Come and save on physio!

**WOW! Last year to celebrate Fernwood Gym’s 30th birthday, we offered a 3-appointment physiotherapy package for 30% off our usual clinic fees for all members and their friends . We were thrilled with all those who took this up and those we have met we have helped to achieve their physical goals.  Because of this and to celebrate our wonderful new women’s health physio Samah at Broadway gym, we have decided to continue this offer in 2020.
**

 Now is the time to have that physio that you have always been putting off.

• Do you have back, hip or pelvic pain?
• Is your neck or back bothering you sitting at work all day?
• Is your shoulder and neck feeling sore after weights?
• Is your knee really stopping you from running, squatting or jumping to your full potential?
• Do you worry about your posture and want targeted exercise to move better and feel taller?
• Do you or someone you know put up unnecessarily with incontinence?
• Do you suffer from sexual pain? or from endometriosis? or prolapse?
• New mums, are you concerned about bladder control or ab separation? Have you just had a baby and your back and pelvis still feel not quite right?

This is just the tip of what we do as physios at our clinics.

What does this special include?

• 1 full assessment ( 45 minutes for joint and muscle injury, or 60 minutes for any pelvic floor concern)
• 2 follow up appointments to really start to get your issue sorted - physio treatment, massage, targeted exercise prescription for your movement or pelvic floor problem, gym safe exercise to keep you working out, chats with your personal trainers on any exercise mods needed ( these follow up appointments can be 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length - up to you)

What do I do next?

Contact us on 92640077, or email  broadway@fixprogram.com to chat about this offer and to schedule your first appointment with us.

Do you have a friend or family member who would love to see us? Refer them on to see our physios at these locations.

Term&Conditions
3-appointment package must be paid for upfront to receive the 30% off total fees for the 3 appointments
For muscle and joint issues, see https://www.fixprogram.com/physiotherapy for fees and what to expect
For pelvic floor issues, see https://www.fixprogram.com/womens-health for fees and what to expect
You can claim these appointment fees with private health insurance ( code 500 for the assessment and code 505 for any followup appointments)
A receipt will be issued for your claiming online to receive your rebates
30% does not apply to any sale of equipment by your physio, if needed
Treatments purchased within the 3-pack are valid until 31 December 2020.
One per person please.
Valid for brand new clients to our clinics, or to those we have not seen for over a year and who are returning with a new issue.

The magic of ‘the huff’ when a cough just won’t do the trick

by Tusanee Jierasak, physiotherapist

So it’s the middle of winter.  And if you travel to work on public transport, like me, you might travel in fear, cowering and shrinking away from anyone who is coughing and sneezing everywhere. If you have unfortunately picked up a cold, and it has eased but now you are left with an enduring cough and everlasting phlegm in the chest, please read ahead.

Many don’t realise that physios can specialise in respiratory work, dealing with all things to do with the heart and the lungs. I used to work in a hospital and one of the things respiratory physiotherapists do is to teach people how to breathe properly, and very importantly, how to cough efficiently to be able to remove phlegm (to prevent risks of developing respiratory complications). And I would like to share that with you.

Firstly, what is phlegm / mucus?

Phlegm is the term that refers to muscus produced in the lungs and lower respiratory tract. It is a gel-like protective layer that traps irritants, contains antibodies, and moisturises. As you stretch it, it becomes less thick and sticky and more like a liquid. Normal lung production is 10 to 100mls per day.  However, during a cold or flu, there is increased phlegm production, a change in colour, and it is more viscous (thicker and stickier) which makes it harder remove.  This can lead to the symptoms throughout the whole respiratory system, such blocked sinuses, difficulty breathing, and coughing fits to try and remove the phlegm from the lungs. 

How do I cough correctly to clear phlegm?

You have probably heard those people on the bus or train taking multiple short shallow coughs. These are ineffective. The best way to do an effective cough is:

• Take a deep breath in
• Close the glottis (back of the throat) for a second or two
• Then open the glottis (back of the throat), engage your abdominal muscles, and perform an explosive breath out

This should help the phlegm come up from the lungs into the mouth.  A few of these big coughs, will be a lot more effective than lots of short shallow ones.

Don’t forget to cover your mouth!

What is a huff?

If you are too tired, or it is too painful to perform big coughs, you might like to try a huff. Huffing is a different way to move the phlegm through the airways, closer to the mouth.  

• Take a deep breath in
• Keep the back of the throat open
• Engage your abdominal muscles, and breathe out short and forcibly through the mouth like trying to fog up a mirror

You can use huffing to bring the phlegm to a more central position in the lungs, and then take a big cough to remove it. Or you can try huffing with smaller or larger breaths in, to move the phlegm from different areas of the lungs, depending where it is stuck.

If you feel dizzy or lightheaded with these techniques, take a few gentle, relaxed breaths in between techniques.

Have a practice of these techniques right now as you are reading this, and then remember to give them a go next time you get stuck with a chesty cough.

By Carrie Seow, women’s health physiotherapist

Endometriosis has gathered some attention recently in the media after the government in June 2019 announced $9million in funding for research and improved diagnosis. This is great news for the ‘endo’ community and those yet to be diagnosed. We know that endo can be a debilitating condition affecting 1 in 10 women. More shocking is that diagnosis can take years as women suffer in silence. As health allied professionals (women’s health/pelvic floor physiotherapists) we want to raise awareness about this condition and help treat the symptoms.

So, what is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a complex condition whereby the cells that line the uterus start growing in other parts of the body, commonly in pelvic region on the bladder and bowel. Symptoms of endometriosis are highly variable but common ones include:

• Abdominal, lower back or pelvic pain
• Ovulation pain
• Pain before or during periods
• Heavy or irregular bleeding during periods
• Urinary urgency and frequency
• Bowel problems ranging from diarrhea to constipation
• Abdominal bloating
• Vaginal discomfort, painful intercourse or difficulty using tampons
• Infertility

The presentation of endo is so different between patients that diagnosis is only officially done through the gold standard of a laparoscopy (a keyhole surgical procedure through the lower abdomen). The chronic nature of endo symptoms can seriously affect your quality of life. You may be living with chronic pain every day but still have to go to work, school and function as best as you can in day to day life.

Can anything make endometriosis better for the sufferers?

The good news is that help is available. Treatment of endo requires a multidisciplinary approach (including pelvic floor physiotherapy!). It can involve a mix of

• medication
• surgery
• exercise, manual therapy with a physio
• diet and lifestyle modification
• bladder and bowel retraining with a pelvic floor physio
• relaxation, stretches and yoga style movements to decrease the tension and pain of the hip and pelvic region.

But with the right team of people, the symptoms can be well managed. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, come and chat to one of our women’s health physiotherapists to find out how we can help!

Read our post back in 2014 on endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain for further information.