Information for referrers

Who we are

Fitness Physio is an experienced physiotherapy and exercise rehabilitation clinic based in Merewether.

We are a small, local team with a strong focus on evidence-based care, active rehabilitation and long-term outcomes. Our physiotherapists regularly manage acute injuries, persistent pain, post-operative rehabilitation, sports injuries, workplace injuries and age-related musculoskeletal conditions.

We place a strong emphasis on patient education, progressive exercise, objective testing where appropriate, and helping each person return to their normal activities, work, training or sport.

Refer a patient

To refer a patient to Fitness Physio, please send through the referral letter and any relevant clinical information, including imaging reports, operation notes or insurer details where applicable.

Patients are also welcome to contact the clinic directly to book an appointment.

Fitness Physio
224 Union Street, Merewether NSW 2291
Phone: 02 4963 1140
Email: admin@fitnessphysio.com
Fax: 02 4963 1154

Conditions we commonly help with

We accept referrals for a broad range of musculoskeletal and rehabilitation presentations, including:

• Lower back pain and sciatica
• Neck pain and headaches
• Shoulder pain, rotator cuff related shoulder pain and post-operative shoulder rehabilitation
• Hip, knee and ankle pain
• Osteoarthritis and joint pain
• ACL injuries and knee ligament rehabilitation
• Running injuries and lower limb overload injuries
• Tendinopathies
• Sports injuries and return-to-sport rehabilitation
• Post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation
• Work-related injuries and return-to-work rehabilitation
• Osteopenia and osteoporosis
• Falls risk, strength loss and reduced physical function
• Persistent or recurring musculoskeletal pain

We are also happy to assess patients who are unsure whether physiotherapy is appropriate and guide them toward further medical review when required.

Services available at Fitness Physio

Our clinic provides individual physiotherapy and supervised rehabilitation services, including:

• Individual physiotherapy consultations
• Sports injury assessment and rehabilitation
• Running assessments
• Strength and movement screening
• Hand-held dynamometry strength testing
• AxIT force plate testing
• ACL and knee injury rehabilitation
• Post-operative rehabilitation (TKR, THR, TSR)
• Workplace injury and return-to-work rehabilitation
• Exercise rehabilitation and supervised strength classes
• ONERO osteoporosis program
• GLAD hip and knee osteoarthritis program
• Falls prevention, balance and strength rehabilitation
• Medicare Chronic Disease Management physiotherapy appointments
• Workers compensation, CTP and DVA physiotherapy, where applicable

Our approach is tailored to the patient’s presentation, goals, medical history and functional demands.

Why refer to Fitness Physio?

Referrers can expect practical, patient-centred care with a strong rehabilitation focus.

We aim to provide:

• Thorough assessment and clear clinical reasoning
• Evidence-informed treatment and exercise rehabilitation
• Clear explanation of the patient’s condition and management options
• Objective strength and functional testing where appropriate
• Rehabilitation plans that progress beyond symptom relief
• Support for return to work, sport, training and daily activity
• Communication with referrers when clinically appropriate
• Escalation for medical review, imaging or specialist opinion when indicated

We do not rely on passive treatment alone. Our goal is to help patients build confidence, improve capacity and understand how to manage their condition over time.

Communication and reporting

We value clear communication with referring practitioners.

Where appropriate, we can provide updates regarding assessment findings, treatment progress, capacity, barriers to recovery, return-to-work planning and discharge recommendations.

Written reports can be provided for GPs, surgeons, insurers and case managers when required.

For post-operative patients, we are comfortable working with surgeon protocols and can provide progress updates throughout rehabilitation.

Referral pathways

Patients can be referred to Fitness Physio in several ways.

Private patients do not require a referral and can book directly.

We also accept referrals under:

• Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans
• Workers compensation
• CTP claims
• DVA referrals
• Post-operative rehabilitation referrals
• Insurer or case manager referrals

Please note that Medicare Chronic Disease Management appointments are not bulk billed. Patients receive a Medicare rebate, with an out-of-pocket gap payable on the day.

Referral letters, imaging reports, operation notes and relevant medical history can be sent to the clinic before the patient’s appointment.

When further investigation or specialist review may be needed

If a patient presents with signs that suggest further medical review, imaging or specialist opinion may be appropriate, we will communicate this clearly with the patient and referrer.

This may include significant trauma, progressive neurological symptoms, suspected fracture, concerning systemic features, failure to progress as expected, or presentations where surgical or specialist input may be required.

Our role is to support safe, appropriate care and help patients access the right pathway at the right time.

Questions about a referral?

If you are unsure whether Fitness Physio is the right fit for a patient, please contact the clinic. We are happy to discuss whether physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation, strength testing or another referral pathway may be most appropriate.