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Learn more about your entitlements CLINIC FEES AND CHARGES CLINIC FEES AND CHARGES At Atlas Physio, we offer a broad range of services to a wide patient demographic, delivered in clinic, via remote health, and in patients' homes. Often, people will have questions regarding their entitlements, our fees, and whether or not they need to pay additional costs in order to access clinic services. Below, you can find the fees and charges you will need to pay to access services at Atlas Physio. Private Health reimbursements are available for all appointments, depending on your level of individual coverage and whether or not you are entitled to Extras. If you have any questions regarding fees, charges, or entitlements, feel free to discuss those with the clinic. The clinic fees as of 2025/02/10 are as follows: In the Clinic Initial Consultation $150 Review Consultation $120 Review Consultation (Student) $100 Review Consultation (Pensioner) $90 Extended Consultation $180 In Your Home Initial Consultation $250 Review Consultation $220 Review Consultation (Student) $150 Review Consultation (Pensioner) $250 Extended Consultation $250 Telehealth and Remote Therapy Initial Consultation $150 Review Consultation $120 Review Consultation (Student) $100 Review Consultation (Pensioner) $90 Extended Consultation $180 Existing Contracts and Arrangements of Care Atlas Physio will honour existing contracts of care and care arrangements with patients, organisations and independent providers where those agreements exist and pre-date the schedule of fees and corresponding effective date as published on this website. Subsidised Services and Special Entitlements Atlas Physio is happy to offer services to clients on DVA, TAC, NDIS funding and WorkCover. We also offer Bulk Billing for eligible clients. Atlas Physio will not charge fees or a gap payment in addition to the standard rate of reimbursement for subsidised clients. DVA clients require a valid and current referral from your treating physician. TAC clients and clients of other transport insurers require a valid claim number and must also supply their date of accident and contact details of their case manager. WorkCover clients and clients managed under workforce insurance require a valid claim number and must also supply their date of injury, contact details of their case manager, and contact details of their Return To Work officer if available. Bulk Billing is available for clients with current EPC, CDM, and TCA forms. Clients who wish to access Bulk Billed Services must present a valid and current referral from your treating physician. If you are presenting to the clinic for the first time as a new patient, your initial assessment is not bulk billed. Your bulk billing entitlement will be applied toward the charge of your standard consultations. NDIS clients must provide details of their plan manager, plan number, plan structure, funding manager if relevant, and any other information deemed necessary in order to facilitate physiotherapy treatment. Payment is required on the day of treatment unless otherwise arranged . Cash, EFTPOS and Credit Cards (Mastercard, Visa) accepted. No fee is charged for credit card use. AMEX cards are unable to be used. Private health insurance claims are processed on the spot using HICAPS if able. In the event where your overdue account is referred to a collection agency and/or law firm, you will be liable for all costs which would be incurred as if the debt is collected in full, including legal demand costs, and the cost of retention of that debt collection agency and/or law firm. Reporting Charges During the course of your appointment, and as part of undertaking treatment under some subsidised funding models such as the NDIS, TAC, and Worksafe, Atlas Physio may be required to generate reports of your clinical progress, treatment plan, and undertake specific assessments. Additionally, communication with employers as well as other professionals and stakeholders may require the production of additional documentation. While Atlas Physio will endeavour to absorb the cost of any documentation produced during the course of your care, there may be some cost associated with the writing of documents and reports. Your clinician will appraise you of any additional costs associated with writing and reviewing documentation. Communication Charges During the course of your treatment with Atlas Physio, direct communication with your clinician and the clinic generally may incur fees and charges depending on the nature of those communications. Communications undertaken over phone, email, or other means may incur a cost depending on the nature of those communications and the time taken to address queries or changes that arise over the course of the interaction. While Atlas Physio will endeavour to absorb the cost of any communications undertaken during the course of your care, there may be some cost associated with the these discussions. Your clinician will appraise you of any additional costs associated with this. Consulting Charges During the course of your treatment with Atlas Physio, consultation and review with outside parties and stakeholders may be necessary. This commonly occurs when receiving treatment as part of a subsidised model, such as under insurance, as part of worker's compensation, or under specific funding or entitlement. This consultation and review process can take the form of presentation at deposition, the generation of specific treatment reports in response to requests made by insurance companies, the provision and review of medical notes, as well as communication with or reporting for law firms and other legal stakeholders. Where the register of fees for such consulting is specified by the organisation with whom that consultation is being undertaken, such as workplace insurance, transport insurance, or the NDIS, the consultation fee will be in line with what is suggested by those organisations. Where the register of fees is not specified by any organisation, Atlas Physio will discuss this with you and any relevant parties as needed.

