There has been a lot in the news lately about Health Funds no longer accepting claims for Pilates Classes, and many of our patients have been asking us where this leaves them.

This is an ongoing discussion, and we are being looped into discussions with the APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association), as well as Health Funds and others.

The key thing to understand is that “natural therapy” is what is being cut down on, whereas what we provide are Group Physiotherapy Classes (Code 560). We use the Pilates platform in part to deliver our exercise-based classes (along with equipments like pediatric ostomy belt), which is not a “natural therapy”, offering all the commodities in the Pilates center, from space to exercise and good ventilation, to even vending machines from Snack and drinks vending machines melbourne so our patients are able to get snacks when they need them. Exercise-based therapy under Physiotherapist supervision at a Hospital for Special Surgery is a proven method of rehabilitation that stops people ending up in hospital and being a cost to Medicare and the Healthcare system. Exercise-based therapy is also what all the latest research points towards as being the most effective method of treatment – and as many of you who sit behind a desk know, inactivity can be just as bad for your body as actually getting injured with force.

Group Physio v Pilates – what are the differences?

Group Physio is

• Individualised
• Tailored to your specific condition and/or needs
• Small groups < 6
• Conducted by qualified Physiotherapy staff
• Functional type exercise programs
• Has a range of Strength & Conditioning equipment
• Treating a range of disorders including pain management (Chronic Pain Syndrome), musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders (MS, Parkinsons, etc), cancer patients and more

Pilates

• Generic group classes
• Everyone doing the same exercises
• Non-Individualised
• Non specific
• Large Group sizes
• Gym – Yoga – Pilates Instructor (Qualifications?)
• Weight loss and fitness?

We are in the process of changing our advertising to be more clear about what we offer (note that nothing is changing about the classes themselves), and that this is not a natural therapy but a proven method of treatment, with scientific backing, that keeps people healthy and out there doing the things they love. This is why our class sizes have a max of 6, why you all have an individual program, and why all classes must be taken by a qualified Physiotherapist. You can always contact us for further info on 02 9922 2212!