Physiotherapy in Elsternwick and Surrounding Suburbs — What to Expect at Sera Spine & Rehab

Sera Spine & Rehab is located at Shop 5, 1a Carre St, Elsternwick — a central location that makes us one of the most accessible physiotherapy clinics for residents of St Kilda East, Caulfield, Ripponlea, Balaclava, Gardenvale, and Glen Huntly. Whether you are dealing with a sports injury, persistent back pain, or recovering from surgery, this guide explains what to expect when you book with us.

Who we see and what we treat

Our AHPRA-registered physiotherapists treat the full spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions. The most common presentations from patients across the inner south-east include:

• Sports injuries — sprains, strains, muscle tears, and overuse injuries from AFL, running, cycling, gym training, and team sports
• Back and neck pain — acute and chronic, including disc bulges, facet joint dysfunction, and postural pain from desk work
• Post-surgical rehabilitation — structured recovery following knee, shoulder, hip, and spinal procedures
• Shoulder and knee conditions — rotator cuff injuries, ACL rehabilitation, patellofemoral pain, and shoulder impingement
• Workplace injuries — repetitive strain, manual handling injuries, and WorkCover-approved treatment
• Chronic pain — long-term musculoskeletal pain managed through manual therapy, graded exercise, and pain education

Getting here from St Kilda East, Caulfield, Ripponlea, Balaclava, Gardenvale, and Glen Huntly

Our Elsternwick clinic is well-connected by public transport and easy to reach by car from across the inner south-east. From St Kilda East, the 67 tram along Glenhuntly Rd stops close to our clinic. From Caulfield and Glen Huntly, we are a short drive along Glenhuntly Rd or Hawthorn Rd. Ripponlea and Balaclava are just a few minutes away by car or bike. Street parking is available on Carre St and surrounding streets.

What happens at your first physiotherapy appointment

Your first appointment at Sera Spine & Rehab Elsternwick is a comprehensive assessment — not just a quick look and a generic exercise sheet. Here is what to expect:

• A thorough history covering the onset, nature, and behaviour of your pain, plus relevant lifestyle and occupational factors
• Orthopaedic and neurological testing to identify the specific structures involved and rule out any red flags
• A clear explanation of your diagnosis — we want you to understand what is happening and why
• Your first hands-on treatment in the same appointment — most patients leave feeling noticeably better
• A personalised plan with realistic timeframes, home exercises, and guidance on what to do between sessions

Funding options — WorkCover, private health, Medicare CDM, DVA

We accept a wide range of funding options so that cost is not a barrier to getting the care you need. Private health insurance is processed on the spot via HICAPS — you only pay the gap. WorkCover and TAC claims are welcome with no gap for approved claims. If your GP has provided a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, we accept those with a gap fee. DVA patients are also welcome.

Multidisciplinary care under one roof

One of the key advantages of choosing Sera Spine & Rehab is that physiotherapy does not exist in isolation. Our in-house team includes chiropractors, myotherapists, and exercise rehabilitation specialists. If your recovery would benefit from more than one discipline — for example, chiropractic care alongside physiotherapy for a complex spinal presentation, or myotherapy to address the muscular component of a shoulder injury — our practitioners communicate directly and build a coordinated plan. You do not need to manage multiple referrals across different clinics.

Booking an appointment

Same-week appointments are usually available, including evenings Monday to Thursday. You can book online at any time or call us on 03 4422 4476. No referral is needed for physiotherapy — just book directly.