Matthew joined Empower’s Home Care Team in Melbourne this year after working in private practice and residential aged care since graduating in 2017.
Why did you choose this career?
I feel that I was destined to work as an Osteo in Home Care and community settings. It’s just the perfect job for me.
What are your strengths as an Osteo?
I’m good listener and as a result can construct a good overview of a person’s health. I see my client’s holistically and can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions using manual skills, exercise and functional activities.
What motivates you?
Treating my clients in their homes is so rewarding to assist them in achieving the goals that will make the greatest difference in their daily lives. Seeing them smile when they have managed to do something that they couldn’t before, makes my day.
What is something you would tell your younger self about your work if you could?
Osteopathy is second nature to you. Stick to the path, don’t hesitate and you will be rewarded.
Is there a quote that you use to explain the work you do?
The goal of the Osteopath is to find health.
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
We are pleased to welcome Osteopath Rebecca to our team of Allied Health clinicians. Bringing 15 years of experience working with clients across all life stages, Rebecca has a holistic approach to her practice in delivering effective, evidence-based Osteopathic techniques for people managing a variety of health conditions.
With an emphasis on understanding the goals of the people she sees, Rebecca tailors treatment programs to meet their individual needs and aspirations.
Rebecca enjoys the whole person approach of Osteopathy, and the way that gentle improvements to the body’s structure have a beneficial effect on function.
She is passionate about educating clients and providing exercises and lifestyle advice to achieve goals and enhance quality of life. Working with clients, their families and care providers to improve mobility, strength, pain and quality of life- not just for today, but for years to come.
When she is not working she enjoys playing with her kids outside, cooking up a storm in the kitchen or reading a good book.
At Empower our Osteopaths use their expert understanding of the body to help trigger healing for your clients.
By applying a combination of manual and mobilisation therapies, supplemented by focussed exercise therapies, Osteopaths can address areas of pain, weakness, restriction or strain in the body.
Welcome Osteopath Rebecca
Our new Osteopath Rebecca joins our team bringing 15 years of experience working with clients across all life stages. Rebecca has a holistic approach to her treatments delivering effective, evidence-based Osteopathic techniques for people managing a variety of health conditions.
Rebecca’s technique incorporates the Osteopathic emphasis on anatomy and biomechanics. She uses effective, evidence-based osteopathic techniques in combination with relevant lifestyle advice including exercise, diet, supplementation, psychological health, ergonomics, and posture.
A key part of her patient management is injury rehabilitation and prevention providing resources for long-term health. These include tailored home stretching and exercise programs, psychological wellbeing. Our Osteopaths liaise with other Empower health professionals to ensure timely rehabilitation and return to work and activities.
With an emphasis on understanding goals, Rebecca tailors’ treatment programs to meet clients’ individual needs and aspirations to improve mobility, strength, pain, and quality of life – not just for today, but for years to come. Rebecca will be covering the Victorian Southeast Mornington region.
Reduced mobility can occur at any stage of life and for many reasons. Difficulties with moving around due to injury, chronic disease, or disability can have a profound effect on independence and wellbeing, interfering with work, relationships and community participation.
Seeing an osteopath or physiotherapist can help most people improve their mobility, even when complex health conditions are present.
Here are some of the ways they do it.
Effective Pain Management is often the first step in improving movement. An instinctive response that many people have when experiencing pain, is to keep still. Unfortunately, this often has the effect of increasing pain over time. By performing holistic assessments, osteopaths and physiotherapists seek to find the causes of pain and then intervene to reduce and manage painful symptoms, freeing up movement.
Easing stiffness in joints can allow for increased mobility as range of movement improves. Osteopaths and physiotherapists employ a wide range of techniques and strategies to reduce stiffness, some involving hands on treatment while others are activity based.
Increasing flexibility of soft tissues can assist in correcting postural causes of mobility restrictions.
Improving strength through individualised and function-based exercises that address the underlying causes of immobility.
Balance training to reduce the risk and fear of falling as both can be powerful inhibitors of mobility. Osteopaths and physiotherapists apply their deep understanding of human movement and balance to address the causes of falling and reduce the anxiety that often follows having experienced a fall.
Walking aid recommendations and adjustments to support independent and safe mobility inside the home and in the community.
