FAQ
Fees Schedule
General Questions
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No referral is needed.
Physiotherapists are first point of contact for many health conditions, and we will send you for further investigation if deemed appropriate.
if you have reports or scans relevant to your appointment, we ask you to bring them along to ensure we are fully informed when we treat you. -
You can choose to see either our Physiotherapists or Naturopaths for your initial consultation, and choose based on your symptoms and the practitioner you feel most aligned with.
Rest assure that seeing one of us is tapping into the knowledge bank and experience of all of us, as our team work closely together to create treatment plans.
Most women’s health conditions require a collaborative holistic approach to treat the whole person, so you might find yourself seeing multiple practitioners in the clinic to optimise your health outcomes.
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Yes you can! We have a baby friendly space and lots of toys to keep toddlers busy.
Most mothers who attend the clinic for their 6 weeks postpartum check bring their newborns. We have different ways to soothe them if they are awake during the session. Sometimes it might involve the help of our admin team to rock your baby.
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Our Newtown clinic doesn't have onsite parking, but there is lots of street parking right next to the clinic.
Alternatively we are a 10 min walk from Newtown station and a stone throw away from buses on King Street.
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Yes, you can claim 5 sessions of Physiotherapy consultations on Medicare. We will need a copy of your current EPC (Enhanced Primary Care) from your GP prior to attending your first consultation. We will process your Medicare claim on the spot after your appointment.
Naturopathy consultations are not covered under Medicare. However, some pathology testings are claimable. Please see Naturopathy FAQ section down below. -
Yes, we accept all private health funds. All physiotherapy, remedial massage and classes are claimable services with your private health fund. However, naturopathy consults are non claimable.
You will need to bring your health fund card with you, and we can then process your rebate on the spot. We are unable to predict your rebate, it depends on your package and premium with your individual fund. In the occasion you forgot to bring your card, we will issue a receipt for you to manually claim from your fund. -
We require 18 hours notice of all consultation cancellations. and 12 hours notice for all class cancellations.
Cancellations within the late period incur 50% consultation charges.
No shows or cancellations within 2 hours will be charged 100% consultation fees.
Our terms and conditions are listed in our patient intake form.
Physiotherapy
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If you have letters from your medical team, reports or scans relevant to your condition, we ask you to bring them along or send them over prior to the appointment, to ensure we are fully informed when we treat you.
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Item description
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Yes we do! All our therapists are musculoskeletal physiotherapists before specialising into Women’s Health physio. We are able to treat all musculoskeletal injuries in Papaya clinic. You are also welcomed to see us in our Leichhardt clinic if it’s more convenient for you.
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Yes we do. We have braces, splints, crutches, wrist bands, exercise foam rollers, massage balls, theraband, and lots of other types of products you see in most typical clinics. We also have Arch support thongs, and a few baby and breastfeeding items.
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Yes! We sell compression garments, SRC pregnancy, and postpartum shorts, Incontinence underwear, pessaries, Dilators, pelvic wands, and a range of other products.
Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture
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Common issues acupuncture may assist with:
• pain management
• digestive issues
• muscular-skeletal problems
• women's health
• hormonal balance
• sleep disturbance issues
• addiction & trauma
• fatigue
• mental & emotional disharmony
Treatments are individually tailored to each client & may include a combination of other supports such as cupping, Gua Sha, herbal formula, yoga therapy, meditation, lifestyle counselling & nutritional guidance.
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To ensure a comprehensive and tailored consultation, please ensure you complete your New Client Intake Form prior to your Initial Consultation, and forward us copies of your latest pathology tests, medical scans, and other relevant medical documents.
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Yes absolutely. In Papaya we often have patients seeing our TCM practitioner for acupuncture, then supported with tailored Western Herbal Supplements given by our Naturopaths to use in conjunction. This combination benefit the patient population we see often in clinic.
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As AHPRA registered healthcare modality, you can claim private health fund rebates for your TCM and Acupuncture services at Papaya.
However TCM is not covered under Medicare. -
Acupuncture works by stimulating the sensory receptors on the skin. Signals are sent from these activated sensory receptors along nerves up to the brain. This has an overall effect on the signals that are then sent from the brain to manage the body systems and respond to pain.
Research has shown that acupuncture directly affects the hormonal and nervous systems, increasing endorphins, decreasing stress hormones and regulating the nervous system. Acupuncture may help to treat pain by increasing the pain inhibitory pathway that suppresses pain signals sent from the body to the brain. By stimulating the local area, acupuncture also regulates the inflammatory response. This may explain its effect on tissue healing and the down regulation of immune mediated responses involved in conditions such as in arthritis, asthma, hayfever and autoimmune conditions.
