Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing physiotherapy and preparing for your appointment
What can I expect when I come to see you?
We believe good physiotherapy starts with understanding the problem properly, rather than simply treating where it hurts or handing you a list of exercises.
Your physiotherapist will take the time to listen to your story, understand what you want to get back to and carry out a thorough physical assessment. We want to establish what is causing your symptoms, why the problem may have developed and what the best next step should be.
We will explain what we find in clear, straightforward language and, where appropriate, begin treatment at your first appointment. Your rehabilitation will be specific to you, with a clear reason behind what we ask you to do and a plan for how it will progress.
We also believe in being honest. If physiotherapy is not the right answer, or we think you would benefit from further investigation, imaging or specialist opinion, we will tell you and help guide you in the right direction.
Our aim is simple: you should leave your appointment understanding your problem better, knowing what can be done about it and feeling confident about what happens next.
Do I need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist?
No. You can book directly with one of our physiotherapists without seeing your GP first. We can assess your problem, provide a working clinical diagnosis where appropriate and discuss the best treatment or rehabilitation plan.
If we feel that you need an X-ray, MRI scan, medical review or specialist opinion, we will explain why and guide you towards the most appropriate next step. If you are using private medical insurance, check whether your particular policy requires a GP referral or authorisation before treatment.
What happens during my first physiotherapy appointment?
Your appointment begins with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, how they started and how they affect your everyday life, work, sleep or sport. We will also ask about relevant medical history, previous treatment and what you hope to achieve.
Your physiotherapist will then carry out a physical assessment. Depending on the problem, this may include movement, strength, joint, muscle, nerve, balance, functional or sport-specific testing. We will explain what we find and discuss a clear plan. Treatment can usually begin during the first appointment when it is appropriate to do so.
How do I know whether physiotherapy is right for my problem?
You do not need to know before you book. Part of our role is to assess your symptoms and decide whether physiotherapy is likely to help.
If your problem would be better investigated by your GP, a consultant or another healthcare professional, we will tell you. We would rather point you towards the right next step than continue treatment that is not appropriate.
Can an AI app or online exercise programme replace seeing a physiotherapist?
AI tools, apps and online exercise programmes can be useful sources of general information and may help with straightforward problems. They cannot, however, reproduce a detailed face-to-face physical examination or fully assess how your symptoms respond to movement, strength, neurological and other clinical tests.
A physiotherapist can adapt the assessment immediately, identify findings you may not have noticed, consider whether the pattern fits the expected diagnosis and decide whether treatment, further investigation or referral is the safest next step.
Our role is not simply to provide exercises. It is to understand your individual problem, explain what we find and guide you through an appropriate plan. Technology can provide information. A clinical assessment helps determine what that information means for you.
Will I receive treatment during my first appointment?
Usually, yes, when treatment is appropriate. The first priority is to understand your symptoms and carry out a proper assessment. Treatment may then begin during the same appointment.
Occasionally, the findings suggest that further investigation or medical review should come first. If that happens, we will explain our reasoning and help guide you.
How many physiotherapy sessions will I need?
There is no standard number. A straightforward recent injury may only require one or two appointments with advice and rehabilitation, while a longstanding problem, significant injury or recovery after surgery may require more.
After assessing you, your physiotherapist will explain what they recommend and why. As you improve, appointments can usually be spaced further apart. We will not ask you to attend more often than we believe is clinically useful. For this reason, we do not offer “package” deals.
How quickly should physiotherapy start to work?
This depends on the condition, how long you have had it, its severity and the factors contributing to it. Some people notice improvement relatively quickly. Tendon problems, longstanding pain, significant weakness and rehabilitation following surgery generally take longer.
We will give you a realistic idea of what to expect, identify useful milestones and review whether the plan is producing the expected change.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows the affected area to be assessed. Shorts are helpful for hip, knee or leg problems. For shoulder or upper-back symptoms, clothing that allows the area to be examined is useful.
Do not worry if you forget. We can usually adapt the assessment to what you are wearing and will always explain what examination is required and obtain your consent.
Should I see a physiotherapist if my injury has only just happened?
