Clinical Pilates and Yoga

Taught by Physiotherapists and trained Polestar Pilates Instructors, Clinical Pilates is progressive exercise training that develops core strength and postural control.  Your body will feel younger and more energized.  It improves long-standing back and neck pain.  Pilates also enhances sporting performance and develops good postural alignment that feels natural and looks great. It can help to improve long standing spinal pain and muscle balance issues and can be done at any age.

We have options to suit everyone. You can choose Mat Pilates which incorporates movement and some small equipment. Starting with a beginner's course and progressing to more advanced levels. Classes are approximately an hour and are taught in our exercise studio.  Exercises are done on the floor and may use equipment such as foam rollers, magic circles and elastic for resistance.  Suitable for all levels – we suggest you do a Beginner’s Course First.

Studio Pilates makes use of our larger equipment such as the Reformer, Trap Table or Pilates Chair. For this Pilates you are first required to attend some one one one sessions with a physio. Classes are individually tailored to your needs, and with a maximum of 5 participants, allow for personalised prescription and coaching of exercises.  These classes are fantastic for recovering from injuries, or working towards specific goals. You will need some one-on-one sessions first so the Physio can tailor a programme to suit your needs.

Express Pilates: A 30-minute mat class taught in our exercise studio. Ideal if you are pressed for time.

Small Group: You can organise a group (of up to 5) to join you in a Studio Pilates Group

Online Pilates: You can order a weekly online class (a new link each week which lasts a week) to be done in your own time at home. This class follows the Mat Class Format.

Yoga: Our Yoga is aimed at all levels and is suitable for anyone rehabilitating from an injury or just looking to move and stretch. Ariel likes to incorporate a bit of strengthening work along with her flow.

Oncology Physiotherapy

Our cancer rehabilitation physiotherapists, and lymphoedema therapists offer additional support for you and your family following a diagnosis of cancer. They have undertaken additional training and are certified by PINC and STEEL Foundation, which trains Oncology Physiotherapists, to provide individualised care to these specific populations.

Services include one-on-one treatment, classes and groups that are specific to cancer rehabilitation and if your insurance covers it, even Return to Work plans. Services can be self-funded, funded by charitable foundations or by insurance. 

Remember your health insurance provider may include cover for physiotherapy or oncology massage services, also we accept Under the Canopy vouchers as provided by Canopy Cancer Care.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is swelling caused by an accumulation of lymph (protein rich fluid) which is normally drained by our lymphatic system. Lymphedema can range from being mild to severe, the most common causes we see are due to cancer or cancer treatment such as surgery or radiation. Our specialised Lymphoedema therapists can help to reduce Lymphoedema or manage current swelling by teaching you techniques, recommending equipment that encourages drainage, and manually helping to drain lymph fluid. Our therapists are trained in manual lymph drainage which using a massage-like technique to move trapped fluid in the swollen limb toward an area with working lymph vessels. They are also able to offer general advice on how to minimise your risk of having ongoing swelling.

At Active+ Albany, we use the LymphScanner, the only non-invasive device with high sensitivity that can measure local water content in the tissue. This device can measure for lymphoedema at any skin site of the body, helping us identify early lymphoedema that occurs due to dermal backflow. This information helps to track the extent of lymphoedema, aids in the planning of treatment interventions and helps us recognise the effectiveness of our treatment strategies over time.

Low Level Laser Therapy is a handheld treatment option that influences cell activity to provide a pain relief effect and reduces swelling and inflammation. At Active+ Albany we use it alongside other treatment strategies, to address axillary webbing/cording, scar tissue including keloid scars, and fibrotic (hardened) tissue which occurs in some cases as a result of lymphoedema.

Exercise Rehabilitation

Our exercise physiologist is trained in assessing and treating clients with chronic diseases and conditions such as cardiac conditions, high blood pressure and weight management. He is able to provide clients with a bespoke exercise programme, aimed at assisting our clients in a return to health, safely and in a monitored environment. He works out of both our Albany and Neuro Clinics.

Shockwave Therapy

Radial shock waves are acoustic waves introduced into the body by means of a transmitter and handpiece. These waves move through the body in outward motion from the point of contact. The point of contact will be moved throughout your treatment to cover the entire pain region. Radial shockwaves are often referred to as radial pressure waves, which is the correct definition in physical terms because it best describes how the waveform moves through the body. When introduced into the tissue, shock waves and pressure waves have effects on a cellular level that are beneficial for healing. Increased blood flow2 and formation of new blood vessels3,4 create an improved environment for tissue repair. It has further been shown that application of shock waves influences the body’s pain regulating mechanisms resulting in local pain relief.

Gait Analysis

If you are a runner, dealing with a niggly injury, or need to have a gait assessment, aimed at improving your running style or preventing recurring injury, then we have a package to assess and treat your problem with our physio Connor McCabe.

Paediatric Services

Our highly experienced Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists can work with your family at home, at school or in our bright and friendly clinic. They are specially trained to help Tamariki in areas including; sports injuries or fractures, growing pains, neurological conditions.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles through your skin at various points on your body. Traditional Chinese medicine explains Acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force believed to flow through pathways in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, Acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.

Our experienced Physiotherapists are trained in Acupuncture and will treat within the Western Medicine framework, using Acupuncture alongside other Physiotherapy techniques to relieve pain and reduce muscle tension or even spasm. Contrary to what many might believe, Acupuncture is not painful and people can find it very relaxing. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for calming and even improving sleep.

Sports Massage

Massage is proven to reduce stress, relieve pain and lower blood pressure and heart rate. Our experienced and qualified therapists are experts in using massage to decrease pain and muscle tension, increase range of movement and enhance athletic performance. Our therapists are trained to diagnose specific joint or muscle problems and then develop a plan to help alleviate the pain and symptoms from injury, and if massage is an appropriate way to treat your injury then this will be provided. Massage can also be used to try prevent injuries from occurring from overuse or strain of certain muscles.