FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions we get asked
The things people most often ring up to ask, about appointments, what we treat, and how our classes work. If your question is not here, call your nearest clinic or send us a message and we will answer it.
Do I need a referral?
For a standard appointment, no. You can book physiotherapy, exercise physiology or remedial massage directly without seeing your GP first. Referrals only come into it when someone else is paying part of the cost, which is covered further down this page.
How long is an appointment?
An initial physiotherapy assessment runs about 30 to 40 minutes. Follow-up appointments are usually around 30 minutes. Longer consultations are available and are worth booking if you want more than one area assessed, or simply more one-to-one time with your physiotherapist. An initial Pilates assessment is a full hour, because it is a more thorough assessment.
What happens at my first appointment?
You will be asked to describe what is going on, and your physiotherapist will take a history of your symptoms, your general health and what you want to get back to. They will then assess how the area is moving and how it is affecting the rest of you. From there you will get a diagnosis and a plan you agree on together. Treatment often starts in that same first session.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable, loose clothing you can move in, and that lets your therapist see the area you are coming in about. Bring any scans, imaging or letters from your doctor that relate to it. If you are coming in about a sporting problem, bring the shoes or boots you train in, because footwear is often part of the picture. Anyone under 16 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what is wrong and how long it has been going on. After your first assessment your physiotherapist will give you an estimate along with an individual plan, usually a mix of hands-on treatment, exercises to do between visits, and advice on managing things yourself. Your progress gets reviewed as you go, so the plan changes if it needs to.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate?
In some circumstances, yes, and it is a partial rebate rather than the full cost of the appointment. Medicare rebates for physiotherapy come through a chronic disease management plan, which your GP puts in place if you have an ongoing condition that qualifies. It covers a limited number of allied health visits each year and pays back part of what you are charged, so there is still a gap to pay. Eligibility is your GP’s decision, so ask them first, and bring the referral with you to your appointment.
Can I claim on my private health fund at the clinic?
Yes. We have HICAPS at all three clinics, so if your fund covers physiotherapy or allied health you can claim on the spot and pay only the gap rather than claiming it back yourself afterwards. What you get back varies by fund and by your level of cover, so if you are not sure what you are entitled to, it is worth calling them before you come in.
Do you treat work cover, CTP and DVA patients?
Yes, all three. For a work-related or motor vehicle injury you will need a claim number from the insurer and a referral from your doctor. For DVA you will need a D904 referral from your GP, which covers clinically necessary physiotherapy for twelve months and is then renewed. Asquith’s fully equipped gym makes it a good fit for functional return-to-work programs, and having physiotherapy, exercise physiology and massage under one roof means we can combine them where that gets someone back to work sooner.
What is a physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists are university-qualified health professionals who assess, diagnose and manage injury, pain and dysfunction in muscles and joints. The work combines hands-on manual therapy with exercise, dry needling, taping, and advice on how to move and load the area so the problem does not keep coming back.
What conditions do you treat?
Neck and lower back pain, postural and work-related pain, headaches and dizziness, jaw pain, shoulder problems including rotator cuff injuries, hip and knee pain, arthritis, acute sporting injuries such as muscle tears and joint sprains, post-surgical rehabilitation, strengthening before surgery, balance and falls prevention, bone health, neurological conditions, and chronic disease management.
What is the difference between physiotherapy and exercise physiology?
Physiotherapy is usually the starting point for pain, injury or recovery after surgery: finding the cause and treating it. Exercise physiology uses structured exercise to manage chronic conditions and build long-term health, and tends to run over a longer period. Plenty of people see both, and our team hands you across when that is the better answer.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Yes. Telehealth works well for suitable follow-up and review appointments, and for people who find it difficult to get into the clinic. Ask when you book whether it suits what you are coming in for.
Can I book straight into a class?
Not directly. Classes are not bookable online, because your physiotherapist or exercise physiologist places you in the group that suits you after an assessment. The pathway is: book an assessment, chat with our team, and we fit you in. You can see all the programs on our classes page.
Are your Pilates classes reformer based?
No, ours are mat based. Classes run in the clinic gym using mats, resistance bands, straps, gym balls, rings, foam rollers and the Oov. It means the work stays close to the movements you actually use, and your physiotherapist can adjust it session by session.
Can I claim classes through my private health fund?
These run as physiotherapy group consultations, so they are claimable through private health funds that include physiotherapy. What you get back depends on your fund and your level of cover, so it is worth checking with them.
Where are your clinics?
We have three: Asquith, Berowra and Wahroonga. Asquith is our largest, with six treatment rooms and a full rehabilitation gym, and it sits opposite Asquith station. Addresses, opening hours and phone numbers for each are on our locations page.
Is there parking?
Yes, though it differs by clinic, so check the page for the one you are visiting. Each clinic page sets out the parking and public transport options for that location.
Still have a question?
Call your nearest clinic and ask, or book an appointment and we will work it out together.