Are you feeling on “top of the world” or do you suffer from headaches, migraine, joint aches, neck or back pain?

If so, consider seeing Toukley Family Practice’s doctor with a special interest in physical medicine - Dr Anthony Ciardi. Dr Ciardi’s special interest in physical medicine brings yet another valuable service to Toukley Family Practice patients.

Physical medicine is the management of acute or chronic musculoskeletal injury , disease or malfunction, and aims to address the impaired or altered function of bones, joints, muscles, tendons and related vascular , lymphatic and nerve elements.

About Dr Ciardi

Dr Anthony Ciardi MB BS (U.Syd) MMPM (Musculoskeletal) (U.Syd) FACPM joined us from Sydney a few years ago.

Dr Ciardi is also a fellow of the Australian College of Physical Medicine.

Dr Ciardi has 35 years experience in General Practice and holds the degree of Master of Medicine in Physical Medicine (Musculoskeletal) (University of Sydney). Dr Ciardi speaks fluent English, Greek, Italian and Spanish.

What ailments does physical medicine address?

Through Dr Ciardi we can offer you early diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems that can cause headaches, migraines, back, neck, shoulder, knee and other joint pains and ligament problems including, but not limited to, tendonitis, bursitis, rotator cuff injury or disease of the shoulder, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, leg cramps, heel pain, cervical whiplash injuries, back strain.

Dr Ciardi has extensive experience in Workers Compensation, Third Party accident and Sports injuries.

What is Physical Medicine?

Physical Medicine is the branch of medicine emphasizing the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders - particularly those of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems - that may produce temporary or permanent impairment.

Physical Medicine provides integrated care in the treatment of all neurologic and musculoskeletal disabilities from traumatic brain injury to lower back pain. The specialty focuses on the restoration of function to people with problems ranging from simple physical mobility issues to those with complex cognitive involvement.

Physical Medicine involves the application and use of the principles of physics (heat, light, electricity, water, massage and manipulation) in the treatment of pathological conditions, injuries, and physical anomalies affecting the human body.

How does it work?

Depending on your needs, treatment may include mobilization, manipulation, trigger-point therapy, neuro-muscular therapy, joint injections, acupuncture, laser therapy or other forms of treatment, which can be claimed on Medicare.

Treatment will depend on examination findings, the severity and whether the injuries are acute or chronic. This practice uses a broad variety of manual (hands on) treatment modalities, including mobilisation of a joint to encourage freer motion and manipulation of a restricted joint to remove a dysfunction.

Other treatment methods that may be used include:

• low-level infrared laser or ultra-sound to augment therapy
• Exercise or stretch programmes including regular swimming, walking or gym classes, yoga, pilates or tai chi classes may be prescribed
• realtime ultrasound of core for assisted core muscle re-training programmes

read more

Appointments & Enquiries

Further enquiries may be made via our website contact form here and appointments with Dr Ciardi can be made by calling our reception desk on 02 4396 8877.