Physiotherapy

Our physiotherapy department has a team of highly skilled physiotherapists. We offer tailor-made treatment plans to suit your needs. Whether you are an aspiring or high-performing athlete, recovering from surgery or suffering from an injury, our physiotherapists aim to get you to your desired level of fitness. All our physiotherapists are registered with the Health Professions Council. They all have specialist experience across a wide variety of clinical problems.

Spire Norwich Hospital has a very successful rehabilitation programme in place for orthopaedic surgery and our physiotherapists are able to regularly liaise with our team of surgeons during your recovery period.

Your first appointment will be up to 45 minutes depending on your problem, allowing time for the physiotherapist to assess, diagnose and treat your injury. Some specialist assessments may take up to an hour. 

Treatment may consist of acupuncture, advice, exercise therapy or manual therapy.

The department has private treatment rooms and a rehabilitation gym which may be utilised, depending on your needs. It is advisable to wear clothing suitable for exercising in and you will probably be asked to undress for your examination depending on the location of your injury.

The physiotherapists at Spire Norwich Hospital are all experienced senior staff, both male and female and are recognised by all insurance companies. We work closely with the orthopaedic consultants at the hospital and can arrange referral to the appropriate specialist where necessary.

Pelvic health physiotherapy (men’s, women’s and bowel)

There are some problems that are specific to women, requiring specialised physiotherapy assessment and treatment. Women’s health physiotherapy focuses on all issues related to obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as urology and colorectal specialities. Whether you are pregnant, a new mum, recovering from gynaecological surgery, have pelvic pain, prolapse or other pelvic floor concerns including continence issues, women’s health physiotherapy can help to improve your health, fitness and wellbeing.

Pelvic girdle pain, colorectal problems, urology and continence concerns, especially when recovering from prostate surgery can also occur in males and specialist physiotherapy can be used in these instances to improve symptoms as well as your overall fitness and wellbeing.

Who do we treat?

Ante-natal

• Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy (ie pain anywhere around the pelvis)
• Pregnancy associated complaints such as lower back pain, rib and thoracic pain or carpal tunnel syndrome
• Bladder incontinence, although there are some limitations to treatment options available during pregnancy
• Guidance on exercising during pregnancy

Post-natal

• Pelvic girdle pain postnatally
• Musculoskeletal complaints such as lower and upper back, shoulder and neck pain
• Bladder and bowel problems including, but not limited to, overactive bladder, stress and urge incontinence, bladder injuries/underactive bladder, including pelvic floor muscle electrical stimulation and biofeedback from three months postnatally
• Scar tissue problems post caesarean section
• Difficulties with returning to exercise after giving birth, or guidance on returning to exercise postpartum

 Uro/gynaecology

• Incontinence of bladder including overactive bladder, stress and urge incontinence
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Bladder pain syndrome
• Pain conditions such as vaginismus, vulvodynia, vestibulodynia
• Endometriosis
• Rehabilitation following gynaecological surgery

How can we help?

At Spire Norwich Hospital, we recognise the importance of providing a private, discreet and relaxed environment in which patients can seek advice and treatment. The first session will be a one hour consultation in a private room where your physiotherapist can get to know you and your specific concerns. Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment options will be discussed.

Treatments that are offered at Spire Norwich Hospital include:

• Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation
• Advice on managing faecal incontinence or constipation
• Manual therapy
• Bladder re-training for increased frequency and overactive bladder
• TENS for posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS)
• Rehabilitation following abdominal surgery
• Tailored exercise program and movement retraining
• Treatment of pregnancy-related musculoskeletal complaints including soft tissue release, joint mobilisation, splints and belts, biomechanics assessment and specific rehabilitation and advice

Hand therapy

Our specialist hand therapy team is able to offer a wide variety of high quality treatment options including:

• Wound care and scar management
• Custom splinting using environmentally friendly materials
• Post-operative exercises to facilitate recovery and return to usual activities
• Management of chronic conditions such as arthritis, Dupuytren’s disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injuries
• Management of traumatic injuries such as fractures, tendon and ligament injuries
• Pain management for conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome

Sports injury management  

• Physiotherapy facilities including access to shockwave therapy and fully equipped rehabilitation gym
• A more affordable option for an initial assessment with our physiotherapists

Common sports injuries we see patients for include:

• Foot and ankle injuries: Achilles tendinopathy, ankle sprain, Plantar Fasciitis, mid-foot sprain, metatarsal pain, shin splints
• Knee injuries: ACL rupture, MCL sprain, meniscus tear, patella femoral pain, patellar tendinopathy
• Hip injuries: Groin pain, lateral hip pain including gluteal tendinopathy, high hamstring tendinopathy, hip impingement
• Elbow, hand and wrist injuries: Ligament sprain, golfer's elbow, tennis elbow, tendon rupture
• Shoulder injuries: ACJ sprain, rotator cuff tendinopathy, shoulder impingement, shoulder instability
• Back and neck pain: following sporting injuries