Physiotherapists, or physical therapists, are healthcare professionals who help people improve their physical function, mobility, and overall well-being. They specialise in treating conditions that affect the muscles, bones, joints, and ligaments.

Physiotherapists treat

• Sports injuries
• Chronic pain (e.g. back pain, arthritis)
• Post-surgery rehabilitation
• Neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s  disease)
• Postural problems

According to research published by peak body, APA, Australians have 23 million physio consultations each year..

Physiotherapists are primary contact physicians so you don’t need a doctor’s referral to see one. Costs can vary so check with the clinic beforehand.

When you see a physiotherapist, they will conduct an assessment to evaluate your condition and discuss your treatment goals. Keep an hour free for this first appointment.

From there, the  physiotherapist will create a personalised plan that meets your needs. This might include manual therapy, soft-tissue massage, exercises such as pilates, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, or other modalities. The physiotherapist will then monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

Physiotherapists can help manage pain, increase your range of motion, assist with daily activities, teach techniques to prevent future injuries, and improve your overall quality of life.

To find a physio near you visit HotDoc

For more information kindly read: Value of Physiotherapy in Australia

Summertime in Australia means plenty of sunshine, beach days, and social gatherings. And let’s face it, alcohol often plays a part in these events. While there is no ‘safe’ amount of alcohol, these tips can help us reduce the risks to our health if we choose to drink.

1. Stay Hydrated: It’s easy to forget to drink water when you’re having fun, but dehydration can exacerbate the effects of alcohol.
2. Eat Before You Drink: Food can help slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream, so it’s a good idea to eat something before you start drinking. Slow down and enjoy food pairings.
3. Choose Your Drinks Wisely: Some drinks contain more alcohol than others, so be mindful of what you’re drinking. For example, a standard glass of wine or beer contains less alcohol than a shot of spirits. Use the FARE standard drink face sheet
4. Embrace the Rise of Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Australians are increasingly turning to non-alcoholic drinks as a healthier and more refreshing alternative to traditional alcoholic drinks. Major alcohol brands and select craft makers are selling well-known beer, wine, and spirits — all without any alcohol.
5. Consider Dry Challenges: Dry July, Sober October, and Febfast are just a few examples of popular dry challenges that encourage people to abstain from alcohol for a set period. These challenges can be a great way to improve your health, boost your energy levels, and save money.
6. Remember, Drinking is for Pleasure, Not Health: While moderate alcohol consumption may be pleasurable, drinking can have serious health consequences, such as injury, chronic conditions, and premature death. There is no safe amount of alcohol. It’s a major public health issue, so if you choose to drink, stick to the Australian guidelines.

For healthy adults:

• No more than 4 standard drinks on any single day
• No more than 10 standard drinks per week

It’s important to note that this is a guideline, and individual tolerance and risk factors can vary. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking certain medications, you should avoid alcohol altogether.

Help to quit drinking

If you’re a heavy drinker, or feel alcohol is a problem for you, giving it up can lead to many improvements in your life. Your mood, energy, relationships, money, work productivity, and health can all benefit.

Your doctor can refer you to treatment such as detox, medication, and counselling.

The National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline provides confidential support to anyone struggling with addiction 24 hours a day. Phone 1800 250 015.

For more information please read: The Australian Alcohol Guideline

When we’re struggling with health or medical issues, the last thing we need is financial stress as well.

Medicare is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme designed to ease the burden. Medicare provides essential healthcare services to all Australian residents, regardless of their age, income, or employment status.

What is covered by Medicare?

Medicare covers a range of medical services, including visits to general practitioners (GPs) and specialists, treatment in public hospitals, eye tests performed by optometrists, X-rays, blood tests, MRIs, and CT scans. However, there can still be some out-of-pocket expenses.

To see if your test or service is covered by Medicare, check the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). The MBS is a list of medical services and procedures that Medicare covers.

What Medicare Doesn’t Cover

Medicare doesn’t cover everything. Some things you might need to pay for out-of-pocket include: doctor/specialist excess fees that Medicare, private hospital accommodation, dental and optical services, and some other things.

Eligibility for Medicare

To be eligible for Medicare, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or be a permanent resident, or a temporary resident covered by a Ministerial Order. You also have to enrol in Medicare to receive the benefits.

If you are visiting from a country where Australia has a reciprocal health care agreement, such as the United Kingdom or several others, you may be also entitled to Medicare benefits.

Bulk billing

Many doctors and specialists offer bulk billing, which means you don’t have to pay anything out-of-pocket for your medical services. To find a bulk-billing doctor, you can ask your GP or check online directories. Most doctors do not offer bulk billing, or only offer it for certain patients, such as children or people receiving a pension.

Medicare Safety Net

The Medicare Safety Net helps with out-of-pocket costs if you’ve reached a certain threshold. You can check your Medicare Safety Net balance online or by calling Medicare to learn what your threshold is and how close you are to reaching it.

When you reach the safety net threshold, the Australian Government will pay for some or all additional costs, alleviating your hardship.

Couple and Families

If you have a partner or are in a family, it’s also recommended that you register as a couple or family for your Medicare Safety Net.

Medicare costs are worked out each calendar year, that is from 1 January to 31 December. Medicare will tally your combined medical costs and enable you to reach the threshold sooner.

To find out, Login to Services Australia. and look under Medicare for the the Safety Net information.

Medications and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

Many prescription medications are subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The PBS helps keep the cost of prescription medications down. Many medications are listed on the PBS, which means you pay a significantly reduced price if you need them.

Private health insurance can provide additional coverage for things like private hospital accommodation, dental, and optical care. However, it can be expensive, so weigh up the benefits against the cost. Shop around for the right cover if you choose to get it.

Ambulances are NOT covered by Medicare

It’s a common misunderstanding that ambulances are covered by Medicare. This can lead to nasty bill shock when you least need it.

The cost of an ambulance is different in each state and territory.  Even if you don’t have private health insurance, it can be worthwhile to invest in ambulance cover. Shop around for the best deal.

Generic medications

The difference between a brand-name drug and a generic version is the patent protection, marketing, and higher cost.

Both brand-name and generic drugs undergo rigorous testing and approval processes to ensure they are safe and effective.

Both are considered therapeutically equivalent, meaning they have the same medical effects.

Government assistance: If you’re struggling to afford medical costs, you might be eligible for government assistance programs. Services Australia has a Payment Finder tool that allows you to see what you could be eligible for, such as the Disability Support Pension, Veteran’s Card, or other payments.

For more information visit the following:

• Services Australia
• MBS Online