I feel it is all the more important to recognise those small, local businesses which go the extra mile to embrace innovation and offer exceptional service.
Nobody likes to wake up feeling like the Hunchback of Notre Perth, or lose productivity thanks to debilitating neck and headaches, or be unable to move freely due to dodgy knees or ankles, or suffer from crippling, anxiety-induced muscle tension.
In short, nobody likes to be in physical pain or discomfort, and even less so when it starts affecting quality of life.
The nature of our modern-day lifestyles, however, means there is a decent chance that many of us will, at some point, be faced with such a prospect, whether as a result of sedentary desk jobs, manual labour, sporting injuries, accidents, stress or similar. And while this is certainly not a pleasant thought, there is an upside.
Because you can go and see the friendly crew at A Fine Balance Physiotherapy in Joondanna. Forget asking Dr Google for “physios in Perth”, this small, patient-oriented practice, which has just recently celebrated its 5th birthday, truly is a hidden gem.
Or perhaps not so hidden anymore. A few days ago, it was officially named as one of only 5 finalists in the Small Business category of the 2015 Telstra WA Business Awards, the winners of which will be announced at Crown Perth on 7 July.
The awards celebrate “brilliant businesses” which display “outstanding leadership, innovation and a vision for the future”. A Fine Balance Physiotherapy ticks all these boxes and more.
It runs virtually solely on personal recommendations, which speaks volumes in itself. My own microcosmic level is just one example of this – having never visited a physio before in my life, I had no idea where to start when it came to looking for someone to sort out my niggling back and hip issues.
AFBP was fortunately recommended to me by an acquaintance. After taking a look at their informative, transparent website (plus they also have a social media presence on Facebook and Instagram), I decided to give it a go, and was frankly blown away by the service in every respect. So much so that I felt compelled to review it here as a useful small local business, which can hopefully help other readers in similar positions.
The reception staff are often a practice’s first point of contact, and can make or break a patient’s experience. Many people arrive feeling nervous, anxious and/or in pain, and the last thing they want is to be met by an unsmiling face in a clinical environment.
AFBP puts a lot of time and energy into training its receptionists, believing them to be just as important as the treatment delivered by its therapists. And it shows.
Not only are these ladies supremely organised and professional, they are also warm, friendly, and always up for a casual convo while you wait.
The welcome packs and environmentally friendly registration (no paper wastage thanks to re-usable forms) are also nice touches, as is their generous 6-hour cancellation policy, and the fact that appointments almost always run on time (if you have not been advised of a delay and have to wait more than 20 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, the appointment is free).
To top it off, you can also pick some fresh herbs or organic vegetables from the new veggie patch on your way out!
Roshan Singh is one of the senior physiotherapists, and is also the business owner, whose hard work, dedication, and fair, honest leadership has made the practice the huge success it is today. He immediately puts patients at their ease, genuinely cares about each individual, and goes above and beyond to provide relief and healing, doing all he can to get people appointments as quickly as possible.
While the treatment may not always be entirely pleasant (no pain, no gain!), being able to chat about music, travel, or the latest Fremantle Dockers game at least makes having your gammy hip prodded with needles and elbows slightly more bearable. I particularly also appreciate his holistic approach, incorporating elements of meditation and relaxation.
He is joined by the practice’s other senior physiotherapist, Scott Murray, as well as Georgie Adams (physiotherapist), Emma Gater (massage therapist), Cristiane de Abrei Elias (massage therapist), and Jamie Wood (respiratory physiotherapist), and together, they offer a wide range of innovative services and treatments, including hands-on physical therapies for headaches, neck/shoulder pain, back pain, chronic pain, arthritis, sports injuries, sciatica, RSI etc. (such as manipulation, soft tissue release, dry needling, ultrasound and electrical motor stimulation), remedial massage, clinical pilates classes, a Stretchersize exercise programme, respiratory physiotherapy, a chemo@home partnership, and home visits – always with a smile.
The key focus of all these services is to treat patients in as few appointments as possible. We’ve all come across businesses which lock you into their grasp and make it impossible to break free from the endless cycle of appointments.
A Fine Balance is not one of those. Their priority is to fix the problem as quickly as possible so you don’t need to keep coming back! They believe – refreshingly – that the best approach to long-term health and improved quality of life lies in educating and empowering patients to self-manage their symptoms, and not encouraging dependence on actual clinic treatments.
In today’s instant, on-demand society, where people are often quick to criticise poor quality, I feel it is all the more important to recognise those small, local businesses which go the extra mile to embrace innovation and offer exceptional service.
Mastering the art of combining professional expertise with warmth, care, passion, sincerity and vision certainly does entail a fine balance, but I’d say this practice more than lives up to its name, and strikes it just right.
A Fine Balance Physiotherapy
Address: 14 Green Street, Joondanna, WA 6060
Phone: 9444 9663
Website: http://afinebalancephysio.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AFineBalancePhysio
Instagram: https://instagram.com/afinebalancephysio
