Musculoskeletal physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy involves assessing, diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries. This generally includes injuries to bones, muscles, nerves, joints, ligaments or cartilage.

Why you may need physiotherapy

You may be benefit from our musculoskeletal physiotherapy if you have back or neck pain, a sporting injury, work-related problems such as repetitive strain injury, postural problems, or need rehabilitation after surgery.

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy can help you manage your condition more effectively and:

• aid the healing process after an injury, illness or surgery
• reduce your pain
• prevent the injury from recurring
• assist you in improving your range of motion, flexibility, strength, and movement control.

Tailored treatment

We use a range of methods and techniques tailored towards your specific needs. We will discussed and agree the different methods with you prior to the start of any treatment. These can include:

• Manual therapy.  This involves treatments such as joint mobilisations, stretching and soft-tissue release, which can help reduce pain and improve movement
• Rehabilitation exercises.  Your physiotherapist will teach you the most appropriate exercises for you following an injury or illness.  These may be aimed at improving your muscle strength, postural control, flexibility or changing the way you move.  We have a wide variety of equipment available, including an isokinetic machine; a Wii fit and a Pilates reformer
• Acupuncture.  This is used to help reduce pain, muscle spasm and tissue inflammation.  Acupuncture needling has been shown to stimulate the body's own pain-relieving chemicals or endorphins
• Electrotherapy.  This method uses different types of electrical equipment to encourage healing of soft tissue and reduce pain.
• Bio-mechanical optimisation. This is the assessment of dynamic alignment and movement control. Therapy will involve movement re-training and muscle re-education
• Strapping. This involves using strapping tape to change the load through an injured area, to reduce pain
• Posture education and back care advice.  Some conditions require a change in the way you sit, stand or go about your everyday activities.  We will provide advice relevant to you
• Traction.  This is used to reduce pain, particularly in the back or neck.

All treatments are specifically tailored to your particular needs and will take place in a private room or in the gym as appropriate.

Payment and referral information

• If you are paying for your own treatment you can make an appointment with us straight away - you do not need to be referred by your GP.

• If you have private medical insurance, your insurer may cover some aspects of treatment so check with them before making your appointment.  If you are covered  through your insurers, then you will need to be referred to us by your GP.

On the day of your visit