Whiplash Whiplash is a specific kind of head and neck pain that is the result of a rapid foward-and-backward displacement of the skull on the neck. Simply put, whiplash happens when the head is thrown forward and backward. Whiplash pain can be felt in the head, the neck, and in the shoulders. Whiplash pain may be accompanied by headaches, dizziness, nausea, and numerous other symptoms. The variety in symptoms and the broad area in which the pain may be felt is due to the interconnected nature of the skull, the neck, and the shoulders. These structures are well-reinforced by muscles, nerves, and arteries that contribute to the stability of the neck and shoulders, as well as the appropriate alignment of the head. When the head is thrown forward and backward or side to side, the muscles in the neck, the base of the skull, and the top of the shoulders all experience spasm and tightening. This is a guarding response against trauma, to protect the spine from injury. Unfortunately, this tightness and guarding may persist long after the initial incident, and the ongoing pain and discomfort has the potential to severely impact the quality of life of the person who suffered the accident. Further to this, whiplash pain is commonly accompanied by headaches that can be felt in the back, the front, or the sides of the scalp. This onset of symptoms can be confronting to people who do not normally experience headaches. Management of Whiplash depends on the cause of the pain, how it feels and changes over the day, what makes it better or worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing the pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step towards minimising and managing any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your discomfort, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in and out of the clinic. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Shin Splints Shin Splints refers to pain felt anywhere along the shinbone (tibia) from knee to ankle. Shin Splints are caused by an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around the tibia, and are commonly experienced by runners, dancers, and people who need to walk for work. Pain from Shin Splints is commonly due to Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, in which there is an inflammation of the structures around the Tibia, which is the primary loadbearing bone of your lower leg. Pain due to Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome often becomes worse on sustained, repetitive activity and becomes better with rest. Shin Splint Pain may also be caused by a Stress Fracture of the Tibia. Stress Fractures occur due to repeated force applied to a bone which results in gradual traumatic damage of that bone over time. While the bone may not break, this pain is referred to as Osteogenic Shin Splint Pain (Osteo = bone, genic = coming from). Shin splint pain may also be caused by tendinopathy, compartment syndrome, infection within the calf, or nervous entrapment, all of which have the potential to interact with structures within the lower leg. Management of Shin Splints depends on the cause of the pain, how it feels and changes over the day, what makes it better or worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing the pain. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your Shin Splints, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in and out of the clinic. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Reporting for the NDIS As a participant in physiotherapy funded by the NDIS, sometimes the NDIA will ask for progress reporting and reassessment. This is to make sure the therapy being provided and the funds being used are producing tangible and measurable progress towards your goals. Being asked for a progress report isn't a bad thing - it's an opportunity to review the progress that has been made, consider what is working and what isn't working, and use that to keep improving the plan in place to help you achieve your goals. The basis of a good report is thorough assessment and discussion, which is why your therapist will ask you questions and even potentially do assessments again a second time to chart your progress. Progress reporting for NDIS clients provides the NDIA with a summary of the supports provided to a partcipant, and how those supports are used. Specifically, reporting shows how the support, be that therapy, transport, modification or equipment, has helped you work toward your goal. This doesn't mean that you have to have achieved your goal entirely, just that you are making forward progress towards it in a consistent and sustainable way. Progress reporting is also an opportunity to discuss barriers encountered during the course of the plan, and discuss strategies implemented to resolve these. If you're having any specific difficulty with the plan as it is, this is a good time to discuss that too. Beyond these basic facts, progress reporting also gives participants the opportunity to request and justify any additional supports or resources, by discussing how proposed outcomes and plans may have changed since the time they started therapy. This is an opportunity to advocate to the NDIA for continued input based on sustainable and demonstrated progress. Remember, progress reporting isn't a bad thing - it's an opportunity to talk about how things are going, and what can be changed to make things better or more supportive in the future. Your physiotherapist will work with you through any reporting or review that is requested by the NDIA. It's important to remember that any report on your progress also needs to capture an accurate picture of you, including your situation, your desires, your goals, what you want to achieve and how you're finding the process. Reporting may also require discussion with other professionals or services providing you support, so as to present the NDIA with an accurate representation of your life and how you're engaging with NDIS funded services. Reporting may involve one person, or it may involve your plan manager or an advocate as well. Regardless of who is involved and how, you should remember that the most important person in the process is you, the participant. This is your opportunity to show how you've been doing, discuss your difficulties and advocate for change, and to put that in a formal document. Your clinicians and other professionals will be there to help you, and are happy to answer any questions you may have as part of this process or any other.