Referral for services that promote mobility, this may include home adaption, medical care, nutrition management and home care support.
Movement is not only the result of quality clinical treatment, but also a powerful therapeutic tool and osteopaths and physiotherapists can help people unlock the benefits and joy of moving more. It all starts with an assessment and in most cases, the result is improved vitality, independence, and quality of life.
About Empower Healthcare
We Change Lives
Changing lives is what we do.
Delivering high quality allied health services is how we do it.
Empower Healthcare was founded in 2016 by two people who were determined to improve the standards of allied health services in residential aged care and knew how to do it. With industry knowledge and an innovative approach, Adam and Matthew set about defining what allied health services can be when quality and person-centred care is placed before all else in healthcare.
The partnership, that merged clinical expertise with business acumen, soon established Empower Healthcare as a leading provider of quality physiotherapy services in residential aged care facilities in Victoria. This success fueled the expansion of our services within residential aged care, home care and NDIS to deliver occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, podiatry, dietetics, osteopathy, massage and speech pathology.
Now offering comprehensive allied health services with more than 180 dedicated and passionate clinicians working in Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, Empower Healthcare is growing and taking our unique approach with us.
A lot has changed over the years but not our commitment to the highest quality care, delivered by expert clinicians, aimed at improving the independence and quality of life of our clients- helping our clients live their lives the way they want to.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
Osteoporosis is a common cause of fractures and loss of independence for older adults. While many people may experience this disease, osteoporosis is preventable and treatable and there is a lot that can be done to improve bone density at all stages of life.
Exercise
Exercise is the first step in preventing loss of bone density and some of the consequences that impact on vitality and quality of life. Physiotherapists design safe exercise programs that include weight bearing and muscle strengthening and are developed to be enjoyable and appropriate for the unique needs of their clients. Allied Health Assistants can supervise and assist with exercise programs to ensure that people get the best results, safely and effectively, inside their homes or communities.
Diet
Getting enough calcium and vitamin D at all ages is the key to protecting bone health and density. The best way to do that is through diet, not supplementation, where possible. Dietitians can help by using a Food First approach to create balanced meal plans that are rich in dairy products, fruits, and vegetables to support bone strength, while still including the food that people enjoy as well as suit their tastes and needs.
Fall prevention
People who live with osteoporosis are more at risk of fractures and loss of independence as a result, with only 30% of older women who suffer an osteoporotic hip fracture being able to return to independence. Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Occupational Therapists, Nurses and Allied Health Assistants all play vital roles in maintaining safe mobility, preventing falls and reducing the consequences when they happen. Interventions that are most effective at preventing falls include:
• The use of correctly selected and fitted equipment such as walking frames.
• Occupational therapist assisted home modifications that support a safe and independent lifestyle.
• Assessment and management of specific health risk factors that increase the likelihood of falling.
• Individualised exercise programs that include strengthening, balance training and functional activities.
• Good medication management and monitoring.
It is never too early or too late to start improving bone health. Small choices, made regularly, can have the biggest effect on health and when those choices seem daunting, there is support available to help.
How To Get Started With Empower
To arrange a referral, click on the image below
About Empower Healthcare
We Change Lives
Changing lives is what we do.
Delivering high quality allied health services is how we do it.
Empower Healthcare was founded in 2016 by two people who were determined to improve the standards of allied health services in residential aged care and knew how to do it. With industry knowledge and an innovative approach, Adam and Matthew set about defining what allied health services can be when quality and person-centred care is placed before all else in healthcare.
The partnership, that merged clinical expertise with business acumen, soon established Empower Healthcare as a leading provider of quality physiotherapy services in residential aged care facilities in Victoria. This success fuelled the expansion of our services within residential aged care, home care and NDIS to deliver occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, podiatry, dietetics, osteopathy, massage and speech pathology.
Now offering comprehensive allied health services with more than 180 dedicated and passionate clinicians working in Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, Empower Healthcare is growing and taking our unique approach with us.
A lot has changed over the years but not our commitment to the highest quality care, delivered by expert clinicians, aimed at improving the independence and quality of life of our clients- helping our clients live their lives the way they want to.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
Osteopath Callan has helped a diverse range of people across private practice, home care and recently residential aged care. He actively listens to and works collaboratively with consumers to develop targeted treatment plans to overcome pain and injury, supporting them to reach their healthcare goals.
