What is Allied Health and How Does it Work at Joint Vision?

When people think of orthopaedics, they often picture surgeons in theatres and complex joint operations. 

But as Dr Laura Clarke, Director of Allied Health at Joint Vision, explains recovery is powered by an integrated healthcare team that works together from diagnosis to full return to activity. 

Within that team is allied health.

What is allied health?

It’s not unusual for Laura to have patients question: What is allied health?

“Allied health can be a fuzzy term for many people,” Laura said. 

“At Joint Vision it includes physiotherapy, exercise physiology, podiatry, and osteopathy and we play a key role throughout every stage of the patient journey.” 

That role begins with understanding each patient’s goals, whether that’s shaving seconds off a swim lap or loading the dishwasher without pain.

It also extends through non-surgical treatment, pre-operative conditioning, and post-operative rehabilitation. 

“Our aim is always the same,” Laura said, “to help people get back to what they love in the safest, most effective way, whether that involves surgical or non-surgical treatment.” 

How does allied health work at Joint Vision?

Joint Vision’s model enables seamless care in one location — onsite imaging, a purpose-built gym, and shared clinical systems mean that surgeons and allied health professionals work side-by-side on the same patient journey. 

“The collaboration is what makes the difference,” Laura said. 

“Patients don’t get bounced around between clinics. They get a coordinated plan that evolves with their progress.” 

She recalls a patient carried into the clinic in agony, convinced her issue was a spinal injury.

“It turned out to be her hip flexor,” Laura said.

“With the right diagnosis and treatment, she walked out that same day. Those moments remind me why our team approach matters.” 

At Joint Vision, recovery isn’t defined by where it starts — it’s defined by how every discipline works together from surgeons to the allied health team.

From first assessment to final clearance, it’s your care, one team, one place. 

Now you know what allied health is and how it works, learn more about the Joint Vision approach to care or book an appointment.