Frequently asked questions

Albert Park Physiotherapy is a private physiotherapy clinic located in the Albert Park suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. We provide evidence-based assessment and treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal, sports, and post-surgical conditions. Our team of registered physiotherapists works with patients of all ages helping them recover from injury, manage pain, and improve physical function.

We are based at 326 Montague Street, Albert Park, Melbourne, VIC 3206. Albert Park is a bayside suburb close to St Kilda, South Melbourne, Southbank, Melbourne CBD, Middle Park, South Yarra, and Port Melbourne, making us convenient for patients from across the inner south. Ample street parking is available, and the clinic is accessible by tram.

No. In Australia, physiotherapy is a self-referral profession — you can book an appointment directly here without a GP referral. However, if you hold a GP Management Plan (GPMP) or Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, you may be eligible for Medicare-subsidised sessions. A referral letter is also required if your treatment is covered by WorkSafe, TAC, or DVA.

Yes, Christina speaks English, Mandarin and Cantonese fluently. 

Our physiotherapists treat a broad range of conditions, including: back pain and neck pain; sports injuries (sprains, strains, tendinopathies); post-surgical rehabilitation (knee/hip/shoulder replacements, shoulder reconstruction, ACL repair); shoulder, hip, and knee pain; headaches/migraines and jaw pain (TMJ); sciatica and nerve pain; osteoarthritis; and workplace or motor vehicle accident injuries. If you are unsure whether physiotherapy is right for your condition, contact us and we will advise you.

Services at Albert Park Physiotherapy include initial assessments, education and advice on your diagnosis and individual treatment sessions that may include mobilisation/manipulation, massage, electrotherapy (such as ultrasound), dry needling, ergonomics, exercise rehabilitation/tailored home-exercise programs. We also offer telehealth consultations for follow-up appointments when attending in person is not possible.

Yes. Chronic pain management is a core part of our practice. We use a biopsychosocial approach — combining hands-on treatment, graded exercise, and education about pain science — to help patients reduce pain levels and regain confidence in movement. We also coordinate with GPs, pain specialists, and other allied health providers where appropriate.

You can book online, call our reception on 9690 5858, or via our contact us form. We offer appointments Monday to Saturday, including early morning and evening slots to accommodate work schedules. Same-day or next-day appointments are available for urgent injuries.

Yes. We accept all major private health insurance funds that include extras cover for physiotherapy (such as Medibank, Bupa, HCF and NIB). We have HICAPS on-site, so you can claim your rebate on the spot and only pay the gap at the time of your appointment.

Physiotherapy is not covered under standard Medicare, but Medicare rebates are available for patients with a valid Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan from their GP, which covers up to 5 subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year. We process EPC claims in-clinic. The current subsided Medicare rebate is $61.80. As we do not bulk bill, there is a gap fee. You are welcome to call us and we can help estimate your gap fee.

Yes. We are a registered provider for WorkSafe Victoria and TAC (Transport Accident Commission) claims. If you have been injured at work or in a transport accident, please bring your claim number and approval documents to your first appointment. We also treat DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs) cardholders.

Your initial consultation (typically 40 minutes) begins with a thorough assessment of your injury or condition — including your medical history, symptom pattern, and physical examination. Your physiotherapist will then explain their findings, discuss your goals, and begin treatment in the same session where appropriate. You will leave with a clear understanding of your diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan.

The number of sessions varies depending on the nature and severity of your condition. An acute muscle strain may resolve in 3–6 sessions, while post-surgical rehabilitation or chronic conditions may require ongoing treatment over several months. Your physiotherapist will give you an estimate at your initial assessment and review your progress regularly.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows your physiotherapist to access the area being treated. For lower-limb injuries, shorts are ideal; for shoulder or back problems, a singlet or loose shirt works well. Bring any relevant imaging (X-rays, MRI reports etc.), referral letters, and your private health insurance or third part insurance (WorkSafe/TAC etc) details if applicable.

Most lower back pain comes from muscle or ligament strains, nerve irritation, joint stiffness, or simply moving in an unaccustomed way. In over 80% of cases, no serious structural cause is found. Pain doesn't always mean damage! The nervous system can amplify discomfort even when tissues are healing normally.ription text goes here

Usually not… at least not right away. Imaging is reserved for cases where a serious cause (like fracture or nerve compression) is suspected. Disc bulges and other findings are extremely common in people with no pain, so imaging often adds confusion rather than clarity. Our physios are trained to screen for serious causes without imaging.

Seek urgent care if you experience loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, significant weakness in both legs, or pain following a serious trauma like a fall or car accident. These are rare but require immediate attention.

Not necessarily. Pain is your nervous system's alarm signal. It doesn't always match the degree of tissue damage. Many people have significant structural findings on scans with no pain at all. Understanding this is actually a key part of recovering well.

Treatment is tailored to you, but may include hands-on therapy (joint mobilisation, soft tissue work), a personalised exercise program, education about pain and movement, ergonomic advice, and techniques like dry needling or electrotherapy where appropriate. The goal is to get you moving again with confidence!

Keep moving as best you can. Prolonged bed rest can be one of the least helpful things you can do for low back pain. Staying gently active - even just walking - helps reduce pain, speeds recovery, and prevents the fear of movement from setting in. "Active rest" means avoiding aggravating activities, not avoiding all movement.

