Information / FAQ's
What should I wear to my appointment?
It is best to wear loose comfortable clothing, such as a tracksuit or shorts and a T shirt. Patient Gowns are available and can be requested during treatment.
Can I claim through private health or medicare? How much will I get back?
Payment is required at time of consultation, cheque, cash facilities and EFTPOS are available. Visa & Mastercard are acceptable (not Diners or Amex).
All allied health services are claimable through private health extras cover, physiotherapy, osteopathy, clinical pilates, dietetics, psychology, exercise physiology and remedial massage. All except exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology can be claimed at the time of your appointment through our HICAPS facility. Please check with your health fund on the rebate you will receive for a particular service, depending on your level of private health cover. Don't forget to bring your health fund card to your appointment otherwise payment is required and your receipt can be presented to your health fund for claiming.
All medical appointments are claimable through medicare, musculoskeletal medicine, rheumatology, sports medicine, injections and medical accupuncture. The gap (out-of-pocket expense) ranges from $30 to $130 depending on the type of treatment. Payment is required at consultation, your rebate is available from medicare upon presentation of your receipt. On the spot medicare claiming is not available at this stage as Brighton Spinal Group is not classified as a GP clinic.
Do practitioners at Brighton Spinal Group treat injuries in relation to Workcover or TAC claims?
Workcover and TAC patients are treated at Brighton Spinal Group. A referral is required from your GP stating the appointment is required in relation to your workcover or TAC injury. Please provide the clinic with your claim details, including name of insurer, date of injury and claim number or verification that your employer is prepared to pay for your appointment. Without these details, you will be required to pay at the time of consultation then seek personal reimbursement. Exercise Physiology appointments require prior approval, the physiologist upon receiving your referral will contact your insurer with the cost of your exercise program. Approval generally takes 2 to 3 weeks.
TAC patients who were not admitting to hospital are required to reach a threshold of $564 out of pocket expenses before TAC will fund treatment.
Further information regarding workcover and TAC claiming process is available at:
Do I need a doctor's referral to come to Brighton Spinal Group?
Only if you are a workcover or TAC patient, or if you a seeing our Rheumatologist who is classifed as a specialist. (without a referral to Dr Daniel Lewis a medicare rebate is not available). If you have a long term injury or medical history, it is helpful for your treating practitioner if you provide as much information as possible. Xrays or MRI scans are not required, however past scans can help with your diagnosis.
Do you have parking available?
Parking is available at our main clinic in our front car park or via Warriston Street to access the car parking at the rear. The Clinical Pilates studio has two hour street parking available at the front of the building. Visit our contact page for further information.
I have a bad back, who should I see?
Our practitioners are highly qualified and specialise in spinal and joint conditions. All of our practitioners at Brighton Spinal Group have a similar focus, most using manipulation and manual therapy. If you have a chronic or complex condition, or have seen various practitioners with little or no relief, it may be best for you to see our musculoskeletal physicians. For further details visit our muscuoloskeletal page. If you are unsure who to see please contact our patient liason officer, Angie by phoning 9596 7211 or email healthpromotion@brightonspinal.com.au
What are the differences between Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Chiropractic?
When it comes to problems that respond to manual therapy, there is little to suggest that one profession is more effective than another. In fact, the limited studies that have been carried out seem to indicate just the opposite – the result of treatment depends more on individual technical skills and experience than the particular discipline a practitioner belongs to. Like painting, dance or music, manual therapy is very much a skill. Among manual practitioners, regardless of their profession, some show real aptitude for the job and achieve better results than others.
At Brighton Spinal Group you can rest easy, we have the most experienced and able manual practitioners in Melbourne.
Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist has completed a four year degree and treats problems in four broad areas:
1) Chest problems (pre and post chest surgery, emphysema, asthma).
2) Neurological conditions (strokes).
3) Major orthopaedics (broken bones and joint replacements).
4) Minor orthopaedics (strains, aches and pains).
The first three groups mostly receive physiotherapy in hospital; manual therapy plays a small part in their recovery. The fourth group, minor orthopaedic conditions are commonly treated in private practice and respond well to manual therapy. A musculoskeletal physiotherapist has completed a twelve month post graduate diploma in manual therapy.
Mobilisation techniques (small rhythmic oscillations) are central to a musculoskeletal physiotherapist’s treatment methods and preferred to manipulation (joint cracking). They are seen as a safe and effective way of treating joints, whereas manipulation is more difficult, takes longer to learn and incurs a slight risk. A physiotherapist also uses electrotherapy (ultrasound or interferential therapy), heat packs, supportive braces and exercises, and has close relations with the medical profession. You could consult a physiotherapist for rehabilitation after a fracture or cerebral stroke as well as everyday aches and pains.
Osteopathy
An osteopath has completed a five year double degree and specialises in the management of conditions that respond to manual therapy (strains, aches and pains).
A long appointment (about 30 minutes) with gentle treatment and few visits (average 4-6) are the hallmarks of osteopathy. A typical treatment may begin with massage focused to areas of painful muscle tension. Soft tissue massage is an important element of an osteopathic approach. Then movements (articulation, mobilization and stretching) will relax and free up the deeper soft tissues (ligament, disc and deep muscles). Finally, gentle manipulation (joint cracking) can loosen the most inaccessible tissues and release stuck joints.
The graded sequence of steps is comfortable, relaxing and highly therapeutic. The therapy improves blood flow and chemical exchange, which promotes the physiology of healing and pain resolution. You could consult an osteopath for a musculoskeletal problem that is long standing, keeps recurring or has ‘done the rounds’ with other therapies.
Chiropractic
A chiropractor has also completed a five year double degree and specialises in the management of conditions that respond to manual therapy. Chiropractic has successfully used marketing to become the most numerous, visible and best known complementary medicine profession.
Speedy 15 minute appointments averaging 12 visits and promotion of regular ‘check ups’ (a maintenance program) are some of the hallmarks of chiropractic.
In a typical treatment a chiropractor gives ‘adjustments’ to the spine. An adjustment varies between gentle oscillations of a joint, similar to a physiotherapist’s mobilization, to the more familiar joint cracking that manipulation is known for. There is less emphasis on time consuming massage. Appointments are slightly more frequent and maintenance therapy is recommended. The profession endorses the idea of drug free therapy. You could consult a chiropractor for the same manual therapy disorders (strains, aches and pains) as an osteopath or physiotherapist.