Why is peer support important?

By sharing lived experience, peer support mentors can provide practical guidance and understanding of your experiences with spinal cord injury. A peer support mentor can help you to solve challenges and create strategies that can help you to continue living a fulfilling life after a spinal cord injury.

How do I meet other people who have experienced spinal cord injury?

Ask us about joining a ‘Push Thru’ event, where you can meet other people living with spinal cord injury in your region. These events are inclusive, an opportunity to encourage others, share your experiences in a welcoming environment and be inspired. We also facilitate an inclusive community through our recreation programs and peer support groups.

How can peer support help me?

Peer support can empower you to feel seen and connected. You can learn new skills and strategies, discover new perspectives and provide encouragement to others. Our Peer Support Program gives you someone to talk to who has experienced spinal cord injury.

What do allied health professionals do?

A guide to specialised disability support services

When living with disability, spinal cord injury (SCI), or a neurological condition, having the right support team around you can make a big difference to your independence, well-being, and quality of life.

You may hear terms like ‘allied health professionals’ or ‘clinicians’, but many people are unsure what these roles actually involve and how they can help.

In this guide, we explain the different types of allied health and clinical professionals you may work with, what they do, and how they can support you to achieve your goals.

What are allied health professionals?

Allied health professionals are qualified healthcare specialists who support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Depending on your needs, they can help you:

Build independence and daily living skills
Improve mobility and physical function
Manage your health and wellbeing
Reduce pain and prevent complications
Improve communication and social connection
Support mental health and confidence

Many allied health and clinical services can be delivered:

In your home
In the community
At clinics or specialist centres
Through telehealth appointments

These services may be funded through the NDIS, private health insurance, Medicare, or privately paid.

See below some common examples of allied health professionals:

What do they do?
Occupational Therapists help you improve your ability to complete everyday activities safely and independently.
An OT focuses on practical solutions that support your daily life, home environment and independence.
OTs often work closely with people following spinal cord injury or neurological changes to help maximise independence and safety.
What can they help with?
- Getting the right assistive technology for you
- Assessing and improving your physical function
- Driving assessments
- Home modifications
- Seating and postural assessments
- Pressure mapping and risk reduction
- Daily living skills
Sound like someone you need? Check out estara’s OTs.
What do they do?
Physiotherapists help improve and maintain movement, strength and physical function.
They work with people to manage pain, improve mobility and support long-term physical health.

Physiotherapy can play an important role in maintaining physical wellbeing and preventing complications over time.
What can they help with?
- Pain management
- Maintaining and improving range of movement and strength
- Improving mobility and coordination
- Manage and prevent over-use shoulder injuries
- Spasticity assessment and management
- Hydrotherapy
- Gym and home exercise programs
- Functional electrical stimulation
- Return to sport
- Training care givers and support workers
- Respiratory assessment and treatment
Sound like someone you need? Check out estara’s physios.
What do they do?
Spinal Nurse Advisors provide specialist clinical support for people living with spinal cord injury.
They help manage complex health needs and provide education, advocacy and practical support.
They often act as an important link between clients and the broader healthcare system.
What can they help with?
- Bladder management (e.g., catheter changes, continence assessments, product trials, problem-solving)
- Bowel management (e.g., bowel regimes, problem-solving bowel issues)
- Wound care management (e.g., managing/reviewing skin issues, referring to other health professionals where necessary)
- General health advice; consulting with GPs, urologists, spinal rehab doctors, and other clinical professionals as necessary
Sound like someone you need? Check out estara’s nurses.
What do they do?
Dietitians help you manage your nutrition and overall health through tailored dietary advice.
Good nutrition can support energy levels, wound healing, physical health and overall wellbeing.
What can they help with?
- Nutritional needs assessment
- Personalised eating plan
- Grocery shopping advice
- Managing diet-related health conditions
What do they do?
Psychologists support mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Adjusting to disability, injury or changing health needs can be challenging, and psychological support can help people build coping strategies and resilience.
Mental health support is just as important as physical health support.
What can they help with?
- Managing anxiety and stress
- Depression and low mood
- Sleep difficulties
- Emotional wellbeing
- Lifestyle strategies for mental health
- Building coping skills and resilience
For more information on seeking mental health support, visit our page here.
What do they do?
Speech Pathologists support communication and swallowing needs.
They work with people experiencing communication difficulties, speech changes or swallowing concerns.
Support may help improve confidence, safety and participation in everyday life.
What can they help with?
- Speech and communication strategies
- Social communication skills
- Understanding communication
- Swallowing assessments
- Mealtime management plans
- Equipment recommendations

Building the right support team for you

Everyone’s needs are different, and your support team may change over time.

Some people may only need short-term support after an injury or health change, while others may benefit from ongoing allied health and clinical support to maintain independence and wellbeing.

Working with the right team can help you:

Achieve your goals
Stay independent for longer
Improve confidence and quality of life
Prevent complications and hospital admissions
Stay connected to your community

At estara, we work alongside people living with spinal cord injury, neurological conditions, and related disability to provide connected, practical support tailored to individual needs.

To learn more about our specialised support services, visit our support page.