THE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

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MSWA provides free access for financial Members to physiotherapy and massage; at a number of sites.

Our experienced physiotherapists provide a vital service for Members from the time of diagnosis throughout their journey with MS. Advice on appropriate exercise, managing heat sensitivity and aids and equipment is available for Members and other health professionals seeing people with MS.

Physiotherapy Services available at our centres in Wilson, Albany, Beechboro, Bunbury and Rockingham.

Physio at Southside

Key Functions:

  • To improve and maintain the health status of people with MS at the highest possible level of independence.
  • Provide a quality, specialised physiotherapy service for people with MS including a detailed neurological assessment.
  • To identify and analyse the key issues related to MS.
  • Provide intensive and functional rehabilitation programs.
  • Educate Members by providing training, group discussions and information to promote the desire to maximise independence, participate in goal setting and develop their own particular lifestyle.

Physiotherapy Goals:

  • Re-educate, restore and maintain the quality of movement and function.
  • Maintain joint mobility and promote strength of affected and unaffected muscles and maintain postural stability.
  • Maintain and promote cardiovascular fitness.
  • Provide an MS specific strengthening approach to maximise the outcome of exercise programs and address functional deficits.
  • Facilitate the adjustment of people with MS to the functional a mobility challenges in their lives - at home, work and socially.
  • Encourage the development of self-directed programs to promote self-esteem and motivation.
  • Provide education for people with MS, their carers and families on symptom management and the development of strategies to minimise problems such as fatigue, spasticity and other potential complications due to adaptive strategies.
  • Provide advice regarding specific equipment to facilitate people with MS to function at the highest possible level of independence.
  • Promote community fitness programs which are sensitive to the fatigue, balance and heat sensitivity issues of people with MS.
  • Promote education of allied health professionals to encourage their participation in the provision of rehabilitation programs for people with MS.

Services available for Financial Members:

  • Neurological assessment
  • Individual exercise prescription
  • Intensive and functional rehabilitation programs
  • Circuit programs
  • Chair exercise programs
  • Hydrotherapy (currently available at Wilson Centre and Albany)
  • Home based programs
  • Self managed exercise programs
  • Advice on mobility aids and equipment
  • Massage and reflexology

A referral is required for an appointment. If you are a member a self referral is required, for non members referrals can come from the MS Society health team, Medical practitioners, Neurologists or External allied health professionals.