Physiotherapy
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Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice.
About physiotherapy at NHS Highland
Physiotherapy is an allied health profession (AHP) regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Physiotherapy is delivered within many services across NHS Highland, including GP practices, hospitals and outpatient clinics.
Acute physiotherapy delivers rehabilitation to hospital inpatients.
Community physiotherapy delivers rehabilitation to patients in community hospitals, and patients in their own homes who are unable to attend for outpatient appointments. To access community physiotherapy, use the integrated teams contact for your area.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy
MSK physiotherapy delivers rehabilitation for musculoskeletal injuries in an outpatient setting.
The First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) service is available in your GP practice for expert assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions. You can book an appointment directly with the physiotherapist by contacting your local GP practice (Highland HSCP area only).
Your FCP, consultant or other health professional may refer you to your local musculoskeletal rehab service to assist you in management of musculoskeletal injuries, expert pelvic health assessment, and management of vestibular or rheumatology conditions.
Important: Muscle, bone and joints
Physiotherapy can help you manage muscle, bone and joint problems. Read about musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and:
- self-management advice
- exercises
- fractures
- painkillers
- work-related injuries
Physiotherapy pelvic health self-referral service
NHS Highland physiotherapists offer a self-referral service for continence and other pelvic health problems.
Self referral forms (linked below) can be printed and returned to the addresses on the form, or handed in to your nearest physiotherapy department. The ability to access the referral form here will hopefully reduce the anxiety people have about seeking help.
Many people do not realise that urinary incontinence and prolapse, although common, should never just be accepted. The majority of people do extremely well with a series of exercises supervised by a physiotherapist. Specialist pelvic health physiotherapists also treat bowel problems such as constipation or faecal incontinence, and pelvic pain.
Although incontinence often occurs for the first time in pregnancy, it is not just a pregnancy related condition, and many men also suffer from incontinence. People often do not seek help because they are embarrassed, but our staff are used to discussing bodily functions and will make every effort to help people feel relaxed and comfortable.
More information
- Versus Arthritis provides information about arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, and support for those living with them.
- The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- What is physiotherapy? at The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Incontinence at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
NHS Highland staff can self refer to physiotherapy via Occupational Health.
Musculoskeletal physiotherapy - Escape Pain video
A compilation of some of the exercises taken from the Escape Pain programme classes.
Physiotherapy
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Physiotherapy
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First Contact Physiotherapy
The First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) service is available in your GP practice for expert assessment and management o...
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Physiotherapy during pregnancy
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