Services

Physio-led Clinical Pilates

Clinical Pilates classes at Activ8 Physio are held in our purpose-built studio that is fitted with Pilates equipment including; Reformer, Trapeze Table, Wunda Chair, Pilates Barrell/Arc and Barre. 

Clinical Pilates is a low-impact exercise and a great way to both move and strengthen your body without placing your joints under strain.

It can be effective as part of both injury prevention and rehabilitation programs. It effectively strengthens your muscles, improves core and posture awareness and challenges your balance to reduce the likelihood of injury and falls. In our classes, you will do your specific rehabilitation in a group setting. 

Here at Activ8, we offer: 

• Individual 1:1 sessions
• Small group 1:3 classes 
• Pre & post-natal 1:3 classes

We make the classes fun with music, laughter and we promise you’ll come out feeling worked and empowered in your rehabilitation journey. 

Clinical Pilates classes aims to improve your

Dry Needling

Dry Needling is a scientific evidence-based treatment to reduce muscle pain. It involves fine needles being inserted into trigger points found in a tight muscle.

The aim of dry needling is to breakdown these trigger points to help relieve the muscular pain and restore normal function and length of the muscle. It can assist with speeding up the recovery of an injury.

At Activ8 Physio we have been using dry needling for many years and have achieved excellent results throughout a range of conditions.

Dry  Needling is a treatment modality that we suggest where appropriate, it will not be carried out without your consent.

Dry Needling can help with:

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy treatment uses an electric signal to the affected area of the body to accelerate healing and reduce swelling and pain. Electrotherapy is a treatment modality that we suggest where appropriate, it will not be carried out without your consent.

At Activ8 Physio we have two types of electrotherapy that we use:

INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY

The release of two simultaneous frequencies which interfere and produce a beat frequency in the form of a signal. This electrical signal stimulates nerves and tissue to increase blood flow and promote healing.

ULTRASOUND THERAPY

Using a mechanical energy in the form of sound waves which causes vibration of tissue and produces heat. The heat is transmitted in the form of energy onto injured tissue which enhances the healing process and improves the quality of the tissue, helping to breakdown scar tissue or muscle spasm. 

Pre & Post-Natal Physiotherapy

During pregnancy/post natal journey, there are many transformations to the female body – both physical and hormonal.  Activ8 Physio are here to support you throughout, assisting in treating any conditions that you may face during this time.

Some of the common pain points include; back pain, pelvic girdle pain, bowel/bladder incontinence and vaginal heaviness.

We will guide you through an exercise program tailored to your specific needs throughout your journey to strengthen your abdominal, back and pelvic floor muscles.

Along with providing 1:1 treatment and programs, we also run Pre and Post  Natal Clinical Pilates classes. These classes aim to build your core strength as well as improving your overall strength and fitness. 

Mums & Bubs Class

A 45 minute physio-led exercise class to aid Mum’s in prioritising their post party recovery. We thrive to build your strength to help you reach your pre-pregnancy goals.  It’s a fantastic way for both you and your baby to socialise and be a part of another support network while also building your strength.

These classes are effective for both normal vaginal births and C-section births.

Abdominal separation is very common both during and after pregnancy, these classes are also ideal for treating this and returning to your pre pregnancy tummy. Whether you have an underactive or overactive pelvic floor these classes can help rehabilitate you.

There will be a max of 3 Mums with their Bubs in the class. We improvise accordingly to ensure a smoothly run and enjoyable experience for all.

Spinal Injury

Spinal issues, occupational and surgical, are something we commonly assess and treat at Activ8 Physio. We recognise how debilitating spinal issues can be, greatly impacting your mobility and wellness. We are driven to provide you with the appropriate treatment  to get you safely back doing what you enjoy in a timely manner.  

At Activ8 Physio, our primary focus is not only to help ease your pain. We pride ourselves on empowering you with the education and tools you need to minimise the chances of recurrence of your injury. 

Our Clinical Pilates studio is perfect for facilitating appropriate rehabilitation for spinal issues. We treat a wide range of spinal injuries from a prolapsed disc to joint dysfunction and post spinal surgeries.

Pre & Post-Operative Physiotherapy

Pre-Operative Physiotherapy/ Pre-rehabilitation involves working through a tailored, Physiotherapist-designed exercise program which improves your strength and function before surgery. At Activ8 Physio, we believe the best time to learn these exercises are when you are pain-free and have a normal Range of movement. Strengthening the muscles pre-operatively optimises your results post-operatively. It will assist in reducing your hospital stay and improving your post-operative rehabilitation journey. 

Activ8 Physio team will teach you the exercises that you will need to start after your surgery and teach you how to use gait aids (eg. crutches) correctly so you are safe and as independent as possible post operatively. Our Physios will also advise you on ways to safely and effectively carry out daily tasks while potentially not having the use of a limb for a little while. 

