Our Physiotherapy and Sports Injuries Clinic is open for self-referring patients - you don't need to be seen by a GP or consultant to book an appointment with one of our experts. We're happy to see you as an outpatient, as well as offering rehabilitation programmes for inpatients recovering from surgery.
At Mount Alvernia we have a team of Physiotherapists who specialise in MSK conditions including sports injuries, hand and wrist injuries, back and neck pain, balance dysfunction, elbow and shoulder pain, knee and hip problems, lymphoedema, skin conditions and post-cardiac care.
We also have a specialised team, dedicated to men's and women's health, as well as a dedicated hand therapy team.
Offering evidence-based treatment, our physiotherapists at Mount Alvernia have extensive clinical experience, ensuring your treatment options are personalised to your specific needs. Their aim is to help you manage your symptoms, reduce your pain, improve your mobility and help you return to a normal routine.
How much does a private Physiotherapy appointment cost?
Prices start from £64.00 for an initial assessment and £50.00 for a follow up appointment, although for some more specialist services the appointments start at £80.00 and cost £57.00 for subsequent appointments.
Payment options
If you are paying for yourself, we usually offer an upfront cost which you can then choose to pay in full or in instalments via one of our easy payment options.
How to book an appointment
Please call our Physiotherapy administration team on 01483 442746 to make an appointment at a time that's convenient for you.
Inpatient physiotherapy
Our physiotherapists work on the wards, assisting in post-operative rehabilitation for anyone with musculoskeletal conditions (anything that affects bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments). With a well-equipped purpose-built gym for our patients, our physiotherapy teams can create a personalised programme for patients, to strengthen muscle and maintain mobility during post-op recovery.
Outpatient physiotherapy
Our physiotherapy department offers a huge range of treatment options; the team works closely with consultants from almost every specialty. Our features include:
AlterG ® Anti-Gravity Treadmill
Patients zip themselves into a special capsule on the treadmill and air is pumped in to offload your bodyweight. It's used primarily for rehabilitation of sports injuries, but also for weight management. It allows you to offload your body weight by up to 80%, reducing the impact on your joints, taking any unnecessary strain off the joint you are trying to rehabilitate. The AlterG® is perfect for patients who want to stay fit and mobile while they recover, particularly as weight can be re-introduced in gradual increments as patients get stronger.
Elderly patients also benefit from the anti-gravity treadmill - they have found it really useful in building strength and restoring confidence, especially after a fall. We may offer this treatment in conjunction with our Falls Rehabilitation class.
Sports Injuries Clinic
Sports injuries can affect any part of the body, but are most common in the lower limbs, particularly the knees and ankles. Our physiotherapists will initially perform a physical assessment to check your range of motion, muscle strength, coordination, and function. Then they'll create an individualised treatment plan for you, consisting of a range of hands-on techniques including specific exercises and sports massage.
Where possible, they'll help you to avoid similar injuries in future.
Blood Flow Restriction training
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training is a technique that combines low intensity exercise with blood flow occlusion that produces similar results to high intensity training.
In a rehabilitation setting BFR training can be beneficial as it allows patients to strengthen or grow the muscle, without stressing damaged or vulnerable tissues.
Gait Analysis
Gait analysis is a way to assess your dynamic posture and coordination when walking or running.
Asymmetries or abnormalities in our foot strike and loading pattern can cause joint, muscle, ligament or tendon soreness further up the body in the ankle, knee, hip and back.
Our physiotherapists look for abnormalities in movement or alignment that might be the cause of a current injury or might need addressing to reduce the risk of future issues occurring.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a non-invasive, outpatient treatment for patients who suffer with joint and tendon disorders. ESWT sends acoustic shockwaves into the tissues, effectively stimulating the cells to kick-start a new healing process. The controlled acoustic waves promote a faster and more clinically effective healing process, particularly at the tendon-bone junction.
Hand Therapy
You may be offered hand therapy, along with splinting, to protect and support your arm, wrist or hand during rehabilitation. It's also effective in the treatment of arthritis, nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, repetitive strain injury, trigger finger or traumas like soft tissue injuries and fractures.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy is used to manage various skin conditions, including:
- Psoriasis
- Severe eczema
- Vitiligo (lost pigmentation of the skin)
This involves the use of a narrow band of specialist UV light, administered from a machine like an upright sunbed, targeting the affected areas. Our Dermatology consultants will usually refer you for this treatment if appropriate. By getting a condition like psoriasis under control, and then addressing other factors such as stress, patients can see excellent results.
Physiotherapy-lead classes
Movement control classes are specifically targeted for patients with back pain. If you have struggled with persistent back pain, or you are recovering from back surgery, this is an ideal class, aimed at giving you the confidence to return to day-to-day activities, despite the pain. Each one-hour class includes exercises designed to improve muscle strength, flexibility, mobility and fitness levels. Similar classes are also offered for those with neck and shoulder pain.
We have many facilities and classes geared towards helping athletes and sports people prepare for a return to their chosen sport, such as:
- Ski Ready
- Run Ready
- Sports Ready
- Pilates
- Spinal Strengthening
- Neck Strengthening
- Pain Management (lectures)
- Supervised gym sessions.
We are also premiering a service for Long Covid rehabilitation, which will involve multi-disciplinary specialists in order to screen other complications, working collaboratively to help patients recover from this complex illness.
Gym
We have a fully equipped gym including:
- Cross trainers
- Watt bikes
- AlterG anti gravity treadmill
- Leg press
- Functional trainer
- Free weights
- Olympic bars
- Trex bands
If you feel you would benefit from any of these therapies, get in touch with one of our receptionists to book an initial consultation at your convenience.
Many patients will already have had primary care at Mount Alvernia, and will have been referred to us from other specialties. However, we also have a large uptake of self-referred patients, so you can book an appointment with one of our senior physiotherapists in the first instance if you wish.
At your consultation, your physiotherapist will ask for a detailed medical history, and will want to know all about your symptoms. They will likely ask you:
- What symptoms have you been experiencing?
- How long have you had them?
- Have your symptoms been getting progressively worse?
- Have you had any previous treatment? How effective was it?
- Are you currently on any medication?
This will be followed by a physical examination, where they will press and manipulate the area relating to your symptoms to assess its health and condition.
They will want to see any scans that have previously been done, such as x-rays or MRIs. If you haven’t had any scans done at this point, your physiotherapist will be able to arrange these for you in our on-site Imaging unit.
With a firm diagnosis in hand, your physiotherapist will be able to discuss with you your condition and outline all your treatment options. Certain therapies can be started within this initial consultation, or you will be signposted to the relevant specialist in order to begin treatment without delay.
Occasionally, something like back pain may be a symptom of a larger concern, and you may be referred to one of our other specialties, such as Oncology or Neurology. On other occasions, surgical options may be the most suitable, and again you will be referred to the relevant consultant who can discuss potential surgical procedures to alleviate your symptoms.
Whether you need a short course for rehabilitation of an injury, or you have a chronic condition that needs long-term management, our expert physiotherapy team offer exemplary care to support and guide you through treatment.
By choosing to have your treatment at Mount Alvernia, you’ll be able to take advantage of all these great benefits:
Assessments ASAP – If your quality of life has been affected by the amount of pain your condition is causing you, you’ll want to be seen by a consultant without any unnecessary delay. By seeing patients rapidly, our specialists can get you started on the right course of treatment as soon as possible.
Top range facilities – From our AlterG® Anti-Gravity treadmill to a purpose-built gym for all your needs, our facilities at Mount Alvernia are geared towards efficient rehabilitation, whatever your condition.
Patient Satisfaction – 98% of other patients in 2020 said they would happily recommend the Mount Alvernia Hospital to friends and family in an independent report, and we’re confident that you’ll agree. 98% also said that the quality of care here at Mount Alvernia Hospital was either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved.
Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs, based on an accurate diagnosis and your own goals for recovery.
A multidisciplinary approach – Our physiotherapy team at Mount Alvernia work in tandem with a wide array of other specialties to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with orthopaedic consultants, oncologists and gynaecologists, as well as a dedicated team of radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses, you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment.
Convenient appointments – With appointments available between 8am and 8pm Monday-Saturday, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
If you have been suffering from long-term pain which hasn’t been getting any better, why not get in touch with our reception team today to book a private Physiotherapy appointment? Our Physio team can diagnose and plan a treatment plan for you that should see you on the road to recovery soon!
For peace of mind and expert care, please contact Mount Alvernia to book an appointment now.
