Special treats.

We’re delighted to bring  you 2 great new opportunities to kick start 2012:

1-     Make a massage a perfect gift  for Valentine’s  day. We have gift vouchers available at the practice. Make sure you secure yours.

2-     Facebook users?  Like our facebook page or drop us a line and receive $20 discount on your next massage.

Osgood?? Not So Good

Continuing on the theme of children, and at the risk of sounding obvious it can be said that kids can suffer the same injuries as their adult counterparts. There are however significant differences in the treatment of these injuries due to the different nature of their bone and tendon structure.

For example, during periods of rapid growth, bone lengthens before the muscles and tendons can adapt which can cause problems with strength and coordination. This can lead to muscle and tendon injuries.

One common complaint in our younger patients is knee pain. In some cases this is caused by a condition known as Osgood Schlatters Disease which occurs because repeated contractions of the large tendon which attaches the knee cap to the shin becomes inflamed and pulls on the bone. It is usually associated with a high level of physical activity, especially in sports involving running and jumping and is aggravated by exercise.

Generally this condition can be adequately treated by icing, taping and reducing the aggravating activity. Naturally we would also suggest some very professional (and cheerful) physiotherapy as can be found with the wonderful team here at Bay Active Physio.

From ‘Greeter’ to ‘Treater’

 Most would know Natalie as the ‘greeter’ at the front desk. What most people don't know is that she is also a qualified occupational therapist (OT) who has specialised in children and worked predominantly in private practice for 8 years. As of Jan 2012 Natalie will be returning to practicing paediatric OT at Bay Active Physio. She will be conducting groups in preparation for the new school year. These groups are fun and engaging and a good way to occupy your children with learning through play.  

Groups for January include:

A preschooler group—focusing on foundation skills such as pre-writing patterns, specific fine motor skills (including pencil grip), gross motor skills and social/behavioral management

A kindergarten group—focusing on handwriting skills such as letter formation, orientation to line and pencil control, attending to task and concentration, postural stability and visual perceptual skills.

A year 1-3 group—focusing on consolidating task specific skills including components of handwriting such as fluency and calibration speed, attention and concentration, visual perceptual skills such as spelling

Additionally Natalie is well equipped and experienced in providing formal standardized assessments of your child and in designing the appropriate therapy intervention required. She guarantees to liaise with all involved including teachers, carers, other health professionals etc. If you have any questions then please call her at the clinic on 9363 0490.

Getting a step ahead

In the interest of looking forwards we would like to let everyone know the term dates for next year:

Term 1—Monday Jan 30 to Thurs April 5

Term 2—Monday April 23 to Friday June 29

Term 3—Monday July 16 to Friday September 21

Term 4—Monday October 8 to Friday December 21

Holiday Classes

This term classes conclude on Friday 16th December. As you are all keen exercisers and some of you cannot bear 6 weeks without our expert tuition there will be a limited number of classes running from mid January. As these classes are generally asked for but sometimes poorly attended we will require advance payment.

Classes will be $35 each. A timetable has yet to be developed so if you have any preferences then please let us know so we can do our best to accommodate everyone’s needs.