at all possible.

There are still some professionals in the system who remember why they decided to go into it - essentially to make a difference and help people - but sadly for so many this has been forgotten.

As the medical system is run by people, at all different levels - you have to deal with what baggage that professional has, their biases, insecurities, judgements, what's happening in their lives and a big one is money. So much about the medical system is about $ and unfortunately there is only one loser in all this - the consumer who has gone to find help for a medical issue.

Back in 2002, still as new parents we were back and forwards to emergency with a sick child, repeatedly they sent us home - after the fourth time of being sent away with nothing being done, as parents we decided we had to go and demand this child be seen. By the time they did what they should have done, this child had sepsis and had to be admitted to hospital for a week. This was when we realised that you have to advocate hard.

In April 2022 a knee injury for our sport loving son started a drama we could never expect, especially as we sought advice straight away from specialists in order to prevent what has occurred. For a 21 year old who was wants to pursue a career in sport - dealing with a knee injury correctly is paramount. Surgical consult no 1 with a sport surgeon who is himself into sport. This was ground zero and he did not act in the best interests of a young man wanting to pursue sport. We were told this weekend that the surgery that should have been done is not what he likes to do but instead of referring us on - he said nothing needed to be done. This laid the foundation of a totally avoidable situation of today. Every single one of the 12 medical specialists we have consulted has seen us as just another way to add $ to their bank accounts and I know this because not one of them did the right thing. The biggest loser out of all of this is the son with the injury who just wants to be able to do what he is good at and just lives for. But this weekend we met the specialist who broke his weekend to spend hours with us explaining what needs to be done - he apologised for all those in his profession who have not done the right thing and is going to put it right.

In August 2023 the public health system with our youngest being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from Covid by the Professor of Endocrinology who happened to be on call in the emergency department. This true angel gave our newly diagnosed T1 his mobile number and instructions to call him every day before each meal and before bed so he could give instructions as to dosing insulin. This went on for 3 weeks until we were seen in the outpatient department.

There are obviously medical professionals out there who still remember what drew them to the medical system in the first place but unfortunately those who remember are an exception rather than the rule. I think ultimately many have forgotten that the decisions made affect real people who have lives and families.

I'm an experienced local Exercise Physiologist, with only the practical component of Master of Physiotherapy to complete.

Whilst I am on a sabbatical and to keep my manual skills at a high level - I have limited spots to offer manual therapy - soft tissue bodywork which covers - massage/ tissue release. The benefits after a surgery, injury or during rehabilitation is highly underestimated and it can make the difference between a good outcome and a great outcome.

Please text 0433151795 or email [email protected] to book.

Before I even started practicing as an exercise physiologist I knew what type of practitioner I wanted to be and I made a promise to myself to never be complacent. To always really listen to patients reports of their symptoms, to be open-minded and to make that difference in their recovery.

I can wholeheartedly say I have stuck to this and will continue to work like this once I’m dual qualified with physiotherapy in the not too distant future.

In the world today so many $ are spent in the medical field and so often without a positive outcome. It is my promise to never be complacent and focus on genuinely helping those who come to see me.

Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology

Last uni tutorial ever - just another 850 free work hours for prac between me and the end. It’s really not been fun but broadens my knowledge and scope as an ex physiologist so I can help people right from acute injury to performance. See ya uni 👋

November is diabetes awareness month for type 1 and type 2. (I’ll post separately about type 2 and how it differs from type 1).

Just imagine if overnight the ability to just put food in your mouth without even thinking about it was taken away. That is just one of the the realities of Type 1. You can eat what you like - but you have to take insulin with it, at least 5 injections per day or via a pump that is attached 24/7.

Unfortunately on 6th August, type 1 Diabetes pushed its way through the backdoor of our home, totally out of the blue.

No family history but a mild case of Covid, tricked the body into thinking the pancreas was the enemy. Extremely common in this post Covid time we are in. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease, and the Covid virus tricks the body into fighting itself rather than fighting the virus.

The sooner a cure is found the better.

Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology

My plans for my sabbatical went to pot and it kind of feels like we fell into a hole.

Background: The fall out from Covid seems to continue to evolve. This is especially true when considering the various health implications of how it affects different people. For many there are no ramifications for others its long Covid and the triggering of an autoimmune disease and the numbers affected by various poor health outcomes after Covid are unfortunately growing.

I have worked with several clients who have type 1 diabetes and I had always assumed that it was almost always passed down through families. This is far from the case. For many who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes there is an environmental trigger that has set of an autoimmune response.

We have had a diagnosis of type 1 push itself into our home. After two weeks of feeling extremely thirsty, I took a son to the GP. I knew the symptoms of diabetes from the study I have done but never for a minute thought it was possible as we do not have any history in the family on either side.

To cut a long story short - Type 1 it is, sparked off by a virus and the last one being Covid. There has been an alarming increase in new diagnoses of all ages since Covid - in the US in the last year there was a 45 % increase and at a Melbourne hospital the increase is 35%.

We are on a steep learning curve but getting things under control slowly. What I had not understood before now is the cost and the waste from the management of this disease which is day in and day out.

I'm a big advocate for doing whatever we can to manage our health and do what you can to prevent the preventable. Ultimately there are curved balls that will come our way regardless of what we do. Regular physical activity is an important component - but there is no one size fits all - it has to be specific.

There is much research going into treatments and possible cures and the technology has come a long way over the last few years.

I've decided to suspend uni for the time being - being a HSC support is the focus and my study can happen anytime. However, I now have capacity to service some clients so there is always a silver lining.

That is it for now - stay well

Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology

So you know how sometimes things in life don’t go to plan? Well here we are - navigating our 18 year old being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. No family history but activated by a virus. Since Covid in the US over a year they’ve had a 45% increase in type 1 diagnoses. Viruses are hard on our bodies and Covid is a particularly dirty one.

So the last week, fell in HSC trial exams but instead has been spent in and out of hospital. Steep learning curve for us all.

What I have found in the past week is the financial cost to the health system of type 1. The kindness and support offered by the RNSH has been phenomenal.

The start of my sabbatical has not gone as I’d thought but that’s all part of the box of chocolates Mrs Gump was talking about.



# type1

One of the biggest learnings I’ve had over the years has been to learn and research widely whatever condition we were having to deal with as a family. Specialists are an important part of the journey but you see them for such a short consult often the bigger picture is not seen. Try to be an expert in your condition, whatever that is. You live in your body so know it best.

These images are from an MRI scan of a knee - the first one taken 24th March 23 is of a very swollen knee and what you see is a chunk of cartilage missing from the back of the knee cap.

Knee cartilage has a very poor blood supply and an injury like this should require surgery and surgery had been indicated.

In this knee there had been a previous tear to the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), but was not the cause of the swelling.

Image 2 was taken 24th June 23 is of the same knee.

The healing is quite phenomenal and translates into functionality for high level sport.

Having researched widely the non surgical options- stem cell treatment kept on coming up. There are two stem cell treatments- one is called PRP and is derived from blood, and BMAC which is from bone stem cells. Both are well researched and used but they both fly under the radar as they can reduce the need for surgical intervention.

I found a Doctor who has for the last 15 + years been a pioneer in this field. His patients are those with arthritis and athletes. Stem cells are already used widely in other treatments so the use of the is not new.

We opted for the bone marrow stem cells, in a young fit individual the stem cells are super charged. Stem cells were injected into the PCL and behind the knee cap into the mini crater.

The healing of the damage has been phenomenal in both the cartilage and knee cap. Still some healing to be done but those super charged stem cells are still working.

At the most recent surgical consult 3 weeks ago, the surgeon tested the PCL and knee function and his word were (with a big smile) “ as a surgeon it pains me to say but there is no surgery to be done”.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt over the last 20 years is that sometimes surgery is the best option but you don’t want to go into a joint unless it’s absolutely necessary. Depending on what you’re dealing with there are ways to heal joint issues quicker with less downtime than surgery.

Research as much as you can about whatever you’re facing so when you see specialists or face treatment you are going into it as more of a partnership with the specialist.

Always happy to discuss.

Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology

It’s been a while (about 4 weeks) since my last post. In that time we have moved house, popped over to Perth, unpacked the house and now I’m just starting the end stage of uni.

I’m looking forward to being a fully fledged hybrid Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Physiotherapist.

It is very true what Mrs Gump ( from the movie Forest Gump) said “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get”. This is certainly true in terms of our health.

