Your questions answered
What do I need to bring to my appointment?
Bring yourself. X-rays, scans, reports, children's blue books etc., are also helpful to bring to to your first appointment to help us give you the best care. Please bring your private health insurance card to all appointments and if you are claiming through workers compensation, third party or the allied health practitioners scheme you will need your medicare card and any relevant documentation.
How long are the appointments?
Most initial consulations go for between 45 minutes and 90 minutes. Allow at least an hour in the clinic for 45 minute appointments.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Comfortable clothing is advised so you can move freely during your treatment session.
Are any of the Health Space services covered by health funds or Medicare?
Yes, most Health Space practitioners offer health fund rebates. Please check with your health fund personally to find out specific details / rebates for your membership as health funds are run independently to us.
Some therapies can be claimed through Medicare through the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) system - Please see your doctor for a referral for this service.
What happens if I need to change my appointment?
We understand that sometimes life throws curve-balls and you may not always be able to keep your scheduled appointments. If you are unable to attend or need to change your appointment please contact your clinic directly, so we can reschedule your appointment to a more suitable time for you and offer the appointment to another person in need.
To give us time to refill your appointment please give us at least 24 hours notice or a cancellation fee will apply for all initial consultations and regular appointments (excluding chiropractic and physiotherapy). Ongoing chiropractic and physiotherapy consultations require at least 6hrs notice to reschedule or cancel or a 50% fee applies.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No, you can make an appointment directly without a referral to see any of our Health Space practitioners.
What treatment is right for me?
Health Space practitioners can treat a number of health conditions and depending on your condition we can provide guidance on which type of therapist will cater to your individual needs. If you need assistance on your specific health concern, it is best to call your clinic of choice and ask for a recommendation.
What's the difference between chiropractic, osteopathy and physiotherapy?
Health Space Physiotherapists are trained in the diagnosis, assessment, management and prevention of musculoskeletal and sports injuries and ailments and have completed at the very minimum a bachelor degree (usually four years) in physiotherapy or a masters or professional doctorate. The aim of physiotherapy is to rehabilitate and improve movement and functionality, reduce pain and stiffness. Physiotherapists use their expertise in physiology and anatomy to assess and treat people with a range of health conditions such as sporting injuries, chronic lower back and neck pain, headaches and postural issues through combination of manual therapy, movement training and physical and electro-physical agents. As part of physiotherapy, a practitioner will often prescribe a personalised exercise program customised to an individual’s specific requirements.
Health Space Chiropractors focus around diagnosis, correction and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and based on the principle that the body is a holistic unit that needs to work in unison, in order to achieve full functionality of the nervous system. Chiropractors believe that any vertebral malalignment causes compression on nerves and therefore can refer symptoms and problems in the surrounding tissues and even further down into the limbs. Chiropractors are also degree qualified studying for a minimum of five years. Chiropractic is nearly always associated with spinal and neck manipulations, but it involves a combination of hands-on care, physical therapy modalities and exercise. Through identifying abnormalities in the alignment of the spine, this can also uncover other problematic symptoms in the body i.e. presented in the form of a headache. Chiropractors are trained to take and read x-rays which may be appropriate in cases such as trauma or pathology.
Osteopathy, is a holistic manual therapy similar to Chiropractic therapy and focuses on any acute or chronic condition in the body, in particular the musculoskeletal and visceral systems. Health Space Osteopaths focus on the underlying cause of the injury and recognise the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions. The principles are based around treating the body as a whole, and appreciating that the body can heal itself through the proper alignment and balance of the joints, muscles, connective tissues, nerves and organs. . Osteopaths adopt gentle and effective treatment techniques aimed at addressing any bio-mechanical dysfunction, including stretching, joint mobilisation, massage and sometimes manipulation. These sessions are often longer than with chiropractors with more of a focus on muscular health and joint movement. Osteopaths are required to complete a minimum of five years study.
One key difference between the modalities is that a chiropractor traditionally uses manipulation, where a physiotherapist will more commonly use mobilisation techniques and an osteopath uses their hands with a combination of stretch, massage, pressure point and manipulation techniques to promote mobility and restore balance.
Often Chiropractors, physiotherapists and osteopaths work together on cases at Health Space. If you have a holistic practitioner who is treating the cause of the symptoms, you will not just save yourself a lot of pain, but also money! If you are not sure which practitioner would be best suited to your individual needs please give us a call for advice.
All practitioners of physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathic services must be registered by law with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency.
What type of massage does Health Space offer?
We have a number of different massage styles, from remedial, sports, Swedish, lymphatic drainage, relaxation, hot stone, trigger point and more. To find which locations offer the style of massage you are after, check out our staff biographies on our location pages.
How long does it normally take to get better?
The healing journey depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the injury, your commitment to care and the therapy you are seeking treatment for. For chronic or complex conditions, it is important to understand that whilst you may feel better quickly, often it takes time for the body to actually heal and function optimally. Often the longer you have had pain / an injury, the longer it will take to heal. The healthier your lifestyle is, often the quicker you heal too. Your practitioner will be able to recommend a tailored course of treatment for you depending in your individual health circumstances and goals.
