Physiotherapy from Spire at Spire Washington Hospital

Physiotherapy can help increase mobility in people of all ages - including young people recovering from a sports injury, older people regaining movement after an operation such as a hip replacement, or people managing long-term pain, muscular conditions or Dupuytren's contracture.

Patients receiving physiotherapy treatment at Spire have their musculoskeletal conditions treated using the latest physiotherapy techniques and equipment. Some locations have many of the latest generation physiotherapy machines not usually readily available on the NHS, such as AlterG treadmills (which lowers the gravity on the treadmill and so the impact on joints) and gait analysis machines.

Our chartered physiotherapists treat all muscle and joint conditions. They use up to the minute research to apply best clinical practice and work in close liaison with consultants and GPs to determine if further investigation is required. This helps to ensure that you receive a highly focused course of treatment suited to your individual needs. We aim to provide the best treatment and advice with the aim of returning you to normal mobility as soon as possible.

Some Spire hospitals offer the Perform physiotherapy service which treats professional athletes and sports teams, including Premiership football clubs, national football teams, Premiership rugby clubs and athletes (only available at specific locations).

The earlier you request an assessment for an injury or musculoskeletal problem and receive appropriate treatment, the faster we can help you resume your daily activities and sports.

All of our physiotherapists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and are chartered members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

We take an integrated approach so we can organise any other care that you may need during your treatment.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care.

All of our physiotherapists are qualified and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

We're here to listen and help you every step of the way. You will have a formal consultation with the physiotherapist of your choice. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and any concerns you might have.

Your consultant or physiotherapist will discuss your medical history with you and perform a thorough assessment of your condition. They will also discuss with you whether they feel any other tests such as X-rays, CT and MRI scan are needed.

With your permission our physiotherapists will liaise with your GP or consultant and provide a detailed discharge summary at the end of your treatment.

We're here to listen to you and help you get the best out of life.

We have tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

Visit our patient information page for more information on our facilities, parking and all those other important practicalities.

We understand that having medical treatment, even for a relatively straightforward treatment such as physiotherapy, can be a time of worry. Our highly trained physiotherapists will be there with you, every step of the way.

Physiotherapy is a highly personalised form of treatment which varies depending on the condition you're suffering from. It uses various techniques*:

• Movement and exercise is often used to strengthen areas of the body and improve mobility. Your physiotherapist will give you a series of specific exercises which you'll need to do regularly over a set time frame to see improvement.
• Manual therapy involves the use of hands-on treatment by your physio, similar to massage, to help mobilise your soft joints and tissues. This helps to improve your circulation, relieve pain, drain fluid and improve movement.
• Hydrotherapy is performed in water, normally a warm shallow swimming pool, or a specialist hydrotherapy pool. Some of our hospitals have access to latest generation hydrotherapy pools across our network. Water therapy can help blood circulation, reduce pain and relax muscles. It can also enable a wider range of activities that aren't possible for you to do on dry land as it reduces the strain on joints. The water provides a natural resistance, and can help increase muscle strength. Hydrotherapy is particularly beneficial to children and adults with disabilities (only available at specific locations).
• Complementary medicine - your physiotherapist may suggest the use of a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine to deliver electro-therapy and acupuncture to complement your physiotherapy programme.

Your physiotherapist will discuss with you which techniques or combination of techniques they think are best for you and your condition.

*The treatments described may not be available in all hospitals.

*Please note Spire Washington Hospital does not offer a hydrotherapy pool.

During your physiotherapy sessions you might find some exercises painful. This shouldn't last and you shouldn't need to take any pain medication. Your recovery time will be determined by the extent of your injury or condition.

To help achieve the best possible results, you should follow any exercise regime for the time period prescribed by your physiotherapist.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.