I draw on the guiding principles of Osteopathy – that the body is a whole in which structure and function are interrelated, and under optimal conditions the body possesses inherent self-healing capacity.
Callan believes it is the job of the therapist to provide a path for that person so they might enjoy a state of health. As an Osteopath, Callan can help consumers achieve their health goals through use of:
Gentle or deep soft tissue techniques
Joint mobilisations
Strength and mobility exercise prescription
Falls prevention and balance training
Habitual and lifestyle changes
Pain management and complex care
Collaborative care with other allied health professionals.
He graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Remedial Massage (Myotherapy) in 2007 and practiced eight years in a variety of clinical settings. Callan decided to further develop both his diagnostic and manual skills, graduating from Victoria university with a Masters of Health Sciences (Osteopathy) and a Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathy) in 2017.
In addition to working as an Osteopath, Callan is also a clinical educator helping to train the next generation of Myotherapists. In his free time, Callan is a student of functional/mindful movement who enjoys rock climbing, calisthenics, and handstand training. A nature lover, he enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with his dog, Spectre.
Empower has a team of incredibly talented Osteopaths ready to help your clients get moving, feel better and get back to what they love doing most!
We pride ourselves in the delivery of innovative, high-quality, allied health solutions that constantly evolve to exceed the needs of your clients and their communities. Our service model integrates five service commitments that empower you to help your clients improve their sense of self-identity, quality of life, and ability to live safely in their environment.
Extensive service offerings
Care provided by highly skilled clinicians
A team approach to delivering continuity of care
User friendly referral process
Superior reports providing clarity on future care needs.
Click on your relevant health care industry sector below to learn more.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
“Osteopathy is about listening to the person, listening to the body and using a gentle, holistic approach to activate healing processes in the body and enable recovery.”- Denis Yardin, Empower Home Care and NDIS Osteopath.
An osteopath is an Allied Health professional who specialises in the assessment and treatment of structural and functional integrity of the human body, focussing on musculoskeletal system- the bones, muscles, nerves, blood and lymph circulation and other tissues that support the body and control its movements and function. Osteopaths aim to trigger healing processes in the body by treating movement restrictions, promote balance between different systems of the body and activate physiological processes required to achieve recovery.
Osteopaths working in Home Care assess each client holistically in their own environment and analyse how the body and its systems function when the person move or at full rest. They physically examine using their hands to determine which areas of the body are healthy and which are not so healthy that may be causing pain or disfunction.
Osteopaths believe that the body heals best if the right combination of manual techniques and treatment such as massage and the mobilisation of muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues are used to treat areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction, or strain in the body. Techniques are chosen based on the needs of the individual client and the symptoms they have reported as well as their functional goals.
These include but not limited to:
Therapeutic Massage and soft tissue techniques- to release and relax the muscles and other soft tissues
Mobilisation of stiff joints – to restore range of movement.
Articulation- where joints are moved through their natural range of motion.
Clinical exercise programs
These aim to reduce pain, improve movement, encourage blood flow and activate healing processes.
When to book at Osteopathy consultation
There are many reasons to see an osteopath when pain or movement problems effect quality of life, independence or function. Some typical conditions that benefit from osteopathy include:
Any joint, muscle and body pain.
Restricted movement in any part of the body.
Non-traumatic musculoskeletal injuries.
Reduced function due to stiffness, aches and pain
Headaches.
Chronic neck and back pain.
Poor posture, body alignment or weakness.
Osteopaths are also very successful with frail clients who may have multiple conditions as they are able to utilise a variety of gentle or indirect techniques.
Empower has a team of incredibly talented Osteopaths ready to help your clients get moving, feel better and get back to what they love doing most! Denis explains why he loves working in community allied health care.
“Working in Home Care gives me the opportunity to understand what my clients’ need to live the best, most active lives possible and help them achieve their goals by facilitating recovery to optimal health.”
We pride ourselves in the delivery of innovative, high-quality, allied health solutions that constantly evolve to exceed the needs of your clients and their communities. Our service model integrates five service commitments that empower you to help your clients improve their sense of self-identity, quality of life, and ability to live safely in their environment.
