Physiotherapy
The St. Hugh’s physiotherapy team comprises of a small number of skilled, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered, chartered physiotherapists covering specialist areas of injury treatment and post-operative rehabilitation. Our physiotherapists offer a range of treatment options to suit your circumstances including shockwave therapy, manual therapy and electrotherapy.
Physiotherapy aims to facilitate restoration of normal movement patterns and functionality via expert examination and use of therapeutic techniques. Each person will have a detailed assessment followed by the provision of an individualised specific treatment regime to promote their return to function and achievement of their identified treatment goals. Treatments are developed to promote recovery and to aid prevention of recurrence or future injury.
Outpatient Physiotherapy
St Hugh’s specialises in the treatment of musculo-skeletal outpatients although we also care for people with rheumatological and other conditions.
Musculo-skeletal problems include any conditions related to muscle or bony injuries and may be acute (recent) or chronic (longstanding). Sessions are on a one to one basis, therapist to client, and usually last 30 minutes.
Post-Operative Physiotherapy
Once your consultant has undertaken your specialist surgery many people will require a structured rehabilitation programme to promote post-operative success. Your physiotherapist will work closely with you to promote your optimal recovery. You may be given exercises to prevent possible complications such as chest infections, deep vein thrombosis and swelling together with specific exercises to encourage joint range of motion and muscle conditioning and strengthening where appropriate. Following discharge from hospital your physiotherapist will arrange for you to have further outpatient treatment sessions as required to monitor and promote your continued recovery.
Common Physiotherapy Conditions Treated
Neck problems
- Spondylosis (arthritis of the spine)
- Whiplash injury
- Torticollis (acute wry-neck)
- Nerve entrapment injuries
- Disc injury
Shoulder problems
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Arthritis
- Impingement syndrome
- Bursitis
- Capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
- Tendinopathy
Elbow problems
- Medial epicondylitis (golfers elbow)
- Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Muscle injury
Ankle/Foot problems
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Ligament injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Arthritis
- Ankle sprain
- Face
- Bells palsy
- Temperomandibular strain
Spinal problems
- Spondylosis (arthritis of the spine)
- Backache
- Lumbago
- Sciatica
- Sacro-iliac dysfunction
- Disc injury
Knee problems
- Patella tendinopathy
- Arthritis
- Meniscal injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Osgood-Schlatters disease
Hand/Wrist problems
- Tendon injuries
- Dupytrens release
- Carpal tunnel
- Arthritis
Hip/Groin problems
- Arthritis
- Groin strain
- Bursitis
- Tendinopathy
Thigh problems
- Quadriceps strains / injuries
- Hamstring strains / injuries
We currently only offer private outpatient physiotherapy. For further information or to discuss whether this treatment may benefit you please contact the outpatient physiotherapy team.
Appointment Availability
Electrotherapy is a form of medical treatment, which uses electrical impulses to aid tissue repair, stimulate muscles and increase sensations and muscle strength.
There are several different forms of electrotherapy; these include ultrasound, interferential therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and muscle stimulation. Ultrasound uses sound waves to speed up the healing process, while interferential therapy and TENS reduce pain by manipulating the nerves which reduces the sensation of pain and produces a tingling feeling.
The benefits of electrotherapy are wide-ranging and include a more advanced healing process, a more effective circulatory system and increased muscle tone. The effects of electrotherapy include a reduction in pain, increased strength, increased range of movement, increased speed and strength of muscle contractions and an increased rate of absorption.
Manual therapy is the utilisation of skilled hands-on techniques including, but not limited to, manipulation/mobilisation, used by the physiotherapist to: diagnose and treat soft tissue and joints to reduce pain; increase range of motion; decrease myofascial restrictions to improve muscle length; decrease swelling or inflammation; assist the body in muscle or soft tissue repair; extensibility and/or stability; facilitate movement to improve function.
Soft Tissue Techniques
- Soft tissue massage
- Soft tissue mobilisation
- Functional mobilisation
- Scar mobilisation
- Moyofascial release
Joint Techniques
- Joint mobilisation
- Joint manipulation
- Mulligan techniques
- Traction
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a form of intense mechanical pressure pulse waves which can be used to deliver a large amount of energy to tissues. It is used to disperse calcium deposits (lithotripsy) and can be used in the treatment of recalcitrant and chronic tendinous lesions (tendinopathies) which fail to heal through conservative measures.
A coupling agent (gel) is used to effectively deliver the shockwave to the tissue. Due to the large amount of energy being dispersed within the tissues you may experience a short, sharp sensation during treatment which may be accompanied by ecchymosis (bruising) afterwards. You may also experience some skin irritation and numbness or paraesthesia although these effects are normal they are usually temporary and subside quickly. It has been recognised by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence for shoulder calcific tendinitis since 2003.
How many treatments will I need?
Treatment sessions last approximately 30 minutes however you should allow 20 minutes afterwards to relax in the waiting room. Generally you will require 3 to 6 treatments depending on the chronicity and severity of the condition.
What conditions can it help?
- Shoulder calcific tendinitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Quadriceps/patellar tendinopathy
- Shoulder tendinopathy – chronic
- Plantar fasciitis
- Trochanteric pain syndrome
- Hamstring tendinopathy
Contra-indications to Treatment
- Shoulder calcific tendinitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Shoulder tendinopathy – chronic
- Plantar fasciitis
- Trochanteric pain syndrome
- Quadriceps/patellar tendinopathy
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What to do next
We currently only offer private outpatient physiotherapy. For further information or to discuss whether this treatment may benefit you please contact the outpatient physiotherapy team.
Appointment Availability
Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 4.30pm
Funding your treatment
Find out more about getting started with private health insurance.
Find out more about our self-pay options.
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