Research has also found that moxibustion, a technique often used in combination with acupuncture, increases the production of red and white blood cells. This may help to explain its positive effect on regulating the immune system and improving fatigue related conditions.
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Acupuncture is commonly used to improve overall health and vitality, leading to an improvement in a variety of symptoms. Some of the reasons people come to our clinic for acupuncture includes musculoskeletal pain, menstrual disorders, pregnancy, labour and breastfeeding support, fertility support, digestive disorders, stress and mental health and respiratory illness.
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Yes, acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified and registered acupuncturist. The needles used are very thin, sterile and single-use. Side effects are uncommon but may include mild bruising in the area, mild bleeding, dizziness and fainting. Your practitioner will make every effort to prevent the occurrence of side effects, including making sure you have eaten prior to your session to prevent fainting.
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Most patients report minimal discomfort during acupuncture. The needles are extremely thin—much thinner than needles used in other medical settings—and are gently inserted. Some people feel a slight tingling, warmth, or pressure at the insertion point.
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The number of sessions depends on your condition and overall health goals. Acute issues may improve in 3–5 sessions, while chronic conditions may require ongoing treatment. Your acupuncturist will create a personalized treatment plan during your initial consultation which includes the expected frequency duration of treatments. This will take into account the number of sessions required for symptom reduction and prevention of symptom recurrence.
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During your first acupuncture session, you practitioner will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and assess your overall health. You will then receive a customized treatment using fine needles or non-inserted tools placed at acupuncture points to restore balance in your body and relieve symptoms. Most people find the process relaxing and therapeutic and very calm and centered afterwards.
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Yes, acupuncture is widely used to manage anxiety and stress. Research has demonstrated that acupuncture promotes the release of endorphins (happy hormones) and regulates the nervous system, helping you feel more calm and centered.
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Most private health insurers include acupuncture under their extras cover. If you have a plan that covers other extras like osteopathy or chiropractic, it is likely you will be covered for acupuncture. It is best if you check directly with your insurer prior to your first appointment. We have a Hicaps machine in the clinic that enables you to claim on the spot with your insurer.
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Yes, acupuncture is often used as a natural treatment to support fertility, regulate menstrual cycles, and balance hormones. It can also be used in conjunction with IVF or other fertility treatments. Research has demonstrated acupuncture to be effective in increasing the rates of embryo implantation when used before and after egg retrieval and embryo implantation.
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Yes, acupuncture is generally considered safe to receive during pregnancy if administered by a registered acupuncturist. Our practitioners are highly experienced in treating women during pregnancy, in fact, it is something we are known for! Some herbal medicines and acupuncture points are not generally used during pregnancy, so it is important to tell your acupuncturist that you are pregnant prior to receiving acupuncture. This way they can make the appropriate changes to your treatment plan. At Papaya we have a unique integrative approach to perinatal and postnatal care (Link to perinatal and postnatal program). Acupuncture is often used in this program to assist with symptoms in pregnancy including morning sickness, fatigue, brain fog, emotional wellbeing, musculoskeletal pain, breech presentations and labour induction.
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Yes, it is safe to receive acupuncture treatment during your period. In fact, acupuncture is often used by women to manage period related symptoms such as pain, PMS or PMDD. Your practitioner will always check with you prior to providing treatment whether you are menstruating or not. This allows them to tailor the treatment to suit the stage of your menstrual cycle that you are in and make modifications for comfort during menstruation.
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Acupuncture is often used to assist in the management of chronic pain. Research has shown that acupuncture can regulate the nervous system and may increase the activity of the pain inhibitory pathway in the nervous system. This may be the mechanism via which acupuncture leads to reduced sensation of pain and increased functioning in individuals managing chronic pain symptoms.
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Lower back pain and sciatica is a common reason people seek acupuncture treatment. By regulating the nervous system and improving the flow of Qi and blood though the back and legs, acupuncture may lead to a reduction in the severity of your lower back pain and sciatica. If the sciatica is due to muscle tension, acupuncture may release the tension held in the muscles and free the neural pathway that travels from the back to the legs, improving symptoms. If the sciatica is due to structural changes that have occurred in the spine, acupuncture may regulate the nervous system, increasing the inhibitory pain pathway in the nervous system and lead to reduction in chronic pain symptoms.