Vertigo and Dizziness Vertigo and Dizziness are unpleasant sensations that can cause disorientation, discomfort, and unsteadiness. Vertigo is a specific kind of dizziness in which it feels like the room and the surroundings are spinning. Vertigo and Dizziness have the potential to affect anyone during the course of their lives. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the discomfort can be mildly inconveniencing or severely limiting. Balance, orientation and a sense of equilibrium are all important in navigating the world, and Vertigo and Dizziness have the potential to impact all of these. Vertigo and Dizziness arise from irritation to the inner ear, specifically the parts of the inner ear which are responsible for balance; the vestibular apparatus and the semicircular canals of the ear. The vestibular apparatus of the inner ear sits between the cochlea, which is responsible for converting air vibrations into perceived sounds, and the semicircular canals of the inner ear. The semicircular canals of the inner ear are filled with fluid, and each of the semicircular canals, three on either side of the head for six in total, are oriented so that the fluid within them flows at different rates depending on the angle and rotational movement of the head. The different rates of fluid flowing through the canals is compared within the brain, and combined with information provided by the eyes, the skin and the joints, and the body's own sense of equilibrium to produce balance. Balance is therefore the result of the integration of a large amount of sensory information which is detected through multiple means. While disruption to those sensors, integrators and effectors can produced dizziness-like symptoms, vertigo and dizziness can be caused by a few specific factors. Dizziness is commonly experienced when standing up abruptly after a long period of time spent lying down or sitting. This sensation can be intensified on hot days or when a person is dehydrated, such as when they have been exercising for extended periods of time or they have lost fluid volume due to sweating. This dizziness is a result of rapidly changing blood pressure that produces a sensation of light-headedness, and in severe cases, fainting. This dizziness is described as orthostatic hypotension: low blood pressure due to changed body orientation. While this dizziness may clear rapidly as blood pressure equalises, experiencing orthostatic hypotension is not ideal. This condition is best addressed through a combination of blood pressure assessment, exercise, and review of diet in the event of sodium insufficiency. Nevertheless, it is a common experience to have after a long period of time sitting at a desk or on a long-haul flight. Dizziness can also be experienced after a blow to a head. A sharp strike to the front, side or back of the head such as may be encountered accidentally or as a result of a workplace accident, or a strike to the front of the head that produces a rotational force such as that experienced in boxing can rattle and irritate the inner ear. The skull is composed of bone whose primary function is to conduct shock force around the vulnerable viscera of the brain and the soft tissues of the mouth, but in doing so this force can be inadvertently transmitted to the delicate structures of the inner ear and produce irritation. A sharp clap to either side of the head can be quite disorienting as well, whether delivered by a fist, the flat of a hand, or a fighting stick. Dizziness can also be experienced following rapid back-and-forth movement of the head such as that which may be experienced in a car accident, which also has the potential to irritate the inner ear as well as the muscles around it. These are all common causes of dizziness and dizziness-like symptoms. Dizziness can be experienced after periods of unwellness such as a cold, or during illnesses that disrupt the fluid flow within the semicircular canals such as Meniere's disease, or after the ingestion of drugs like Vancomycin that have the potential to be toxic to the cells of the inner ear. The pressure of the fluid within the semicircular canals, the vestibule and the cochlea needs to be maintained within a specific range so that the organ can function properly. Additionally, the health of the cells responsible for detecting the movement of the fluid must be preserved as well. If the pressure of the fluid is too high or too low, or the cells responsible for detecting its movement are injured or damaged, the ear cannot appropriately do the work of converting mechanical vibrations in the air to appreciable sensation, or balance the body appropriately. This sensation may be isolated to one ear or experienced in both, and so the irritation may be greater or lesser depending on the relative contribution of the sides of the head to the overall problem. The problem can persist following the resolution of the illness, and can fluctuate in intensity and the extent to which it affects the life of the person experiencing it. A specific kind of dizziness called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) arises due to the accumulation of debris within the semicircular canals, which circulates within the fluid and irritates the fine detector cells of the ear, producing sensations that are inconsistent with the movement that the body may or may not be doing, and which therefore produce discomfort. In BPPV, small or large pieces of debris move within the semicircular canals, and the irritation of the detector calls is experienced as movement of the head. The problem is that the head is not moving, either at all or not moving with the speed and orientation that the cells are indicating, and this produces mild discomfort at best or vomitous nausea at worse. BPPV can be a totally debilitating condition depending on the severity of its