Whilst I’m on Sabbatical, I’m going to use the opportunity to share what I’ve learnt over the years in terms of managing various common health conditions. Never did I think as a 20 year old would the universe have so many health challenges to throw us as a family in the years ahead.

Ultimately in situations where it’s suitable- I’ve discovered it’s about looking widely to find solutions that work by treating causes and not just symptoms.

So if you’re keen, belt up, I’d love you to come on this ride with me.

PSA:

This is just to confirm again that as of Friday 2nd June Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology - will not be running an exercise physiology clinic due to a sabbatical to complete Master of Physiotherapy. This will involve full time study for semester 2 and a house move.

I will keep you posted with my progress and will look forward to seeing you all again at the end of study.

Stay well.

Sue

I will be taking a sabbatical from mid June to finish the Master of Physiotherapy I began in year 2 of Covid. I’ve just found out that this year is the last intake before they change the degree I need some headspace and time to crack through what I have left and complete what I started. This time away co-insides with the sale of our home and a move to not far away.

Before I head off on study leave - I wanted to say what a privilege it is to have been able to help you through difficult times of pain, injury or poor health.

When I opened and launched Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology in 2015 - I made a promise to myself that I would never be complacent and that I would always treat each of my clients on their individual needs and goals. It makes me very happy knowing I’ve wholeheartedly done that.

If you need to contact me - all the usual contact channels will remain.

I know I’ll still be seeing many of you until June and I look forward to it.


Sue

As I had to fly off interstate unexpectedly this week- I am seeing clients who missed out tomorrow Sunday 29th January.

If you have back pain or something you haven’t had time to get treatment for - make contact on number below.

A couple of spaces left.

Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology
Forestville
0433 151795

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2023!

This pic shows perfectly my last 3 years (during Covid) - a bit off centre and out of focus but I'm looking forward to starting a new year and finishing the last 3 units of Master of Physiotherapy.

As we head into the new year - I thought I would share with your the journey that has led me to the passion I have for helping you manage your health - where ever it is at. I would love to share with you strategies that I have used to help teach my family to pursue preventative health rather than ignoring signs and symptoms that our bodies/ systems send to let us know its balance is off.

You live in your body and are the specialist in what feels right and what feels off and there are strategies you can use that will help you to get the best out of your medical interactions.

If you have any questions - please shoot me a message.

Finally this year due to demand I am going to do Saturday pop up clinics - firstly a back clinic and then a knee clinic.

In pain over the public holidays?

Due to a number of enquires- I’ve decided to open a pain clinic on Monday 2nd January 2023 and I have some spaces left scattered through the day.

If you’ve had a flare or you have a friend or family member who is troubled by a ni**le - get them to book in.

Treatments involve a detailed assessment- hands on treatment as required, a personal exercise program and pain management education to help put you in control.

Don’t begin 2023 in pain.

Based in Forestville
Call or text Sue on 0433151795

The last few years have been full of unexpected challenges. I still remember vividly arriving to work on a Monday morning in March 2020 and it seemed that Covid had appeared overnight and outpatients was closing. There was at the time all sorts of uncertainty about whether my private practice was able to continue with lock downs.

I started a Master of Physiotherapy as it totally compliments my Exercise Physiology practice, it was time to study again and to broaden my work options to both acute and rehab settings.

Over these last years I’ve had the privilege of working at the coal face in hospital, working as a Physio Assistant in acute wards and more recently I was able to help in ICU.

My exercise physiology practice has continued to thrive and evolve and I love being able to make a positive impact on my clients lives.

No one saw Long Covid as fall out from the pandemic- an ever growing and very problematic and debilitating side effect of having Covid for an ever growing number of people. Now many of the clients I help have varying degrees of disability as result - with fatigue and brain fog being most common.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a 2023 full of movement, happiness and belly laughs.

I will be off for two weeks from the end of this week and returning on Monday 9th January 2023.


0433151795

Did you see announcement that HCF will not have an agreement with Healthscope hospitals from mid 2023?

As communities we need to do what we can to manage and prevent what we can and where possible stay out of hospital.

I only recently noticed the government have a national preventative health strategy. This is what they should be pouring money into.

