Medical and Health Services
 McKinnon Sports Medicine is one of the best-known sports medicine centres with over 20 consultants ranging from doctors, physiotherapists, dietitians, myotherapists, osteopaths and podiatrists. It is the only centre with a fully equipped exercise physiology laboratory for stress and fitness testing and employs qualified exercise physiologists.
Medical Practitioners
McKinnon Sports Medicine treats medical and health issues for patients of all ages. Our highly trained team of doctors specialise in sport and spinal medicine. All our Medical Doctors have moved to East Bentleigh at Eastbound Clinic as of 1st July 2008. Further details...
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists are experts in posture and human movement; their primary focus is the restoration of function or minimisation of dysfunction after disease or injury.
Physiotherapy is a registered and regulated health profession. Health funds provide cover for some physiotherapy services in their extras packages. It is not necessary to obtain a referral to see a physiotherapist.
What do physiotherapists do?
Physiotherapists are trained to assess the underlying causes of joint, muscle and nerve injuries and provide effective treatment so you can resume your normal lifestyle as soon as possible. Sports physiotherapists are skilled at assessing and diagnosing sports injuries and using ‘hands on’ management techniques to assist recovery and prevent injury.
Physiotherapists at McKinnon Sport Medicine assess and diagnose the problem, then plan and administer treatment programs. They strive to improve an individual's quality of life by physical means, using a combination of manual therapy, movement training and physical and electrophysical agents.
Physiotherapy is a drug-free therapy and some techniques employed include:
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Soft tissue massage
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Joint mobilisation
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Manipulation
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Exercise and stretches
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Traction
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Ergonomic advice
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Remedial exercises
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Postural assessment, correction and advice
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Laser, ultrasound, electrotherapy and heat treatment
 Types of conditions treated by physiotherapy
Myotherapists
A myotherapist is a skilled health care professional who has undertaken a three year full-time applied science course, which includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and biochemistry.
Myotherapists and remedial masseurs at McKinnon Sports Medicine treat pain and restriction of movement caused by muscle and its surrounding tissue.
Pain or symptoms caused by muscle (myo) or fascia is described as myofascial. Myofascial pain is usually not specific and is often described by the patient as a 'deep ache', 'tightness' or 'tenderness' in an area. It can vary in intensity and radiate to other areas. Other symptoms can include reduced range of motion of muscles and joints, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, numbness or a tingling sensation. There are many other symptoms depending on the condition and patients can have one or many symptoms.
What do myotherapists do?
Myotherapists assess and physically treat myofascial pain, injury and dysfunction affecting movement and mobility. Myotherapy – trigger point therapy - is applied in the preventative, corrective and rehabilitation phases of therapy to restore and maintain the normal integrity of the soft tissue structure (muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia) of the human body.
Myofascial trigger points (MTPs), or "knots" as they are often referred to, are not only capable of causing local pain but they also commonly refer pain to distant areas and as a result, are often overlooked. Myotherapists are trained to recognise the symptoms of MTPs and also in the latest methods of deactivating them which relieves pain and returns muscle to normal function
Types of conditions treated
What techniques do Myotherapists use?
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Soft tissue manipulation
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Assisted stretching
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Exercises - to complete at home to assist in rehabilitation
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Work in conjunction with sports physicians, physiotherapists and other health professionals to assist in the rehabilitation of injuries and pain reduction.
Dietitians
 Dietitians are university-qualified experts in nutrition and dietetics. They have the skills and training to provide food and nutrition advice to meet individual health and lifestyle needs. An Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) undertakes ongoing training and education to comply with the Dietitians Association of Australia's (DAA) guidelines for best practice. They are committed to the DAA Code of Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics and to providing quality service.
Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA) is a professional organisation of dietitians specialising in the field of sports nutrition. Sports dietitians work with elite and recreational athletes, active children and anyone whose nutrition needs play an important part in achieving their goal.
Dietitians help to:
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Promote healthy food choices
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Treat nutrition-related disease
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Enable individuals to create positive change in food choices and eating behaviour
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Enable people to meet their individual nutritional needs in a way that suits their particular lifestyle
Dietitians at McKinnon Sports Medicine provide assistance to groups and individuals with the management of nutritional care. You do not need a referral to see a Dietitian.
