Physiotherapy
Initial appointments from £72
Book online or call us on 0345 850 8399
Lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 8am to 4pm.
We may record or monitor our phone calls.
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy uses techniques to improve how your joints and muscles work. A registered physiotherapist can help with movement, flexibility, mobility, and strength. After assessing you, they’ll create a personalised treatment plan to support areas affected by injury or illness. If you have a long-term condition or disability, physiotherapy may also help.
What to expect at a physiotherapy appointment
Appointment overview
Before your appointment, we’ll send you a form to complete. Your physiotherapist will assess your area of concern and decide on a treatment plan. There are several approaches they may recommend, depending on your needs. They might suggest hands-on therapy such as mobilisation, manipulation or massage and exercises you can do at home.
Your treatment plan may need a few sessions, so each visit your symptoms will be reviewed and your treatment will be adapted accordingly. If you need an onward referral to see another specialist, your physiotherapist will help you.
Physiotherapy can help with a variety of conditions affecting muscles, joints, and bones and the nervous system, including but not limited to:
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Arthritis |
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Back and neck pain |
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Headaches |
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Joint pain |
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Ligament injuries |
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Muscle tension |
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Rehabilitation from illness or disease |
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Rehabilitation from surgery |
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Repetitive strain injuries |
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Sciatica |
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Sport injuries |
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The average treatment plan can take four to six sessions to complete, your physiotherapist will advise on how many you need.
Appointment
Initial assessment (up to 45 minutes)
Follow-up session (up to 30 minutes)
Greater London
£95
£72
Outside Greater London
£72
£55
Techniques used by physiotherapists
Your physiotherapist will explain what each treatment is and how it will help you, they may use a variety of techniques to treat pain and improve movement, including:
Acupuncture
Your physiotherapist may use fine needles to treat your pain. They will insert needles into certain points of the body depending on your condition. This is usually painless and may be in place for up to 20 minutes to have the best effect.
Exercises and stretches
A tailored exercise programme will be created for you. Your physiotherapist will guide you on the right technique so you get the most out of each exercise.
Manipulation
Using their hands your physiotherapist may move your joints using firm pressure. This treatment is often used to reduce muscle spasms and restore joint mobility.
Manual therapy
Your physiotherapist will use their hands to apply pressure on your joints and muscle tissue.
Postural and ergonomic advice
Poor posture can lead to long standing pain. Your physiotherapist may make recommendations on correction and workplace adjustments to help.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation may be recommended if you are recovering from injury, illness or surgery. The goal is to improve your strength and activity levels. The exercises also look to how you can prevent future concerns.
Shockwave therapy
The physiotherapist will apply mechanical shockwaves to your injury using a machine. These audible waves increase blood flow to the injured areas. By increasing blood flow it speeds up your body's healing process.
Soft tissue massage
Your physiotherapist may carry out soft massage techniques on your muscles. By increasing endorphins through massage, it can encourage a decrease in muscle spasms.
Acupuncture and shockwave therapy are not available at every Bupa health centre. If you require either of these treatments, please check that it's available when booking your appointment at your chosen centre.
Women's health physiotherapy
We have a number of specialist trained women's health physiotherapists. Treatment techniques include:
- pelvic floor rehabilitation
- internal manual therapy to the pelvic floor
- scar massage
- pelvic floor relaxation
- breathing/relaxation exercises
- bladder training and patient education for self management
This service is currently only available at selected clinics so please check when you re booking if women's health physiotherapy is available at your selected clinic.
After your appointment
Your physiotherapist will provide you with a set of digital exercises that you can do at home or in the gym. They will offer aftercare advice and information to help keep your symptoms to a minimum. If you have any future flare ups, or new symptoms, you can book another appointment.
Learn more about our muscles, bones and joints appointments
Want to find out more about our musculoskeletal services and how we can meet your accessibility needs? We have a guide of common questions that may be able to help.
Health information from our experts
Muscles, bones and joints conditions
Keeping active is important, but aches, pains and strains happen. Find guidance on a range of conditions, treatments and preventing future injury.
What's next?
Call us
Talk through your options with us on
Lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 8am to 4pm. We may record or monitor our phone calls.
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Bupa health assessments and Bupa Anytime HealthLine are provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ.
