Do I need a referral from a GP or surgeon?
No. You don’t need a referral to see a physiotherapist or Pilates Instructor. We work closely with GPs, surgeons, podiatrists, and radiologists and communicate with them regularly.
If you have any letters or scans, please bring them along as they can assist with accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. We can refer you for x rays or to specialists when clinical assessment deems this step necessary.
What appointment do I book when I haven’t attended PPP before?
If you have no current injuries and are interested in improving your movement, strength and mobility using individualised approach, then an initial consult with a Pilates Instructor is the way to go.
If you experience recurring pain or stiffness, had an injury in the last 3 months or are pre- or post-surgery, we advise you to book an initial consult with a physiotherapist.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to attend physiotherapist-led group sessions without a prior initial assessment. We strive to assist you to reach your personal goals and, even in group sessions, exercises are tailored to the individual. An initial assessment gives you a chance to let us know where you’re at with pre-existing injuries, fitness level, and what you want to achieve over time. In an assessment, we can take you through various exercises, coach you on correct technique, and record objective baseline measurements of things like your strength and flexibility, so you’ll have real data to use to measure your progress.
Will I have to do exercises?
As part of a good overall assessment, we will prepare a treatment plan which will focus on lifestyle factors and adoption of healthy postures and activities to enhance tissue and recovery.
Exercises (supervised in clinic or self-managed) will equip you with future strategies to overcome your pain and weakness and may include strengthening, movement control and stretching.
Daily “habit checks” and exercises form a vital part of your treatment and self-management to help you meet your goals.
What should I expect when attending an initial physiotherapy appointment at Pilates Power and Physiotherapy Cronulla?
At PPP your time is spent one-to-one with your physiotherapist. An initial consultation allows you to meet your physiotherapist and discuss the nature of your problem.
After taking a full history, we’ll conduct a clinical assessment to determine any postural, mechanical, and life-style factors that may be contributing to your problem. Your physio will then discuss the diagnosis with you and advise you on appropriate treatment. You’ll receive an individually tailored treatment plan and will be able to address your problem from day one.
How long does a session last?
Initial Consults are 60 minutes of your time and another 30 minutes of our time to plan your treatment and provide you with a written program of exercises.
Consecutive Physiotherapy Sessions are 30 min standard, or 45 min extended.
Clinical Rehab private Sessions (after the initial Consult) are typically 45 minutes.
30- and 60-minute private Clinical Rehab sessions are also available.
All group sessions (Studio Pilates, Mat Pilates, Clinical Rehabilitation and Strength/Stretch Classes) are 55 minutes, to allow for a 5-minute cleaning between sessions.
How often do I need to attend?
At the start of your journey, it’s beneficial to attend sessions two times per week. A session every 3-4 days makes a huge difference to kickstart changes in your health.
If you’re restricted with your time, it’s possible to attend sessions once a week if you’re motivated to also work on your goals in your own time at home, as guided by your Pilates instructor or Physiotherapist.
We don’t recommend spacing out your visits too long, as staying motivated and achieving your goals comes from building a habit around exercise. The more consistently you attend sessions, especially in the initial 4-6 weeks, the more likely it is that you’ll create that habit and start to experience real results.
What could my treatment include?
You can expect to be treated with the utmost care. We pride ourselves in providing the best standard of treatment and aim to get you back to feeling great as soon as possible!
Your treatment will vary depending on the assessment, extent, and severity of your injury and symptoms. Physiotherapy may include any of the following:
- Joint mobilisation
- Massage or Myo-fascial release
- Exercise therapy
- Clinical Pilates
- Self-Management Strategies
- Life-Style advice
- Taping
- Ultrasound
What is the difference between Studio Pilates and Clinical Rehabilitation?
Studio Pilates is guided by a highly qualifies Pilates Instructor, who will understand your movement and personal goals and teach the classic Pilates Method – to enhance your body awareness and movement quality, and to develop your mobility and strength to prevent dysfunction.
Clinical Rehabilitation is guided by a physiotherapist and focuses on acute or chronic injury management using Studio Pilates equipment as well as Functional Strength equipment and home exercise programs, as well as modifying exercise habits to solve any reoccurring pain when exercising.
You’ll only be able to use your private Health fund when you work with a physiotherapist.
What if I haven’t done Pilates exercise classes before?
Not a problem at all! All new clinical rehabilitation clients need to attend an initial assessment, where your physiotherapist will take a thorough history of past or present injuries and determine your health and fitness goals. From there your physiotherapist will assess your spine and movement patterns. We’ll teach you optimal movement patterns and dynamic postures before you begin your exercise program, using the reformer, trapeze table as well as other pieces of gym equipment. If you haven’t engaged in any core control or strength exercises before, or experience pain when moving, you’ll likely need to attend several one-on-one sessions to ensure you’re safe using the equipment and can perform the exercises correctly before joining a class.
How many people per class?
Our Clinical Rehabilitation group sessions are small and personalised, with a maximum of 3 people per class, allowing for more individualised attention. All sessions are run by Physiotherapists. We also offer sessions for 2 participants (duet) or individual sessions (private).
Our Studio Pilates group sessions have an individualised, personal focus on you, thus the maximum number of participants are 4 per instructor. We also offer duets and private Pilates Studio Sessions.
