FAQ

Physiotherapists are highly trained to assess and treat sports injuries and day to day injuries including neuro-musculoskeletal conditions (Nerves, Muscles and Bones) of any part of the body. So, if you have pains, aches or stiffness in the neck, back, lower back, upper limbs and lower limbs, then Physiotherapy is a good choice for your needs. If, following the initial assessment, it is decided that your problem lies outside the scope of Physiotherapy then you will be guided in the right direction or referred on for further investigation as required.

There will be an initial discussion about how long the issue has been there, what is likely to have caused it (if known) and then questions will be asked about medical history, medication and lifestyle. This information is all used alongside a thorough physical examination to understand the cause of your problem. During the physical examination you will be asked to perform certain movements to see how you function and then the physio will perform some movements of the relevant joints and feel the muscles, ligaments and tendons, to see how they all function. This is all then pieced together to help understand what is causing your pain or dysfunction and then appropriate advice, education and treatment can be tailored to your specific needs. It is likely that some hands-on treatment will begin (if necessary) during your first appointment.

Considering you are likely to be in pain already, the main priority is to not make any symptoms worse whilst still being able to assess what the problem is (and this is down to the experience of the physiotherapist). It is therefore important to tell the physio what you are feeling during the assessment so the session can be tailored to your current level of pain and function. It is also important to remember that you are in control of what you want to do, so you can decline to do any movements that you feel are too painful.

The physio will need to see the body part in question (so if you have a bad shoulder, we will need to see it at skin level). So please bring comfortable clothes that can easily be removed where necessary. Dignity and decency will be maintained at all times and you will never be asked to remove underwear. Towels will be placed appropriately where required. You can bring shorts and a t-shirt. The more of the body we can see, the better the assessment is.

It is the goal of the physiotherapist to help you become pain free and to improve your function to the very best it can possibly be. There are many different ways this can be done. There will be many things the physio can do to help and some things you may be required to work on yourself with guidance from the physiotherapist. So, your recovery is best viewed as a team effort and what you get out if it is related to the effort you, and the physio put in. If your symptoms are not resolving as expected, further investigation via other means may be required. This may include referral back to your GP with guidance on further action, or onward referral to a specialist Consultant. Further suggestions may include X-rays, Blood tests, MRI scans, nerve conduction studies etc. If this is required, then the Physiotherapist will write a letter for you to give to the relevant medical professional summarising your problems and referral need. This can be done via private referral (both self-paying and via private medical insurance) or via your GP.

As with all parts of the Physiotherapy process, your informed consent is vital for the session to happen. Informed consent is a principle where you must have sufficient information and understanding of this information to make decisions about your medical care. Therefore, all parts of the session will be explained giving you the ability to decline your consent at any stage, to any part of the assessment or treatment without judgement or prejudice. All treatments options will therefore be fully explained, discussed and your consent gained prior to them being undertaken.

If you fail to attend a session or cancel with less than 24hrs notice then you will be obliged to pay for the full cost of the missed session.

You will need to gain their authorisation prior to attending the clinic. They will issue an Authorisation Number/Code which you can give to the clinic alongside your membership number, full name, address and date of birth, so the clinic can claim the cost of your sessions directly from your insurer. If you have an excess to pay, then you will be liable to pay this directly to the clinic. Your policy may also have a maximum spend allowance for physiotherapy and it is your responsibility to know this as this varies from case to case. Any amount no covered by your insurer you will be liable for and can pay directly to the clinic. Insurance Information