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Acupuncture can be helpful in injury recovery by increasing the flow of Qi and blood to the injured area. This promotes tissue healing and may lead to a fuller recovery. By regulating the nervous system, acupuncture may reduce pain and inflammation in the local area to prevent further damage occurring due to sustained inflammation or injury compensation.
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Acupuncture is frequently used to address issues related to tinnitus. By freeing the flow of Qi through the head, jaw and neck, reducing stress and muscular tension held in the area, symptoms of tinnitus may be reduced in severity or frequency. Depending on the cause of your tinnitus, your acupuncturist will also provide lifestyle advice regarding ear care which may help to reduce your tinnitus.
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Chinese medicine has an extensive history of over 2,000 years in the traditional treatment of gynecological disorders. In modern times, this ancient knowledge has been used by women to improve symptoms of dysmenorrhoea and painful periods associated with endometriosis. From a TCM perspective, acupuncture can help to move stagnation or cold in the uterus which may be contributing to your pain. The analgesic effects of acupuncture can also help to explain why acupuncture may help to decrease the duration and severity of endometriosis associated menstrual pain. Your practitioner may also recommend herbal medicine treatment to assist in reducing your period pain.
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Chinese medicine has an extensive history of over 2,000 years in the traditional treatment of gynecological disorders. In modern times, this ancient knowledge has been used by women to improve symptoms associated with PCOS, amenorrhoea and irregular periods. Acupuncture may be used to move blockages of Qi or blood that are occurring in the uterus which may be contributing to irregular or skipped periods. Additionally, research has demonstrated acupuncture to have a regulating effect on the endocrine (hormonal system), which may explain its usefulness in assisting with ovulatory and hormonal issues associated with PCOS.
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Many people seek out acupuncture when dealing with insomnia. Acupuncture calms the nervous system, reducing feelings of stress and assists with emotional regulation. This may help with stress-related insomnia. As acupuncture also regulates the endocrine system it may have an effect on the sleep-wake cycle and assist in improving insomnia due to other causes. Therefore if you are struggling with insomnia, acupuncture may be able to assist you in achieving longer and higher quality sleep.
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Many people report feeling increased energy and vitality after receiving acupuncture treatments. This may be due to its effects on the endocrine or nervous systems, increasing endorphins and reducing stress hormones. With chronic fatigue syndrome, TCM practitioners will focus on understanding the cause of your fatigue, and strengthening your body to increase your energy stores. For example, many people experience chronic fatigue when their digestive system is not able to metabolise and make best use of the food they are putting into their systems. By improving the ability of your body to make energy, your energy stores increase and you may experience a reduction in chronic fatigue symptoms. Your practitioner may also recommend herbal medicine that is used to tonify Qi and increase your energy.
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Many women seek acupuncture treatment to assist with the transition of menopause. At Papaya we have a unique integrative model of healthcare for helping women with the challenges of menopause (link to menopause mastery program). Acupuncture can be used alongside mainstream medical approaches to menopause to help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Women will seek acupuncture treatment for perimenopause and menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, night sweating, insomnia, anxiety and vaginal dryness.
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Yes! In fact, our practitioners are highly skilled with treating kids with acupuncture and we see kids for all kinds of health complaints in the clinic! We use non-insertive techniques called Shonishin when treating children that are pain free and relaxing for the child. If you are interested in learning more about our children’s acupuncture see here
Paediatric Acupuncture
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Yes, acupuncture is generally safe for children when performed by a licensed and experienced acupuncturist. Our practitioners are highly trained and the non-invasive Shonishin approach Louie uses is less invasive than inserted acupuncture, increasing safety and comfort, and reducing risks associated with insertive acupuncture treatment.
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No, Shonishin acupuncture does not involve piercing of the skin and does not hurt. Most children will find the gentle stroking calming and relaxing. The goal of the treatment method is to avoid any discomfort to the child.
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The number of sessions varies depending on the child’s condition, age, and overall health. Some children see improvement after just 1–2 sessions, while chronic issues may require ongoing care. Your practitioner will recommend a personalized treatment plan suitable to your child.
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A typical paediatric acupuncture session includes:
A holistic health assessment
Use of child-friendly, non-inserted tools
A relaxing, short treatment (often 15–30 minutes)
Lifestyle or dietary advice to support healing
Parents are welcome to stay in the room during treatment.
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Yes, acupuncture is commonly used to help manage symptoms associated with ADHD and emotional dysregulation in children. By calming the nervous system and improving energy flow, treatment may lead to improvements in mood, focus, impulsiveness and sleep.
