Early access to specialist lymphedema physiotherapy treatment should be funded by the government, according to the Australian Physiotherapy Association, who joined the Australian Lymphology Association in calling for change.

An Australian-led online education summit for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) will allow patients and their carers to access latest research and treatment options from anywhere in the world. The event will hear from neurologists, physiotherapists, other health professionals and researchers and provides patients a forum to ask questions and discuss their own experiences living with the disease.

The launch of the National Strategic Action Plan for Arthritis this week outlines a clear pathway to implement affordable, timely access to services - including properly funded physiotherapy treatment - to support the four million Australians who live with arthritis, the leading cause of chronic pain in Australia.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has joined the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) in calling for federal government funding for the estimated one in 6,000 Australians living with lymphoedema from birth. Additionally, 20 per cent of cancer patients will develop the condition as a result of treatment.

Stroke is one of the top ten causes of childhood death globally, and more than half of survivors live with lifelong disabilities. A new Australian guideline, the first for stroke rehabilitation in children, recommends a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, including physiotherapists, to guide and support children with stroke and their families.

At present, there are more than 2.2 million Australians living osteoarthritis (OA), a joint disease which causes chronic pain, and rates continue to soar.

The health department has withdrawn recent advice concerning allied health professionals with limited registration and pain management services in aged care while it consults with the sector.

The National Osteoarthritis (OA) Strategy was unveiled at the OA Summit in Canberra today, with the aim of combatting the soaring rates of OA in Australia and providing cost effective, evidence-based solutions for the more than 2.2 million Australians living with the debilitating condition.

A leading osteoarthritis expert says too often patients receive fragmented and inappropriate care to manage their damaged joints. Professor David Hunter is leading a national strategy to significantly improve the way patients with osteoarthritis are managed. 

DURING last month's World Arthritis Day, the Australian Physiotherapy Association called for increased treatment access for sufferers. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disease, and one of the leading causes of pain and disability in Australia.