Private Physiotherapy

What happens at your first appointment

Your first appointment begins with a conversation about the problem, when it started and how it affects the things you need to do. The physiotherapist asks about relevant medical history, previous treatment and any symptoms that need further checking. Bring hospital letters, exercise sheets or scan reports you already have; you do not need to arrange a scan yourself before booking. Clothing that allows the affected area to be examined makes the assessment easier.

The examination looks at movement, strength and the tasks that are difficult for you. Your physiotherapist explains the findings in plain language and agrees the next steps with you. Hands-on treatment may be appropriate, but exercise and practical advice are also part of the plan. You can discuss what is realistic to practise between visits and how progress will be reviewed. You can book directly without a GP referral; if using insurance, check the policy's authorisation requirements first.

It is useful to think about your priorities before you come: a particular work task, walking distance or movement you would like assessed. Ask questions if an exercise or explanation is unclear. The programme should make sense to you, including what to practise and what to discuss at a follow-up, rather than being a list you do not understand.

For follow-ups and exercise reviews, our video consultations information explains remote appointments. They do not replace the hands-on examination needed for an initial clinic assessment.

Conditions we treat most

Common reasons for a physiotherapy appointment include lower back pain, neck pain, knee pain, shoulder pain and sciatica. These pages explain the symptoms, assessment and signs that need medical attention. A symptom name alone does not identify the cause: your history and examination guide the treatment choices. Tell us if symptoms have changed or if you have instructions from another clinician.

Private physio and MSK assessment

MSK means musculoskeletal: muscles, joints and the related movement difficulties considered in physiotherapy. Private describes how you arrange care, not a different diagnosis or a guarantee of better results. Our MSK physiotherapy guide explains the term, while private versus NHS physiotherapy discusses practical appointment choices. For regional patient information, use the Medway physiotherapy overview. Describe the problem before selecting a treatment name.

Patients from across Medway and Maidstone

All clinic appointments are at Warren Road, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham ME5 9RD, with free on-site parking. Our information for Chatham, Maidstone, Canterbury, Tonbridge and Sittingbourne patients helps clarify where treatment takes place. These are patient service areas, not separate branches. Appointments run Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. When travel is genuinely difficult, ask about the existing home visit service and whether your address and needs can be covered.