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Pediatric acupuncture is adapted to specifically suit the child’s needs. It uses shorter treatment times and non-invasive needling techniques. Additionally, parents are encouraged to be with the child during the session. The approach is gentler, and practitioners are trained in working with children of all ages.
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Before your first session you can explain to your child that acupuncture is a gentle healing practice and won’t be painful. Let them know they can stop at any time and that you’ll be with them the whole time. Bringing a favorite toy, book, or comfort item can also help ease nerves and improve comfort.
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Acupuncture is increasingly used to help children manage anxiety, stress, and emotional imbalances. By regulating the body’s stress response and promoting relaxation, treatments can support mood stability and better sleep.
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Yes, while it cannot “cure” allergies or make allergies disappear, acupuncture can be used to assist with allergic symptoms in children by strengthening the immune system and reducing levels of inflammation. It’s often used to help reduce the severity and frequency of seasonal allergies, hay fever, and chronic sinus issues in children.
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Pediatric acupuncture can be used as a complementary therapy for asthma during the remission phase to improve lung function and reduce inflammation. It may reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attack symptoms, however, it should not be used during an asthma attack in place of conventional medicines. The child should always continue medication prescribed by their general practitioner to manage their asthma alongside acupuncture treatments.
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Acupuncture is often used as a complementary therapy to support children with digestive complaints including constipation, acid reflux, nausea, colic, and IBS. By regulating the nervous system it can have a positive impact on the motility and mobility of the digestive tract and improve experience of digestive symptoms.
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Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help manage symptoms related to eczema by mediating the inflammatory and immune responses contributing to the skin irritation. Regular acupuncture sessions may reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms related to eczema.
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Acupuncture is often used as a complementary therapy to reduce the severity and frequency of headaches and migraines in both children and adults. It may help by regulating the nervous system, promoting blood circulation and relieving stress and tension.
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Many people seek acupuncture treatment to assist with sleep issues including insomnia and excessive dreaming. By calming the nervous system and relieving stress, acupuncture may improve the quality and quantity of sleep in both kids and adults.
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Acupuncture is often used to help with prolonged bedwetting, especially when it is stress related. By regulating the nervous system and balancing the body, acupuncture may reduce the frequency of bedwetting episodes in children who are old enough to have developed bladder control.
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Acupuncture may be used to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or sensory processing issues by helping to regulate mood, emotions, sleep, digestion, and behavior. As a complementary therapy it is used to help the child to feel supported to be who they are.
Naturopathy & Nutrition
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Naturopathy is utilised for a wide range of health concerns. The most common concerns that people seek naturopathic care for include digestive concerns, hormonal imbalances, allergies, chronic pain, vaginal health, stress related conditions, fatigue and immune system concerns. Naturopaths take a holistic approach to healthcare and consider your physical, mental and emotional health that may be contributing to your overall wellbeing.
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As of 1 April 2019, naturopathy and herbal medicine are not eligible for Medicare or Health Insurance rebates.
This decision is currently being reviewed following the submission of a Natural Therapies Review by the Australian Naturopathic Council in February 2020.
To be notified if changed.
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A rebate is available if pathology tests are referred by your General Practitioner. If needed, our naturopath can write a referral letter for you to pass to your General Practitioner based on your specific health concerns discussed during your consultation.
A rebate is not available for functional testing e.g. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, Vaginal Microbiome, Gut Microbiome, DUTCH test; as they are conducted by private laboratories. Price varies per test.
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To ensure a comprehensive and tailored consultation, please ensure you complete your New Client Intake Form prior to your Initial Consultation, and forward us copies of your latest pathology tests, medical scans, and other relevant medical documents.
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Yes absolutely naturopathy can be used alongside conventional medicine and other modalities such as physiotherapy. Naturopaths are trained to integrate their treatments with conventional medical care and can work collaboratively to provide comprehensive and holistic care for patients. It’s important to inform both your naturopath and conventional healthcare provider about the treatments and medications you are receiving to ensure a coordinated approach to your health.
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Yes we do! We have practitioner and prescription only supplements in stock in clinic for you to purchase.
For more specific supplements, our naturopaths create the prescription for you online via our supplier website. You can then complete the order and have your package shipped directly to you.
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The time it takes to see results with naturopathic treatments can vary depending on the individual and the nature of the health concern. Some people experience improvements relatively quickly while others may require longer term support for ongoing or chronic conditions. In your initial appointment we will discuss and set realistic expectations on time frames for your individual case. Open communication is always maintained to track your progress and make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Classes
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Yes, even if you have done Pilates before we still require all patients to book in for an assessment before starting.