Often, yes. You do not necessarily need to wait for an injury to settle before having it assessed. Early assessment can help establish what may have been injured, whether further investigation is needed and what you should and should not do during the early stages of recovery.
If the injury is severe, you cannot use the affected limb, there is obvious deformity, rapidly increasing swelling or you feel medically unwell, urgent medical assessment may be more appropriate.
Can physiotherapy help if I have had pain for months or years?
Yes. Longstanding pain does not automatically mean that nothing can be done. The first step is understanding why the problem may have persisted and what remains changeable.
We may look at strength, mobility, previous injuries, activity levels, work, sleep, sport and other relevant factors before agreeing realistic goals and a structured treatment and rehabilitation plan.
Conditions and treatment
What conditions can physiotherapy treat?
Physiotherapy can help with many problems affecting muscles, joints, tendons, nerves, balance and movement. We regularly assess back and neck pain, sciatica, shoulder, hip and knee problems, sports and running injuries, tendon problems, arthritis, muscle and ligament injuries, post-operative rehabilitation and persistent or recurring pain.
We also provide specialist services including men’s health physiotherapy, women’s and pelvic health physiotherapy, vestibular rehabilitation, physiotherapy for children, clinical Pilates, dry needling and shockwave therapy.
Can physiotherapy help back pain and sciatica?
Yes. Back pain and sciatica are among the most common problems assessed by physiotherapists. Similar symptoms can have different causes, so a careful assessment is important.
We will consider your symptoms, movement, strength and relevant neurological signs before recommending treatment. Management may include advice, hands-on treatment, exercise and progressive rehabilitation. If the assessment suggests that medical review or imaging is required, we will explain this.
Can physiotherapy help shoulder, hip or knee pain?
Yes. Pain in these areas may arise from joints, tendons, muscles, referred pain or several factors together. The treatment should therefore follow an assessment rather than a diagnosis based only on where it hurts.
We will look at movement, strength, function and the activities that reproduce your symptoms, then agree a plan designed around your goals.
Can physiotherapy help a sports injury?
Yes. Our physiotherapists treat sports injuries ranging from relatively straightforward muscle and tendon problems to complex or recurring injuries.
The aim is not only to reduce pain. We look at why the injury may have occurred, whether strength, movement, training load or previous injury contributed and what needs to change before you return safely to your sport.
Do you assess and treat running injuries?
Yes. We have extensive experience working with recreational runners as well as elite and international athletes. Common problems include knee pain, Achilles and calf injuries, plantar heel pain, shin pain, hamstring injuries and other running-related conditions.
Where appropriate, we also consider running mechanics, training load, strength, footwear, recovery and recent changes in distance, speed or terrain.
Can physiotherapy help arthritis?
Yes. Physiotherapy can help people with osteoarthritis and other forms of joint pain improve movement, strength, confidence and day-to-day function.
We can also advise on staying active, managing flare-ups and adapting exercise around your symptoms. Physiotherapy cannot reverse arthritis, but it can often make a meaningful difference to how well you move and what you can do.
Do you provide hands-on treatment or is physiotherapy mainly exercises?
We use both when appropriate. Treatment may include manual therapy and other hands-on techniques alongside exercise, rehabilitation, education and advice. We also provide specialist options including dry needling and shockwave therapy when clinically suitable.
The important point is that treatment follows what we find during your assessment. We do not believe in applying the same approach to everyone.
What is dry needling and could it help me?
Dry needling uses fine sterile needles as part of a wider physiotherapy treatment plan. It may be considered for selected muscle and soft-tissue problems, including areas of muscular tightness or sensitivity.
It is not suitable or necessary for everyone. Your physiotherapist will explain the expected benefits, possible temporary soreness or bruising and any reasons why it may not be appropriate before obtaining your consent.
What is shockwave therapy and who is it suitable for?
Shockwave therapy uses acoustic energy and is most commonly considered for selected persistent tendon and soft-tissue conditions that have not improved sufficiently with appropriate rehabilitation.
It is not the right treatment for every injury. We normally assess the problem first, explain the expected benefits and limitations and combine shockwave with advice and rehabilitation where appropriate. We provide both radial and focused shockwave using Storz Medical equipment.
