Frequently Asked Questions

With the ever changing COVID-19 Climate, feel at ease that the clinic is following the most up to date Public health guidance to reduce Infection risk, by maximising our COVID-secure policies and procedure, which include some of the following;

• Appointment times have been extended to allow for full sanitation of rooms between clients

• Masks are worn by our therapists, plastic apron and visor, if necessary

• Giving the patient freedom of choice to wear a mask

• Appointment times are staggered to reduce interaction

• The waiting area has been adapted to provide plenty of space, hand sanitation and hand washing facilities

• We give you the option to pay contactless

The Down2u physiotherapy approach is to train you to be the expert of your body and mind to overcome your acute and chronic pain, not only for the short-term, but for the long term to live life to the fullest with or without pain. With the whole aim to empower your decisions of what is the best way to move and manage your pain levels.  With an average of 3-4 sessions, you will feel equipped with practical self-help tools and knowledge to prevent and overcome the present and future pains you may encounter.

After a warm welcome from your therapist, you will be invited to the clinic to be asked to fill in a consent  and past medical history questionnaire form.  You will then be asked a series of questions to explore the biological, social, emotional and mental factors which may be contributing to your pain.  Some questions, may not seem relevant however, to get a whole picture of your health, some questions may surprise you, if they do, please do not hesitate to ask the therapist why they are asking such questions. Remember we want you to take control of your health choices!Following a  typical 10-30 minutes of history taking, the therapist would share some light on a initial diagnosis with reasoning from what you have told them, this would then need to be validated with a physical examination.The physical examination would involve observing, feeling, facilitating your body to identify whether the tests are positive or negative. At any point you feel uncomfortable, you are entitled to ask the therapist to modify or stop the assessment. 

Once the diagnosis has been formulated, and you understand the reasoning for the issues contributing to your pain, a treatment plan would be proposed with you and tailored to your everyday life and interests.  Treatment will consist of the perfect balance of hands on manual therapy techniques, education and exercises to achieve your goals, whether that is improving your mobility, function, strength, stamina, work capabilities and pain levels.

Your comfort is key, therefore, wear what you feel comfortable to stretch, exercise and move in. However, if the problem does relate your lower limbs, some shorts or trousers that can be rolled up to the problem area, would be ideal. 

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If your problem relates to your shoulders, upper or lower back, I would advise females to wear a vest/crop top and a comfortable and supported 2 strap bra (complicated straps from sports bras can be difficult to work around). 

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If your problem relates to a specific sport, you should bring the equipment with you, e.g. running shoes for running issues, golf club for golfing, climbing shoes for climbing. 

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We fully support and encourage you to bring a chaperone (friend/family member) if you feel you would like one during the sessions. Also please enquire about same sex therapist. 

Physiotherapy tends to be recognised for its effective and conservative long lasting benefits for ageing, mobility, lifestyle, function, work capability and pain management compared to having invasive medical treatment or taking long term medication.

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If you elect for surgery, the exercises and knowledge you get from physiotherapy is win-win,  as it will prepare your body and mind for Pre-op AND Post op recovery, which tends to get you back on your feet sooner.

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Physiotherapy is thought of mainly for when you have already injured yourself, however, it has great benefits of preventing you from injury and reducing recovery times.  

It is common, more in Men > women to ignore pain and carry on, hoping that rest helps or stopping your hobby/sport for a short while. However, pain is telling you something, and having physiotherapy can help you understand that message.

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Some behaviours and pain patterns that need consulting from a physiotherapist are as follows;

1) You are not working, moving, standing, sitting as you normally would

2) You have rested and the pain is still there

3) You have tried to power through work, sports and hobbies and pain remains

4) Pain is persistent, there is no let up

5) The discomfort is disturbing your sleep and 'relaxation' time

6) Pain that only lasted at work, which is now running into your days off.  

7) The pain is starting to make you feel down 

8) Medication does not seem to be helping your symptoms

9) The pain is not localised and spreading down your limbs

10) Still holding on to the story that in 1980 you had an accident and that pain is still with me today

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The above list is not exhaustive, but they are some pretty good reasons to get in touch. 

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However, as mentioned before, not only can physiotherapy help following injury, we are specialist at identifying alignment issues, postural problems, joint instability, weakness and stiffness that may contribute to performance (in sport, home or work) to prevent injuries and optimise your body's potential to rest/repair and tolerate heavier loads. 

The FRP is for people with persistent/chronic pain lasting more than 3 months. The pain can have an impact on the patients' mental health to the point of reducing their ability to live everyday life which includes basic chores of cooking, shopping and walking. 

This programme is designed to gradually improve the strength, mobility, stamina and confidence for patient's to reach their goals, whether that is to return to part/full-time work, doing daily chores (house work, cleaning, basic activities of daily living). 

This programme will last 6 sessions - as there are 6 topics to learn, combined with progressive physical conditioning exercises.

Group sessions can be offered for Corporate clients - please contact to enquire. 

It depends on the individual and their needs, however historically, as mentioned before, average of between 3-6 sessions which could be spread over weeks or months. It is not uncommon for Down2u physiotherapy to see a clients for 1 session physically and some virtual catch ups to ensure that the knowledge and self-help tips are working.