Is Posture Correction covered by Private Health Insurance?

Lh11deo on 18/09/2017 - 13:04
Last edited 18/09/2017 - 13:04

Good day mates.

I've migrated here in Sydney, Australia 2 years ago and never had to use Medicare nor Private Health Insurance (or ever, even in my home country).
Last April, I enrolled to Medibank for private health insurance to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge.

Been regularly going to the gym however my work in IT involves being stuck in the chair for a total of 8-9 hours a day. This has taken a toll and have turned me to a hunchback (plus forward head problem). Sometimes when I see myself in a passing reflection, it reminds of a gargoyle posture. :P

  • Has anyone successfully managed to use their private health insurance extras purely for Posture Correction?
  • If so, can you tell me how what steps you've taken (ie. did you need some specialist to check you first who will refer you to physiotherapy, and only then go to a therapist, etc)?
  • Was it worth the time and effort going to physiotherapy or you feel you can self-correct on your own?
  • How much did it end up costing (as my extra coverage is only up to $500)?
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Comments

  • Skramit on 18/09/2017 - 13:04
    +2

    Ring your health fund and ask.

    • h11deo on 18/09/2017 - 16:43

      Will do, though I did go ahead with ringing one of the physiotherapist in the city.
      Initial consultation is said to be 75AUD (apparently its Medibank provider standard thing according to the physiotherapist customer support). Then succeeding sessions will be 60AUD.

      They've asked me to ring Medibank as to what the percentage of rebate (is that what you call it?) that will be covered. Is it not always 100% though (again, never used health insurance here before)?

      • John Kimble on 18/09/2017 - 17:00
        +1

        No, unless you go to special no gap places (they have them for dental or optical, not seen physio), insurance usually either give you a fixed amount back or a percentage back, I've not seen one that gives 100% back (personally).

    • h11deo on 26/09/2017 - 15:48

      Just thought to provide updates, my Medibank extras covered only 60%, thus I still ended up shelling out 30AUD out of my pocket.

  • Zaenille on 18/09/2017 - 13:08

    I did this recently, it basically goes under physiotherapy if you go to a physiotherapist (no shit). Make sure your private health insurance includes extras that cover physiotherapy.

    If so, can you tell me how what steps you've taken (ie. did you need some specialist to check you first who will refer you to physiotherapy, and only then go to a therapist, etc)?

    Called a physiotherapist, asked if they help with correcting posture. They said yeah sure, I scheduled an appointment. On the day, I gave my private health insurance card and it gave me 60% back, paid the rest via card.

    • h11deo on 18/09/2017 - 13:10

      Yeah I verified that my extras include it. :)
      Was it worth it?
      How long (months) and how many sessions before you see any improvement?

      • Zaenille on 18/09/2017 - 13:14

        I've had issues with posture since I was a kid. I would have never been able to self-correct as I did not know what it feels like to have correct posture. My physio helped a lot with that. 100% worth it.

        I only had two sessions, spaced a week each. The physio applied correction tapes to my back, which forced me to have correct posture. It hurt a bit, because I wasn't used to it. But after a couple of attempts of doing that, I now know how my back should be positioned for correct posture.

        I also am doing an exercise regimen my physio gave, on top of my usual exercise.

        I would say my posture is still not 100% fixed, but has definitely improved. I am also self-aware now when I slowly go back to my bad posture habits, and I am able to correct it. The correction tapes on your back only last about 3 days.

        I asked my physio if there were more permanent solutions like back braces. My physio said yes, but she does not recommend them as it makes you lazy and reliant on a brace, rather than fixing the root cause of the problem. I agreed with her.

        Only cost me about $30-40 per session after the private health insurance rebates.

        • h11deo on 18/09/2017 - 13:49

          Thanks for sharing your experience. I am looking forward to the exercises and the tape thingy sounds like something I need to try.

          Good to know that its not that expensive and doesn't take too much time commitment (2 sessions as per your experience - as I was dreading if it was above 10 or more).

          Any tips she gave you for when you sleep (which is when the posture may go back to its old habit)?
          If you don't mind me asking, Which physiotherapist company did you use (if you're in Sydney)?

        • Zaenille on 18/09/2017 - 14:00

          @h11deo: Nope, I'm from Perth, sorry! It's not a branch or something, it's just a local physiologist near to where I live.

          I believe more sessions could help, I just chose to stop at two for now, maybe visit again in the future if I have any issues.

          No tips for sleeping. What she commented on was the fact that I was seated for most of the day (at work, and then on the PC when I got at home) so that was the prime target for improvement, which the tape definitely helps in.

  • bongom on 18/09/2017 - 13:15
    +2

    I went to a physio once and he put a vertical strip of Elastoplast on my back from top to bottom when standing up straight. As soon as you start to crouch over the Elastoplast will remind you. Otherwise physio will provide you with daily stretching exercises.