This is to ensure that we understand your body (any injuries or weakness), your goals, and to make sure you are comfortable on the equipment and with the exercises tailored to you.
No two physios treat the same. No two instructors teach the same. Let’s start fresh!
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If you have visited us within the last 6 months, you do not need another assessment. If your condition is vastly different from where you were at, please do book a review session or a private session with us, so we get all the updates before you enrol in our weekly classes.
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Yes, we use Bookamat platform for all our classes. You can create an account, log in and sign up for your classes. You can book, reschedule, cancel (within cancellation period), download receipts and complete payment for future packs. Please bookmark the Bookamat link as there is no built out app unfortunately.
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We require 12 hours notice for class cancellations. Please cancel on the Bookamat platform. Any cancellations within 12 hours result in forfeiting the class credit.
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Yes, classes are claimable with your private health fund under code 560 or 561. We provide receipts after attendance for you to manually claim with your health fund. Privates and duets are claimed under 505 which gives a greater rebate.
Massage Therapy
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Remedial Massage (Anna)
Deep Tissue Massage (Anna)
Pregnancy Massage (Holly, Anna)
Relaxation Massage (Holly, Anna
For description of each massage type, please visit our Massage service page.
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Remedial Massage (Anna)
Deep Tissue Massage (Anna)
Pregnancy Massage (Holly, Anna)
Relaxation Massage (Holly, Anna
For description of each massage type, please visit our Massage service page.
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You can try to walk in, but patients generally prebook ahead of time online or via the phone.
If you’d like an appointment asap, check online and it will reflect lve updates of our availability.
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You can claim for remedial deep tissue, and pregnancy massage. However you cannot claim for Relaxation Massage.
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Yes absolutely. It’s safe to massage from first trimester till 4th trimester!
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Holly offers is a full body relaxation massage at Papaya, designed to promote relaxation of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system.
The massage involves long, gliding and flowing strokes, gentle kneading, tapping, rotation and stretching techniques, or gentle manipulation of the muscles.
You may request Holly to focus on specific areas on the body that may feel particularly tense or tight.
Papaya Programs
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Face to Face consultations- We do not want to sacrifice quality of service and care going from a 1:1 approach to a 1: many approach. This is why we retain our in person consultations to ensure you get to meet with our therapists to make sure you’re on track.
Knowledge hub - pre recorded content, everything you need to know for the condition. Bite sized, easy to consume education materials and video training.
Coaching Calls - weekly coaching calls to ensure we are there to chat on more complex topics and ideas, address mindset blocks and anything that can hinder your progress.
Movement Classes - weekly 1:4 in person movement class in our fully equipped studio.
For more info, please reach out to us and request a service guide. -
Yes it is. There is more value in our Health Reset program because of the way that it’s designed. We are not pricing our program based on time and contact hours, we are pricing it based on support and value.
The hybrid delivery addresses limitations of online health programs, and add in the coaching and accountability element in our health services, to creating health outcomes.
For pricing info please reach out and request our service guide!
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As part of continual care, any additional consultations you require outside of the Reset program receive 15% off full priced consultations. Please request our service guide for full T&Cs.
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Yes you can claim PHI with some components of the Health Reset. Physiotherapy, Massage and Movement Classes are eligible to claim.
Once you enrolled and attended your appointments, we can provide receipts for manual claiming.
Partnerships
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We are all about collaborative care at Papaya. If you would like to partner with us and increase visibility and reach, send us an email or complete our contact form, so we can discuss future partnership opportunities.
We are actively looking for health partnership and recommendations of services for our community. -
We are always on the look out for new products for our women! For all products that benefit women’s wellbeing and health, please come through and email us your pitch and product features. If deemed suitable for our community, we would love to stock or be an affiliate for your products!
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Yes most certainly! We partner with corporates and a few other private organisations to facilitate retreats, workshops and events, both in person and online.
Please reach out via our contact form, and let us know what you’re thinking of, and we will contact and brainstorm our next moves.
Do you have more questions?
Please feel free to call us, or complete the contact form below.
We will reply within 2 business days. If you’d like to book an appointment, give us a call or book through out online portal. Thanks!
FREE GUIDE
Papaya Menopause Guide
The ultimate guide to improving your vaginal microbiome
Written by our Pelvic Health Physios and Naturopaths, this guide is actionable and digestible. Together we look at what is microbiome, what products and food types enhance microbiome, and how it impacts everything down there during menopausal years
