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Why do physiotherapists ask so many questions?​

By asking specific questions physiotherapists learn more information about your injury and develop a working hypothesis. By asking questions such as " How did you hurt yourself?" and "Where does it hurt?" gives therapists a good idea of whats going on. The mechanism of injury, location of the pain, aggravating and easing factors, and severity of pain can provide significant clues.
Fun Fact: We refer to them as SINS! Severity, Irritability, Nature and Stage of your injury.

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How can you help the pain? How can we work together?​

People want to know what is going on and how to reduce their pain. There are two basic methods - Active and Passive method of treatment. Active treatment means that the patient takes an ACTIVE role in their rehab. This usually involves moving and exercising! It requires energy output! With passive treatments the patient lies on the table while therapeutic techniques are provided - This would be considered manual treatment such as massage, soft tissue techniques, joint manipulation, mobilisation, needling, cupping, shockwave, traction etc.

Evidence based practice indicates a combination of Active and Passive/ Manual and Movement based rehab is best!

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How long will it take to feel better?​

Pain is usually the first symptom to go but the first symptom to return. After an injury, healing processes are occurring. Depending on the part of the body that was injured; skin, bone, tendon, muscle, nerve, connective tissue such as fascia as well as other complicating and lifestyle factors may affect healing time. We call these co-morbidities.  Co-morbidities may prolong healing. Examples include diabetes, hypertension, age, smoking and alcohol use, history of previous injury or other medical conditions.

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What do I wear to my appointment?​​

You should wear loose, stretchy clothing that allows mobility of your limbs or clothing that can be removed easily. You may need bend, stretch, or exercise and jeans, work boots, jackets and other everyday clothing make it difficult to effectively manipulate joints, perform soft tissue massage and move well. Ideally, sport shorts, t-shirt, singlets, sports bra, leggings, yoga pants are good. 

If you can't make it in specific clothing, no worries. We'd still love to see you.

We also have a private area for treating patients and only one patient at a time is treated.

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How long is each appointment?​

Initial assessments or evaluations are 50-60 minutes. They may run longer depending on Dennis' availability and your needs. A follow up visit is 45 minutes. However, if Dennis has time appointments may run longer, but this is not a guarantee, just day to day occurrence.

 

Do you bulk bill?​

Cooranbong Physio accepts patients that have an EPC (Enhanced Primary Care) or CDM ( Chronic Disease Management) plan. While receiving subsidized services is a good option for the patient, we believe it removes ownership from the patient and decreases the value of the therapist's time and skills. For this reason, there is a small, affordable gap payment that is required. 

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Who do you treat? What type of patients do you see?​

Dennis is able to treat a variety of conditions and age ranges based on his training, years of experience and continued attitude of lifelong learning and professional development. Dennis offers 10 years of experience as a doctor of physiotherapy in California and in Australia. He has worked in a variety of field such as private practice for musculoskeletal injuries, home community care and even pediatric surf physiotherapy in California.

However, he has limited experience treating children under 12 years old. These patient may be better suited to a dedicated pediatric physiotherapist.

Dennis has expertise in the following area and list is not exhaustive:

MUSCULOSKELETAL

neck pain, whiplash
headaches and concussions

Balance problems and reducing fall risk

Post Surgical Fracture and ORIF

Shoulder rotator cuff tear, shoulder impingement, SLAP tears, shoulder dislocation, post op shoulder surgery

Elbow pain such as medial and lateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Wrist Sprains & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Pain

Includes Sciatica, Disc Bulges, Facet Dysfunctions, Spondylosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Degenerative Joint Disease, Spondylolisthesis, Post op Laminectomy, Spinal Fusion

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Hip Pain, Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI), Piriformis Syndrome

Groin Strains

Bursitis, Tendinopathies, Tendinitis

Knee Arthritis
Meniscus Tears

ITB syndrome
ACL/ MCL/ PCL trear and reconstruction

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Chondromalacia Patella)

Calf Strain

Achilles Strain, tears

Ankle Sprains/ Strain

Ankle impingement

Plantar Fasciitis

Heel Pain

CARDIORESPIRATORY

COPD including asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, bronciectasis

Post Covid Syndrome

Fatigue post Pneumonia

congestive cardiac/ heart failure

Arrhythmias such as A-Fib

Post surgery Atelectasis

NEUROLOGICAL

Stroke (CVA), Cerebral and Cerebellar

Traumatic Brain Injury

Parkinson's Disease

Multiple Sclerosis

Guillan Barre

Cerebral Palsy

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What does an initial assessment look like?​

When you arrive you will fill out a consent form, patient demographics &  history form and insurance details. The assessment begins with a get to you know interview to find out what is going on. Physiotherapist's call this the Subjective Exam. Next, comes the Objective Exam. During this part of the assessment We may palpate (touch) your body in order to determine pain location and feel anatomical structures. We will also assess your flexibility, joint mobility, strength, functional patterns or balance as well. This part may hurt a little because we are trying to find out what movements aggravate your symptoms. 

Next, we will discuss your diagnosis, anatomy involved, prognosis, treatment rationale and plan.

With your consent, we attempt to make a change in your pain by providing a short treatment. This may be hands on mobilisation, exercise, education, guidance and reassurance. We recheck your movement to see if any improvement was made. Lastly, we'll discuss your plan including home exercises, frequency of treatments, review your goals and expectations with therapy.

Sometimes people forget that they are here for physioTHERAPY. It's very difficult to cover everything in one session and effectively treat your pain or impairment.

You will be emailed a home exercise program (HEP) from Medbridge to do as homework.

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What is Dennis like?​

Dennis is very conversational, easy going, non judgmental. He will do his best to understand your concerns, history, goals with therapy and help you the best he can to make a full recovery or manage your condition. He leans into service for others and has a heart for compassion.

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What if I can't make it to my appointment?​

You must let Cooranbong Physio know as soon as possible if you are unable to arrive for your appointment. This way we can remove/ rebook you so another patient can be seen. Please call 0455 120 158 and leave a message if Dennis is unable to answer. 

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What if nobody is at the front desk?​

If nobody is at the front desk it's likely that Dennis is busy with a patient. Please leave your name and phone number on the clip board provided and he will call you back as soon as possible.

Cooranbong Physiotherapy is a small business and Dennis is the sole operator.