What is the difference between joint mobilisation and manipulation?
Mobilisation generally involves slower, controlled movements used to improve joint movement and reduce stiffness. Manipulation uses a quicker, small-amplitude movement and is only considered when the assessment shows that it is appropriate and safe.
Neither technique should be used automatically. Your physiotherapist will explain the options, alternatives and expected purpose before treatment.
Can physiotherapy help headaches or migraines?
Physiotherapy may help when neck movement, joint stiffness, muscle tension, posture or other musculoskeletal factors contribute to headache symptoms. It is not a treatment for every type of headache or migraine.
Assessment is important, particularly when headaches are new, changing, severe or accompanied by other symptoms. If the pattern requires medical investigation, we will advise you accordingly.
Can physiotherapy help dizziness or a vestibular disorder?
Yes. Vestibular rehabilitation can help selected causes of dizziness, imbalance and reduced confidence with movement. Assessment may include eye and head movements, balance and positional testing.
Dizziness has many possible causes, so we will first establish whether vestibular physiotherapy is appropriate or whether medical assessment is needed.
Do you provide physiotherapy for children?
Yes. We assess selected musculoskeletal and orthopaedic problems in children and young people, including sports injuries, pain, fractures and rehabilitation after surgery. Please contact us if you are unsure whether your child’s problem is suitable for our team.
We can advise which physiotherapist to book and whether another paediatric service would be more appropriate.
Can you help with rehabilitation after surgery?
Yes. We provide rehabilitation after a range of orthopaedic and other relevant procedures. Treatment may focus on restoring movement, rebuilding strength, progressing everyday activity and helping you return to work or sport.
We will take account of your surgeon’s instructions, the stage of healing and any precautions specific to your operation.
Specialist physiotherapy services
Do you offer men’s health physiotherapy?
Yes. We provide confidential specialist men’s health physiotherapy in Edinburgh for pelvic pain, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary symptoms, rehabilitation following prostate treatment or surgery, erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease.
Your first appointment provides time to discuss the symptoms properly and decide whether physiotherapy, medical investigation or a combination of approaches is most appropriate.
Do you offer women’s health and pelvic health physiotherapy?
Yes. Our specialist pelvic health physiotherapists assess and treat a range of bladder, bowel, pelvic floor, pelvic pain, pregnancy, postnatal and menopause-related concerns.
The assessment will be explained clearly beforehand. Any internal examination is optional, requires your specific consent and will only be suggested when clinically relevant.
What is clinical Pilates and do I need to be injured to attend?
Clinical Pilates uses controlled exercise to improve movement, strength, balance and body awareness. It can support rehabilitation after injury, help manage recurring problems or provide a structured way to build confidence with exercise.
You do not always need to be injured. If you have pain, recent surgery or a complex medical history, an individual assessment may be recommended before joining a class or programme.
Do you offer sports performance and movement analysis?
Yes. Our sports physiotherapy and performance services can assess strength, movement, training demands and factors relevant to performance or recurring injury.
The assessment is tailored to your sport and goals. It may be useful for athletes returning from injury, runners with repeated problems or people who want a more detailed understanding of how they move.
Do you offer online physiotherapy appointments?
Yes. Online appointments can be useful for discussing symptoms, reviewing progress, checking exercises and providing rehabilitation advice when you cannot attend the clinic.
They cannot replace every part of a physical examination. If we believe that an in-person assessment or medical review is needed, we will explain this.
Practical questions
Can a physiotherapist refer me for an MRI, X-ray or specialist opinion?
If we believe your symptoms require further investigation, we will explain why and advise you on the most suitable route. This may involve your GP, private imaging or a relevant medical specialist, depending on the findings and your circumstances.
We can also provide a clinical summary or referral letter where appropriate.
Are your physiotherapists fully qualified and registered?
Can I use private medical insurance for physiotherapy?
We work with a number of private medical insurers. Your individual policy determines whether you need authorisation, a GP referral or a specific provider before treatment.
Please check with your insurer before booking and have your membership and authorisation details available. Contact our team if you are unsure.