pain
management
rehabilitation
recovery

The Rehabilitation Medicine Group is a multidisciplinary team of professional medical and allied health clinicians who work together to improve your health, functional abilities, mood and quality of life. We provide personalized rehabilitation programs to educate and exercise you. All of our clinicians have expertise in the rehabilitation of people with a wide variety of health conditions.

No problem is too complex.

CONDITIONS WE TREAT

CHRONIC (PERSISTENT) PAIN

We specialise in treating people with any simple or complex pain condition that has persisted for longer than 3 months. This includes neck and back pain, arthritis, neuropathic (nerve) pain, complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS), post-surgical pain, frozen shoulders (adhesive capsulitis) , tendinopathy, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and central sensitization.

NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

We manage the physical, psychological and activity limiting aspects of Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy and acquired brain injury. This includes the management of pain, spasticity, hand and upper limb impairments, walking impairments and affected balance.

CANCER

We treat people with side effects that can result from cancer or its treatment (such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy). This includes pain management, deconditioning (including muscle weakness, loss of balance, reduced fitness), loss of confidence and changes to mood.

ARTHRITIS

We treat people with osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis to maximise joint and muscle function, reduce pain and improve function and mobility. Many people with arthritic joints do not report pain and we aim to teach people how to minimise their pain and maintain function. This includes arthritis involving spines, shoulders, hips and knees.

PAIN AND DISABILITY IN OLDER ADULTS

Chronic pain rates in the community increase as we age due to arthritis and injury, especially associated with falls and fractures. Pain can lead to a reduced ability to exercise resulting in reduced fitness, strength and balance. This can result in a reduced ability to perform activities and risks further falls, injury and loss of independence.

POST SURGICAL PAIN

It is normal to have some pain immediately after surgery, but for most people, this resolves over 3 - 6 weeks. Pain persisting after 6 weeks requires a different approach to treatment and rehabilitation to improve outcomes. Persisting Post Surgical Pain is common after spinal surgery, orthopaedic surgery (knee and hip replacements) and thoracic surgery.

SPINAL PAIN

Back and neck pain are two of the leading causes of worldwide disability. We treat people with acute and chronic spinal pain, following spinal surgery or with traumatic or osteoporotic vertebral fractures. We treat people with mild pain to those with severe pain and with other complex health issues. This includes any pain thought due to canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, discs, facet joints or fractures.

CONDITIONS WE TREAT

CHRONIC (PERSISTENT) PAIN

We specialise in treating people with any simple or complex pain condition that has persisted for longer than 3 months. This includes neck and back pain, arthritis, neuropathic (nerve) pain, complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS), post-surgical pain, frozen shoulders (adhesive capsulitis) , tendinopathy, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and central sensitization.

NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

We manage the physical, psychological and activity limiting aspects of Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy and acquired brain injury. This includes the management of pain, spasticity, hand and upper limb impairments, walking impairments and affected balance.

CANCER

We treat people with side effects that can result from cancer or its treatment (such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy). This includes pain management, deconditioning (including muscle weakness, loss of balance, reduced fitness), loss of confidence and changes to mood.

ARTHRITIS

We treat people with osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis to maximise joint and muscle function, reduce pain and improve function and mobility. Many people with arthritic joints do not report pain and we aim to teach people how to minimise their pain and maintain function. This includes arthritis involving spines, shoulders, hips and knees.

PAIN AND DISABILITY IN OLDER ADULTS

Chronic pain rates in the community increase as we age due to arthritis and injury, especially associated with falls and fractures. Pain can lead to a reduced ability to exercise resulting in reduced fitness, strength and balance. This can result in a reduced ability to perform activities and risks further falls, injury and loss of independence.

POST SURGICAL PAIN

It is normal to have some pain immediately after surgery, but for most people, this resolves over 3 - 6 weeks. Pain persisting after 6 weeks requires a different approach to treatment and rehabilitation to improve outcomes. Persisting Post Surgical Pain is common after spinal surgery, orthopaedic surgery (knee and hip replacements) and thoracic surgery.

SPINAL PAIN

Back and neck pain are two of the leading causes of worldwide disability. We treat people with acute and chronic spinal pain, following spinal surgery or with traumatic or osteoporotic vertebral fractures. We treat people with mild pain to those with severe pain and with other complex health issues. This includes any pain thought due to canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, discs, facet joints or fractures.

