Your questions around physiotherapy, answered by our clinical team here at Simplyhealth.
Scroll down to find out:
- What is physiotherapy?
- Is my physiotherapist qualified?
- What does a physiotherapist do?
- I feel like I need physio, should I book an appointment?
- How much is a physiotherapy appointment?
- What should you take to your appointment?
- What happens in a physiotherapy appointment?
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a treatment that helps restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness, or disability. Performed by qualified practitioners called physiotherapists, it can help people of all ages manage pain and reduce the risk of injury going forward.
Is my physiotherapist qualified?
Physiotherapy is a regulated profession and is provided by specialist trained practitioners called physiotherapists. In order to use this title, they must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC ensures that each physiotherapist adheres to a professional code of conduct and performs continual professional development (CPD).
You can check your physiotherapist is registered on the HCPC website.
What does a physiotherapist do?
Physiotherapy can help with a wide range of health conditions including:
- musculoskeletal conditions (bones, joints, soft tissue) such as spinal and joint pain, sports injuries, and degenerative and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis
- neurological conditions (brain and nervous system) such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) and head injuries which can result in movement and balance problems
- medical rehabilitation following surgery or medical procedures
- elderly rehabilitation, assisting to maintain independence and mobility
- respiratory conditions (lungs and breathing) such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and asthma
- pre and postnatal conditions
- paediatric conditions such as physical developmental delays or disabilities.
I feel like I need physio, should I book an appointment?
If you have a muscle injury or illness, a visit to the physiotherapist could be worthwhile.
But if you're not sure and want to save yourself unnecessary travel, we have a physiotherapy triage service through our Simplyhealth Plan.
It's a simple and convenient way of getting seen by a qualified physiotherapist without having to leave your house. Book an appointment, have a video chat with a physiotherapist and determine the next step for your recovery. You may only need some stretches or it might be recommended you need a hands-on session.
How much is a physiotherapy appointment?
Physiotherapy is available through the NHS, but there can be long waiting lists.
Private physiotherapy can mean you get seen within a few days, without a referral. Appointment costs vary depending on your area and the physiotherapist you see. Average prices are around £40-£50. And the average length of appointment is 30 mins, but this can depend on the treatment you need.
The Simplyhealth Plan
Like a subscription for your health.
Want to get back up and running? You can claim on your physio costs with our health plans.
What should you take to your appointment?
You want to be able to provide as much information as possible. A list of current medication and any medical reports regarding your condition (e.g. X-rays, MRI reports) can assist the physiotherapist in making an accurate diagnosis.
It's also a good idea to take or wear shorts and/or a vest to your appointment as you may need to undress to enable the physiotherapist to see and treat the area.
What happens in a physiotherapy appointment?
Trying something different can be daunting, especially if it involves your health and wellbeing. That's why we've had a chat with a qualified physiotherapist here at Simplyhealth.
Find out exactly what to expect on your first visit to the physiotherapist. The type of discussions you'll have. And what will happen going forward.
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