Business
18 June, 2024
Physio fixes aches, pains
AN experienced physiotherapist of 20 years has opened a relatively new clinic at Palm Cove.
Owner Peter van Gaalen trained in physiotherapy in New Zealand, then undertook postgraduate training in sports physiotherapy as well as manipulative physiotherapy in Perth at Curtin University.
“During my time in private practice in Perth, I was intimately involved with the Western Australia Institute of Sport and Western Australian Athletics Association as a physiotherapist to the track and field teams at the track events in Perth, as well as travelling the country and once overseas taking care of elite and junior track and field athletes,” he said.
“I developed my own physiotherapy practices in Perth, then in Sydney, from the ground up.
“I believe in enabling patients to take control of their own recovery once armed with the knowledge,” Mr van Gaalen said.
He practiced physiotherapy for 20 years before choosing to spend some years working in sales and marketing in the orthopaedic industry working closely with orthopaedic surgeons.
Upon relocating to Cairns, he is making a return to clinical practice by opening Palm Cove Physio.
“I maintain a strong interest in neck and back conditions to assist patients in overcoming pain and limitation of movement, and I also have a special interest in shoulders, knee, foot and ankle soft tissue or joint problems,” Mr van Gaalen said.
He said he focused on headaches, back, neck and joint pain, sport injuries and posture.
“I can help you get relief from pain and back into action quickly, resuming your chosen activity and lifestyle free from injuries across the body’s musculoskeletal system for all ages, whether you are involved in competitive sport and activity, older adults pursuing daily life activity, gym and fitness, office and trade workers and children and young adults,” Mr van Gaalen said.
FullLife Physio Pty Ltd, trading as Palm Cove Physio, was developed in August 2023 on the principles of sound assessment and hands-on physical therapy management followed by comprehensive self-management strategies. “This enables patients of the clinic firstly to recover from injury but most importantly to learn how to manage their own body and be able to live to their fullest potential without pain,” said Mr van Gaalen.
“Whether acute or long standing in nature, a good result from physiotherapy is based on a thorough history and physical assessment to uncover the root cause of a physical problem,” he said.
Palm Cove Physio sponsors Centrals Bulldogs Trinity AFL Club at Trinity Beach.
The clinic is at 84-86 Veivers Rd, phone: 0490 434 004. Website: www.palmcovephysio.com.au