Exercise is the best intervention and doctors should understand more about it so they can refer people with new conditions, on the borders of something new or with a chronic disease to an Exercise Physiologist for treatment and management.

Exercise Physiologists are university qualified prescribers of exercise and the only negative is that you have to do the exercises to get benefit but we are trained in helping you change your mindset and become a regular exerciser.

Let’s do what we can to keep well and out of the medical system. A system that is at capacity so if we can use exercise to prevent and manage conditions- it will give space in hospital for those who really need it.

Who’s with me?

Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology

0433151795

If you or someone you know have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic for Type 2 or you have been living with it for some time and your doctor has not recommended exercise and lifestyle modification, then you are not getting the correct treatment.

Type 2 can run silently behind the scenes for years until suddenly things change and and you find yourself dealing with any of these conditions below:

Heart disease
Kidney disease
Vision loss and blindness
Limb amputation
Stroke
Depression, stress and burnout
Persistent infections

Preventative health really is the only sensible way - it takes effort but it means you take steps to do what you can to stay out of the hospital system.

In my varied workplaces the most common effect I see from uncontrolled Type 2 is kidney disease and limb amputation.

Medicare can fund part of your treatment - make the decision today to take control of your type 2 diabetes to do whatever you can to stay out of the overloaded hospital system.

If you would like quality preventative care - please make contact, Medicare rebates can apply.

Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology
0433151795

Happy Friday!! Life is busy for everyone these days and the fact is compromises often have to be made.

Often exercise is one of the activities that gets pushed down the priority list. The reality is that exercise is essential for the management and prevention of disease and for doing our bit to keep out of the medical system. I also know life does throw curve balls despite regular exercise.

My weeks are split between my Exercise Physiology practice, working in acute wards in hospital and completing my Physio Masters.

So I use opportunities within these settings to get the exercise I need. In hospital I work on the 8th floor and spend time in the day between floor 6-8. I enter on level 3 and walk up the fire stairs to level 8 at the start of the day - I walk up with purpose, get puffed and feel the glute burn. That’s 130 stairs before the day starts. I continue to just use stairs throughout the day.

Exercise is planned and measurable and it doesn’t matter how you fit it in - as long as you ensure you do it and you can measure how much you’ve done. It’s a fact that we tend to over estimate how much we’ve done especially when it comes to exercise.

Challenge yourself to add in an extra exercise using one of your daily activities- you will get benefit from it if you keep consistent.

For many Long Covid is a very debilitating result of having had Covid.

Unfortunately there is so little help available.

If you need some help/guidance - please make contact.

0433 151795

Long COVID clinics ‘inundated’ with patients, and doctors can’t cope — The Age The nation’s long COVID clinics are so under-resourced patients are waiting almost a year for treatment.

A real time type 2 diabetes case study.

Type 2 diabetes often runs very silently in the background and is often only picked up by chance or when secondary symptoms occur.

A client who I’ve been working with for 8 weeks, has reduced their hba1c blood sugars from 9.9 mmol to 7.8 mmol. Through the process they are learning how to manage it for the long term.

Leaving type 2 unchecked has very serious health implications.

If you want to know how to manage your condition- please make contact 0433151795

This is an athlete I’ve worked with for years - he is also one of my sons. He is playing a season of AFL in Darwin whilst down South it is off season.

Playing in 35 degree heat has it challenges but the biggest standout for me is how much better the muscles function under these warm conditions and anecdotally the incidence of muscular injuries across the teams seems to be much lower than during a Winter season in cooler climates like in a Sydney Winter.

The difference is so noticeable- I’m going to see if I can find any evidence based info to back up my observation.

I’m passionate about many aspects of the work I do as an Exercise Physiologist and a Physio Assistant ( whilst I finish my Physio Masters).

My greatest passion lies in the wonders of preventative health. Life throws health curve balls that we have no control over and for those, treatment often lies in the medical world but I believe the medical profession should have an increased focus on disease prevention.

My weeks are made up of private practice and working in acute and sub-acute wards in hospital and it really encourages me to wonder how many peoples quality of life would have been improved if our outlook on health was more about prevention.

The right type of exercise really is medicine and Exercise Physiology is backed by science and individualised for each person. If you’re curious make contact.

Sue Cutbill Exercise Physiology
0433 +61 433 151 795