Most people will experience back pain in their life. The recommended approach to managing your back pain is to gradually increase your exercise levels. Walking is a fantastic way to start. If you would like to start increasing your physical activity levels, would like support with losing weight or would like to be involved in some community based exercise groups, you can refer yourself to Green Prescription: Green Prescription Self Referral Form - Home (sporty.co.nz) Buttabean Motivation (BBM Motivation - The BBM Program) provides free exercise classes to people in South Auckland and is dedicated to improving the health and fitness of Maaori and Pasifika people. For other ways to manage your pain, please consider reading the New Zealand Pain Society booklet Navigating Pain: 2204-Pain-Management-Resource-A5-FINAL-online.pdf (nzps.org.nz)

There are many conditions that are linked to arthritis with the most common type being osteoarthritis. Arthritis affects the joints and can cause pain and stiffness. For more information about arthritis, please visit: Arthritis New Zealand | Gout | Osteoarthritis | Rheumatoid Arthritis A great way to manage your arthritis is to keep active. Arthritis can cause problems when we avoid moving and muscles get weaker. Your physiotherapist can recommend stretching exercises to keep your joints moving and exercises to strengthen your joints. If you are struggling to exercise because of pain, please speak with your GP who can discuss the best pain management suitable for you. There are many exercise programmes already available to help you safely improve the movement, strength and function into your joints. Knee osteoarthritis: Versus Arthritis - Osteoarthritis of the knee exercises Knee-Strengthening-exercises.pdf (racgp.org.au) Hip osteoarthritis: Versus Arthritis - Hip pain exercise information booklet Shoulder osteoarthritis: Exercises for the shoulders | Versus Arthritis 2017-rehab_shoulder.pdf (aaos.org) Spine osteoarthritis: Exercises for the back | Versus Arthritis 2017-rehab_spine.pdf (aaos.org) These exercises are designed to help the joints improve their movement, strength and function. Whilst you might find some of these exercises challenging, they are not designed to worsen your pain. It is usually safe to experience some discomfort when doing your exercises. However, if you experience worsening pain because of exercise, stop the exercise and speak with your GP.

There are many reasons your shoulder could be sore and it can be overwhelming to try and find the best information to help you understand your condition. Your physiotherapist or healthcare professional can assess you to help you understand your pain. We recommend this website for detailed information about your shoulder problem: Shoulder pain You might also find some of the below exercises helpful to keep your shoulder moving: Exercises for the shoulders | Versus Arthritis 2017-rehab_shoulder.pdf (aaos.org) If you are waiting to have a shoulder operation, please consider reading our booklet for information about your shoulder, different types of surgery and what to expect when you come into hospital for your operation. Shoulder booklet (DOCX, 3.3 MB)

Your rheumatology Doctor might refer you to our physiotherapy department for exercises to help improve your function. Your physiotherapist will provide you with exercises to help improve the movement and strength into your joints. If you are unable to complete the exercise programme because of pain, please speak with your rheumatology team. You can access patient information on this website: Diseases & Conditions (rheumatology.org) You can also do some of the exercises in the Osteoarthritis section.

A class designed for pregnant women to discuss pelvic girdle pain, lower back pain in pregnancy, managing bowel and pelvic floor related problems. This class is held both in person and over Zoom.

This is an educational class on physiotherapy management of pelvic pain, endometriosis and painful intercourse (dyspareunia). This class is held in person.

3rd and 4th degree perineal tears can now be treated under ACC. Please discuss this with your Doctor for a claim and a referral to an ACC provider. If you are unable to access ACC, you can receive care here with a referral.

1:1 appointment to provide treatment for post-natal physiotherapy and support return to exercise.

All appointments are provided individually. Common conditions we treat include: pre-prostatectomy surgery, bladder/bowel issues and pelvic floor problems.

Pelvic floor resources: Conditions Archive - Your Pelvic Floor Pelvic Pain Foundation (Australia): https://www.pelvicpain.org.au/ Endometriosis - https://nzendo.org.nz/ Continence NZ - Continence NZ- Free Incontinence Help

Can I come in if I am unwell? We are abiding by the Ministry of Health COVID-19 guidelines. If you feel unwell or have tested positive for COVID-19, please do not come into the hospital. You can contact us to rebook your appointment or we can continue with your appointment via telehealth. What is physiotherapy? Physiotherapy is part of the allied health team. We are trained to assess your movement, pain and function and create a treatment plan designed to help you reach your goals. Do I need a referral to access physiotherapy? Yes. Your healthcare provider / specialist can refer you to our services. How long can I expect to wait for an appointment? All referrals sent to our service are triaged by a clinician. The length of time you wait for an appointment depends upon your condition. If your condition has changed whilst waiting for an appointment, please inform your referrer / GP. What can I expect in my appointment? When you come to the department, please check in at reception A. Your first appointment may last between 30 – 60 minutes. Your physiotherapist will ask you questions about your pain, medical history and lifestyle. A physical assessment may be undertaken as part of the assessment. You may be given advice, exercises or other ways to help manage your condition. Follow up appointments may last up to 30 minutes. Your physiotherapist will assess your progress since your last appointment and may change your treatment. Will a translator be present during my appointment? We have a translation service available for in-person and tele-health appointments to help you understand the information we provide. You are welcome to use our service or bring an English speaking family member to your appointment if that is your preference. How can I prepare for my appointment? Please bring a list of your current medication, private clinic letters or scan results if you have them (e.g. X-Ray, MRI scan etc.) What do I wear for my appointment? Please wear comfortable clothes which allow you to freely move. How many appointments do I get and how frequently do I need them? Your physiotherapist will help you to develop a care plan specific to your needs. The number and frequency of appointments you need will vary and your physiotherapist will discuss this with you. Can I bring a support person to my appointment? You are very welcome to bring a support person to your appointment. This could be your friend or a member of your whaanau. What if I can’t attend my appointment? If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the time to someone else. You can call our administration team on 09 276 0211 or Is there parking available? There is paid patient parking outside of the physiotherapy department. You will need a yellow slip from reception to place in your wind screen prior to your appointment. A parking payment machine is accessible within the hospital. Do you accept ACC claims? We do see patients with an ACC claim however it is highly recommended you access care through ACC as you are likely to receive treatment sooner and closer to home. Will I need to pay for my appointment? Your physiotherapy appointment is free as long as you are eligible to receive free healthcare in New Zealand. For more information regarding eligibility, please visit our webpage: Do you have to pay? | Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Can I get a massage? All the treatment we provide is based on our assessment and scientific evidence. A lot of patients we see are managed with a home exercise programme and education. If you require a massage service, please speak with your local massage therapist. Will you be speaking to my GP? Once you are discharged from physiotherapy, we will write a letter summarising your care to your GP. We are able to communicate with your GP throughout your treatment if required. Can a physiotherapist provide pain medication or a medical certificate? No. For pain medication and medical certificates, please speak with your GP.

We would appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your feedback and we welcome your comments. Please complete our online feedback form: Feedback Form | Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau