Whether it’s quality physiotherapy, rewarding exercise or effective treatment for conditions such as arthritis and chronic pain, Canberra is home to many allied health professionals passionate about improving health.

Allied Health Professions Day was first held in England in 2018, but it is now an international event celebrated on October 14. 

This year’s theme, Stronger Together, highlights the benefits of multidisciplinary team-based care.

In this feature, “CityNews” speaks with local allied health experts, surgeons and medicinal practitioners who specialise in maintaining people’s wellbeing.

Pain support with a personal touch

Arthritis ACT is an allied health practice with a difference, says CEO Rebecca Davey. 

There are physios, exercise physiologists and an occupational therapist available, but Rebecca says they also have a team of peer workers, people with lived experience of the conditions they support people with.

“The issue with chronic conditions is often that until you’ve lived with it, you don’t have an innate understanding of what it is to walk that walk,” says Rebecca, who is very open with the community about her journey with inflammatory arthritis and the associated chronic pain.

“It’s often just the practical ideas that you can share, and you can honestly say: ‘This works for me, you might like to try it, or you might not.’

“Everyone that works in the health arena is passionate. It’s the reason why people choose these careers. 

“I think the difference with us is that we have all the added extras to support the community, especially in terms of community education and linkages to a wide range of experiences within [the] team who are there to support clients that come to our service.

Arthritis ACT offers ongoing programs for people who need any type of support with their chronic pain or debilitating fatigue conditions, and Rebecca says there are a range of low-cost group exercise classes, and lower-cost private access to one-on-one physiotherapy, exercise physiology and occupational therapy.

There is also access to free education programs and support groups every week, which Rebecca says helps clients build their own community of people that can really support them and understand.

Arthritis ACT, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au

Dr Vass offers life-changing hearing help

Getting help with hearing loss is all about improving communication and gaining clarity, says Dr Vass Hearing Clinic principal Dr William Vass.

Offering professional, independent advice and treatment, Dr Vass says taking the first step with a hearing test can be life-changing.

“We know hearing loss can be linked to anxiety, isolation, anger, relationship issues, work issues and miscommunication in general,” he says.

“After treatment or rehabilitation patients can find it a lot easier to get along with people, don’t have to guess so much and are much more confident in their communication skills, especially with their partner.”

While hearing loss can come with ageing, Dr Vass says it can also often affect young people, too.

“Those exposed to loud noises in military and construction fields can experience hearing loss. Some people might be genetically exposed to hearing loss or there could be viral infections,” he says.

“It’s very important to act early. Waiting too long can start to see a disconnect between the brain and the ear.

“We find that those people who put off getting help with their hearing loss for long periods don’t have as successful outcomes as those who seek help earlier.”

Dr Vass says patients have the certainty that they’ll be seeing him when they visit the clinic and that he will provide one-on-one, tailored care and advice.

“It’s rewarding to help people not be so isolated, and help improve their communication with others, especially their loved ones,” he says.

Dr Vass Hearing Clinic, suite 14, John James Medical Centre, 175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin. Call 6282 2717 or visit drvasshearing.com.au

Learn more about the annual cycle of care

Diabetes is a condition that can change over time, and what works on one day, or one month, or one year, may not the next, says Natalie Smith, general manager, health service operations NSW & ACT at Diabetes Australia.

“That’s why we recommend [that] everyone who is living with diabetes follows an annual cycle of care,” she says.

“It’s a simple tool to make sure you stay on top of diabetes and reduces the risk of complications to your eyes, heart, kidneys and feet.”

Natalie says regular visits with the GP and health professional team is really important to make sure issues are identified early, and to have plans in place to deal with them. 

Allied health care teams are an important part of this, and include credentialed diabetes educators, dietitians, exercise physiologists, dentists and podiatrists, says Natalie.

“Your GP is your gateway to these essential health professionals as well as your network of specialists,” she says.

“I’d encourage anyone living with diabetes to talk to their GP about the annual cycle of care. 

“While you’re there, you could also ask about allied health care referrals, which provide Medicare rebates for allied health services associated with chronic conditions like diabetes.”

Diabetes Australia runs credentialed diabetes educators or dietitian clinics in the ACT, says Natalie, and appointments can be booked over the phone.

More information about the annual cycle of care can be found on the Diabetes Australia website.

Diabetes Australia. Call 1800 177055, or visit diabetesaustralia.com.au

Podiatrists who help get Canberrans walking

As podiatrists, the team at The Walking Clinic specialise in issues with lower limbs, including the hips, knees and feet, says podiatrist Ricky Lee.

“We also make custom biomedical devices to assist with people’s gait, and prescribe custom orthotics,” he says.

Ricky says he always wanted to get involved with healthcare because he has always wanted to help people.

“One of the great things about working as a podiatrist is people come here in pain, and we help them and you can see improvements straight away,” he says.

The Walking Clinic can also help those suffering with plantar fasciitis, or chronic heel pain, with many options, including shockwave therapy. 

Shockwave therapy for chronic heel pain breaks down scar tissue and increases blood flow to decrease the associated pain, says Ricky, promoting healing and improving long term outcomes.

“Heel pain is very common, and for many people, when they get out of bed it can feel as though they are stepping on a knife,” Ricky says.

“This obviously affects their movement, so being able to help with that is great.”

Ricky says they can also assist in addressing issues with children’s gait, injury recovery, callus and corns, fungal laser treatment, or nail issues such as in-grown toe nails.

The Walking Clinic is located in Lyneham, Woden, Belconnen, Garran and Manuka. See walkingclinic.com.au for details.

Making access to eyewear easy

Curtin Optical stocks a wide range of eyewear and accessories, says owner Corey Nicholls.

Having been a part of the Curtin community for 29 years, he says Curtin Optical has three experienced optometrists available for appointments from Mondays to Fridays. 

“We cater to all tastes – from budget to well-known brands,” says Corey.

Curtin Optical also offers mobile optical dispensing services – spectacle selections and deliveries to the elderly or people unable to come into the store due to disability, he says.

“This includes spectacle repairs and adjustments, and an after-hours service,” says Corey.

“In addition, Curtin Optical offers an express service for those who have lost or broken their spectacles (Rx dependent). 

“Curtin Optical’s in-store services can offer a same-day turnaround and its mobile jobs have a 24-hour turnaround.”

Corey says its independence from large chains gives customers a more personalised service.

He says they are also providers to the ACT pension scheme and DVA, with Curtin Optical offering a 10 per cent discount to ACT Seniors Card holders on complete spectacles, when their card is presented at ordering.

Curtin Optical. Shop 1B, Curtin Place, Curtin. Call 6281 1220 or visit curtinoptical.com.au