The journey of recovery after a significant neurological event, whether it is a stroke, a spinal cord injury, or a diagnosis of a progressive condition, is rarely a straight line. There are days of breakthrough and days where progress feels like it has stalled. For many, the most difficult phase is the "plateau," that point where traditional therapies seem to stop yielding results, and you are told that this might be "as good as it gets."
Here at Kinetic Medicine, we challenge that narrative. We believe that with the right technology, the right plan, and the right partner, your potential for improvement extends far beyond what you may have been told. This article is for NDIS participants, family carers, and support coordinators who are looking for a new path forward. You will learn how an NDIS exercise physiologist can leverage cutting-edge technology like the HAL Exoskeleton to help you retrain your brain, regain function, and write the next chapter of your recovery story.
Table of Contents
What is an ndis exercise physiologist
Neurorehabilitation reimagined
Navigating NDIS funding
Your first visit
Real life scenarios
Role of active recovery
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Take the next step
What Is an NDIS Exercise Physiologist and How Can We Help?
It is a common question we hear in the clinic: how is Exercise Physiology different from physiotherapy, especially in a neuro rehab setting? While both professions are critical to your recovery, they approach the body differently.
Physiotherapy often focuses on the acute phase of recovery, diagnosis, and hands-on treatment to restore initial movement and manage immediate physical impairments.
Exercise Physiology is about the long-term application of clinical exercise to manage complex conditions. An Accredited Exercise Physiologist specialises in designing active interventions to improve functional capacity, build independence, and manage the physiological effects of your condition over time.
Using active movement to drive neuroplasticity is an NDIS exercise physiologist’s specialty.
For someone living with a neurological condition, this distinction is vital. Passive movements (having someone move your leg for you) have their place, but true rewiring of the brain, neuroplasticity, requires active intent. You have to try to move the limb yourself. Our role is to create the environment and use technology that allows that signal to travel from your brain to your muscle, even if the connection is weak.
We support NDIS participants living with:
Stroke: Improving gait, balance, and walking speed.
Spinal Cord Injury: Working on muscle activation and functional mobility.
Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinson's: Managing fatigue and maintaining motor control.
Cerebral Palsy: Enhancing coordination and strength for daily tasks.
Neurorehabilitation Reimagined: The ExoMove Difference
Accessing world-class neurorehabilitation technology usually means travelling to a capital city. We have changed that. Our Albury clinic is home to the ExoMove service, featuring the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) exoskeleton. This isn't just a robot that walks for you; it is a tool that teaches you to walk again.
The HAL exoskeleton detects the faint bio-electric signals on the surface of your skin that reflect your intention to move. When you think "move my leg," HAL picks up that signal and provides just enough support to complete the motion. This closes the loop between your brain and your muscles, which is the key to effective neurorehabilitation.
By partnering with an NDIS exercise physiologist at our ExoMove clinic, you are accessing a level of care that is:
Patient-Driven: The suit only moves when you signal it to.
Data-Backed: We can track your bio-electric signals to see improvements before they are even visible to the eye.
Goal-Focused: Every session is mapped to your specific NDIS goals, whether that is standing to cook dinner or walking to the letterbox.
Service Availability Across Our Locations
Kinetic Medicine operates across multiple locations in NSW, including Albury, Taree, and Corowa. Our Albury clinic is home to the ExoMove service featuring the HAL exoskeleton, offering world-class neurorehabilitation technology to clients across the region.
While all our locations provide comprehensive NDIS Exercise Physiology services for neurorehabilitation, including traditional work conditioning, strength training, and mobility tailored plans, only our Albury clinic currently has access to our ExoMove service. During your initial enquiry, let us know your location, and we'll discuss whether ExoMove therapy is suitable for your needs and accessible from where you are.
Navigating NDIS Funding for Advanced Therapy
Using your NDIS plan for advanced therapy shouldn't be a headache. As a registered NDIS provider, we work with participants who are Self-Managed, Plan-Managed, and NDIA-Managed.
Typically, services with an NDIS exercise physiologist fall under the ‘Improved Health and Wellbeing’ or ‘Improved Daily Living’ (Capacity Building) categories of your plan. Because our ExoMove service is an evidence-based therapy delivered by allied health professionals, it is fully compatible with NDIS funding goals related to improving mobility, independence, and community participation.
