Stacey Carson
Clinical Physiotherapist and owner of Physiomatters
Stacey Graduated as a Physiotherapist from the University of Queensland in 1986. She spent 4 years working in Canada, but has been working in Private Practice in Hervey Bay since 1991. (Apart from a further 2 years working in Canada from 2003 til 2005). Stacey has done a diversity of courses since graduating and therefore has a large variety of techniques to utilise when treating your particular injury or complaint. Dry Needling, muscle energy and Group Exercise classes are just a few of the techniques she specialises in.
Musculoskeletal Pain Assessment and Management
Physiotherapists are highly trained in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
Your pain could be from your joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves or a combination of some or all of these.
At Physiomatters we are able to:
- Relieve or reduce your pain or dysfunction
- Help you manage your injury
- Return you to your normal activities, sport or work at a quicker rate
- Give you a program to help improve your fitness, strength, flexibility, balance and co-ordination
- Help prevent recurrence of your injury or pain
- Improve your posture
Sports Injuries
Sports injuries require a specialised regime of treatment and rehabilitation that is aimed specifically at not only their injuries, but at their particular sport.
Athletes normally push their bodies to a higher level of performance which can place a greater stress on their joints, muscles and ligaments. Their injuries need to be assessed thoroughly. The injury may be acute or chronic; the athlete may have an overuse injury or a muscle imbalance contributing to their pain.
At Physiomatters we have a long history of assessing and treating athletes of all ages and all skill levels. We use the latest technology, combined with hands-on techniques, advice and exercise programs to assist in a fast and effective recovery for the athlete.
Women's Health
One in three women who have had a baby suffers from loss of bladder control. One out of twenty adults suffers from poor bladder and bowel control. Remember men can also suffer from incontinence.
The Pelvic Floor muscle supports the pelvic organ muscles (bowel, bladder and in women the uterus). The muscle also controls the passage of urine from the bladder and faeces from the bowel and in women it also controls the vagina. It should be taut like a trampoline.
Weakness can be caused from pregnancy, childbirth, being overweight, frequent heavy lifting, straining to empty your bowel, hormonal changes in women and post- prostectomy in men.
Most people do not seek help as they are embarrassed, however, in most cases we can either cure or help them manage their problems. After correct assessment and diagnosis we will give you advice, education and exercises. These exercises range from specific pelvic floor exercises to core stability, ball and Pilates exercises.
Gym and Hydrotherapy
Not only is your Physiotherapist trained to assess and treat your injury, they are also trained to set up your exercise and rehabilitation program. They are in a unique position to advice you on what exercises will aid your recovery and also what exercises will aggravate your injury and therefore should be avoided.
Your physiotherapists from Physiomatters will take you to the gym or pool of your choice and set up an exercise program that is specifically designed for you and your injury, pain or dysfunction.
Your program will be age appropriate and aimed at improving your pain levels and function, while correcting your muscle imbalances, posture and balance. For the athlete it will also be sport specific.
Your Physiotherapist will review and amend your program on a regular basis so that you continue to progress toward your ultimate goal and achieve maximum benefit from your exercise regime.
Pre and Post Operative Assessment and Treatment
At Physiomatters we like to see you before you have your surgery so we can inform you on what to expect post operatively and go through your post operative exercises.
Your surgery is just the beginning of your recovery. In hospital you will be seen by a physiotherapist who will get you mobile and give you gentle exercises to help prevent lung infections and DVTs. They will also start you on your recovery journey with gentle exercises.
Once you leave hospital you will need to attend physiotherapy to be re-assessed. We will look at your long term goals and set you a program of exercises and hands on therapy to help you achieve them.
Different surgeons have different post-operative protocols. We liase closely with the surgical team to achieve the best result for you.
Surgeries that commonly require Post-operatively physiotherapy include:
- Upper limb:
Dupuytrens contracture, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendon repairs, post fracture
Tennis elbow or golfers elbow release, post fracture
Total shoulder replacement, Rotator cuff repair, Acromioplasty, Putti Platt (shoulder stabilisation), post fracture.
- Lower limb:
Achilles tendon repair, Ankle replacement or reconstruction, bunionectomy, removal of spur, post fracture
Total and partial knee replacements, Ligament reconstruction, arthroscope, menical repairs, patella tendon transfers, post fracture
Total hip replacements, labral tears repaired, arthroscopy, post fracture.
- Spine:
Fusion, Laminectomy, Discectomy
- Dull ache
- Sharp and shooting pain
- Localised
- Referred
- Burning
- Stabbing
- Sciatica
- Piriformis syndrome
- Joint stiffness and pain (facet, disc or sacroiliac)
- Disc bulge
- Degenerative disc disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Muscle strain
- Fibromyalgia
- Poor core stability
- Anklylosing Spondylitis
- Scheuemanns Disease

- Stiff or locked joints
- Muscle spasm
- Muscle imbalance
- Poor posture
- Mobilisation/ manipulation of affected joints
- Traction
- Trigger point release of tight muscles
- Massage and muscle stretches
- Dry needling
- Postural education
- Ergonomic advice
- Core stability exercises
- Electrotherapy and ultrasound

- Disc protrusion
- Facet joint dysfunction
- Degeneration in the spine
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sacroiliac dysfunction
- Spinal stenosis
- Mobilisation/ manipulation of affected joints
- Traction
- Trigger point release of tight muscles
- Massage and muscle stretches
- Dry needling
- Postural education
- Ergonomic advice
- Core stability exercises
- Electrotherapy and ultrasound
- Muscle energy
- Mulligan and McKenzie techniques
- Group Exercise Classes

- Stretches of the Piriformis Muscle
- Frictions
- Ultrasound
- Interferential
- Dry Needling
- Education

- Cervicogenic Headache (or neck headache)
- Tension headache
- Migraine
- Neck pain
- Unilateral head pain
- Pain or tension at the front of the head
- Pain or tension at the back of the head
- Jaw pain
- Pain in the temple
- Dizziness, light-headedness, nausea
- Treatment can include:
- Mobilisation/ manipulation of affected joints
- Traction
- Trigger point release of tight muscles
- Massage and muscle stretches
- Dry needling
- Postural education
- Ergonomic advice
- Core stability exercises
- Electrotherapy and ultrasound



- Total Hip and Knee replacements
- Reconstructions and Arthroscopys of the knee
- Shoulder reconstructions and replacements
- Spinal surgeries, including fusions, laminectomies and discectomies
- Carpal Tunnel release
- Ankle fusion or replacement

- Pain
- Stiffness (normally worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity)
- Swelling
- Clicking, grinding grating
- Modified home exercise program
- Hydrotherapy or gym
- Modified activity and life style choices
- Ergonomic advice
- Ice/ heat
- Ultrasound
- Interferential/ TENS
- Gentle mobilisation
- Supports, braces and other aids

- Massage
- Mobilisations
- Frictions
- Stretches
- Dry Needling




Joint Mobilisations and Manipulations
Soft Tissue Release and Trigger Points
Muscle Energy & Mulligan Techniques
McKenzie Method
Dry Needling
Traction
Electrotherapy
Core Stability
Group Exercise Classes
Gym and Hydrotherapy Programs
Postural Education
- Improving range of movement
- Lubrication of the joint surfaces
- Improvement in pain levels
- Decreasing associated muscle spasm