TREATMENTS WE USE - HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT

WE USE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENT

Following a comprehensive medical assessment, we can prescribe an individually tailored pain rehabilitation program from a short physiotherapy 6 session course through to a comprehensive 12 week multidisciplinary course. We treat not only your pain, but you and the effects that pain has on your life. Our multidisciplinary programs of neuroscience education, cognitive skill training and specific neuromuscular exercises teach you to reduce and control your pain, then teach you to live without pain and take charge of your life again. Injections or surgery are not required.

You can reduce medication use, improve sitting, standing and walking tolerances, improve sleep and mood, return to your usual daily activities, return to recreational activities and return to work. Your fitness, general and psychological health can all be significantly improved.
Our neurological rehabilitation programs are personally tailored to enhance your recovery using the exciting new principles of neuroplasticity (the ability to change how the brain and spinal cord function). This can improve balance, strength, walking and running ability, independence to perform your usual activities and aid in a return to sports and work. Featuring the new LSVT® BIG neuroplasticity program for Parkinson's Disease with Darren Lau. This intensive program involves 1 hour training sessions, 4 days a week for 4 weeks.
After a cancer treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been completed, this rehabilitation program helps you get on with living. This program can help with pain management, help set goals for your future, improve your fitness and strength, improve your mood and improve your quality of life. We can assist in returning you to work or recreation.
We offer a short course on pain rehabilitation for osteoarthritis to reduce pain, maximise joint function, improve function and quality of life. Improving pain and function with rehabilitation compares favourably with outcomes after joint replacement - without the surgery! We will advise on dietary management, pain medications, exercise and cognitive strategies.
Our multidisciplinary team strategies work well to reduce pain and improve function in older adults. We also aim to reduce medication use, improve balance to prevent falls, improve fitness and strength, improve walking style and endurance. This will maximise independence, improve quality of life and help return people to their recreational pursuits and sports. Our programs are individually prescribed and combine aspects of cardiac, pulmonary, pain, neurological, falls and balance rehabilitation programs.
As pain lasting longer than 3 months after surgery is unlikely to change with standard treatments, we offer a neuroscience based multidisciplinary program of desensitisation, exercise and cognitive strategies to treat pain and start you on the road to recovery. This includes a review and rationalisation of medication, an activity based plan, return to work, recreation and sport management. We have particular expertise post spinal and shoulder surgery and following knee and hip joint replacement.
We treat people with acute and chronic spinal pain involving the neck, thoracic region or lower back (and sometimes all three). We apply the latest neuroscience based exercise and cognitive strategies to reduce pain, improve function and activity and return people to work and recreation. We instruct you on safe postures, movements, exercise and activities, review medication use and support your healthy spine.

THE REHABILITATION MEDICINE GROUP

The Rehabilitation Medicine Group was established in 2013 to provide a private and personalised approach to the rehabilitation of chronic pain and disability resulting from disease, injury or illness.

At its core is the philosophy of providing clinically excellent rehabilitation programs of education and exercise to enable a person to better manage their own health. We are passionate about providing the best evidence based rehabilitation solution for you to improve your ability to move, function, work, socialise and play. Dr Nathan Johns, a specialist Rehabilitation Medicine Physician, leads our team of rehabilitation clinicians.

WHAT IS REHABILITATION MEDICINE?

Rehabilitation Medicine is a person-centred medical speciality focused on assisting people to achieve their goals. It has the advantage of being a team based specialty that utilises the knowledge and skills of allied health practitioners with additional expertise to achieve better health and functional outcomes. Rehabilitation Medicine focuses on the whole person including their psychological and social well-being, not just their affected body part.

The Australian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM) is the peak professional organisation for Rehabilitation Medicine education and training in Australia and New Zealand. It is a Faculty of the Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP).

Dr Nathan Johns
Rehabilitation Physician

Dr Johns is a specialist Rehabilitation Medicine Physician with over 15 years of expertise in managing chronic pain and disability. He graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (with honours) in 1996. He is a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM, RACP). He has speciality training and experience in all aspects of rehabilitation including pain management, neurological rehabilitation, orthopaedic rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury and the rehabilitation of Older Adults. Dr. Johns is an examiner for the AFRM and has experience in medical education. Dr Johns has consulted at Epworth Rehabilitation Brighton since 2006, admitting rehabilitation inpatients. His research interests include persistent post surgical pain, chronic pain, aerobic training and rehabilitation following spinal surgery and knee joint replacement. Dr Johns consults at the Rehabilitation Medicine Group on Tuesdays and  Thursdays. 

