Cabrini Allied Health

When you are diagnosed with diabetes, it will be necessary to make some lifestyle changes to manage your condition. Our Diabetes Education program helps you make informed choices related to your diabetes based on the most compelling research.

We strive to empower you with the information you need to reduce the development of diabetes-related complications, and maintain your optimum wellbeing. Diabetes educators offer consultation on all aspects of diabetes, including gestational diabetes, type 1 and 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Nutrition is a fundamental aspect of every patient’s care, recovery and wellbeing. Our dietetics team of tertiary qualified dietitians and dietetic assistants have expertise in nutrition related assessment, diagnosis, care planning, treatment and education. Treatment plans are carefully considered with your specific situation and clinical nutritional needs in mind.

We can help patients with our comprehensive range of general and specialist outpatient clinics, including:

• Diabetes
• Gastrointestinal nutrition
• Lifestyle and nutrition
• Maternity
• Oncology
• Paediatrics
• Renal

An exercise physiologist specialises in the use of exercise to help patients meet specific health goals, or to recover from a medical condition. At the Cabrini Allied Health Centre, our skilled exercise physiologists have a specific focus on assisting patients with cancer and chronic disease. They are adept at setting up tailored programs to meet patients’ individual needs.

Our exercise physiology programs include:

• Chronic disease exercise groups
• General strength and reconditioning
• Maintenance programs
• Oncology exercise groups
• 1:1 program development

“One of the most helpful, effective and nurturing programs we have ever been involved in,” a testimony from a patient with heart failure.

“Everyone was so helpful and lovely, I really loved the support and guidance I received at Cabrini. I felt very lost beforehand and now I feel empowered with knowledge,”

• A patient who had chronic pain.

Find out more about our exercise physiology services 

Occupational therapy assists people to enhance their quality of life by maximising their independence and engagement in activities of daily living.

We offer centre based therapy or home and community based assessment and interventions.

• Comprehensive functional assessment and retraining of daily living skills such as personal care and domestic skills
• Community reintegration including public transport and return to leisure based activities.
• Home modifications – assessment and modification of a client’s home environment to improve safety and independence
• Equipment prescription such as wheelchairs, bathroom aids and scooters
• Cognitive intervention including memory, planning and organising strategies explored
• Education on relaxation and stress management

Our physiotherapists are experienced in managing a range of conditions. They have expertise in: osteoarthritis, vertigo, sports and spinal injuries, pregnancy-related conditions, lymphoedema and respiratory conditions. We offer our patients individual treatment sessions and group-based programs in our fully-equipped gymnasium. Patients can also opt for the convenience of in-the-home visits.

Physiotherapy treatments include:

• Breathing training
• Education and advice, including strategies to increase physical activity, balance and strength
• Exercise therapy for a range of conditions, such as osteoarthritis (GLA:D), joint replacement and back pain
• Lymphoedema screening and management
• Manual therapy, such as dry needling
• Prescription of aids and braces
• Vestibular training
• Women’s health, including ultrasound for mastitis

Find out more about our physiotherapy services

Find out more about our respiratory services

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is offered at the Elsternwick site. The buoyancy and warmth of the water supports reduced pain and muscle spasm during exercise allowing greater range of movement. The resistance provided by the water can also be used for strengthening exercises as part of a rehabilitation program.

Find out more about our hydrotherapy services

Lymphoedema Program

Our specially-trained lymphoedema physiotherapists provide screening and monitoring, early intervention and complex lymphoedema management.

Find out more about our lymphoedema services

Physiotherapy Classes

GLA:D® (Good Life with osteoArthritis)GLA:D® is an evidence-based education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for people with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis symptoms of any severity. The aim of the program is to educate participants on osteoarthritis, exercise and self-management techniques; improve joint symptoms and function; and improve quality of life. The six week program consists of participant education, and a minimum of 12 sessions of supervised, individualised neuromuscular exercise therapy delivered by GLA:D® trained physiotherapists and evaluated in a national clinical registry. By strengthening and correcting daily patterns of movement, participants learn to train their bodies to move properly, preventing symptom progression, improving performance of every activity, and reducing pain.

Learn more about our GLA:D Hip and Knee Classes

GLA:D®BACK

A new program for persistent or reoccurring low back pain. Enquire about our evidence-based education and exercise program in conjunction with Macquarie University offered at Cabrini Specialist Centre – Elsternwick.

Learn more about our GLA:D BACK Program

Social workers are an integral part of the treating team at Cabrini and available across all of our campuses to assist patients and their families with their psychological, emotional and practical needs while undergoing treatment or participating in our education programs.

We provide a wide variety of social work services which can include:

• Individual and family counselling, support with adjustment to illness, grief, anxiety, depression and matters of concern that affect the patient’s recovery, including lifestyle changes.
• Assistance with self-management regarding social and health related issues that may cause conflict and family relationship tension/s.
• Referral and information to community services which may help to maintain independence in the community.
• Provision of resources to assist with returning home.
• Planning for future care including accommodation, as well as, financial and legal matters when required.

Speech pathologists are specialists trained in the assessment and management of communication and swallowing disorders. Our team can:

• Control chronic cough
• Help people who have difficulty swallowing food and fluids
• Manage dry mouth symptoms
• Treat voice disorders
• Improve speech clarity

Neuropsychologists are specialists trained in the assessment and management of cognitive disorders.

We provide comprehensive assessments for patients with

• Dementia
• Stroke
• Degenerative cognitive disorders e.g., Parkinson’s
• Acquired Brain Injuries

Find out more about our Neuropsychology services