Neurological and Disability Physiotherapy
Neurological conditions are often unique and complex in nature and require a specialised and individualised treatment approach combining a knowledge of neuroscience, tailored exercises and hands on treatment techniques to improve movement quality, gait, balance and function. Our nervous system never loses the ability to change and learn in a process called neuroplasticity. Physiotherapy aims to promote these naturally occurring changes through a variety of treatment approaches to achieve lasting change and support our clients to achieve their goals.
The Evolve Physiotherapy team are incredibly passionate about their work and highly skilled to support their clients to work towards their goals.
We provide expert, evidence-based care for a range of neurological conditions and disabilities. As a team we are well recognised for providing a caring, friendly, holistic and professional approach and will go above and beyond for all our clients.
This means that you can be confident that you are receiving treatment of the highest quality.
Physiotherapy treatment may include:
- Individualised exercises to improve walking, balance, coordination, increase muscle strength, endurance and functional independence. These may be based at your home, gym or swimming pool.
- Specialised exercise programs including Pilates, PD Warrior, LSVT BIG, Physio Chi
- Vestibular and balance re-education programs
- Education on strategies to manage fatigue and pain
- Management of spasticity, spasms, joint stiffness and muscle contracture
- Botulinum toxin injection follow-up
- Hands on treatment and therapeutic handling techniques such as the Bobath Technique
- Education to family/carers on techniques such as manual handling
- Gait and transfer assessment and prescription of appropriate equipment
- Falls risk assessments and support to implement strategies to minimise falls risk.
- Functional Electrical Stimulation treatment
- Set up and monitoring therapy assistant programs where appropriate
- Working within and communicating regularly with your wider health care team in order to provide a coordinated team approach
Claire Plapp
Lead Physiotherapist
Claire graduated as a Physiotherapist in Birmingham, UK in 1993. Claire’s passion for working with neurological conditions and disability had already been established as a student and Claire has now been working in this field for 30+ years.
Throughout her career Claire has worked in a variety of healthcare settings from acute neurology to rehabilitation units and community based care. Claire was based at Geelong Private Hospital for 10 years where she set up and managed the 'Falls and Balance Program' and ‘MS Wellness Program’. The highly regarded and innovative ‘MS Wellness Program’ was the Victorian and Tasmanian finalist in the Healthscope Star Awards in 2017.
Claire launched her private practice in Geelong in 2005 and has built an exceptional reputation within the community and amongst local GPs, Specialists and other allied health professionals. Claire has been working with NDIS participants since its launch in the Barwon Region in 2013 and has an interest in assisting clients with progressive neurological conditions.
Since establishing Evolve Neurological Physiotherapy, Claire now leads a team of equally passionate physiotherapist. As a team they feel very honoured to walk beside their inspiring clients and make a lasting difference to peoples lives.
Claire is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) as well as both the Neurological and Disability Special Interest Groups.
When not working, Claire can usually be found walking around the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula with her husband, teenagers and dog. Claire loves to be out in nature whenever she can; gardening, hiking, camping or sitting in the sun with a good book and a cup of tea!
