What is exercise physiology?
Specialised exercise or movement planning that will prevent and manage injuries and musculoskeletal aches and pains, as well as chronic pain, chronic disease, depression and weight management. These plans are designed and delivered by an exercise physiologist, who will be University-qualified and recognized by Exercise and Sports Science Australia, one of the strictest governing bodies for exercise physiology worldwide.
As the resident exercise physiologist at No More Knots, I work with clients to help them move more easily, build strength and endurance, and improve energy levels, overall wellbeing, and quality of life.
How does exercise physiology link in with remedial massagetherapy?
In my opinion, you can’t do better than the combination of remedial massage therapy and exercise physiology to get your body feeling tops.
Our massage therapists work with clients to help provide immediate relief of muscle and joint-related aches and pains, and work with clients to prevent the return of these problems. Part of this process includes helping a client achieve more optimal muscle tension and length.
Exercise physiology builds on this by teaching clients how to use their muscles in a way that will help prevent tension build up. Programs are designed to build strength and muscle endurance to help create balance in the body, improve posture, and to minimize the risks of overuse, injury, and general aches and pains. Some clients also choose to use exercise physiology sessions to learn to do exercises correctly or refine their technique, or to help take their sports performance to the next level.
Can I get health fund rebates for my exercise physiology sessions?
Exercise physiology sessions are covered by Medicare in some cases, and also by many private health funds.
If you want to claim with Medicare, you can get up to five allied health sessions per year under a Chronic Disease Management plan, which can cover chronic muscle and joint conditions and pain. You’ll need a referral from your GP in order to claim with a CDM.
If you’re claiming with a private health fund, with you can generally claim on the spot through our HICAPS machine, which is really handy. Rebates vary, so the best thing you can do is give your health fund a call to see what kind of coverage you have.
How do exercise physiology sessions work at No More Knots?
We use a two-step process to get you started with our exercise physiology sessions. When you book in for your Initial Appointment, you’ll be asked to fill in a comprehensive health and injury history form. At your first session, we’ll review that together, and then discuss your goals and what steps you can take to achieve them. I’ll also guide you through a simple movement screen so that I can see what your physical starting point is. This usually takes the bulk of the initial appointment, but if we have time left over, I’ll give you some exercises that you can start right away.
At your second session, I’ll have a full program for you when you come in. You’ll work through the program to make sure that you are comfortable and confident with the movements, and at this point we’ll also make any needed adjustments. I’ll provide you with guidelines for how much movement you’ll need to do to keep progressing, and the ideal timeframe for your next appointment.
How often do people have exercise physiology appointments?
I usually see people every two to three weeks as they’re starting out, as most clients progress through the early stages quite quickly. My goal is to get you moving well on your own as quickly as reasonably possible – I’m not going to ask you to come back for a program update until I think you’ll need it. Once good movement patterns and physical strength is established, I try to see people every two to three months to maintain progress and prevent boredom!
All that said, I love hanging out with my clients and if you want to come every week as you would with a personal trainer, we will make that work too!
What should I wear to my exercise physiology appointments?
You don’t have to wear anything special, just clothes that you can move in comfortably. Bear in mind that your program will likely have you going through movements and positions that may be somewhat unusual or with greater range than you’re used to.
Is this going to be hard???
Less than you think!
I make sure that your program is matched to your current abilities – the goal is to provide a program that is somewhat challenging, but also something that you absolutely can do, see progress with, and not be really, really sore from!
If you’re just getting started, you’ll have a low-intensity start, with an initial focus on DIY massage to support the work your remedial massage therapist is doing, plus stretching and mobility exercises to improve movement quality. You’ll also start with a component of low-intensity strength training, if your body is ready for that. From low-intensity strength training, we increase the challenge of the exercises, and will start you on building some cardiovascular fitness as appropriate. We’ll make it as easy as possible on your mind and your body. You might even have some fun!
Written By, Erin Haske 
#exercisephysiology #NMKxEP #EPbrisbane
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