Life Cycle Physio News, April 2019

It has been a busy start to 2019 at Life Cycle Physiotherapy. New bookings are increasing, and it has also been great to see the familiar faces of past clients who have tracked me down to my new location. Making a difference in the lives of the people I treat and making that personal connection is what makes my job so rewarding. So welcome all, new and old!

Physiotherapy-led Exercise Classes

Class numbers are steadily growing this year. If you don't already know, Life Cycle Physiotherapy offers Physiotherapy-led exercise classes for general rehabilitation from injuries/aches/pains, as well as specialised Pregnancy and Postnatal (Mums and Bubs) classes and 1:1 exercise sessions and advice. The Physiotherapy-led classes or 1:1 sessions combine Pilates-informed clinical exercise with general strengthening and cardiovascular exercise. All classes can be tailored for individual needs and adapted for all exercise levels. Classes are run at our Carrington St location in the city.

If you would like to learn more about these classes or join a class, then please contact me at info@lifecyclephysio.com.au

Professional Training and Leadership

Aside from my clinical work with patients, I have also been busy teaching courses and have been involved on various committees. I consider the growth and continuing education of current and future Physiotherapists very important, and this is the reason I continue to be heavily involved with the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA). This year I have stepped up into the role of deputy chair of the Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health special interest group of the APA. Our group has planned a fabulous list of professional development activities for 2019, and I have been directly involved in several of these activities.

In March I was one of the main presenters on day one of the two-day APA Women’s Health Level 1 Course. This is the second year in a row I have taught on this introductory course for qualified Physiotherapists who wish to learn more about the fantastic field of Women’s and Pelvic Health. Participants learn everything from basic pelvic anatomy through to more about pelvic floor dysfunction, pregnancy and menopause. We had a large group attending, and it was great to see so much interest in this area of Physiotherapy, which is great news for the future of our profession.

In April I organised Physiotherapist and PhD researcher, Robyn Brennan from Monash University, to speak to our group about pelvic floor dysfunction following gynaecological cancer. Gynaecological cancers include cervical cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer, and are the 3rd most common cancer in Australian women. Pelvic floor problems, such as incontinence, urgency, pain and problems with intercourse, following gynaecological cancer are quite common, with rates of up to 80% reported. However, despite the enormous amount of research done on cancer generally, gynaecological cancers are still relatively under-researched. In particular, there is very limited research on exercise rehabilitation for women following gynaecological cancer. The limited research available shows women tend to be less active in the medium to long-term following gynaecological cancer treatment. The abundant research on other cancers shows that exercise is very important for recovery and in preventing cancer recurrence. Most women recovering from breast cancer will be directed towards exercise programs and treatment to aid recovery. Unfortunately the same kind of advice is not standard for women recovering from gynaecological cancer, leaving many women feeling unsure about where to turn for help once their primary cancer treatment is over. The good news is there are several Women’s Health Physiotherapists in Adelaide, including myself, who also have training in cancer rehabilitation. If you or someone you know is going through or recovering from gynaecological cancer treatment, please seek help. You can contact me for more information on info@lifecyclephysio.com.au. The Cancer Council SA are also a great source of information and help. More information can be found on their website or by calling 131120.

The next lecture evening I am organizing is in May, when Dr David Munday from Advanced Gynaecological Surgery Centre is presenting on changes to gynaecological surgery since the government reforms banning transvaginal mesh have come into effect. If you would like to read more about gynaecological mesh, why it has been banned in some cases, but continues to be used in other cases, then you may find this blog of interest.

I am particularly looking forward to October when the APA National Conference is being held in Adelaide. I am lucky enough to be involved with the Scientific Committee for the WMPH group, who help select presenters and papers we will accept into the conference. We have a great list of national and international speakers coming to Adelaide for the conference. It is so exciting to see the amount and quality of research that continues to come out in the Physiotherapy profession. I am excited to learn more all the time!

Talking of more learning, in April I attended the Continence Foundation of Australia (CFA) State Conference at the Stamford Plaza. This was a great day of learning with a wide variety of local speakers, including doctors, physios and continence nurses on topics ranging from bed wetting in children through to sexual health, with Dr Tonia Mezzini (who also practices from Advanced Gynaecological Surgery Centre in Kent Town) speaking on the latter.

Aside from my teaching with the APA, I have also continued to teach courses through the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI). In March I hosted 16 eager students for the APPI Matwork 1 course in Carrington St. This introductory course for Physios and other Allied Health Professionals teaches about the many benefits of clinical Pilates as a rehabilitation tool. Participants also learn how to adapt and teach clinical Pilates to clients individually and in group classes. It was a busy weekend with this big group, but they were all very enthusiastic. Check out the video at the bottom of this post to see some of the action from the course.

Adelaide Pregnancy, Parents and Babies Expo

Finally, I have recently been involved with the CFA in helping to promote continence and the many free CFA resources at their stand at the Adelaide Pregnancy, Parents and Babies Expo at the Adelaide Show Grounds. Whilst I was helping on the stand, a lady introduced herself and told me she was involved in the first continence promotion event in Adelaide years ago in Rundle Mall. Back then, continence was quite a taboo topic and it was hard to generate much public interest. How times have changed! It was so wonderful seeing how many women (and men) approached us for information and advice. Many were pregnant or had young babies or children. But also many of their mums were asking for advice or telling their daughters of the importance of doing pelvic floor exercises. How wonderful that women are now much more proactive about their pelvic health and are not afraid to ask for help! More information about continence, prolapse and pelvic health can be found at the CFA website or on our webpage.

I am now enjoying some R&R with family and friends over the Easter break. I wish everyone a safe and relaxing remainder of your Easter break. I look forward to seeing many of you when normal service resumes the week of 29th April.

Happy Easter!

Jenny.