Question 1

What does a physiotherapist do?

Accepted Answer

Physiotherapists diagnose and treat movement disorders, pain and injuries. We use hands-on techniques, exercise prescription, education and load management to help people move better and hurt less.

Question 2

What's the difference between a physio and a chiropractor?

Accepted Answer

Physiotherapists use a broader toolkit including exercise-based rehabilitation, manual therapy, dry needling and education. Chiropractors traditionally focus on spinal manipulation. Both can help, but for lasting recovery from injury, exercise-based rehab is best-evidenced.

Question 3

What's the difference between a physio and an exercise physiologist?

Accepted Answer

Physios focus on diagnosing and treating injuries and short-term rehab. Exercise physiologists specialise in long-term exercise-based management of chronic conditions and injury recovery. Tidal Motion offers both.

Question 4

How is Tidal Motion different from other Coffs Harbour clinics?

Accepted Answer

Longer initial assessments, a genuine focus on active rehab (not passive treatment on repeat), home visits across the Coffs Coast, and integrated physio + exercise physiology under one roof.

Question 5

Where is your clinic?

Accepted Answer

Unit 10/84-90 Industrial Drive, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, inside Evolve Fitness Collective. There's on-site parking and easy access.

Question 6

What are your opening hours?

Accepted Answer

Monday 7:30am–4:30pm, Tuesday–Thursday 7:00am–4:00pm. Friday to Sunday closed for clinic appointments, though home visits and NDIS work can sometimes be arranged.

Question 7

How much does a physio appointment cost in Coffs Harbour?

Accepted Answer

Private initial assessments are extended 60-minute sessions with a longer fee. Standard follow-ups are shorter and lower cost. Contact us for current rates or check your gap by tapping your health fund card via HICAPS at the appointment.

Question 8

Do you offer HICAPS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We process on-the-spot HICAPS rebates for all major Australian private health funds, so you only pay the gap at your appointment.

Question 9

Which health funds do you accept?

Accepted Answer

All major Australian private health funds with physiotherapy extras cover — including Bupa, Medibank, HCF, NIB, HBF, AHM, Australian Unity and more.

Question 10

Is there a discount if I pay for a block of sessions?

Accepted Answer

We don't sell prepaid packages. Every session is billed individually so you're never paying for care you haven't yet used.

Question 11

Do you bulk bill?

Accepted Answer

Medicare CDM sessions attract a rebate but not full bulk-billing at the private rate. A gap payment applies. NDIS and workers compensation are billed to your funding scheme with no out-of-pocket cost.

Question 12

Do I need a GP referral to see a physio?

Accepted Answer

No. Physiotherapists are primary contact practitioners in Australia — you can book directly. A GP referral is only needed for Medicare (Chronic Disease Management plans), DVA and workers compensation claims.

Question 13

How do I get a GP referral for physio?

Accepted Answer

Book a Chronic Disease Management review with your GP. If eligible, they can refer you for up to 5 Medicare-rebated allied health sessions per calendar year.

Question 14

Can you refer me to a specialist if needed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If we identify something outside our scope, we'll refer you back to your GP with a clear letter, or directly to an appropriate specialist where possible.

Question 15

Do you work with local GPs and surgeons?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly correspond with GPs and orthopaedic surgeons across Coffs Harbour to coordinate care, especially post-surgery.

Question 16

Can I use my NDIS funding for physio?

Accepted Answer

Yes. NDIS physiotherapy sits under Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building) in most plans. We support self-managed and plan-managed participants.

Question 17

What's the NDIS physio rate?

Accepted Answer

We charge the current NDIS Price Guide rate. Non-face-to-face reporting time is billed only where necessary and always transparently.

Question 18

Can you do NDIS home visits in Coffs Harbour?

Accepted Answer

Yes, across Coffs Harbour, Sawtell, Woolgoolga, Toormina, Boambee, Korora and surrounding suburbs. Travel is billed per the NDIS Price Guide.

Question 19

Do you write NDIS progress reports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide detailed progress reports well ahead of your plan review so you can advocate for the funding you need.

Question 20

Can you work with my support coordinator?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Support coordinators and plan managers can contact us directly to set up services and coordinate reporting.

Question 21

How many Medicare-rebated physio sessions can I get?

Accepted Answer

Under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan from your GP, you're eligible for up to 5 rebated allied health sessions per calendar year, shared across all allied health disciplines.

Question 22

What's the Medicare CDM rebate for physio?

Accepted Answer

The current Medicare rebate is around $60 per session — a gap payment applies over our standard fee.

Question 23

Can I use my Home Care Package for physio?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We link with providers under Home Care Package agreements and can walk you through the process. Physio and exercise physiology are common inclusions.

Question 24

Do you accept DVA cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we treat DVA Gold and White card holders (White card requires a condition-appropriate referral). No out-of-pocket cost.

Question 25

Do you accept workers compensation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we work with all major NSW workers compensation insurers and handle the paperwork on your behalf once your claim is accepted.

Question 26

Can physio help sciatica?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes. Sciatica typically responds well to specific movement, load management and progressive strengthening. Rest usually makes it worse.

Question 27

Can physio fix a bulging disc?

Accepted Answer

Bulging discs are extremely common — even in people without pain. Physio treats the pain and improves function; the disc itself often resolves naturally over months, whether or not it's imaged.

Question 28

Do I need an MRI before starting physio?

Accepted Answer

Usually no. Most musculoskeletal conditions are diagnosed clinically. We'll only recommend imaging if it will change management.

Question 29

Can physio help chronic pain?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Chronic pain responds best to a combined approach of graded exercise, education about pain science and gradual return to meaningful activity.

Question 30

Can physio treat headaches?

Accepted Answer

Cervicogenic (neck-related) and tension-type headaches often respond very well to physiotherapy. Migraines may benefit indirectly through neck management.

Question 31

Can physio help vertigo?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Vestibular physiotherapy — especially for BPPV — can resolve vertigo often within one or two sessions.

Question 32

How long is a physio appointment?

Accepted Answer

Initial assessments run 60 minutes. Standard follow-ups are typically 30–45 minutes depending on what your treatment requires.

Question 33

How many physio sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

Most acute injuries respond within 4–6 sessions. Chronic conditions and post-surgical rehab may need longer. We give you an honest estimate at your initial assessment.

Question 34

What should I wear to a physio appointment?

Accepted Answer

Loose, comfortable clothing that allows access to the area being treated. For lower limb issues, shorts are helpful. For upper limb, a singlet or t-shirt.

Question 35

Will my physio treatment hurt?

Accepted Answer

Assessment might reproduce your symptoms briefly, and some manual therapy can be uncomfortable. Nothing we do should be sharply painful, and you're in control of intensity throughout.

Question 36

Will I get exercises to do at home?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every plan includes a home program, delivered via video link so you can access it on your phone. Consistent home practice is what drives lasting change.

Question 37

Can I book online?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Visit our booking page to see live availability and book instantly.

Question 38

What's your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Please give us at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations so we can offer your spot to someone waiting. Late cancellations may incur a fee.

Question 39

Do you see kids?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we see paediatric clients for musculoskeletal issues, sports injuries and NDIS-funded therapy. Please mention the child's age when booking.

Physiotherapy FAQ

General

Costs & Rebates

Referrals

NDIS

Medicare & Home Care

Conditions

Sessions & Recovery

Still have questions?