Types of patients/conditions treated
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Weight loss
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Weight gain
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Anorexia/bulimia/eating disorders
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Disordered eating
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Vegetarians
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Iron deficiency/anaemia
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Athletes/sports people
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High cholesterol and or blood lipids
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Tired/lethargic
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Pregnant women
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Children/adolescents - overweight - poor eating habits
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Shift workers - to plan eating timetable
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Irritable bowel syndrome (diarrhoea, constipation, stomach aches)
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People wanting to obtain a healthy lifestyle
The consultation
The initial dietary consultation takes one hour and includes a full dietary and body composition assessment if needed, as well as dietary education and planning. Follow-up consultations for monitoring, further education and counselling are 15 to 30 minutes in duration. The frequency of these depends on individual need.
Podiatrists
 Podiatrists play an important role in the maintenance of mobility and consequently general health and independence of all members of the community. Podiatry deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower limbs.
The conditions podiatrists treat include those resulting from bone and joint disorders such as arthritis and soft-tissue and muscular pathologies, as well as neurological and circulatory disease. Podiatrists are also able to diagnose and treat any complications of the above which affect the lower limb, including skin and nail disorders, corns, calluses and ingrown toenails. Foot injuries and infections gained through sport or other activities are also diagnosed and treated by podiatrists. Podiatrists also intervene to correct underlying causative mechanical factors and improve the rate of recovery.
Exercise Physiologists
Exercise Physiologists (EP) are professionals from within the field of exercise science who specialise in either health and fitness or exercise rehabilitation. An exercise physiologist provides professional services in the area of exercise as a treatment strategy in physical rehabilitation, or as a preventative strategy for disease prevention.
Many people believe the role an EP can play is only in helping athletes achieve their peak, or rehabilitate from injury. But EP also work with individuals in the community to help them initiate an exercise program and ensure it is safe for them to begin a program.
In both situations the exercise physiologist will help to identify strengths and weaknesses that an individual has in response to various fitness tests, and then design an appropriate exercise program to work on these weakness.
For athletes this will help improve performance and for the general public, improve health and quality of life.
Interventions will rarely only involve physical activity and as a consequence the exercise physiologist does not practice in isolation but will collaborate with other recognised health practitioners.
McKinnon Sports Medicine, through their Australian Association of Exercise & Sports Science (AAESS) accredited EP's, provides professional assistance to anyone who wishes to exercise more effectively and safely.
Assessment procedures conducted by an exercise physiologist are used to determine an individual’s aerobic fitness, lung function, and heart function, through an ECG which monitors the electrical activity of the heart - commonly known as a stress test - used to determine if there is any presence of cardiovascular disease and what level of exercise training is safe and effective.
EP's uses this information to determine an appropriate fitness program based on test results and the goals of the client, such as to improve fitness, anaerobic capacity, recovery, body image and motivation.
Types of patients/conditions treated
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People with cardiovascular risk factors
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Weight loss/gain
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Athletes/sports people
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High cholesterol
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Tiredness/lethargic
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Pre/post pregnancy
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Children/adolescents
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People wanting to improve their lifestyle
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Workcover claims
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Enhanced primary care patients
- DVA gold & white card holders - see DVA article
Enhanced Primary Care
All McKinnon Sports Medicine Allied Health Professionals are actively involved in the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program.
Medicare benefits are available for up to five eligible allied health services per patient, per calendar year.
For Medicare benefits to be payable, the patient with chronic & complex care needs, must be referred by their GP using an EPC program referral form for allied health services under Medicare.
A chronic medical condition is one that has been or is likely to be present for at least 6 months including, but not limited to asthma, cancer, cardiovascular illness, diabetes mellitus, mental health conditions, arthritis, and musculoskeletal conditions. A patient is considered to have complex care needs if they require ongoing care from a multi-disciplinary team consisting of their GP and at least two other health or care providers.
For any enquires regarding the above services please contact us.
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Medical and Health Services 
