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What is exercise physiology?

Exercise physiology studies how your body changes during exercise. It looks at how being active—or inactive—affects your health. Exercise physiology covers things like your heart, lungs, muscles, and metabolism. It also studies how exercise helps or is affected by illnesses and certain health conditions.

Exercise physiologists use this knowledge to create safe, effective exercise plans. They design these plans for people based on health, goals, and medical history. Exercise physiologists help with health improvement, preventing diseases, and managing conditions.

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Exercise physiology is a scientific discipline dedicated to examining how the body responds and adapts to physical activity or exercise

Liz Urquhart

MMedSci (Pain Management). MPhtyStudies. MAppSci (Clinical Exercise Science). BSc (Anatomical Sciences).

About Liz

In her clinical and teaching work Liz is motivated by her interest in improving and maintaining muscle, bone and joint health across the lifespan. Liz applies her breadth of skills and knowledge across exercise physiology and physiotherapy disciplines to individualise therapy programs to assist each patient achieve their performance, movement and health related goals. She has a particular interest in how the musculoskeletal and nervous systems change in the presence of persistent pain and has studies extensively in this area. The foundations of Liz’s treatment approach are developing body awareness, most commonly with the use of massage and biofeedback, and engaging in regular movement. She works hard to ensure all of her patients understand the role of both exercise physiology and physiotherapy in managing their health conditions and the vast and very important influence of movement on health and wellbeing.  

Liz’s background

Liz has worked in preventative health and rehabilitation science since graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Anatomical Sciences and Masters of Applied Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology from University of Queensland in 2004. After a number of years working primarily with patients with chronic health conditions in gyms and medical centres in Australia, Liz relocated to the UK where she worked as the clinical lead in community cardiac rehabilitation and type 2 diabetes management in the team responsible for developing the pilot Healthwise GP Referral Program for the Greenwich PCT which is now offered widely across the UK to support people with chronic diseases to become more physically active. On her return to Australia, motivated by her passion for the fields of neuroscience and musculoskeletal health and her desire to better support her patients with more complex health presentations, Liz went on to complete a physiotherapy degree from Griffith University (2011). Then completed a Masters in Pain Management from University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine (2017) while working at both the Northern Private Pain Centre and the  Royal North Shore Pain Management and Research Centre, a national tertiary leader in the multi-disciplinary treatment of persistent pain. Liz now lives and works in the Tweed.

Liz is a dedicated health educator and has held clinical teaching roles at University of Queensland in the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences and at University of New England in the School of Exercise and Sports Science while continuing to work clinician. 

Outside work Liz enjoys family life at home on her small farm with her partner and two small children, the beach, camping and all things Italian. She also loves a physical challenge and has completed the Three Peaks Challenge (UK), Kokoda Track (PNG), a number of 10km community organised runs and half marathons. Often these events are to raise support for Australian based health oriented charity organisations including The May 50k for MS research, and Send Hope Not Flowers who provide healthcare and support for vulnerable mothers in Papua New Guinea and across the developing world.

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Liz is registered provider under Medicare Chronic Disease Management Program (Exercise Physiology item 10953 and Physiotherapy item 10960 services), DVA and a number of private health funds. She is also available to provide services through self-funded and managed NDIS programs, Work Cover Qld and Workcover NSW (SIRA).

SERVICES INCLUDE:

  • Sports massage
  • Individual exercise programs
  • Individualised guided pain management programs
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Here are some benefits:

  1. Improved Heart Health: Regular exercise is good for your heart. It can lower your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. An exercise physiologist can help you make a plan.
  2. Diabetes Management: Exercise helps control blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. This is important for people with diabetes.
  3. Strong Bones and Muscles: Exercise keeps bones and joints healthy. It builds muscle and helps prevent problems like arthritis.
  4. Mental Health: Regular physical activity can lower anxiety and depression. It is often used as part of a mental health treatment plan.
  5. Better Breathing: Exercise helps people with lung problems, like COPD, by improving how lungs and muscles use oxygen.
  6. Cancer Recovery: For people with cancer, exercise can lessen fatigue, improve mood, and support recovery.
  7. Pain Management: People with long-term pain, such as fibromyalgia, can benefit from exercise plans made by an exercise physiologist.
  8. Neurological Conditions: EExercise helps people with conditions like Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. It supports recovery from stroke and brain injuries and is part of many treatment plans.
  9. Immune System: Regular moderate exercise is associated with a boost in immune system function, contributing to overall health improvement.

