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Canberra Physiotherapy Services

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, an elite athlete, or trying to keep up with the kids, having pain or decreased mobility is not only uncomfortable but can stop you from doing what you love and need to do.

Taking a holistic, non-invasive approach to discomfort and reduced functionality can result in long-term benefits and improvement. Physiotherapy can address the injury, health condition, or general wear and tear that is troubling you and help you get back on track.

What is Physiotherapy 

Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is an allied health service provided by highly qualified health professionals. Physiotherapists are trained to investigate the nature and cause of your issue and identify the underlying reason for your pain or reduced mobility by undertaking a comprehensive assessment. 

Developing a treatment plan not only involves improving the problem and preventing it from occurring again, but can also incorporate your personal goals for various aspects of your life, such as sporting endeavours and activities of daily living.

Treatment can involve a wide array of physiotherapy techniques and methods, which are selected depending on your specific needs. These are based on a hands-on approach, with manual therapy being a pivotal feature of physiotherapy. Certain devices, technology, and aids can complement this when suitable.

An important aspect of treatment also involves advice and education regarding improving and preventing your issue and relevant exercises and movements to carry out day to day.

What to Expect at a Physio Appointment

During your initial appointment, our physiotherapists will undertake a thorough assessment and discuss with you your concerns and relevant history. Our physios will then develop a personalised treatment plan that covers your requirements and goals. This can involve collaboration with other relevant professionals who are part of your care, such as your GP or dietician, if suitable and beneficial.

Physiotherapy treatment may include the following:

Manual therapy, such as joint manipulation and mobilisation, soft tissue work, and stretching.

Resources and equipment, such as gait analysis technology and VALD Dual force plates, which can provide analysis of strength & movement imbalance

Assessing foot function and strapping

Education on posture, exercise prescription and biomechanical issues as well as exercise and stretches prescription, such as core strengthening and stability for the neck and back.

Physiotherapy is multi-dimensional and can treat a vast variety of conditions

Conditions That Can Be Treated With Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be an effective form of treatment for such a broad range of issues that you may be surprised by what physiotherapists can help with.

Our experienced physios cannot only support and work to improve pain and mobility symptoms, but can focus on underlying issues that may be causing these, and vice versa. For example, by targeting joint stiffness/hypomobility in your neck, physiotherapy may help to reduce and prevent your migraines. By targeting your poor posture, physiotherapy may improve your pain, range of movement and even general fatigue.

 

Some issues and concerns that can benefit from physiotherapy include: 

  • Muscular aches, such as neck and lower back pain.
  • Sports injuries, including joint, bone, and soft tissue issues. 
  • Reduced or loss of range of movement and motion in certain joints. 
  • Preoperative preparation (prehab). 
  • Postoperative rehabilitation.
  • Injury prevention.
  • General chest and thoracic expansion which may aid breathing.
  • Increased falls risk.
  • Health conditions that can benefit from exercise and movement, such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

Benefits of Physiotherapy 

There are many benefits that can be gained from physiotherapy depending on your requirements and goals. Some benefits may include: 

  • Achieving a better level of fitness and strength to assist in postoperative recovery
  • Returning to normal function after surgery with a structured plan
  • Injury prevention, such as learning the correct techniques or posture for certain activities
  • Decreased inflammation and stiffness
  • Prevention or reduction of bone density loss.

Our Physiotherapists

Suzanne Goodall

Director

Suzie began her career as a Registered Nurse before becoming a Sports Injury Nurse and Titled Sports Physiotherapist. Suzie founded Powerhouse Physiotherapy in 2005 and now specialises in injury prevention and athlete rehabilitation. Suzie is the trusted physio for many local, national and international sporting teams and is currently working with the Australian men's hockey team (the Kookaburras).

Qualifications

Director
APA Sports Physiotherapist
Master of Sports Physiotherapy
Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) Honours
Bachelor of Nursing, RN

Sean Gupanis

Physiotherapist

Sean is Perth born and raised and graduated from Curtin University in 2020. Since then, he has worked in a private practice in his hometown before recently making the move over to Canberra. Sean has a strong interest working with the athletic population and his experience working with multiple soccer and AFL sporting teams, and playing competitive sports himself, means he knows the importance of returning to your sport pain-free as soon as possible. Sean is also very passionate about treating the general population and has seen a broad number of conditions and presentations. He also has extensive experience working with the NDIS population, specifically children with autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy. Sean adopts a positive and engaging “can-do” approach to treatment with a personalised exercise-based plan, in-line with the most recent evidence, to assist all his clients in feeling comfortable and confident whilst completing their personal physiotherapy goals. Sean’s always up for a chat - pick a sport and he probably watches it. However, supporting the Western Bulldogs and Southampton FC is where you will see his biggest interest. He also can’t wait to hear about all the best places to visit in his new hometown!

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy)
Australian Physiotherapy Association Member

Matt Channon

Physiotherapist

Matt graduated with a Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Canberra in 2019. His passion for sport, keen interest in the human body and a desire to help people drove him to pursue a career in physiotherapy. Matt has gained experience through working with sports including Rugby Union, Volleyball and AFL over the past 5 years. Since 2021 he has worked as the head physiotherapy role with the Tuggeranong Valley Football Club (AFL) and is currently assisting the U15 school sport athletes as a physiotherapist. He also has experience in working with non-athletic populations including NDIS, workers compensation and DVA patients. Matt has a strong passion for musculoskeletal and sports injury rehabilitation, pre and post-surgical rehabilitation and athletic development. He enjoys working with all individuals to help them become the best version of themselves and achieve their physiotherapy goals.

Qualifications

HumanNutr
B. SportCoach & Exercise Sc,
M. Phyt (Uni of Canberra)

Mitchell McGee

Physiotherapist

Mitch graduated from Charles Sturt University's Orange campus in 2014, then returned home to Canberra to commence work in both sporting and musculoskeletal fields of physiotherapy. Since this time, Mitch has been exposed to a wide variety of conditions and clients ranging from high-level athletes, pre- and post-operative rehabilitation clients, to non- active population. As a competitive rugby league and basketball player in his own right, Mitch has developed a unique insight into the demands of high-level sporting performance and, as such, has developed special interests in orthopaedic surgical rehabilitation, lower limb injuries and shoulder and upper limb rehabilitation. Mitch is a skillful manual therapist who also uses exercise prescription as well as other evidence-based practices to get his client's back to their sporting pursuits as quickly as possible. If you enjoy talking about sports, how good Canberra is, or how disappointing the current and previous Raiders season have been, be prepared for an earful of chat.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Australian Physiotherapy Association Member

Improve Your Functionality

Physiotherapy can be beneficial during times of discomfort and reduced mobility, which may be a result of injuries, health conditions, or the general grind of everyday life. Seeking help from physios can also be a great way to prevent issues occurring in the future, and to improve your strength, flexibility, and techniques for daily activities and sports. You do not need to wait until you have a problem to see a physio – come along and see how we can help to make your life better!

Powerhouse Physiotherapy Looks Forward To Supporting You

Our Canberra physiotherapists are compassionate, dedicated, and knowledgeable professionals who want to help you in any way they can. Please contact our friendly receptionists to organise an appointment with one of our physios so we can get to work improving your pain and functionality!

 

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