AEP’s are university qualified allied health professionals who specialize in the delivery of exercise and lifestyle programs for people at high-risk of developing, or with existing chronic and complex medical conditions and injuries.

If you’re looking for or need assistance to prevent, treat and manage your injuries and/or chronic Conditions. Then having a session with a Movehappy exercise physiologist is the right call.

Our Exercise physiologist can help with:

• Chronic disease management – osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, PTSD, Cancer, Obesity, Asthma, Diabetes and more
• Chronic and acute musculoskeletal conditions and injuries
• Cardiopulmonary conditions
• Pre and Post-surgery rehabilitation, including joint replacement rehabilitation
• Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Falls Prevention
• Work related injuries and rehabilitation programs
• Hydrotherapy
• Sport specific strength and conditioning programs including biomechanics, fitness testing, strength and power development, speed and agility, flexibility, skill and technique.

If you are at all in doubt about whether a Movehappy Healthcare Exercise Physiologist can help you, simply call our receptionists on 6231 1155 or 6162 0855 and ask. Alternatively send your query by email to reception@movehappy.com.au.

Principal Practitioner: Melissa Berg

• Initial : $150
• Standard: $135

Senior Osteopath: Laura Frank

• Initial: $135
• Standard: $125

Senior Practitioners: Ryan Cunningham, Ben Martin, Cameron Smith, Hannah Martin, Hamish van Der Hoek, Landon Kasparek , Lucy Taylor

• Initial: $130
• Standard: $120

Practitioner: Josh Silk-jones

• Initial: $120
• Standard: $125

Exercise Physiology Practitioner: Braydon Smith

• Initial: $115
• Standard: $105

Accredited Exercise Physiologists are allied health professionals; therefore they have a Medicare Provider Number.

Movehappy Healthcare has the facility HiCaps which means if you have Private Health the claim can be done directly from our premises.

Joint manipulation and mobilisation both refer to manual techniques where the therapist will move your joints to restore movement in them, however they are quite different. Mobilisation is provided within available range of the joint, usually at the end of range, and the force is generally applied slowly. These techniques are generally aimed at stretching the capsule or ligaments around a joint. Manipulation (often termed “cracking”) is where the joint is moved at a high velocity but low amplitude at the END of a joints range, to increase it. The “crack” which is heard is thought to be the bursting of a gas bubble in the joint from the vacuum created. Essentially this technique produces a rapid distraction of the joint surfaces. While all physiotherapists can apply both techniques in most body parts, only Masters Level (senior physiotherapists) or Osteopaths are qualified to perform cervical (neck) manipulation.

Muscle energy technique is a gentle technique particularly used around the pelvis and upper neck to normalise muscle tone and assist in realigning joint surfaces. It is completely painless and can be highly effective.

Myofasical release and massage involves stretching muscle and fascia around joints which can become tight, restricting motion or altering joint mechanics. This sort of therapeutic work differs from relaxation massage and will usually have some discomfort associated with it.

Dry needling and Western acupuncture. Though both of these techniques involve the insertion of a needle, they are quite different.

Dry needling uses the needle specifically to address muscle tightness and dysfunction. A needle is inserted into a muscle with the aim of producing a local twitch response. Studies have shown that this “twitch” is effective at normalising muscle tone, and restoring normal biochemistry in the muscle (stopping it from becoming a pain producer). It can be used on muscles that are too tight, to loosen them, and that are too weak, to lift their tone. Whilst highly effective, this technique can be uncomfortable. All Movehappy physiotherapists have received additional training in dry needling.

Western acupuncture is a technique in which needles are used to manipulate the pain relieving systems of the body by altering neuronal firing and the production of the body’s own pain relieving chemicals. This typically involves leaving the needles in for extended periods. It is minimally painful or uncomfortable. Dave, Will, Michael and Adnan are trained in this form of needle application.

In addition to needles applied during a session in physiotherapy, you might be offered press stud needles which can be left in over several days. These needles are aimed at producing the same effect as the above mentioned form of needling.

Taping. Tape is commonly used at Movehappy Healthcare post session. There are typically two forms of tape used.
Rigid taping is used to support an injured joint or to hold a joint correction post treatment. Typically we will apply a low allergenic tape (Fixamul) below a brown rigid tape (Leuko). Taping can be remarkably effective at reducing pain. The tape should only make things feel better and if that is not the case should be removed immediately. Tape can also be associated with allergies, which is why we use low allergy varieties. If you know you are allergic to tape please advise your practitioner.
Kinesiotaping Kinesio taping is a low allergy tape which has the capacity to shorten and tighten once applied. Like rigid tape it can be used to support joints. It can also be highly effective at activating weak muscle, reducing tone in tight muscle, and assisting with lymphatic drainage (reduction of swelling).

Bracing. At Movehappy Healthcare we stock a wide range of braces including ankle, knee, pelvic, wrist, and shoulder braces. Bracing is imperative in acute ligament sprains where there is excessive joint movement, such as medial ligament sprains in the knee or lateral ligament sprains in the ankle. By using bracing in the acute setting we can ensure that the ligament heals in the correct length, meaning that the joint is not left unstable.

Exercise therapy. Manual therapy involves the physiotherapist getting your joints into the right position, but what will keep them there is exercise therapy. As part of your treatment you will be shown exercises to strengthen muscles, slide nerves, mobilise joints or stretch tight muscles. In the case of some muscles we may utilise a real time ultrasound which allows you to see the muscles below the skin activate in real time. This is particularly useful around the shoulder, hip and pelvis. Both practices have access to rehabilitation which can also be utilised by clients to perform their rehabilitation.

Orthotic prescription. At Movehappy Healthcare we stock two types of orthotic; heat moulded and gait scan prescription orthotics.

Heat moulded orthotics are an off the shelf base that can be built on the spot, heated and then moulded to be specific to an individual. These orthotics are particularly useful for young children whose feet are still growing rapidly.

They are indicated in children with “growing pain” where those pains are coming from torsions of the tibia or femur, kneecap pain, shin splints and hip pain in particular. The cost of heat moulded orthotics is $110 per pair.

ICB prescription moulded orthotics are made by The Orthotic Group in Canada, the fourth largest manufacturer of orthotics in the world. To make these orthotics we take a digital imprint of the foot while the patient walks. Using this technology we can see where the areas of peak stress are. These orthotics are best for adults or for use in running shoes. The cost of the orthotic is $400 for one pair or $650 for two pairs. They can be made in varying shapes and sizes to fit into different styles of shoe (for example dress shoes versus sports shoes). These orthotics typically take two weeks to come in from Canada.