Services

Physiotherapy

The team at Gerringong and Kiama physiotherapy work with a 3 stage, Pain to Performance model of care. We strive to provide a gold-standard level of care, that at all times is; professional, caring and patient-focused.

Our first priority is to reduce your pain. We want to get you moving and have your pain under control fast. To do this, we utilise “hands on’’ manual therapy, dry needling, taping, braces, education and appropriate advice to adjust your activities. At this stage we ensure that you have a full understanding of your condition and a plan to guide you beyond pain and restore optimal movement.

Once your pain is under control, we can now go on to thoroughly assess your posture and biomechanics, allowing us to identify and correct any contributing factors to your injury.

Many of the common conditions we see have high recurrence rates. A lot of the usual treatments people receive help to relieve pain in the short term, but fail to address the underlying causes and contributing factors. This phase of the treatment pathway is all about analysing and then restoring optimal movement, strength and posture to avoid the cycle of recurrent pain and injury.

We aim to transform your posture and movement with individualised, home exercise programs or in one of our physiotherapist-led exercise classes, so you can be more resilient to injury than ever before.

In this final phase of the pain to performance model we move on to exceeding your health, performance and lifestyle goals. We offer strength and conditioning programs, functional strengthening and clinical pilates- inspired classes, exercise physiology, and massage.

Whether it’s sports performance or your desire to live a healthy, injury-free lifestyle we can guide you to a level of health and fitness beyond your expectations.

Vestibular and Balance clinic

Gerringong and Kiama Physiotherapy also assess and manage vertigo, dizziness, balance and vestibular conditions. Our vestibular physiotherapists have post graduate training and professional development in this area, and can manage conditions including:

  • BPPV
  • Vestibular hypofunction
  • Vestibular neuritis
  • Vestibular migraine
  • Meniere’s disease
  • Cervicogenic (neck-related) dizziness

Your vestibular physiotherapist will perform a comprehensive assessment, including a thorough history of symptoms and a clinical examination of balance and vestibular function.

The vestibular system (inner ear) controls our gaze and postural stability. In our assessment we examine eye movements and deficits in postural control in static and dynamic positions, specific to your health and lifestyle goals.

Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise based approach to the management of most vestibular conditions. Following a thorough assessment, we can provide a tailored, individualised treatment plan, based on your needs and goals.

This may include education, advice and an exercise program specific to your condition. It may also be suitable for you to join our PhysioStrong balance and general exercise class, once your initial symptoms are controlled.

TMJ clinic

What is the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)?

The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your mandible (jaw) to your skull. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a broad term associated with the joint and muscular dysfunctions of this area.

Common signs and symptoms of TMD include:

  • Pain in the face, head, jaw or ear
  • A clicking or popping sound when opening or closing the jaw
  • Locking or difficulty opening the jaw
  • Deviation of jaw movement
  • Feeling like the teeth are not aligned (change in dental occlusion)
  • Pain when yawning, chewing, or talking
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The good news is that in most cases, TMDs are successfully treated with physiotherapy and conservative management.

Your TMJ Physiotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment, taking into account your history, presenting symptoms, as well as any contributing factors such as posture, neck pain and stiffness. This comprehensive assessment will then allow for your treatment to be individually tailored to relieve your pain, and optimise your movement. Treatment may include a combination of manual techniques, specific exercises, and education and advice to control your symptoms.

Our Physiotherapists also work closely with the regions dentists, orthodontists and specialists to ensure the highest level of care for people presenting with TMD.

Exercise Physiology

Exercise Physiologists (EPs) are allied health professionals with a comprehensive understanding of how exercise can be used to manage & treat health conditions or injuries.

Exercise Physiologists can design and deliver safe and effective exercise programs to help people move and feel better.

Exercise Physiologists can assist in the management of a range of conditions including:

  • Sports and musculoskeletal injuries

  • Cancer (at diagnosis, during treatment, and remission rehabilitation)
    • Including side effects e.g. lymphoedema, peripheral neuropathy

  • Diabetes

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Neurological conditions including Parkinson’s Disease and stroke

  • Osteoporosis/osteopenia

  • Mental illness, including anxiety and depression

  • Healthy ageing, including falls prevention

  • Functional training for people with disabilities and NDIS participants

Appointments are currently available in our Kiama clinic. Bookings can be made directly through the Medicine in Motion team website, just select the Kiama location. https://www.medicineinmotion.com.au/book-online/

Dr Katie French

Consultant Geriatrician

BBiotech(Adv)(Hons) MBBS MSc (research) FRACP Senior Lecturer, University of Wollongong

I graduated from the University of Wollongong in 2010 and completed specialist training within the Wollongong and South Coast area. I have been a staff specialist geriatrician in the Shoalhaven since 2019. I have a strong research background, with previous research focussing on molecular pathways that underpin dementia pathologies including Alzheimer’s disease. I endeavour to provide high quality and accessible specialist aged care services to the South Coast. My clinics provide a comprehensive approach to ageing with a focus on memory, maintaining function and maximising wellbeing in the elderly. I work closely with the University of Wollongong as a clinical academic. I have a passion for medical education, specifically ensuring that aged care has a presence on the curriculum into the future.

My area of special interest is brain pathology secondary to repetitive head injury in sport, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and related dementia. My focus is on identification of potential symptoms of CTE syndrome in at risk individuals and endeavour to provide support, symptom management and research opportunities for retired elite and amateur sports people.

Dr Katie French is currently available on Fridays in our Kiama clinic. Please contact her office directly to make an appointment: https://www.scshc.com.au/

Southern Coast Pelvic Health

Gerringong and Kiama Physiotherapy are the home to Southern Coast Pelvic Health Physiotherapy and Pilates. To learn more please visit our website here