A physiotherapy clinic in Sydney’s inner west providing holistic treatment focused on fast results.
Treatment by appointment only: info@thebarefootphysio.com.au or 0410 708 855.
The Barefoot Physio can be found in Dulwich Hill, near the Summer Hill border, a short walk from public transport and with plenty of parking right out the front. The clinic’s focus is quality patient care, with long appointment times and affordable rates.
Who is Ruth Tetley?
Ruth is a physiotherapist with the years of experience to know what sort of treatment will work for you, and the heart to make sure you get it. She is a caring, knowledgeable health professional who is genuinely attached to getting the best possible outcomes for her patients. If you’re in pain, she can help you. If you’re unable to do some physical task, like your work or home duties, she can help you. If you’re an athlete who wants to perform at peak levels, she can help you.
Ruth has been working for 18 years as a physiotherapist. During that time she has worked in acute injuries, sports physiotherapy and chronic pain. She has also had two babies, and is currently raising two small children, so she has a lot of empathy for new and expectant mothers. She is also an advocate for natural birth, but will support a woman in whatever informed birth choices she makes.
She has a particular interest in treating runners, including long distance runners. And if you’re wondering, yes, she can help you transition to barefoot running and will be very pleased to do so.
What can I expect when I attend?
At your first appointment, you’ll be given some paperwork to complete, which will include some goal setting and a medical screening form. Assuming that’s all fine, you’ll be asked some questions about the history of your condition, and then a physical assessment will be performed. This includes assessment of your body’s movement patterns, as well as more clinical measurements like joint mobility and muscle tone.
All appointments are at least 45 minutes in duration, so you’re not rushed, and there’s always enough time to cover everything that matters. This also means you don’t have to attend as many appointments overall, which saves you on travel time. All appointment times are set aside to be spent with just you, Ruth does not treat multiple patients at once. And she does not use machines or hot packs, she uses only those forms of treatment that have been shown in research to be most effective, specifically, manual therapy, education and exercise prescription.
What is The Barefoot Physio all about?
Ruth explains: “in essence, I started this business so that I would be able to treat people in the manner that I find most effective and personally satisfying, without having to worry about anyone’s finances. When I’ve worked for others, they set the prices and conditions of treatment, and my patients have to abide by those rules, even if it is a struggle for them to meet the cost of their treatment. And if I manage to heal everyone quickly, then that impacts on my employer’s earnings. So I felt trapped on both sides, trying to balance everyone’s needs. Now, all my energy can be focused on getting people as well as possible, as fast as possible, and keeping them there as long as possible. And I’m loving it.
“With that in mind, I’ve set my fee schedule at $110 for the first session (60 minutes), $90 for the next five sessions, and $70 after that. Most people will never need six sessions. In fact, my average number of treatments per pain episode is three, after which the patient has had a signficant reduction in pain and is able to self-manage their condition. However, experience suggests that more serious or chronic conditions—which can take more than six sessions to treat—have often already had a financial impact on those they affect. This means that those who most need good treatment are also least able to afford it. I think they should have it, and so I give discounted rates to those people.
“So, if you’re keen to see a knowledgable, caring physio whose only agenda is getting you well, I guess I’ll see you soon!”