Hi!
Good question! Great that you are keen to do more exercise. You are right, it can be confusing to know who the right person is for therapy. It may depend on what medical history you have.
Physiotherapists can support you with a broad range of medical conditions to rehabilitate any significant physical impairments. You may have had a health event such as a stroke and have physical impacts e.g., weakness on one side, spasticity, foot drop, or coordination issues. Go to a physiotherapist as they can provide you with a tailored exercise program addressing your impairments and goals, whilst keeping you fit.
An exercise physiologist may be a good option if you want to improve on general reconditioning and fitness, and you don’t have any significant physical impairment. Exercise physiologists are great and have a lot of knowledge on exercise prescription. We are definitely supportive of them! We also mention them here on our EnableMe exercise resource page.
Both Physiotherapists and Exercise physiologists have a minimum 4-year bachelor’s degree in Australia. Both can work closely to support the same patient.
My suggestion would be to visit your GP. They can help you to figure out which therapist is best for you and your medical history. You can even ask your GP for a chronic disease management plan for 5 sessions of allied health therapy to help pay for your Physiotherapist or Exercise physiologist.
If you are still unsure, you could also start with a physiotherapist who can assess you and move you across to an exercise physiologist.
Note: Occupational therapists support people with their upper limb (and many other important areas such as functional day to day activities, return to work, cognition, return to driving etc) Unless you have specific upper limb issues, I would suggest sticking to either an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist for your exercise needs.
This page on allied health professionals may also be helpful.
All the best with the exercise! Would love to hear how you go.
If you would like to discuss this with us further, please don’t hesitate to contact StrokeLine 1800 787 653 or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au. We are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST.
With kind regards,
Kath, StrokeLine
I'm currently going to gym sessions twice a week at a local facility that also runs an adjacent aged care home. They have set up their gym to cater for people with reduced capability to do things. All their exercise programs and the gym sessions are supervised by exercise physiologists. They can develop an exercise routine for you based on what goals you want (or need) to achieve. I've had one reassessment since starting and all tests showed improvement, apart from balance. Standing on one leg on a block of foam is damn hard for me!
Are you planning to do exercises at a gym facility or at home? If at a gym, find one that it has access to qualified staff who can deal with any issues you may have. I was concerned abut going to a regular gym and listing my health problems (open heart surgery and a cerebral haemorrhage) and getting a hesitant response.
Also check if they can reduce your fees if you are senior citizen age, retired or on any pension or health care card. I'm only paying $13 a session.
Just my journey but I got a referral twice from my gp to attend either community rehab or ABI(aquired brain injury clinic). When l first had my stroke l went to rehab l sat with a Allied Health Professional and they spoke to me about my symptoms and what was happening and from there they decided l needed OT and Physcology. 16 months later l had found a heap of stuff that l was having trouble with and got a second referral.back to the same place and same thing. Discussion about what l was finding difficult and l have just finished with speech therapy, OT,Neuro psychologists ( only a couple of visits). Exersice psychologists has helped with things l knew were an issue and somethings that l hadnt realised. You dont have to decide they will
Hi Jamie, I had a stroke 9 years ago and have seen a neuro/physiotherapist ever since. I have made good progress through that program. at their clinic they also have an exercise physiologist who periodically helps with strengthening exercises to compliment the neuro side of my recovery. your physio will be the best person to advise you on your recovery needs as every stroke recovery is different with different needs. very best wishes for a full recovery. Dennis
These are such great comments. Thanks all.
Diana