It depends on your specific presentation, but common prescriptions include gentle back stretches and strengthening exercises; lower limb stretches, walking, and gradual loading of the spine. Your physio will select exercises matched to your pain pattern.

Physio can't physically reshape a disc, but it can significantly reduce your pain and restore full function. Whilst some disc herniations reduce on their own over months, physio helps manage symptoms and retrain movement in the meantime.

Heat tends to help more for muscle tension and chronic aches; ice can assist in the first 48 hours after an acute injury. In practice, use whichever feels better. Both are safe and can offer short-term relief as part of a broader treatment plan.

Many people with uncomplicated low back pain see meaningful improvement within 4–8 sessions. Acute strains often resolve faster; long-standing or complex pain may benefit from a longer program. Your physio will give you a clearer timeline after the initial assessment.

Flare-ups are a normal part of recovery from low back pain. Stress, poor sleep, overactivity, or sitting for long periods can all trigger temporary worsening. This doesn't mean you've gone backwards, and learning to manage flares is part of the recovery process.

Most people with acute low back pain recover well. For chronic pain, the goal is often significant reduction in pain, improved function, and the tools to self-manage when symptoms arise. Full resolution is achievable for many especially with a consistent approach.

Regular exercise (especially strength training and walking), maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding prolonged sitting, an ergonomic workspace setup, quality sleep, and stress management are all backed by evidence. Staying active is the single biggest protective factor. Ask your physio for a home exercise plan to maintain your gains.

Prolonged, static sitting puts sustained load on the spine and can contribute to back pain, but the position itself is less important than the duration. Moving regularly (even briefly) every 30–60 minutes makes a big difference. Ergonomics help, but movement beats the perfect chair.

Most neck pain stems from muscle tension, joint stiffness, poor posture, disc irritation, or sustained positions (like looking at a screen for hours). Stress and fatigue can also contribute significantly. Serious causes like fractures or spinal cord involvement are rare but are always screened for by your physio.

Usually not initially. Imaging is reserved for cases where a serious cause is suspected — such as significant trauma, neurological symptoms, or failure to improve as expected. Many scan findings (terms like “disc degeneration” or “osteophytes”) are normal age-related changes and don't necessarily explain your pain.

Seek immediate attention if your neck pain follows a significant accident or fall, or if you experience weakness or numbness in your arms or hands, loss of coordination, difficulty walking, severe headache of sudden onset, or any changes in bladder or bowel function.

A wry neck (torticollis) is a sudden onset of sharp neck pain with the head turned to one side, often waking you in the morning. It can feel alarming but is rarely serious. It usually responds very well to physiotherapy — most people see significant improvement within a few sessions.

Your physio will assess your posture, movement, joint mobility, muscle strength and nerve function, then tailor a treatment plan. This typically includes hands-on therapy (joint mobilisation, soft tissue release), a targeted exercise program, postural education, and ergonomic advice for your workspace or sleep setup.

For most neck pain, soft collars are not recommended. Using a collar can weaken the muscles that support your neck and delay recovery. Your physio may recommend one briefly after certain injuries, but the goal is always to restore active movement and strength.

Yes. Cervicogenic headaches — those originating from the neck joints or muscles — respond well to physiotherapy. Treatment targeting the upper cervical spine can significantly reduce headache frequency and intensity. Your physio will assess whether your headaches are likely coming from your neck.

Arm pain, tingling, or numbness radiating from the neck is often caused by nerve irritation — commonly from a disc or joint putting pressure on a nerve root. This is sometimes called a "pinched nerve" or cervical radiculopathy. Physio is highly effective for this and most cases resolve well without surgery.

Heat generally works well for muscle tension and stiffness; ice can help in the first day or two after an acute injury. In practice, use whichever provides more relief. Neither penetrates deeply enough to make a major difference to underlying structures, so comfort is the best guide.

Acute neck pain and wry neck often improve within 1–3 weeks with appropriate treatment. Nerve-related arm pain may take 6–12 weeks or longer. Chronic or recurrent neck pain benefits from an ongoing management strategy. Your physio will give you a realistic timeline based on your presentation.

Recurrent neck pain is very common and often linked to sustained postures, sedentary work, stress, or insufficient strength in the deep neck muscles. Identifying and addressing these underlying factors — not just treating each flare-up — is key to breaking the cycle.

Self-manipulating your neck (the classic "cracking" movement) is generally not recommended. While it may offer brief relief, habitual self-manipulation can increase joint laxity and reinforce pain patterns over time. Your physio can show you safer self-management strategies.

Your screen should be at eye level and an arm's length away. Keep your keyboard and mouse close to avoid reaching. Your chair should support your lower back, with feet flat on the floor. Most importantly, move regularly — brief breaks every 30–45 minutes are more effective than any single ergonomic adjustment.

Yes. A pillow that keeps your neck in a neutral position (not too high or too low) is important. Side sleepers generally need a firmer, thicker pillow; back sleepers need less height. Stomach sleeping is best avoided as it places the neck in sustained rotation. Your physio can give personalised advice.

Deep neck flexor strengthening, shoulder blade stability work, and regular mobility exercises are the most evidence-supported strategies. Staying generally active — particularly with upper body strength training and aerobic exercise — also significantly reduces the risk of recurrence.