Northside Physio News

The team at Northside Physio had a lovely break over the Christmas New Year period with many getting away and enjoying the sunshine.

Connie took some well-deserved time off, visiting Lake Macquarie NSW for the first time, enjoying her time at the beach.

Hayley went up to the Murray River for a weeklong getaway, spending some down time with friends and family. She enjoyed a few glasses of wine at the local wineries and had some fun swimming, jet skiing, and wakeboarding on the river.

Roland although working in the clinic throughout the Christmas and New Year break spent time catching up with family and friends at various birthday parties.

The reception team also took some time off. Nat had a relaxing break catching up with her parents who were visiting down from Brisbane. Kayla spent some time down the Great Ocean Road enjoying the surf and the sun. While Zoe enjoyed a beach getaway in Wye River with her family, completing many bushwalks and indulging in pub feeds.

The clinic is now back in full swing with Connie, Hayley and Roland available for bookings. The team looks forward to seeing everyone in 2024.

If you haven’t been into the clinic lately, you might of not heard the news! Our lovely leader and Northside Physio Director Connie got married in November.

As always, she kept it local and got hitched at Fairfield Park Boathouse (in Fairfield). It was a stunning day, and Michael and her couldn’t of asked for anything better. Together with their close friends and family they had a long weekend celebration, followed with a short honey moon in Margaret River WA.

Congrats Connie!

Welcome to the newest member of our physio team Roland! He graduated from Australian Catholic University in Ballarat and has worked in private practice since. Roland prides himself on using a combination of exercise and hands-on therapy. Roland is experienced in both clinical Pilates and dry needling. He spent the few years of his career working at Gippsland Physiotherapy, with a wide variety of patients and presenting conditions. 

A few fun personal facts about Roland: 

1. In his spare time he is building model kit cars and talking about cars in general. He has a collection of model cars at home that he started building when he was 10 and has continued building to this day.
   
2. Loves bushwalking and spending time in nature
   
3. Is a self proclaimed home Masterchef, with exploring new cuisines and recipes.
   
4. Is a massive sweet tooth, with a soft spot for cheesecake and vanilla slice.
   
5. Played multiple different sports as a kid including swimming, golf, archery (in which he picked a silver medal in state championships), badminton and soccer. Roland still enjoys playing soccer and has played for his same local club in Trafalgar intermittently for 19 years.
   
6. Big fan of fantasy movies and literature, being inspired by his mum who is a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings. 

Roland is in the clinic 5 days a week from Tuesday to Saturday. You can book online or give us a call to book an appointment.

Physio Hayley got a late call up to run the half marathon at the Melbourne Mara this year! Somewhat prepared Hayley got on her shoes and ran an excellent time of sub 2:20 (when you know, you know). She ran the event with 40,000 other humans who have been training for this event.

This is her second half marathon this year after completing the Great Ocean Road half marathon. Well done to our superstar Hayley!

On Friday August 4th 2023, Northside Physio celebrated their official third birthday. We closed the clinic for the afternoon to go celebrate together.

The afternoon started at Pinot & Picasso where our non creative brains were put to the test. Some faired better then others in the paint department. We moved onto a roof top bar in the CBD, and then to an Asian fusion banquet. Many drinks were had, bellies were full and as always, lots of laughs.

Thanks to Kristy from Baked by KB for our awesome birthday biscuits for the third year running. Thanks to anyone who stopped by our two opening mornings for the new expansion next door. Looking forward to our next social outing together as a team.

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT – WE HAVE EXPANDED!

There has been plenty happening behind the scenes here at Northside Physio in the last couple of months. We are proud to formally announce that we have expanded and now have an additional treatment and Clinical Pilates space next door to the clinic which we will often refer to as “next door”.

Connie has been working tirelessly in the last couple of months bringing this space to life and adding her own unique touches. This space will act as an extra treatment room for Womens and Pelvic health patients, as well as an additional space for 1:1 Clinical Pilates appointments. 

We can’t wait for you all to see our new space! We will be hosting two open mornings for a cheeky look and a g’day: 
– Friday 4th of August (10am – 1pm)
– Saturday 5th August (8am – 10am)

If you wish to book in a Women’s Health/Pregnancy consult with our Women’s Health Physio Connie, please call the clinic on 9942 8903 or book online at: https://bookings.nookal.com/bookings/appointment/FHPYJ/KYEQK

In recent years, cardiovascular diseases have become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality
worldwide. Among the numerous factors contributing to these conditions, LDL cholesterol has
gained significant attention. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol is often referred to as the
“bad” cholesterol due to its role in the development of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

What is LDL Cholesterol?
LDL cholesterol is a fatty substance produced naturally by our bodies and obtained through certain
foods. Its primary function is to transport cholesterol from the liver to cells throughout the body,
providing them with necessary fats for various physiological processes. However, excessive levels of
LDL cholesterol can lead to health problems.

The Role of LDL Cholesterol in Cardiovascular Disease:
High levels of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream can gradually accumulate within the arterial walls,
forming plaques. These plaques, composed of cholesterol, fat, and other substances, narrow the
arteries and restrict blood flow. Over time, this process, known as atherosclerosis, can significantly
increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications.