We work closely with Support Coordinators to provide the necessary reporting and clinical justification to ensure your plan covers the support you need. If you are unsure if your current funding covers neurorehabilitation, our team can help review your plan and provide guidance.
Your First Visit: Assessment and Goal Setting
Walking into a new clinic can be daunting, especially when there is high-tech equipment involved. At Kinetic Medicine, your first appointment is primarily about conversation and comprehensive assessment, not an intense workout. We want to understand your story and create a realistic roadmap for your recovery.
Here is what you can expect:
The Story: We sit down to understand your history. When was your injury or diagnosis? What rehab have you tried? What frustrates you most about your current mobility? This conversation helps us see beyond the diagnosis, we see you, your goals, and your potential.
The Assessment: We perform a comprehensive physical assessment to establish a baseline. This might include testing your balance, range of motion, and identifying any spasticity or weakness. For clients at our Albury clinic interested in ExoMove technology, we may also assess your bio-electric signals to determine if HAL therapy is suitable for your condition.
Goal Setting: We align our clinical goals with your life goals. If you want to walk your daughter down the aisle, return to work, or simply transfer from bed to chair safely, that becomes our target. Your NDIS Exercise Physiologist will draft a tailored proposal outlining the frequency of sessions, expected progression, and how this connects to your NDIS funding categories.
Real-Life Scenarios: Tailored Plans in Action
To understand how this works, let’s look at how we might structure a plan for different needs.
The Stroke Survivor Hitting a Wall
Consider a participant who had a stroke two years ago. They can walk with a stick but feel unsafe and slow. Traditional kinetic physiotherapy helped them get home, but progress has stalled.
The Plan: We might design an intensive 10-week ExoMove block.
The Focus: Using the HAL suit to improve gait symmetry and speed, forcing the brain to relearn a more natural walking pattern.
The Outcome: The goal isn't just walking; it's walking with enough confidence to go to the shops alone.
The Spinal Cord Injury Participant
For a client with an incomplete spinal cord injury, fatigue is often a major barrier. They might be able to stand but tire after a minute.
The Plan: A combination of robotic training and floor-based strength work with an NDIS exercise physiologist.
The Focus: Using the exoskeleton to support high-repetition walking without the risk of falling, allowing the muscles to build endurance safely.
The Outcome: Increased stamina to manage daily transfers and reduced reliance on carers for basic mobility.
The Role of Active Recovery in Mental Health
It is important to acknowledge that neurological conditions often come with a mental load. Anxiety about falling, depression from lost function, and social isolation are common. Our approach is holistic. By empowering you to move, we help rebuild your self-efficacy.
The "mind-body connection" isn't just a buzzword; it's physiology. Completing a movement you thought was lost releases dopamine and builds resilience. An NDIS exercise physiologist is trained to support this psychological aspect of recovery, creating a safe space where you can push your limits without fear.
As Christopher Reeve, a tireless advocate for spinal cord research, once said:
"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”
We are here to help you summon that will and provide the way.
Take the Next Step in Your Recovery
You do not have to accept a plateau at the end of your journey. Whether you are living with the effects of a stroke, a spinal cord injury, or a progressive neurological condition, there are new avenues to explore. Partnering with an expert NDIS exercise physiologist at Kinetic Medicine means accessing world-class technology and a team that believes in your potential.
We are ready to help you build a stronger, more independent future.
If you are ready to explore what is possible, contact our team or learn more about our neurological rehabilitation services today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a referral to see an NDIS exercise physiologist?
While a referral from your GP or specialist is helpful to provide us with your medical history, it is not strictly required for private or NDIS clients. However, if you are claiming through Medicare (CDM plan) or DVA, you will need a valid referral.
Is the ExoMove exoskeleton suitable for everyone?
The HAL exoskeleton is an incredible tool, but it does require the user to have some residual nerve signal and be within certain height and weight parameters. Your initial assessment with our NDIS exercise physiologist will determine if this technology is safe and suitable for your specific condition.
How do I use NDIS funding for Exercise Physiology?
If you have funding in your NDIS plan under ‘Improved Health and Wellbeing’ or ‘Improved Daily Living,’ you can access our services. We can provide a service agreement for your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager to secure the funds for your rehabilitation block.
What if I don't have NDIS funding?
We also accept private health insurance, Medicare (with a GP referral), Workers Compensation, and CTP claimants. Our team can discuss the best funding pathway for your situation during your initial enquiry.