***We now offer HOME VISITS for NDIS patients in the Wantirna 3152, Wantirna South, Vermont South 3133 and Knox City suburbs***

Having physiotherapy services provided at home is convenient and means the patient will be more comfortable with their environment. This convenience is especially valuable for individuals with mobility issues and busy schedules.

Patients often feel more relaxed and at ease during mobile home visits, which can positively impact their overall well-being.

In certain situations, such as during a pandemic, mobile home visits can help minimise the risk of exposure to contagious illnesses that might be present in healthcare facilities. 

If you or your NDIS client is interested in home visit Physiotherapy around the Wantirna and Vermont South area please get in touch via email: info@fosterphysio.com.au

  

 The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia recognises the importance of physiotherapy services for people with disabilities and provides funding and support through its comprehensive scheme. Physiotherapy plays a vital role in the healthcare system. 

The physiotherapists at Foster Physiotherapy focus greatly on restoring and improving physical function, mobility, and overall well-being. As a result physiotherapy is particularly relevant for individuals with disabilities, as it can significantly enhance their quality of life and independence.

At Foster Physiotherapy we accept both self-managed and plan managed NDIS participants.

After a thorough assessment, some of the physiotherapy treatments we may provide for you are:

- Gross motor, fine motor and general coordination training

- Improving walking quality and movement impairments

- Strengthening and cardiovascular exercises

- Home exercise programs

- Balance training and fall prevention

- Advice on the management of specific conditions

- Pain management

- Manual therapy

- Providing recommendations for equipment and mobility aids

If you or someone you know is in need of NDIS funded physiotherapy, please email us on: info@fosterphysio.com.au

Covid19 Update

Some of the covid changes to our medical centres and how we treat patients have continued...

The following changes have continued:

- All contact surfaces will be thoroughly disinfected after each consultation.
- Hand sanitiser available in waiting rooms.
- Masks are no longer compulsory but recommended for patients with any cold and flu symptoms.

If you have any flu like symptoms we kindly ask you to reschedule your appointment.

Telehealth is also available if appropriate. Please email us on: info@fosterphysio.com.au to book telehealth.

We would like to thank all our patients for continuing to adapt and support us during the time and for choosing us to help you reach your health goals!

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When can I start to exercise after giving birth?

It’s difficult to think about exercise whilst you’re sitting on an icepack after an episiotomy. But I knew I had to get moving after a few days so I started walking up and down the maternity ward twice a day. At home I started hobbling down to the corner (a miserable 20m) and back twice a day then gradually increased as I felt better and less sore. 12 weeks later and I've returned to my pump and cardio classes at the gym and my body is feeling normal with some additional jiggly bits.

Returning to exercise depends on a number of factors:

• How fit and healthy you were before you had your baby
• How your pregnancy and labour was
• Caesarean vs normal birth
• Whether you have injuries

Be guided by your healthcare professional but general guidelines are as follows.

Within days:

• Pelvic floor exercises
• Slow walking as able
• Gentle stretches – Some muscles were getting tight from breastfeeding, carrying my little one and spending too much time in our confined room. So I started stretching regularly my neck muscles, shoulders, plus lower limb muscles.

5-8 weeks+

•  Walking - Pick up the pace and distance as able.
• Swimming - Once your stitches and bits and bobs have healed fully and bleeding has stopped.
• Gentle low impact exercise - For example Pilates and Yoga. Keep in mind that your ligaments and joints are more pliable and at risk of overstretching.
• Light upper limb weights - You’ll be spending your days carrying your little one which mainly uses your biceps so build your other arm muscles to balance it out.
• Stretching – add back stretches to your neck, upper and lower limb stretches. Get down onto the floor and do some back stretches whilst your little one does their tummy time.

8-10 weeks+

• Brisk walking
• Cycling (once you can sit again!)
• Low impact aerobics – let’s not stress out that poor weak pelvic floor with star jumps yet.

10-16 weeks+

• Back to your pre-pregnancy exercise whether it is brisk walks, weight training, gym classes or jogging.

Please give yourself plenty of time to heal (physically and mentally), particularly if you have had a complicated pregnancy or labour. If you feel any discomfort or are unsure please consult your doctor/midwife/maternal health nurse/physiotherapist. Aim for a gradual return to exercise and don’t place too much pressure on yourself. I like to exercise because it gets me out of the house for some ‘me’ time, boosts my energy and keeps me sane. You’ve just gone through a tough 9 months growing a human and this is the time to enjoy being a mum!

Exercises for your newborn baby!

Newborns enter the world all curled up and soft with very little muscle strength and flexibility. As adorable as this stage is, it is vital for the development of strength, posture, balance, muscle tone, coordination and skull bone formation that babies have ample freedom of movement and opportunities for play. Experts find that babies that don’t spend enough waking time on their tummies can have some delays in their development of motor skills. Tummy time gives your baby the opportunity to strengthen the muscles they need to prepare them for rolling, sitting up, crawling and pulling to stand.

**Tummy time as demonstrated by Flynn Foster** Please note that babies should be awake whilst attempting tummy time**

Tummy Time:

Daily tummy time and side lying when your baby is awake is important to prevent ‘Flat Head Syndrome’ plus provide valuable developmental benefits for your baby's motor, cognitive and sensory development.

Tips for tummy time:

• Aim for 1-5 minute bursts for newborns then increase as able.
• Pick a time where they’re awake, content, not hungry or tired.
• Put your little one at table height, get down onto a floor playmat or place your baby on your chest.
•  Encourage your baby, talk to them, sing to them, make funny faces etc.
•  Use toys, rattles, mirrors and other interesting items to keep them interested.
•  Stop when your baby seems unsettled or uncomfortable.

Useful links:

Rachel Coley is a pediatric Occupational Therapist whose website www.candokiddo.com is full of information about your baby's development. She covers topics such as; developmental milestones, playing with your baby, tummy time and avoiding a flat head (positional plagiocephaly).

http://www.candokiddo.com/news/2015/1/2/baby-play-activities-for-month-one http://www.candokiddo.com/news/positionalplagiocephalyflatheadsyndromecosmetic

http://www.candokiddo.com/news/2014/8/17/preventing-flat-head-syndrome

Maternity leave hours

As Joan will begin her maternity leave from the 20th of March there will be some temporary changes in Marks hours:

1) Joans last shift at Pound Rd Medical Centre will be Thurs 19th of March 2-8pm

2) Marks hours at Pound Rd will increase from Tues the 24th of March to:

• Tues 2 - 8pm
• Wed 2 - 8pm
• Fri 2 - 8pm

3) Marks hours at Colchester Medical Centre from Tues the 24th of March will change to:

• Tues 9am - 1pm
• Thurs 9am - 3pm

4) Joan will most likely return to Pound Rd Medical Centre in August 2015

** For physiotherapy appointments please call 8796 6300 (Pound Rd) or 9720 5515 (Colchester Medical Centre) **