    • blitz on 19/09/2017 - 15:24

      I have to remember this one.

  • John Kimble on 18/09/2017 - 14:16

    A few physio sessions could help a little, but no one can correct your posture, physio can guide you and provide you advice on posture, then it's up to you and you alone to maintain this (ie stop your bad habits).

    • h11deo on 18/09/2017 - 16:40
      +1

      Very true, bad habits getting worse with prolific use of mobile devices.
      I've reached the point where I actually want to do something about it and salvage / improve what's left of my posture.

  • Colombian on 18/09/2017 - 14:24

    What are you doing at the GYM? Weightlifting?
    If you have been weightlifting at the GYM and still has the posture correction issue you have been wasting your time.
    One key aspect for doing weight lifting is contracting the scapula for almost all of the exercises when weightlifting. When you do this, you fix your posture.

    Your physiotherapist can help you with the position of your neck so it stays straight most of the time. That is one of the main reasons of headaches.

    • h11deo on 18/09/2017 - 15:19

      Yes lifting, mostly squats, benchpress, deadlift, pullups. I've had some slight improvement with the help of the wide-grip pullups and face pull to my hunch shoulder (since I've had one when I was a teen). Disclosure though, never had an official trainer, but had buddy who was trainer who taught me (unofficially) since I didn't have the luxury to hire one…

      But working for 10 years in IT has still had impact to my posture especially the forward-head, which mobile phones made it worse…

      • Colombian on 18/09/2017 - 15:50

        Look when you do bench presses you exercise your posture a lot since you need to contract the scapula, abs and gluteus. This is only a small example of how it can improve your posture. Same is with all exercises.

        Wide grips and face pulls won't do anything for you if you don't apply the correct technique. There are lots of free info on youtube, Jeff from AthleanX is one of them and he is a physiotherapist.

        • h11deo on 18/09/2017 - 15:55

          Thanks mate, will watch later when I go home. :)

          I've been putting this off for ages, but seems I've had a surge of motivation recently.

  • John Kimble on 18/09/2017 - 17:02

    FYI if you get a referral from a GP, you can get (up to 5?) physio sessions "free" through Medicare.

    • jasonb on 18/09/2017 - 19:04

      You need a chronic health condition to qualify though. Poor posture won't cut it.

  • jasonb on 18/09/2017 - 19:06

    I've had good success with a myofascial therapist (remedial massage for the purposes of private health, although the average massage therapist isn't going to be much good). Covered by private health. Don't get as much back, but also have a much longer session than a physio and the guy I see has a lot of clue as to root causes that he then treats from a massage perspective (as well as looking at posture and taping and all that stuff).

    Just something else to consider. If you were in Perth I'd point you in the right direction, can't really help for Sydney, but you might be able to find someone helpful in that specialty to go along with physio?

    • h11deo on 19/09/2017 - 17:09

      That's awesome, I didn't realise massages can help with posture. My impression with massages that its a luxury, but happy to hear about this info, will look into it after or together with physio (haven't started yet)

      • John Kimble on 19/09/2017 - 17:46

        It could help short term but probably not long term. Think about it, the physio will only massage you for less than an hour (more like no more than 20 minutes) maybe once a week until your benefit runs out.

        You sit with poor posture for (maybe) 10 hours, 5 days a week. Then use your smartphone for a good amount of time a everyday too and get tech neck! You need to google ergonomic posture or if work will pay, get an ergonomic assessment. The hard yards really is on you to maintain good posture and complete the exercises the physio assigns you.

        I'm not having a go at you personally, I'm (and many people) are just like you. Just don't expect miracles from a physio.

      • jasonb on 20/09/2017 - 12:32

        I think there's a couple of grades of massage therapy. One is your relax/luxury/I've got some aches and pains - probably no dice for posture stuff there. Then you've got the people who specialise in movement and massage to get muscle/fascia/etc to work properly where they've jammed up from overuse/posture/etc. But yeah as the other post says don't expect you can get an hour massage and fix everything and then go back to what you were doing and it will all be fixed. Myotherapy might free things up so your neck/shoulders etc can get in the right position, but you've still got to fix your posture. Taping can help with that to remind you

  • CheapskateQueen on 18/09/2017 - 20:21
    +1

    Strapping by a physio will show you that you've got bad posture and act as a reminder but honestly won't change much.

    Pilates will help you build your core and back strength and will significantly help worth your posture.

    My neurosurgeon (spine specialist) said 2-3 classes per week for 6-8 weeks (and obvs longer) will see a big difference on spine structure. In the context of me we were discussing Reformer Pilates,but normal Pilates should be good too.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2017 - 03:18

    Does the tape strapping work if you have a hairy back?

    • John Kimble on 19/09/2017 - 16:22
      +1

      I doubt it, although maybe it works extra well because it is more painful when it grabs on your hairs!

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