Managing LDL Cholesterol:
Maintaining healthy LDL cholesterol levels is crucial for cardiovascular health. Here are some key
strategies for managing LDL cholesterol effectively:

• Healthy Diet: One of the most effective ways to improve your cholesterol level is by tweaking your
  diet towards addition of functional foods such as those high in monounsaturated or polyunsaturated
  fats
• Regular Exercise: Engaging in physical activity regularly helps increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein)
  cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol that helps remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. If you
  can, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight plays a vital role in managing LDL cholesterol levels. Losing excess weight, if necessary, can help reduce LDL cholesterol and improve overall cardiovascular health.
• Quit Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and lowers HDL cholesterol levels, making it even more important to control LDL cholesterol through other lifestyle modifications.
• Medications: In some cases, lifestyle changes may not be sufficient to manage LDL cholesterol levels. In such instances, doctors may prescribe medications, such as statins or cholesterol absorption inhibitors, to help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risks. You should always consider though the natural ways to manage this.

While LDL cholesterol is an essential component of our body’s functioning, high levels can pose
serious health risks. Understanding the role of LDL cholesterol and adopting a healthy lifestyle,
including a better diet, regular exercise, and weight management, can help keep LDL cholesterol in
check. Remember, the right knowledge and the right support can go a long way in safeguarding our
heart health.
Download the Elerio app now and our dietitian Mike O’Sullivan can help you improve your
cholesterol with his 8-week program.
Text NORTHSIDEPHYSIO to 0418 663 226 for download link and begin your nutrition journey

As we continue into the colder months, we see an increase in injuries from runners, winter sporting injuries, and skiing. This month we highlight common knee conditions in the sporting population and how physiotherapy can assist. Common conditions that we see from running sports are (but not limited to):

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome/ runner’s knee
• Iliotibial band syndrome
• Patella tendinopathy
• Osgood Schlatters (seen in children and adolescents)

Patellofemoral pain syndrome/ Runner’s knee
A condition that commonly affects the front of the knee cap, but is affiliated with pain in the soft tissue and muscle, bone and joints, ligaments or a combination of these. The common signs are loaded bending of the knee, including running, climbing, lunging, squatting and travelling down an incline.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITB syndrome)
The ITB is a thick band of tissue that runs from the side of the hip, all the way to the outside of the knee. It has several muscles connecting to it, so it can be involved with movement, however it does not control any movements itself. ITB syndrome can cause pain both at the hip and the knee, and is commonly seen in long distance runners and cyclists. It commonly elicits a pain response when going from a bent position to a straight position (i.e. when pushing off while running or pushing down while peddling). 

Patella Tendinopathy / Jumper’s knee
Patella Tendinopathy is a condition that is constantly being studied and researched It is a change at the cellular level of the tissue that goes from the base of the knee cap, to the top of the shin. It often occurs in people who are just starting/ returning to exercise, or those who have started increasing the amount of exercise over a short period of time. This pain will present when people have their knee bent post exercise, for example sitting or standing. It will often be ignored for a long time as it will improve when you warm up. 

Osgood Schlatters
A knee condition only seen in children and adolescents during growth periods. It can affect the growth plates in the knee, which have turned to bone in adults. It is common to have pain in the front of the knee, similar to that of Jumper’s knee, however pain can also be present at rest or throughout the night. It follows a similar pattern to that of Patella tendinopathy in adults.

Why come to the Physio?
After assessment of your lower limb, a treatment plan will be made not only to manage your pain symptoms, but a plan to help you return to sport. Treatment for all of the above conditions can be very similar. It would involve (but not be limited by):

• Pain management of symptoms including soft tissue work, massage and dry needling 
• Taping for knee stability, offloading and support 
• Sports modification/ specific exercise prescription, to allow for improved strength and stability to the knee and whole lower limb chain
• Detailed plan for a safe and successful return to activity and load 

If you have any questions regarding the above conditions, feel free to reach out to one of our physiotherapists for a consultation. 

Morgan joined Northside Physio in March 2023 as a physiotherapist. He has lived most of his life in the northern suburbs, with a brief adventure into the western suburbs. He completed his high schooling at Thornbury High, and university at La Trobe in Bundoora.

Morgan enjoys getting his hands dirty and using his manual skills to help relieve pain and stiffness in patients as well as using exercise to improve their understanding and strength. Morgan likes to get to know his patients and sometimes can get distracted when talking to them, but he is always aiming for people to feel welcome.

Morgan is passionate about upper limb injuries and is focused on trying to improve the habits that the pandemic has allowed us to make. When not at work, he is catching up with old friends and workmates, being involved with pop culture events and working with his partner to look after their guinea pigs, Toffee and Liquorice.

Morgan is in the clinic 5 days a week, including Saturdays.

Our receptionist Zoe is back from her euro adventure! Even though she went in the winter time, it was still an amazing experience to be had. Here is a brief description of her travels!

• Setting off in November 2022, her first stop was Dublin. Highlights were Galway, Edinburgh, the Scottish highlands and seeing Wicked on the West End in London!
• Train to Paris where she ate too many croissants and sat in a bar to watch France lose the world cup 🙁 
• Rome followed by Milan where she spent Christmas. She and five friends cooked up a big lunch and made a makeshift Christmas tree in their AirBnb where they spent Christmas day eating, drinking wine, and playing games.
• Switzerland where they took in the gorgeous scenery and kicked their feet up by the fireplace.
• Jam packed New Years Eve in Munich where she was converted into a (sometimes) beer drinker. 
• Austria next which, of course, meant doing the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg (a must).
• Budapest and Prague visiting the thermal mineral baths, lots of historical buildings, and eating lots of local food.
• Berlin with lots of shopping, museum visiting, and more beer drinking.
• Belgium, she went to Brussels and Bruges 
• Last Stop Amsterdam where her and friends enjoyed a cheese and wine canal cruise and fell in love with the streets of Amsterdam

Although she had a great time, she was keen to jet home for some warmer weather. Zoe is so excited to be back in the clinic and to share more stories with everyone!