Our Functional Strength, Stretch, Strong Teens and Hydro-Fit classes have a maximum number of 8 participants.
Group classes are ideal if you enjoy working with like-minded people to achieve your goals, while still having individual attention from the instructor to help you get the best results and prevent injuries. For sessions that are run by physiotherapists, you’re able to claim with your private Health fund.
Where can I park or how do I get to PPP?
There’s plenty of 1–2-hour street parking in Cronulla Street and around Cronulla Mall. Croydon Street multistorey Carpark is 200 meters walking distance through the mall to our clinic, and offers 2- and 4-hour free parking. The train station in Cronulla is a 2-3-minute walk.; our clinic and studios are on the corner of Surf Road and Cronulla Street, with entry from Surf Road; we’re located on the first floor.
What do I need to bring to my initial consult?
If you’re attending an initial consult as part of a Workers Compensation or CTP claim, please bring your referral letter from your doctor and a claim number. If you’re a DVA client, please present your DVA card and a referral letter from your doctor on your first visit. For all EPC (Enhanced Primary Care) Plans, you need to bring the paperwork from your GP, which should state your Medicare details and the required sessions for which you are referred (usually 5 but may be fewer if you’ve used sessions at another health care provider in the same calendar year).
It’s helpful to bring any scans or surgery reports you may have, so we can update your clinical file; this will assist us greatly in your diagnosis and treatment.
For all consults, please wear comfortable clothing. Bring a water bottle and a towel if you’re attending an initial assessment for any form of group rehabilitation or exercise class, as you’ll likely be performing some exercises as part of the assessment.
What conditions do you treat?
- Back and neck pain
- Shoulder and hip injuries/chronic conditions
- Sporting injuries
- Work related injuries, DVA, NDIS, EPC
- Whiplash
- Headache and migraine
- Muscle and tendon Injuries
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Pre- and post-natal conditions
- Pre- and post-operative rehabilitation
- Postural re-education
- Stress affecting your overall health.
Do you offer seniors or children’s discount?
What if I’m unable to attend one of the classes/appointments? What’s your cancellation policy?
We do have a 24-hour cancellation policy on all our group sessions and physiotherapy/massage appointments. If you need to cancel an appointment or class, let us know in writing (email to info@pppcronulla.com.au) as soon as possible.
Please assist us to fill your space with a client on the waiting list by letting us know as soon as you become aware that you’re unable to attend. We don’t like to have to charge for late cancellations, so if you’re able to “make up” your missed class or appointment within a few days, we’ll waive your cancellation fee (usually the cost of the missed class).
Thank you for your understanding!
Functional Strength Training FAQs
What exactly are Functional Strength classes at PPP?
Functional Strength training is a resistance training program designed by PPP physiotherapists.
It’s a biomechanically balanced, full-body training program designed to develop a strong, toned, energised body which moves with ease, efficiency, and control.
What should I expect from a Functional Strength session?
Our physiotherapists teach a series of full body movements over the course of weeks/months; coaching and challenging you to execute these movements with correct technique and with increasing difficulty.
Exercises are performed with handheld weights like dumbbells and/or with resistance band tubing, allowing you to continue your training program in your own home or in a gym.
I already go to the gym, I perform strengthening exercises, why should I practice functional strength training?
Often pain and injuries occur due to a biomechanical weakness or imbalance which a regular strength program in a gym is unlikely to address. Our functional strength training is a biomechanically balanced resistance training program, complex in nature, incorporating multi-directional movements requiring balance and co-ordination.
If we train functionally, correctly, and maintain biomechanical balance, we help to manage and prevent injury, improve our mind-muscle connection and correct any muscle imbalance. Functional strength training can be a great complement to regular strength training at a gym.
I’m not fit, I don’t exercise, and I’ve never been to a gym!
All exercises are customised to your individual level and goals. Our physiotherapists at PPP take your current abilities into consideration and tailor an exercise program to suit.
We don’t all need to bench press 100kg, (in fact no one needs to). For many people, strength training can be undertaken for reasons as simple as helping them climb the stairs to their front door without pain or to enjoy a better, more energetic quality of life.
I have sore knees … I seem to always get pain when I exercise!
Pain can often be experienced because the body isn’t functioning correctly. An imbalance of tight and weak muscles can place a lot of stress on joints as they move.
Physiotherapists at PPP modify your movements to avoid, as well as reduce pain. Our clients often leave their training session with lessened (and sometimes without) pain they might have been experiencing when they arrived!
How does PPP functional strength training differ from regular strength training?
Traditional strength training is generally performed with a focus on individual muscles, for example the bicep curl or the knee extension. Functional strength training differs in that it involves whole body exercises: movement isn’t limited to one joint (such as the elbow or the knee) at a time.
We often rely on the use of external supports when we exercise traditionally in a gym setting; we’ll sit on a seat or use a bench to provide a stable base. Functional strength training relies on internal stability. This approach challenges the body to create our own balance and in doing so we get stronger, as well as improve our stability and core strength.
Functional strength training mimics or supports the regular activities we perform daily and in our recreational and competitive sports. By practicing these movements with correct form and technique, we can improve our ability to perform them in our daily lives.