Why does this matter for you?

It matters because evidence shows the benefits of regular physical activity go far beyond burning calories. Regular exercise improves all your body’s systems. Working with an exercise physiologist is essential for starting a personalised workout program designed for your unique body and movement. Improve your health—book an exercise physiology assessment at The Village Physio today.

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Physiotherapy as part of your health team

We have a range of physiotherapy services. Including massage, deep dry needling, hydrotherapy, pilates, gym-based rehab programming, and exercise physiology. Being based at The Village Gym Pottsville, we have a warm hydrotherapy pool and full gymnasium at our disposal to progress patients as needed once they are ready to move on from home-based exercises.

This means that your health and fitness goals need not stay within the confines of traditional physiotherapy. Your physiotherapist has the flexibility to get you the best outcome. By utilising the benefits of other key techniques and working out the best option to suit you.

We value our working relationships with local G.P. doctors, radiologists, podiatrists, sports medicine physicians and orthopaedic surgeons. As part of our treatment or as indicated, we consult with your doctor and assist with the referral process when assessment or diagnosis dictates further investigations or specialist intervention. This is part of our service, and there is no cost to our patients to liaise on their behalf.

Extensive areas of expertise and experience

We have physio’s with expertise in all areas of physiotherapy, including:

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    OUR TREATMENTS

    NEED HELP? Our Physiotherapy Team are here to help. With one-on-one sessions, evidence based & goal oriented that ensures lasting results.

    Physiotherapy

    What do we provide? Physiotherapy services that are hands on, with one-on-one sessions, is evidence based, goal oriented and ensures lasting results…

    NEED HELP? Our Physio Team are here to help. With one-on-one sessions, evidence based & goal oriented that ensures lasting results.

    Exercise Prescription

    Our team is able to develop gym, pool and home based exercise physiology programs for a variety of issues. We develop specific programs for return to sport…

    We have a range of physiotherapy services including massage, deep dry needling, hydrotherapy, pilates, gym based rehab programming, and exercise physiology to help with pain management

    Pain Management

    We have a range of physiotherapy services including massage, deep dry needling, hydrotherapy, pilates, gym based rehab programming, and exercise physiology to help with pain…

    NEED HELP? Our Physio Team are here to help. With one-on-one sessions, evidence based & goal oriented that ensures lasting results.

    Remedial Massage Therapy

    What are the Benefits of Remedial Massage Therapy? The benefits of remedial massage therapy can be felt in many ways and on many levels…..

    Post-Surgical Rehabilitation The Village Physio is a preferred clinic for many surgeons on the Gold Coast and Tweed for patient post-operative care management.

    Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

    Getting normal range of motion back after surgery can be difficult. We can guide you on a safe return to movement and provide peace of mind to advise an appropriate rate of recovery….

    NEED HELP? Our Physio Team are here to help. With one-on-one sessions, evidence based & goal oriented that ensures lasting results.

    Physiotherapy for Seniors

    We provide treatment programs specific to physiotherapy for seniors that are sensitive and appropriate for common conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis…

    Sports Injuries Correct assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation planning is what we do! Village Physio has 30+ years experience in specialising in sports injuries.

    Sports Injuries

    Correct management of sporting injuries is vital to ensure there is no re-occurrence or ongoing pain. Too often sport injuries that have been left untreated leave strength or flexibility deficits…

    Workplace Injuries Being injured at work and starting the road to recovery can be difficult. We handle all the paperwork for you and liaise directly with treating general practitioners, specialists, radiologists and case managers.

    Work Injuries

    Being injured at work and starting the road to recovery can be difficult. We handle all the paperwork for you and liaise directly with treating general practitioners, specialists, radiologists…

    Our Pool The Village Gym has a 15x8x1.3m deep pool that is accessible all-year-round with a comfortable 33 degC temperature. Hydrotherapy or Aquatic-based Physiotherapy includes both exercise programming but also hands-on therapy conducted in the water by a physiotherapist.

    Hydrotherapy

    Exercise programs within the warm pool environment place less stress on joints and enhance circulation through not only movement but an increased compression…..

    Contact Us (02) 6676 3021 Today to help You get back on the Road to Recovery with the Team You can Trust!