News

 Inge in action

The Royal New Zealand Ballet was followed by a film crew for a whole season and the TV series "Secret lifes of dancers" is the result. They especially followed Abigail Boyle, principle dancer, and tell her story of coming back from a serious ankle injury. Inge is the Company physiotherapist of the RNZB and tries to get Abigail back on her feet and on stage, but there is a fine line between accelerated rehabilitation and pushing the ankle to much, too fast. See the RNZB in action at the above link.

Mr 'Fix It' 

Robin McKenzie, the physiotherapist who developed MDT (Mechanical diagnosis and treatment) or what's commonly known as the 'McKenzie method' recently was interviewed by TV1. At Te Aro Physiotherapy you will find a therapist with the highest level of qualification in that method - Inge Bahle, as well as Seini Shanaghan who will sit her credentialed exam at the end of this year. Have a look at the video and deceide for yourself.

 "Get up and walk"

Linley Boniface, the writter of the Health Page of the magazine "Listener" talked to Inge Bahle about musculoskeletal pain and stifness, especially back problems, and what to do about it. Above is the link to the artikle in the January issue 2010.

ACC has been in the headlines for about a year now. In regards to physiotherapy treatment not much has changed, though. You are still entitled to ACC cover in case of an accident and you can still see us directly. We can fill out the ACC paperwork with you and your assessment and treatment is covered. However, a surcharge applies, see our prices here.

Here are some useful website links:

The future shock

The editorial in "the Listener" from October 24th-30th 2009, helping you sort out the real reasons why you as a taxpayer are being landed with massive ACC increases.

The latest on privatisation of ACC accounts:

Currently ACC has three accounts:

the workers account, including all work related accidents and gradual process injuries. It is ACC's only profitable account and therefore the most interesting one for private insurance companies. It is the one account the government wants to open first.

the motor vehicle account, including all accidents caused by motor vehicles. This account is the most in the red as many motor vehicle accidents cause serious injury, including brain injuries, leading to long-term unemployment or inability to work. ACC currently pays 80% of the previous wage as compensation, which makes up the biggest part of ACC funding costs.

the normal accident account, including all injuries caused by accidents on the sports filed, at home, and unrelated to the above two scenarios.

The workers account was opened up in the past and lead to some of the bigger companies to seek insurance cover for work-related injuries outside ACC. Some very big and accredited employers still have private insurance cover for their workers as a left-over from that time. However, it is not an easy task for smaller companies to find their way through the insurance "dschungle" to find the best cover for them.

National and Act are now talking about opening up the accounts to competition, which means you as an individual might be covered for a work related injury by one private insurance, for a motor vehicle accident by another insurance company, and when falling at home, still covered by ACC. It is certainly unclear at this point, what it may mean for you other than higher levies.