“Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement and maximising potential:

• it uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking account of variations in health status
• it is science-based, committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins and informs its practice and delivery
• the exercise of clinical judgement and informed interpretation is at its core." CSP Curriculum Framework, 2002

Where chronic pain exists, physiotherapy aims to rehabilitate the individual thereby improving function and the body's ability to cope with pain. 

Physiotherapy aims to restore movement and function, reduce pain, and optimize the body’s natural healing processes. To achieve this, we employ a variety of techniques. Manual therapy includes joint and soft tissue mobilization; Exercise therapy may involve stretching stiff joints, strengthening weakened muscles, retraining movement control patterns, or mobilisation of neural structures. Remedial Pilates is also available. 

We believe strongly in empowering our clients to understand their problem by educating and providing relevant advice, whether this is regarding posture, ergonomics or return to sporting activities. We believe that physiotherapy is an active partnership between therapist and patient. For you to gain the optimum benefit from your treatment sessions, it is highly recommended that you carry out any home exercises programs or physical activity advice that your physiotherapist advises.

At your first appointment an initial assessment will be carried out. This may last up to 45 minutes, and involves a detailed interview and physical assessment in which we will establish the likely causes of your problem. It helps if you are dressed appropriately for the area to be examined, eg. shorts for lower limb problems, or a vest top for shoulder problems. If you have had an assessment with another physiotherapy/osteopathy/chiropractic practice, we will still need to carry out an assessment, but we may ask you about the type of treatment you have already had, and whether you found it beneficial.
After the initial assessment, we will discuss with you what may be causing your problem, and what types of treatment are likely to benefit you. 

Follow up sessions last up to 30 minutes, and will implement your physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation plan. This may involve some manual therapy treatment and is also an opportunity to check progress with your exercise program - modifying or progressing as appropriate.

We encourage our clients to ask questions and seek clarification about things they aren't sure about, so please don't struggle in silence!

For more information about the treatments we offer see the treatments page, and for further information about physiotherapy click here.