Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a primary health care system that uses different treatments and techniques to restore movement in the body. It uses physical approaches to strengthen and restore physical, physiological and social well-being.

Physiotherapy takes a ‘whole person’ approach to health and wellbeing and takes account of the patient’s general lifestyle. The Physiotherapist will treat the patient using manual therapy, movement and exercise and if appropriate, hydrotherapy – a form of physiotherapy carried out in water and other techniques such as heat, cold and acupuncture to ease pain.

All of our physiotherapists are registered with the Health Professions Council and Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and the Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice so you know you’re in good hands.

See the details below to see the full range of physiotherapy treatment we provide – you’ll be amazed how many practices this covers.

Physiotherapy conditions we treat

• Spinal – Prolapsed disc, degeneration, sciatica, lumbago, stiff painful neck, whiplash and referred arm and leg pain
• Joints – Arthritis, pain and swelling, injuries, stiffness in joints, temporo-mandibular joint problems
• Injury – Muscle, ligaments, cartilage, tendons and work-related injury such as repetitive strain injury (RSI) and sports injuries
• Rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery, e.g. hip and knee replacements or general physiotherapy after surgery
• Fractures – treatment to increase the healing rate and gain full function once the bone has healed
• Obstetrics – including ante-natal and post-natal classes/exercises/advice and treatment for back pain during pregnancy
• Neurological conditions – such as stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, head injuries, nerve injuries and ME

Assessment and treatment of these conditions

We provide a comprehensive assessment so we can make a clinical diagnosis and select an appropriate treatment programme.

Treatment includes:

• Postural correction
• Ergonomic advice
• Strengthening exercises
• Electrotherapy
• Mobilisation and manipulation of joints
• Traction
• Massage
• Soft tissue release
• Acupuncture
• Pilates

History of Physiotherapy

• Historically, physiotherapy has developed around the three core skills of manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and electro-physical modalities.
• The range of modalities used by physiotherapists has expanded: advances in neurological treatment; the care of patients with chronic pain; electrotherapies such as ultrasound and advanced manipulation have all expanded the breadth of the physiotherapist’s skills.
• Physiotherapists also use alternative therapies such as acupuncture in their everyday practice and the core skills have expanded to include other techniques such as injection.
• The biggest single change over the past 25 years has been the recognition of physiotherapists as autonomous practitioners.
• The ensuing changes in practice have seen physiotherapy moving to a critical analysis, clinical reasoning based approach to the management of patients, underpinned, where available by current evidence.
• The factors driving professional evolution have also meant the development of roles that extend outside the core of practice. While those in these roles draw on the core skills of physiotherapy they also use x-ray and blood tests, for example, to medically diagnose in areas that have traditionally fallen within the remit of other medical colleagues.
• Diagnostics form part of this such as ultrasound (soft tissue) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This, coupled with sports medicine and consultant/GP consultations, podiatry and occupational therapy, provide a musculoskeletal centre of excellence all under one roof.

Meet the team