Extensive service offerings
Care provided by highly skilled clinicians
A team approach to delivering continuity of care
User friendly referral process
Superior reports providing clarity on future care needs.
Click on your relevant health care industry sector below to learn more.
How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
Denis Yardin, one of our incredibly talented and passionate Osteopaths, clarifies the mystery and misunderstanding behind his profession and explains the many benefits behind Osteopathy.
Osteopathy has exploded in popularity in Australia. Many people have started to visit them for their aches and pains without having a clear understanding of who they are and what they do. It is therefore our responsibility as health care providers to give an insight into how Osteopaths can help people within the community.
So, what is Osteopathy and why do people choose to see one? This blog aims to create an informative view on the profession of Osteopathy and how it can benefit people, along with examples to illustrate when someone would benefit from seeing an Osteopath.
WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY?
The International Academy of Osteopathy defines osteopathy as “a manual examination and treatment method of the integrated musculoskeletal, visceral system and craniosacral systems.”
Osteopaths assess the mobility and flexibility of the musculoskeletal, the vascular, the neurological, the visceral and fascial systems in all its integration. They value how the structure and function of those systems are interrelated and how the body uses its own self-healing mechanism to recover from injuries.
Examples of how an Osteopath would treat a patient could be as follows…
1. Hip Problem
A hip problem for instance may be resulting from multiple causes such as mechanical problems in the foot or knee, movement blockages within the pelvic joint, low back issues, or even circulation problems that may be related to the internal organs such as constipation.
An overall assessment of movement and specific musculoskeletal testing of several body structures are then used to differentiate between the tissues being affected and what are causing the problem. Once the origin of the condition is identified, the Osteopath uses a variety of manual techniques and exercise prescriptions, as well as patient education to help with the expected tissue healing prognosis.
2. Kidney problem
The visceral system includes all the organs present in the chest and abdominal cavity. A kidney problem may affect the mobility of the visceral fascia (connective tissue that connects/links the organs and all other tissues together within the body) which can lead to mobility/flexibility limitations in the musculoskeletal system, particularly around the torso where segmental neuronal supply is shared between the kidneys and skin/muscles.
An aspect of neural input to these organs relate to specific spinal cord segments. Therefore, a pain signal originating from an internal organ may affect muscles and skin that share the same spinal cord segment, and as a result, a patient may experience musculoskeletal pain without having any injury.
Specific visceral manipulation techniques may be used to encourage space within the abdomen to allow tension through fascia to free itself. Gentle manipulation technique is utilised with patient’s breathing which may relieve some discomfort. The Osteopaths may then reassess the patient’s back pain and treat where necessary.
Why should you choose to see an Osteopath?
Osteopaths conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify mobility impairments within the body systems and investigate the exact cause of the problem. We mainly use hands-on assessments and treatment techniques to manage structural and bio-mechanical dysfunctions with a holistic approach to assist with health optimisation. Those manual techniques are relatively gentle and are usually aimed at structures such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, fascia and other connective tissues.
The biopsychosocial model of health is frequently mentioned by Osteopaths as it is aligned with our treatment approach. It is the belief that biological, psychological and social factors play a profound role on how pain is perceived and dealt with by patients. Those factors are interrelated and display a complex relationship within themselves as shown in the diagram below.
An illustration of the biopsychosocial model comprised of biological, psychological, and sociological influences.
A patient-centered approach is taken, which considers the person in their entirety, including their goals, needs and expectations. Osteopathy is all about holism and therefore may also collaborate with other allied health modalities, to best consider patient outcomes.
Osteopaths educate patients regarding their condition and the different management strategies based on the latest evidence. They would hence always explain why they choose to do a manual therapy technique and what they aim to achieve during their consultation.
Who may benefit from seeing an Osteopath in the community?
Osteopaths are trained to assess and treat people of all demography with various presentations. Many people are unaware that the service can be provided in the community. Some short scenarios examples have therefore been prepared to give some ideas of what conditions may benefit from seeing an Osteopath.
Recurrent injury of unknown cause
A patient has tennis elbow or a suspicion of tennis elbow. However, he has never played tennis or had no recent trauma. The injury keeps on coming back despite taking medications or making some lifestyle changes.
Pain with no known underlying pathology
Pain is suddenly felt over the right knee. The pain is now present every day and impacts the patient’s ability to perform daily tasks. An X-ray has been performed and revealed no internal damage or pathology.