onset and the ease with which it may produce irritation. Ordinarily, BPPV is managed with a simple clearance maneuver in which the physiotherapist moves the head through specific postures, allowing the irritant to be rolled out of the canal in which it has settled and moved to a resting position where it is unlikely to cause further discomfort. BPPV comes on spontaneously and can resolve spontaneously, but if it has come on once it is generally best to have it managed closely rather than let it sit. Dizziness and vertigo can also be caused by irritation or spasm of the postural muscles of the neck, irritation of the bite muscles of the jaw, and irritation of the joint of the jaw itself. This is due to the close proximity of these structures to the facial nerve and the trigeminal nerve, which has been observed to become involved during episodes of neck and jaw muscle or joint irritation. These nerves are close to the structures and nerves serving the inner ear, and due to their complex interrelation the aggravation of one can lead to the discomfort of another. The close spatial relationship of these nerves means that inflammation of one structure can result in the irrtation of another, and cause a cascading effect that can lead to discomfort. Migraines with aura have been noted to produce dizziness as well as ringing in the ears. In this case, management of the dizziness will equally involve management of the neck and the jaw. Management of your discomfort depends on its causative factors, how it feels and changes during the day, what makes it better and worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing that pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step toward managing and minimising any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your discomfort, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain-free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in-clinic and out. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.

Physio, pain management, rehabilitation, and worker health. SUPPORTING RECOVERY & MANAGING RISK C O N T A C T B O O K O N L I N E Searchbar Anchor Atlas Physio is a physio clinic in local Preston, providing pain relief and rehab services to the communities and residents of Ivanhoe, Alphington, Darebin, Thornbury, Reservoir, Brunswick and further afield. We offer supportive patient care, accessible premises, flexible hours and scheduling, and effective treatment. Our clinic is located in the heart of local Preston, off of High Street on Bruce. The clinic is open seven days a week, and offers appointments after hours, on the weekend and on public holidays for those with busy schedules. We offer additional flexibility with same day appointments and emergency appointments, as well as rapid callback for inquiries. A B O U T A T L A S P H Y S I O SERVICES Atlas Physio offers after-hours and emergency appointments, as well as providing home visits. We are happy to provide treatment to patients under WorkCover and WorkSafe management, as well as patients with TAC claims. Medicare rebates and Bulk Billing are available at this clinic for patients with a physiotherapy referral, and we do not charge a gap payment. WorkSafe / WorkCover and TAC Read more >> Medicare and Bulk Billing Physio Read more >> Home Visits Read more >> Home Care Read more >> V I E W A L L S E R V I C E S PHYSIO CONDITIONS Our physios are expert clinicians, with a wealth of experience in the resolution of problems such as lower back pain, headache, management of arthritis, management of knee pain, sciatica pain, nerve pain, muscular pain, and other common conditions. Contact us now to arrange an assessment, and begin your course of care! Back Pain Read more >> Neck Pain Read more >> Shoulder Pain Read more >> Carpal Tunnel Read more >> V I E W A L L P H Y S I O C O N D I T I O N S SUPPORTING HEALTH AND WELLBEING SINCE 2017

Stretching Stretching refers to the patient- or therapist-led movement of joints and limbs into positions of maximal range and tension. Stretching is used for the treatment and reduction of many issues, including joint stiffness, muscular soreness, pain, or joint instability. Stretching is an instinctive activity, and you may stretch as soon as you get out of bed, as well as stretching throughout the day to relieve sensations of tightness or stiffness. In clinic, stretching can be used as a treatment or as an assessment. In treatment, stretching is used to address muscular or joint stiffness by having the patient or therapist move the limb under assessment through range and apply force at the end of that range. In assessment, stretching is used to investigate the flexibility of joints and limbs, as well as to address the underlying factors behind stiffness or pain. Stretching can also be used to assess the nature of neurological problems like neuropathy or carpal tunnel. In this manner, stretching is used as a combination assessment and treatment. Typically, stretching will be performed alongside other treatments, to best address the problem and to increase the likelihood of longterm functional improvement. Stretching is commonly prescribed as part of an independent exercise program, and you may be guided through a number of simple stretches to perform at home before, during or after a program of exercise. Stretching is a useful, flexible and easy means by which people can improve their mobility and address their discomfort. Its use in clinic is common and its applications are very versatile. However, the type of stretches you are given and the time you spend performing them will depend on the discretion of your treating clinician, as well as the nature, history and context of your presenting discomfort. It is important to ask any questions you may have about the use of stretching in the clinic before proceeding with your treatment.

