Interdisciplinary Team

Physiotherapy 

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists are registered health professionals and all hold current registration with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand.

The aim of physiotherapy is to teach clients tasks, techniques and skills in order to be as independent and mobile as possible.

Physiotherapists assess each client with an interview and a physical assessment. Client’s goals for therapy are discussed and a plan is put together in order for the client and therapist to work towards achieving the identified goals.

Interventions may include:

• Implementing stretching regimes
• Strength training and setting up strengthening programmes
• Practice of functional activities, i.e. transfer training (this often includes breaking the activity down into components)
• Balance retraining
• Exercise classes
• Wheelchair skills training and classes
• Gait/Walking retraining (as appropriate)
• Hydrotherapy (water-based therapy)
• Passive Standing on tilt table and/or in standing frame
• Respiratory physiotherapy (as indicated)
• Functional electrical stimulation (FES)
• Walking, standing and exercise equipment prescription

Outcome measures/assessments are routinely used as part of physiotherapy.  These provide clients and therapists with feedback regarding improvements and help guide us towards helping you achieve your goals.

Our team provides both an Inpatient and an Outpatient service.

Our Inpatient service covers clients who have had an acute injury or those referred for a follow-up inpatient stay (this may occur for various reasons). 

For more information, see Inpatients.

 

Our Outpatient service covers clients who are referred for mobility and functional goals. Clients may be ACC or Ministry of Health funded. Clients are prioritised and placed on a waiting list.

For more information, see Outpatients.

You can contact us on 09-270 9035 if a referral to our service is appropriate, or discuss this with your Support Coordinator (ACC) or GP or other Health professionals currently involved in your care. 

Any appropriate websites:

• Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand www.physioboard.org.nz
• New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists Inc. www.physiotherapy.org.nz
• Disability Resource Centre www.disabilityresource.org.nz