Recent studies^1-5 have shown there is no clear association between heavy school back packs and low back pain in school children, contrary to the popular belief that the weight of a school bag is the main culprit behind the growing prevalence of low back pain in kids.

Low back pain (LBP) affects up to 4 in 10 Australian students at any point in time; 30 to 50 per cent will have pain persisting longer than three months³. 

The NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) is going down the path of ‘Americanising’ healthcare by changing who patients can see for complex and serious low back medical problems.

SIRA has announced the seemingly innocuous removal of the term ‘physiotherapist’ from the clinical care pathway in its Low Back Pain Model of Care, replacing it with ‘physical therapies’ to allow NSW patients to be treated by non-Ahpra regulated and limited scope exercise providers. 

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) announces the resignation of our esteemed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anja Nikolic, as she embarks on a new chapter in her career. Effective 15 March 2024, Anja will step down from her role as CEO of the APA to assume the CEO role at the Australasian Institute of Digital Health.

The NDIS has made headlines on multiple fronts this month, including the latest unfair commentary this morning from NDIS Minister Bill Shorten MP raising unfounded concerns about ‘price gouging’ by physiotherapy providers. 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review report released yesterday has suggested 26 recommendations and 139 supporting actions for an improved Scheme. 

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomes the thorough work undertaken by the NDIS Review and commends the commitment to ensuring people with disability have access to quality physiotherapy and the supports they need, both within and outside the NDIS.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomes the National Climate and Health Strategy released this week to address health and wellbeing impacts of climate change.

The APA supports the Federal Government’s ambitious plan for a health in all policies, whole-of-government approach to building climate-resilient and sustainable health sector and communities.

Falls resulting in hospitalisation in people over 65 in NSW have increased 60 per cent in a decade, a white paper released yesterday by the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission revealed. 

The latest report from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) highlights the need for urgent reforms to primary care, including access to physiotherapy and other regulated allied health professions that can alleviate the GP crisis in Australia.

Animal physiotherapists are shining a light on a common condition affecting more than two thirds of racehorses to prevent injury to both the animal and rider if left untreated.   

The underdiagnosed and increasingly prevalent injury ‘kissing spines’ sidelined multiple Group 1 winner Alligator Blood in 2020, steering him close to retirement¹, proving his comeback at the Might and Power Stakes 2024 last month and most recent third place at the Cox Plate last weekend all the more memorable.  

The Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon. Mark Butler MP today announced welcome moves to strengthen Medicare and improve primary care access, securing two new Urgent Care Clinic providers and tripling the bulk billing incentive for GPs treating commonwealth concession card holders.