How can an exercise physiologist assist you in achieving your NDIS goals?
We are proud to say that we are the largest NDIS provider in the Sutherland Shire- each and every day, we help numerous individuals who are on the NDIS achieve their goals. There are many ways that we do this, but perhaps the most impactful is through exercise. While it is often clear-cut as to how a physiotherapist can assist, many individuals are not sure of the role of exercise physiologists.
However, with exercise physiology growing as a profession, and the power of exercise being realised more and more each day, it is important to understand exactly what an exercise physiologist is, and how they can help you achieve your NDIS goals.
What is an exercise physiologist?
An exercise physiologist, or accredited exercise physiologist, is a university-trained allied health professional who specialises in the use of exercise for the prevention and management of chronic conditions. In other words, just as a doctor might prescribe medication to help prevent or treat a condition, an exercise physiologist prescribes exercise instead.
The beauty is that exercise is medicine.
For some conditions, exercise is just as good, and if not better, than other forms of treatment. For many other conditions, exercise is a very effective adjunct to standard treatment. As a result, exercise is very often a big part of the management plan of many conditions.
How can an exercise physiologist help you to achieve your NDIS goals?
The needs and goals of individuals who are supported by the NDIS are often very specific. Consequently, therapy and management also need to be very specific.
The beauty is that exercise physiologists are specially trained in designing and implementing exercise therapy programs that are tailored to individual needs and goals. That means that an exercise physiologist will work directly with you and tailor their care specifically to you.
Working alongside an exercise physiologist will first involve an in-depth breakdown of your specific needs, interests and NDIS goals. Your exercise physiologist will then tailor an assessment specific to you to quantify your current capacity. Capacity refers to things such as fitness, strength, mobility, day-to-day function, and balance.
Following this, you will attend regular consultations with your exercise physiologist, where you will engage in exercise therapy, as well as learn the tools, skills and behaviour modifications, to help propel you toward achieving your NDIS goals (one unique and very awesome thing about exercise physiologists is that they place special emphasis on equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools required to manage their condition as independently as possible).
Finally, you will engage in regular follow-up assessments, where you can see just how much you are improving your capacity, and importantly, how you are progressing toward achieving your NDIS goals. The exercise physiologist can then make any relevant adjustments to your therapy plan so that you are on the best track possible toward achieving your NDIS goals.
What types of conditions can an exercise physiologist help manage?
The focus of exercise physiologists is quite broad. Though this list is not exhaustive, exercise physiologists may work with people living with the following conditions or disabilities:
Autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputation, blindness and hearing loss, Aspergers’ syndrome, down syndrome, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, motor neurone disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, myopathy.
Questions?
If you would love to find out more about how an exercise physiologist can help you achieve your NDIS goals, please get in touch with us on the details below.
Brandon Coorie, AEP