Goals and Goalsetting Goals are part of the NDIS plan and your physiotherapy treatment. Goals are things you want to achieve, and can relate to your ability to move around, participate in sport and work, or even do things as simple as gardening and your hobbies, whatever they may be. In your NDIS plan, your goals are discussed in your planning meetings and are used to guide and determine the funding allocated to your plan, as well as how that funding is divided up between different categories. These categories determine what services you can access, and what goals those services will help you achieve. It's important to either have a clear idea about your goals or to provide the NDIS plan to your treating clinician, so that your goals can form the basis and guiding plan for the treatment you receive. The NDIS exists to allow people with disabilities to access the supports they need to live engaged, fulfilled lives and to achieve the things that make life meaningful for them, whether that's finding a job, going back to school and completing a qualification, spending more time with their family, or even getting a Chinese meal with their friends every now and then. Because peoples' lives are different, peoples' disabilities are different, peoples' social context and backgrounds are different, and peoples' goals are different, no two clients are ever the same, and so no two treatment plans can ever be structured in the same way. This also means that some goals will be more appropriate for a physiotherapist to manage than others. That's okay - there are many Allied Health clinicians and professionals who work in the NDIS space who are ready and able to work with you to achieve your goals. NDIS goals are important to have because they will determine what physiotherapy you receive and how you go about doing it. Because of this, separate physiotherapy goals will need to be developed with you, in a process much like the planning meeting you had with the NDIA. Developing physiotherapy goals is important because it identifies the areas in which physiotherapy will be most beneficial to you, as well as how that physiotherapy should be provided. It can mean the difference between receiving hands-on treatment, pool-based exercises, exercises in a gym, or even having equipment bought for you depending on what you want to achieve. When your physiotherapy goals and plan are developed with you, we make sure that we're doing the right thing and that you understand the plan. NDIS goals are important because they let you decide what is important to you, why those things are important, and how you want to go about achieving them. By discussing your NDIS goals with your physiotherapist and making plans around that, you get to work with your clinician and tell us what is important to you, how you want to achieve those goals, and help us give you options and information so you can make choices for yourself. You have the opportunity to tell us how to work with you, to add value and benefit to your life, and to make the most of the resources and supports that you have available.

Learn more about who we are ABOUT OUR PRACTICE WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY Physiotherapy is a health science profession that helps people of all ages with movement disorders and other difficulties. These difficulties include a wide range of problems, such as pain, unsteadiness, weakness, or problems getting around at home or in the community. Physiotherapy treatment is administered by physiotherapists; health professionals trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of pain or disability acquired through accident, injury, or through the process of ageing. Physiotherapists are university trained, and take a holistic approach to treatment. This means that physiotherapy treatment is about the person as much as their problem, and the way that problem might affect their lives. Physiotherapists work in partnership with their patients to identify the underlying factors behind their problems, to effectively address the issues they have, and to empower their clients to achieve the best outcome. O U R M I S S I O N ABOUT ATLAS PHYSIO Atlas Physio is a general physiotherapy practice offering after-hours and weekend physiotherapy in a caring, personalised and professional manner. At Atlas Physio, we know how hectic daily life can be, and we work to offer an effective, convenient physiotherapy experience that has minimal impact on our clients' commitments. Atlas Physio offers a wide range of simple and effective treatments designed to reduce pain, improve mobility, and help clients return to pain-free and regular living. Most importantly, these treatments are designed to minimise the likelihood that our clients will suffer similar injuries, and to make the client less reliant on clinician-managed treatment through education and advice. O U R S E R V I C E S ALEX PHILLIPOS Atlas Physio was founded by Alex Phillipos, an Ivanhoe local who has lived, studied, volunteered and worked in the Ivanhoe and Fairfield area for more than ten years. Alex acquired his Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Physiotherapy Practice from LaTrobe University, and has since worked in hospitals, alongside sports teams and in the community, as well as offering pro bono services as a physiotherapist both locally and overseas. Presently, he divides his time between further study at the University of Melbourne, volunteering at the Ivanhoe Library, recreational sport, and his hobbies of painting and poetry. Alex is passionate about patient education and empowerment, and works to ensure his patients have a complete understanding of their condition, the rationale behind their treatment, and the steps necessary to progress to regular, pain-free movement.

Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a condition in which the mass and strength of the bones in the human body is decreased, either due to disease, dietary deficiency, lack of activity, or some other cause. The bones of the human body are continuously remodelled, built up and decomposed over the course of our lifetimes. From our pre-natal infancy to the day we die, our bones are constantly changing. Bones grow longer during adolescence and puberty, are built up with excess minerals that are taken in during diet, are reinforced in response to the rigour of physical work and exercise, and are deconstructed in times of sickness, poor health, and ageing. Over the course of our lifetimes, the physical demands that are imposed on our bodies in order to live in the world are reflected in our bones, such that the skeletons of ancient men and women can be examined to tell the stories of their lives and their history. Osteoporosis occurs when the rate at which bones are broken down exceeds the rate at which bones are built up. Bone buildup is driven by external forces which stimulate the activity of bone-fortifying cells, growth due to adolescence and puberty, as well as the effect of hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen. Bone breakdown is a normal process that is a part of bone health; bones that are only built up but never broken down can become hyperdense, which can cause issues. However, when the rate of bone breakdown exceeds the rate of bone buildup, and this is maintained over a period of time, the loss of bone mass can increase the risk of fracture, infection, and pain. Ongoing bone breakdown has the same effect as degrading the foundations of a building - the building is still occupied but less stable, and poses a risk to the people inside. Bone breakdown can be accelerated by many different factors, which can be due to lifestyle-related, ageing-related, and disease-related factors. The most typical lifestyle-related driver of increased bone breakdown is decreased physical activity. Decreased physical activity results in decreased physical force on the bones and joints, which deprives bone-building cells of stimulation and diminishes their activity. Other lifestyle factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis are inadequate amounts of dietary minerals like calcium and phosphates, increased alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking. Age-related and disease-related factors include long-term use of corticosteroid medication, thyroid disease, Crohn's disease, and problems with vitamin D metabolism, all of which impact the health of bones and joints and increase the risk of fracture or other injury. Osteoporosis increases the risk of fracture of bones in the body, and these fractures can be life-threatening depending on the bone that has been broken and the impact that the break has on a person's ability to care for themselves. A fracture of the dominant arm can diminish a person's ability to feed, dress, wash and care for themselves. A fracture of the long bone of the thigh usually requires surgical intervention and in-center rehab. A fracture of the spine in the ribcage, neck, or lower back can be catastrophic in the immediate period, and ongoing over extended periods of time due to structural changes that impact how the muscles and limbs move. In the community and in private clinics, osteoporosis is managed through a combination of structured exercise, advice regarding activity modification, and education regarding lifestyle choices. Osteoporosis is rarely due to a single cause, so treatment of the disease is also management of the individual. Comprehensive management will examine all the likely contributing factors that have resulted in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, and work to address them all individually. This is why other professionals like a dietitian, doctor, personal trainer or exercise physiologist may be involved in ongoing management. Management of your discomfort depends on its causative factors, how it feels and changes during the day, what makes it better and worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing that pain. All of these factors will be addressed in your initial assessment, which is the first step toward managing and minimising any pain or discomfort. The treatment you receive will be tailored to address the specific cause of your discomfort, and will focus on minimising pain, maximising your ability to move pain-free, and developing a plan to minimise the risk of a flare-up in the future. At Atlas Physio, we will provide you with education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your pain both in-clinic and out. Contact us to arrange an assessment, and to take the first step on a course of corrective care today.