Get treatment for muscle, bone and joint pain
Contact us to get treatment
If you have issues with your muscles, bones or joints, our Direct Access‡ service is here to help.
Call us and we’ll arrange a telephone consultation with a physiotherapist.
When you speak to a physiotherapist
When you talk to a physiotherapist, they’ll assess your symptoms and recommend suitable treatment for your needs‡.
Options can include a personalised home exercise plan or referral for face-to-face treatment with an appropriate specialist.
Call on 0345 609 0111
Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 4pm.
Specialist Patient Support
If you're awaiting surgery, then you can access case management support with structured pre-habilitation, as well as pain management advice and online resources.
Pre-habilitation could include personalised exercise programmes to improve joint mobility and strengthen muscles surrounding the joint. This will help you be in the best health possible for when your treatment is ready to progress and could improve post-operative outcomes.
Our clinicians can also help you manage your pain through lifestyle advice and education and guide you through online pain management resources.
- Hi, I'm Mike. I'm a physiotherapist and clinical lead
in our musculoskeletal specialist support team at Bupa
helping manage our members
with a multitude of injuries and conditions.
It can be incredibly difficult if you're a patient
awaiting a procedure, and you may have lots of questions
on what's going to happen.
Whether you're having a spinal procedure,
hip or knee replacement,
shoulder arthroscopy, like a tendon repair
or knee arthroscopy, like a ligament repair.
Our specialist support team are a team of experts
that are here to help support you through the treatment
pathway in managing your musculoskeletal condition,
whether that's supporting you with an acute injury
and a return to your previous activities
with conservative interventions like physiotherapy,
or if surgical interventions are required
providing education and advice about your procedure,
how to keep active with rehabilitation advice,
and pain management techniques.
It's essential that prior to any musculoskeletal procedure
that you maintain good health by eating well,
continue with any weight loss or smoking cessation programs
that you may be engaging with.
And most importantly, keep good musculoskeletal health.
This is done by keeping as much movement and control
and strength around the affected joint prior to the surgery,
which has been proven to improve postoperative outcomes.
Patients often ask whether they should be exercising or not
whilst awaiting their procedure.
My advice is keep active.
Don't rest while you're waiting for your procedure
as this will likely lead to greater muscle loss, weakness,
and potentially increasing pain.
Try to do exercise that challenges the injured area
without exacerbating it.
It's important to remember that the better the condition
of the affected joint and its surrounding muscles
prior to the surgery, the better the rehabilitation will be
following the surgery.
We know it can be hard and you may be experiencing pain
for a long period of time.
Try to keep focused.
Manage the pain effectively with activity modification
to reduce the chances of causing a flare-up in your pain,
whilst keeping as active as your symptoms allow.
Also use any pain medication prescribed by your doctor.
As we know better controlled pain will mean better muscle
activation and therefore improved quality of movement.
When you're going in for a procedure it's important to seek
support, whether that be from friends, family,
or other health professionals.
Ask your treating physiotherapist what should you be doing
at home whilst you're waiting for your procedure?
Call our Direct Access Team on 0345 600 8277.
Health information about muscles, bones and joints
Aches and pains can be a sign of problems with your muscles, bones or joints. Find out about a range of conditions here, and get advice on preventing injuries.
Bupa Knee Clinic
If you've injured your knee or have a long-term problem, our Bupa Knee Clinic can help you find the information and support you need.
Back pain
Back pain is often related to a strain in a muscle, tendon or ligament, or damage to other structures in your back.
Back pain can affect your whole range of movement, so it’s best to get care as soon as you can.
More information about muscle, bones and joint conditions and treatments
Aches and pains can make even the simplest tasks difficult. Find out about a range of conditions here, and get advice on preventing injuries.
Treatment help and support
I’d like to find a specialist
Find out how to book an appointment with a specialist through your health insurance.
I want to view my policy and benefits
Find out what you’re covered for and what extras you can access.
I’d like healthy lifestyle advice
You can find help and guidance for a healthy lifestyle on the Healthy Me blog.
I want to read about a condition or procedure
You can find information and advice on different procedures in our A to Z.
Specific questions about your cover, benefits, or getting treatment with Bupa? Call us on 0345 609 0111^
We want to hear from you
We’re always looking for ways to improve our service, but we can’t do that without you. Let us know what you like about Bupa, and how we can improve.
∧ Lines are open 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm Saturdays. We may record or monitor our calls.
‡Direct Access telephone services are available as long as the symptoms are covered under the policy. If your cover excludes conditions you had before your policy started, we'll ask you to provide evidence from your GP that your symptoms are not pre-existing for a period of up to two years from policy start date (or five years in the case of mental health) before we can refer you to a consultant through the Direct Access service. Always call us first to check your eligibility.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ
