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How to get a same-day physio appointment in London

Matthew Tenby

You might be in need of a physiotherapist appointment as soon as possible in London, but unsure exactly where to find one. Here are the answers to some common uncertainties people face when searching for a physio.

5 minute read

London is home to over 9 million people and a magnet for millions of travellers from all over the globe.

But what if back pain threatens to curtail your long-awaited trip to Buckingham Palace? Maybe an old sports injury is blighting your business trip. Or you live in the UK's capital, but all that overtime typing has triggered your carpal tunnel.

Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals who are qualified to treat a range of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, help with balance, improve mobility, and relieve long-term pain.

But how do you find a physiotherapist quickly in London? How much will it cost? And what injuries and conditions can a physiotherapist treat?

In this article, Health Prem answers some of your most frequently asked questions about private physiotherapy in London. Most importantly, we will advise you on how to get a same-day physio appointment in London.

What injuries can a physiotherapist treat?

A Chartered physiotherapist can treat a range of injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system — the bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons.

They can also help with rehabilitation in some neurological conditions such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease.

Some injuries and conditions a physiotherapist can treat include:

How do I find a private physiotherapist in London?

When looking for a private physiotherapist in London, there are several things to take into account including location, cost, what treatments they offer and how soon you can get an appointment.

Check that your physiotherapist is properly qualified and registered. In the UK, this means making sure you choose a Chartered Physiotherapist (they will have MCSP after their name) who is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) provides a directory of Chartered Physiotherapists in the UK — Physio2u, with the option to search by postcode and payment methods.

Physio First is a professional network of private physiotherapists that also offers a directory of private physiotherapists in the UK.

How much does it cost to see a private physiotherapist in London?

The cost of private physiotherapy in London varies greatly, depending on the location of the practice, the length of the appointment and the expertise and experience of the physiotherapist.

On average, a 30-minute session with a private physiotherapist in London ranges from £40 to £60, but prices can be as low as £30 and as high as £120 or more for a 30-minute appointment.

Expect to pay more for your initial consultation than for any follow-up sessions.

Does an emergency physio exist in London?

If you need to see a physiotherapist urgently, several private physiotherapists offer an emergency service in the capital.

KUER physio Harley Street, provides emergency appointments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can either visit one of their two clinics in central London or arrange for a physio to come to your home, hotel, or place of work.  

KUER accept health insurance with Bupa, Bupa International and Cigna as well as many other healthcare providers depending on your policy. Alternatively, you can pay for your treatment directly. An initial appointment (30-60 minutes) costs £125.

Can I get a same- or next-day appointment with a physio in London?

One of the major benefits of paying to see a private physiotherapist is avoiding the lengthy waiting times commonly seen for NHS physios. Even if it’s not an emergency, you’ll still want to be seen quickly and many private physios in London provide same or next-day appointments.

Excellence Physiotherapy provides same or next-day appointments across London. They also offer home visits, evening and weekend appointments and specialist services for children and pregnant women as well as shockwave therapy.

Are there out-of-hours physios in London?

In addition to emergency appointments, many physios offer appointments during evenings and weekends, providing consultations and treatment at a time that suits you.

London Home Visit Physiotherapy and Osteopathy have clinics all over the capital including  Belgravia, Moorgate and Clapham. The practice works with most major health insurance providers and is Bupa preferred and AXA PPP registered. A 60-minute initial consultation (home visit) costs from £95. A 45-minute consultation at the practice costs £80.

Are there any physios in London that do remote visits to your home or hotel?

If you are in pain, find it difficult to get around, can’t arrange childcare, or just prefer to be treated in the comfort of your own home, many private physios across the capital are happy to arrange a consultation at your home, hotel, or place of work.

Form Clinic provides home visits across London on weekdays, weekends, and out-of-hours. A home, hotel, or place of work visit costs £250.

Home Physio Group provide qualified physiotherapist home visits across London. An initial appointment of up to 60 minutes costs £130.

Are physios in London covered by health or travel insurance?

Many private physiotherapists in London work with private health or travel insurance.

Different practices work with different providers, and what you are covered for depends on your policy, so check with the practice before booking an appointment. In some cases, you may need to pay for your treatment upfront before claiming it back from your insurance company.

Do I need to inform my NHS GP before I see a private physiotherapist?

You can usually book an appointment with a private physiotherapist directly without a referral from your GP.

Though you do not need to inform your GP of any physiotherapy treatment you received, it may be useful to get a written report and copies of any tests or scans, to ensure your GP is kept up to date with your care.

Is there anything I should see a physio about first before going to a GP?

There are some situations where a physio may be better as a first port of call than a GP.

Physios are highly trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, whereas GPs are trained in a range of common medical ailments and can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, or refer you to a specialist if necessary.

A physiotherapist can:

  • Evaluate, diagnose and provide treatment for a range of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions

  • Provide therapies such as massage, manual therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), hydrotherapy and acupuncture to improve mobility and reduce pain

  • Teach exercises to improve muscle strength, increase flexibility, range of motion and mobility

  • Prescribe devices such as splints, braces, or orthotics to immobilise, and support an injury and improve balance and posture

  • Provide advice on injury prevention, balance, posture, and techniques to avoid injury

  • Refer you for diagnostic scans such as X-rays, a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound

A physiotherapist may be the best choice for you if you have:

  • A musculoskeletal injury such as a sprain or strain, shin splints or whiplash

  • A condition that affects your muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, or tendons like frozen shoulder, repetitive strain injury or osteoarthritis

See a GP if:

  • You need a prescription for painkillers or another medication (and your physiotherapist isn’t licenced to prescribe medication)

  • Your muscle pain may be due to a cold, flu, or other virus

  • You have internal pain such as abdominal, pelvic or kidney pain

  • You have a condition not related to your muscles or joints

Can a physio prescribe pain relief medication?

In the UK, some physiotherapists who have completed a specialist prescribing course can prescribe medication including painkillers.

There are two types of prescribing for physiotherapists:

  • Supplementary prescribing — a physiotherapist prescribes agreed medicines in partnership with a doctor

  • Independent prescribing — a physiotherapist qualified in prescribing can prescribe any licensed medicine within national and local guidelines, for any condition within their area of competence

Conclusion

So, now you are more clued up on how to get a same-day physio appointment in London!

Physiotherapists provide expert care for many conditions affecting the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. London offers a wide range of private physiotherapists offering emergency appointments, same, next day and out-of-hours consultations and visits to your home, hotel, or place of work.

Whether you’re in London for business or pleasure, or the capital is where you call home, there is a private physiotherapist available to meet your needs.

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