We also assist with what questions to ask your surgeon before the surgery so that you are well prepared for the day and for your rehabilitation.

Post-Operative physiotherapy/post-rehabilitations is essential in the recovery of orthopaedic surgeries and procedures. Post-surgery we are here to help you establish a good routine with your rehabilitation, identify any post-op complications and help you to get back to your pre-op health. We will also discuss any necessary elements with your surgeon, GP, coach, or any other health professionals.

At Activ8 Physio we treat all orthopaedic and abdominal surgeries including; fractures, ligament/tendon repairs, joint replacements and C-sections.

Women’s Pelvic Health 

What is the Pelvic floor?

Pelvic floor is a group of muscles, connective tissue, nerve and blood vessels that make up the floor of your pelvis. When people refer to the pelvic floor, they are referring to the two layers of muscle – the superficial and deep layer. The superficial layer surrounds the entry of your urethra, vagina and anus; whereas the deep layer runs between your leg from the pubic bone to your tailbone. 

Function of the Pelvic Floor: 

• • Aids in sexual performance
  • Supports pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, bowel)
  • Tightens or Relaxes pelvic organs to prevent continence issues

Women’s Pelvic Health Problems We Can Help: 

• • Bladder and Bowel issues (continence issues)
  • Sexual pain
  • Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
  • Pelvic Surgery – such as Hysterectomy
  • Bladder pain
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  • Pregnancy and Postpartum Health
  • Exercise in pregnancy
  • Pelvic floor recovery and birth trauma
  • Pelvic Girdle Pain
  • Return to Sport and Exercise after birth

Causes of Weakened Pelvic Floor Muscles: 

• • Pregnancy
  • Vaginal delivery (Epidural; Forceps; Long active labour >2hrs; Baby >4kgs)
  • Repetitive heavy lifting
  • Chronic Cough
  • High Impact Exercise
  • Menopause

Men’s Pelvic Health

What is the Pelvic floor? 

Pelvic floor is a group of muscles, connective tissue, nerve and blood vessels that make up the floor of your pelvis. When people refer to the pelvic floor, they are referring to this muscle that stretches like a hammock from the pubic bone at the front to your tailbone at the back. These muscles help and support the bladder and bowel in men. The opening from the organs – urethra from the bladder and the rectum from the bowel pass through the pelvic floor. These muscles wrap firmly around these passages to help keep them shut and prevent any leakage and accidents. As well as, these muscles help with sexual sensation and function.  

Function of the Pelvic Floor: 

• • Aids in sexual performance
  • Supports pelvic organs (bladder and bowel)
  • Maintains urinary and faecal continence
  • Supports abdominal contents

Men’s Pelvic Health Problems We Can Help: 

• • Prostate Surgery
  • Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • Bladder problem
  • Bowel problem

Causes of Weakened Pelvic Floor Muscles: 

• • Surgery for bladder or bowel problems
  • Constipation
  • Being overweight
  • Persistent heavy lifting
  • High impact exercises
  • Long-term persistent coughing – such as smoker’s cough, bronchitis or asthma
  • Ageing
  • Erectile Dysfunction

Biofeddback Unit, TENs & Ultrasound

Our treatments to treat your pelvic floor or any conditions related to pelvic floor are all non-invasive. 

Electrical Stimulation is commonly used and recommended for many of the pelvic floor conditions. It involves a low-grade electrical current (similar to “TENS” units used in physical therapy) that stimulates the muscles to contract creating a muscular response similar to Kegels (an exercise for your pelvic floor muscles). 

Electrical stimulation can help to treat various pelvic floor dysfunctions: 

• • Stress urinary incontinence
  • Urge urinary incontinence
  • Bladder urgency
  • Faecal incontinence
  • Faecal urgency
  • Pelvic pain
  • Painful intercourse
  • Period pain
  • Pelvic pain of any origin

Research shows that Electrical Stimulations: 

• • Increase the proportion of fast twitch fibres of the pelvic floor muscles
  • Increase the number and strength of slow twitch fibres of the pelvic floor muscles making it easier to achieve stronger pelvic muscle contractions
  • Help reduce the bladder over-activity and bladder contractions that cause urge incontinence, frequency and urgency problems
  • Help reduce faecal incontinence and urgency
  • Help reduce the experience of pain

Biofeedback is a type of pelvic floor muscle retraining treatment that is used to help you learn to strengthen these weak muscles or relax the overactive pelvic floor muscles. This helps to improve bowel and bladder function as well as aids to reduce pelvic floor pain. It is a great way to increase motivation and assist in obtaining an effective pelvic floor muscle contraction.