Dr Kal Fried
Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician

Dr Kal Fried is an experienced specialist in Sports and Exercise Medicine having attained Fellowship of the Australian College of Sports Physicians in 1995. His practice has included working in the Victorian snowfields, at the Melbourne Football Club (AFL) and Collingwood Football Clubs and as team doctor for the AFL Australian International Rules team. Dr Fried has also supported other elite sporting teams including the Australian Diamonds netball team. Dr Fried is a medical advisor on the Clinical Panel for both the TAC and WorkSafe as well as practicing as an Independent Medical Examiner. In addition to his sports medicine skills including ultrasound guided injection techniques, Dr Fried has particular interests in the neuroscience of pain, treating persistent  pain with desensitisation, exercise and conditioning prescription in injury and pain as well as general medical condition management. Dr Fried joined the multidisciplinary team at the Rehabilitation Medicine Group in October 2016 to further his interest and management of persisting pain. Dr Fried is consulting on Tuesday and Friday afternoon. A link to his pain website is here.

Darren Lau
Physiotherapist

Darren Chun Kiat Lau is a qualified physiotherapist and a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Darren specialises in chronic pain management and general and neurological rehabilitation. Darren is a LSVT® BIG Certified Clinician and is able to deliver this intensive neuroplasticity program for people with Parkinson's Disease. After studying physiotherapy at Melbourne’s LaTrobe University, Darren gained both experience and passion working as part of the rehabilitation team at the Epworth Rehabilitation hospitals. Darren has an active treatment approach and utilises our on-site rehabilitation gymnasium to retrain the body and the mind. Darren is part of our Aged Care Rehabilitation Team and is able to treat people in their home or residential care facility. For Chinese speakers, Darren also speaks Mandarin and Cantonese. Darren consults Monday to Thursday mornings and Friday afternoons.

Dr Leah Levy
Clinical Psychologist

Dr Leah Levy joined the Rehabilitation Medicine Group team in September 2016. Dr Levy is a registered psychologist with specialist training in Clinical and Health Psychology, including endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist by AHPRA. Dr Levy is passionate about working in rehabilitation and pain management with a strong background in both hospital and private practice. This includes pain management at St George's Health Service's Pain Clinic for Older People (current), Dorset Rehabilitation Centre and the Barbara Walker Centre for pain Management at St Vincent's Hospital. Dr Levy has worked with people of all ages including in the oncology setting, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. Dr Levy works collaboratively with patients towards self-management using individualised cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness techniques. Dr Levy completed her Doctor of Psychology in 2011 with her thesis entitled "Psychological, symptom, and decision-related distress in men with prostate cancer". Dr Levy is currently on maternity leave.

Dr Joanne King
Clinical Neuropsychologist

Dr King is a registered and experienced clinical neuropsychologist having achieved a Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology) from Victoria University following a science degree in psychology. Dr King also has a Master in Human Nutrition and combines lifestyle management with psychological treatments to improve health and wellbeing. Dr King has extensive experience in the neuropsychological assessment and treatment of traumatic and acquired brain injury (eg. Stroke and Parkinson’s disease) having worked in inpatient and community rehabilitation settings. Dr King utilizes mindfulness integrated cognitive behavioural therapy to treat persistent pain and neurological conditions as well as irritable bowel syndrome, sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, stress and chronic fatigue. Dr King is consulting on Wednesdays.

A/Prof Barry Rawicki
Rehabilitation Physician

A/Prof Barry Rawicki will commence practicing at the Rehabilitation Medicine Group in Moorabbin on Wednesday from August 1, 2018

Dr Kathleen Ooi
Rehabilitation Physician

Dr Kathleen Ooi will commence practice at the Rehabilitation Medicine Group on Fridays from August 3, 2018

Dr Michelle Loh
Rehabilitation Physician

Dr Michelle Loh will commence practice at the Rehabilitation Medicine Group on Wednesdays in August 2018.

Dr Ngoc Le
Rehabilitation Physician

Dr Ngoc Le will commence practice at the Rehabilitation Medicine Group on Fridays in August 2018

Dr Sarah Kofoed
Rehabilitation Physician

Dr Sarah Kofoed will commence practice at the Rehabilitation Medicine Group on Thursdays in August 2018.

Kerry
Reception

Kerry has returned to The Rehabilitation Medicine Group as our medical receptionist, having been there at the start for the set-up. She is an experienced medical receptionist, personal and executive assistant and business manager with a smile.

IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO MOVE, FUNCTION, WORK, SOCIALISE AND PLAY.

CONTACT US

The Rehabilitation Medicine Group
Ground Floor, Suite 5, 999 Nepean Hwy
Moorabbin Victoria 3189

Telephone: +613 9555 7769

Fax +613 8738 1504

Email: reception@thermg.com.au

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