Frequently Asked Questions

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that assesses, diagnoses, treats, and works to prevent disease and disability through physical means.

Physiotherapists are experts in movement and function.  They work in partnership with their patients, assisting them to overcome movement disorders, which may have been present from birth, acquired through accident or injury, or are the result of ageing or life-changing events.

Physiotherapy can help recovery from injury, reduce pain and stiffness, and increase mobility.

A physiotherapist can also help you prevent further injury by listening to your needs and working with you to plan the most appropriate treatment for your condition, including setting goals and treatment outcomes.

Physiotherapists must be registered with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) to work in the UK.  The HCPC acts as a regulator for most health professions.  It also protects the title of physiotherapist (http://www.hcpc-uk.org.uk/aboutregistration/protectedtitles/) meaning that only registered professionals can call themselves a physiotherapist. During the first appointment, you will explain to us what your pain/problem is in your own words and we will assess the potential problem areas.

We may not make an exact diagnosis straight away as sometimes different problems can have the same symptoms but we should have good idea of where they come from.

We will then explain to you what is going on, discuss our treatment plan and offer specific advice on self-management at home. Most of the time, we will start treating you during the first appointment and certainly will give you some take home advice so that you can work on the problem in your own time.

Subsequent appointments will continue to investigate and confirm the diagnosis when required and follow a course of treatment aiming to get you fit again.

Do I need to see a doctor first?

No, you don’t need to see a doctor first, but you may need to see a medical professional if you have medical insurance and your insurance company requires you to see one before seeing a physiotherapist.

Do I need medical insurance?

No you do not. Most of our patients are self-paying.

How much does it cost?

Please follow this link to see our rates.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

We can usually offer a physiotherapy or massage appointment within 48 hours.  You might need to wait longer if you wish to see a specific physiotherapist or during very busy periods.

How many sessions of Physiotherapy will I need?

Physiotherapy is not exact science and each individual will recover at their own speed.  Our physiotherapist will be able to give a better idea of how long the treatment will last after the first appointment.

Will I always have the same therapist and can I chose a male or female?

Apart from exceptional circumstances, you should always be treated by the same physiotherapist from the first appointment to your discharge.  We have both male and female physiotherapists, so just ask the receptionist when you book your first appointment.

What should I wear for my treatment?

This will depend on your problem.  If you are coming for a back, a neck or a shoulder problem, we might need to you to undress to your underwear so you may want to bring a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt. If you are coming for a sport injury, you may want to bring trainers as well.

Do you treat children?

Yes, we do. We treat children with both orthopaedic injuries and neurological problems. You will be required to attend with your child.[

Can I bring someone with me?

Yes, you are welcome to bring someone with you. We even prefer that parents/guardians/carers are present during their children/patients’ treatment.

Can I claim the cost of treatment through my health insurance policy?

Yes as long as physiotherapy is included in the terms of your policy.  We advise you to check with your cover provider before commencing treatment.  We are recognized by all major insurance companies. We also generally invoice the insurance company directly but will confirm this with you.

I missed my appointment. What next?

If you missed or are unable to attend your appointment, just call us and we will book you again.  We charge 50% of the cost of the missed appointment if you do not show up or do not cancel your appointment at least 24H before it is due.

I have questions about my treatment. Who should I contact?

Please speak to your physiotherapist if you have any questions about your treatment.  In the unlikely event where your questions are not answered, please ask to speak to or email Nick Summersgill, our practice manager.

I have a complaint about my treatment or my physiotherapist.

Caledonian Physiotherapy Services strives to offer clinical excellence in physiotherapy and as such we will take your complaint very seriously and will investigate it thoroughly through our clinical governance procedures. Please address your complaint to your physiotherapist or to Nick Summersgill.