Losing the ability to use the arm and hand is a devastating outcome for many stroke survivors. Dr Hayward, a researcher in the Department of Physiotherapy at Melbourne University and at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, says up to 70 per cent of stroke survivors have problems using their arm and hand after stroke, making simple tasks like showering, typing an email or making a cup of coffee very difficult. 

New research funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) will allow La Trobe University academic and APA member Dr Christian Barton to determine the benefits of improved access to physiotherapy led education and therapeutic exercise for people with knee OA who have been referred for surgical management.

The release of a report on Australia’s overdose crisis today has prompted the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) to call on the Federal Government to invest properly in evidence based physiotherapy pain management services.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has refuted claims made in a recent article that suggests improved MRI scanning will support better diagnosis and treatment of complex back pain, a condition that affects 3.7 million Australians.

Seven out of 10 tradies consider themselves fit and try to eat healthily - challenging the pie eating, chocolate milk drinking stereotype - but a persistent blokey culture is leading to serious injury. The Australian Physiotherapy Association’s annual survey, released today to mark Tradies National Health Month, revealed some concerning attitudes amongst tradies and a disconnect between their attitudes to work and sport.   

Chronic pain affects one in five Australians, rising to one in three for those aged over 65¹. Its impact on individuals, families and the wider community can’t be overestimated. During National Pain Week (22-28 July) the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on the federal government to properly fund evidenced based treatments like physiotherapy that support the complex multidisciplinary care requirements of people living with this debilitating condition.

Last November the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) called on the Federal Government to protect the title ‘physio’ in line with the protected status of ‘physiotherapist’ and ‘physiotherapy’, giving the public assurance that any practitioners using these titles are fully qualified, registered physiotherapists using evidence-informed treatments. This issue is now more pressing than ever, following the announcement by AHPRA that tougher sanctions have come into force for people falsely claiming to be a registered health practitioner.

A new report released by Bupa shows health insurance claims for knee and hip replacement surgeries were the most expensive items it paid out for in 2018, totalling more than $420 million. The report says much of this is attributable to an ageing and increasingly overweight population. 

Painaustralia released its National Action Plan for pain management this week, citing allied health as integral to an interdisciplinary approach to improve quality of life for more than 3.24 million Australians living with chronic pain.  

With World Continence Week commencing on June 17, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has joined the Continence Foundation in calling for increased awareness and support for the more than five million Australians aged over 15 who live with some form of incontinence.