Mobility impairment that is generally non-traumatic
A patient is having a gradual decline in mobility. There have been no trauma or surgery to the legs. They have a known circulation problem and they feel weak.
A complex case where many allied health avenues were tried and had no significant change or result
A patient has been suffering from chest pain for more than 10 years. They have a long list of medical history. The patient has seen GPs, specialists, physiotherapist, psychologist to name a few. Medication administration lead to various side effects and therefore chose to stop them.
Patients that are seeking more passive treatment
A patient is very sensitive to touch and any manual treatment technique used in the past caused great pain. They also want to be involved in a treatment that would help in relaxation.
Having a massage is one of the most relaxing things on Earth. I mean it doesn’t take a Scientist to know that having a massage feels so good. But there are a few Scientific things occurring to our bodies during and after a massage that explain why we feel so good.
1. Increased circulation
Research tells us that massage leads to vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) through stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system receptors. Through the physical manipulation of soft tissue and associated chemical responses, the circulatory or cardiovascular system ensures that blood is circulated throughout the body.
Why is this important you ask?
Well blood contains nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones and blood cells and the circulatory system is the means to transport these to and from the cells and tissues within our bodies. This creates healthier cells and tissues within the body by removing the toxins and waste to promote homeostasis.
2. Increased levels of Happy chemicals: Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin and Endorphins
This quartet is responsible for our happiness and many studies have shown that Massage leads to increased levels of these neurotransmitters in our systems. So not only is Massage beneficial for our Physical wellbeing but improves our Mental wellbeing also.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurohormone that is released by the Hypothalamus in our bodies and provides us with improved psychological effects. This neurotransmitter helps regulate movement, emotional response and most importantly controls the brains reward and pleasure centers. So for some people receiving a massage induces the same sense of pleasure as physical intimacy, alcohol or recreational drugs. No wonder some people have an addiction to massages!
Serotonin
Serotonin is a mood stabiliser and often flows when we feel significant or important. Research has shown that massages can decease our levels of cortisol by 30 percent and when the production of Cortisol is inhibited our brains are in an optimal state to produce serotonin. As a result from the positive impact on mood and feelings of content it is not uncommon for people to fall asleep during a massage despite rigorous physical manipulation.
Oxytocin
More commonly known as the “love hormone” is released when massage is not vigorous i.e. a gentle massage you would receive in a spa whilst getting pampered. The increased production of this hormone often leads to that warm and fuzzy feeling inside and is often elevated in nursing mothers or people who fall in love.
Endorphins
We’ve all heard of Endorphins but what are they actually? Endorphins or “endogenous morphine” refers to a morphine-like substance originating from within the body (they are produced by the Central Nervous System and the Pituitary Gland). Their primary role is to inhibit the communication of pain signals but can also produce a feeling of euphoria (an experience of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of wellbeing and happiness) funnily enough the same sensation experienced from other opoids.
In today’s day and age many of us spend hours on a computer, tablet or phone and are falling victims to Upper Cross Syndrome, but what actually is it?
Upper cross syndrome is a muscular imbalance commonly seen in those with an office based job, drive for long hours, bike riders or people who are frequently on their phones. The muscular imbalances cause a forward neck posture and rounded shoulders resulting in a lot of stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulder and upper back. Specifically, the upper traps, levator scap and pectorals muscles become tight and overactive, while the deep neck flexors, lower traps and serratus anterior become weaker. The condition gets its name from the “x” shape that develops when regions of overactive and underactive muscles overlap.
The upper crossed syndrome often compromises scapular function, causing neck strain and pain, thoracic stiffness, shoulder pain, headaches or migraines. The muscle deficiencies result in poor posture in the upper body and can often result in lower body chain reactions, resulting in lower back pain.
Exercise and manual therapy is important to maintain good posture and hinder muscular deficits. Exercises that may be considered include scapular setting, deep neck muscle training and pectoral stretching ensure coordinated and synergistic function of these muscle groups. Manual therapy has also been proven to aid in pain relief and improve function.
If this sounds familiar then get in touch with our team to book an appointment with one of our Physiotherapists, Osteopaths or Massage Therapists to see what they can do for you.…
