Services

Adult Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy Service

About us

The musculoskeletal physiotherapy service offers a wide range of expert assessment and treatment options. Utilising specialist skills, the team works together to provide comprehensive patient-centred treatment. This is based on current, up-to-date research that empowers patients to improve their musculoskeletal health and facilitates prompt return to function, work or sport.

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Physiotherapy helps patients with restoring movement and function of limbs and muscles when affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help in the management of long term conditions; empowering patients to effectively self manage their symptoms and remain independent.

We are an adult service and see patients of 16 years old and older, unless it is for hand therapy where we can see patients of any age.

Physiotherapists maintain health by helping patients to manage pain and prevent further problems. It is likely that as part of your physiotherapy treatment you will be given a rehabilitation programme to complete at home. Exercise and activity is important to help your muscles and joints remain strong and resilient.

When to seek an urgent medical assessment

While self-referral is appropriate for the majority of patients with muscular and joint problems, there are some exceptions where we would advise you to seek alternative medical assessment first. In the cases please follow the advice below and do not complete our referral form.

For patients with back pain

Most back pain is not serious but in rare circumstances an emergency medical opinion should be sought. Please read the information below or watch this video which explains more about the symptoms. You can also access this information in different languages.

If you have pain radiating down one or both legs and/or severe lower back pain and any combination of the symptoms listed below, please call NHS111 immediately or attend your local Emergency Department.

  • Loss of feeling/pins and needles between your inner thighs or genitals
  • Numbness in or around your back passage or buttocks
  • Altered feeling when using toilet paper to wipe yourself
  • Increasing difficulty when you try to stop or control your flow of urine
  • Loss of sensation when you pass urine
  • Leaking urine or recent need to use pads
  • Not knowing when your bladder is either full or empty
  • Inability to stope a bowel movement or leaking
  • Loss of sensation when you pass a bowel motion
  • Change in ability to achieve an erection or ejaculate
  • Loss of sensation in genitals during sexual intercourse
I have a recent significant injury

If you have had a recent significant injury, please attend your nearest Minor Injury and Illness Unit or Emergency Department.

We are not an emergency assessment unit.

I have other symptoms

It is important to contact your GP practice or seek more urgent medical advice, if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Any unexplained significant weight loss
  • Feeling generally unwell/feverish
  • Pain and/or altered sensation in both arms and/or both legs
  • Have recently become unsteady on your feet
  • You’ve noticed unexplained changes in your vision, speech or swallowing
  • You are having significant uncontrolled pain

Self-referral information

Our self referral service allows you to refer yourself to a physiotherapist without having to see your GP first.

To ensure we are the most appropriate service for you, please read the information below before making a referral. We are unable to accept referrals which do not meet our criteria, and this will delay your treatment.

  • Our service provides treatment for muscular and joint problems. We also provide a specialist service for hand therapy and pelvic health treatment
  • This is an adult service for people over the age of 16 only, with the exception of hand patients, who we see at any age
  • Our service is for patients who are registered with a Gloucestershire GP only
  • We do not provide community physiotherapy at home

Where would you like your appointment?

Please select the location you would like to be seen at from the list below and complete our self-referral form.

What we can’t help with and other services available to you

 We are unable to accept referrals to our service for the treatment of the following problems:

  • Neurological conditions – e.g. stroke, MS, head or spinal cord injuries, functional neurological disorders or Parkinson’s
  • Respiratory conditions – e.g. asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic lung conditions, hyperventilation
  • If community/physiotherapy at home is required
  • If the main problem is related to mobility and balance issues.

There are other physiotherapy services available which might be more appropriate for you. Refer to the conditions and circumstances below to identify which alternative physiotherapy service could be more appropriate for you. This may require a consultation and referral from a GP, or a member of the GP team.

Under 16 years of age

Exception: Children with hand injuries can be seen in this Adult MSK Physiotherapy Service.

Alternative service
Self-referral to children’s physiotherapy services.

Neurological conditions

Stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, Motor Neurone Disease.

Alternative service
You may be more appropriate for the Integrated Community Team (ICT) or Neurology Team. Your GP or your specialist can refer you.

You can also contact the Adult Social Care Help Desk/Community Physiotherapy Service on 01452 426868.

Respiratory conditions

Asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic lung disease.

Alternative service

Contact your GP for advice. There is a specialist Respiratory Service.

Unsteady/balance/mobility issues - fear of falling and falls

If you require physiotherapy specifically for falls prevention, balance or mobility problems, please visit our Falls Assessment page for information on remaining strong and steady.

Alternatively if you require home assessment, please call the Adult Help Desk on: 01452 426868

Walking aids

If you require a walking assessment and/or mobility aid (e.g. stick or frame).

Alternative service

Contact the Adult Social Care Help Desk/Community Physiotherapy Service on 01452 426868.

Private purchasing of equipment

You may want  to consider private purchasing of items you require from local mobility shops or from online suppliers, such as: Mobility Aids for the Elderly & Disabled – Manage At Home

Soft collars/cushions/replacement splints/replacement ferrules for walking aids

Private purchasing of equipment

You may want  to consider private purchasing of items you require from local mobility shops or from online suppliers, such as: Mobility Aids for the Elderly & Disabled – Manage At Home

For wrist and hand splits, please browse the various options available on the internet. Below are a couple of links to websites you may find helpful:

Housebound/poor mobility

If you require physiotherapy/occupational therapy, but you are housebound or have severe mobility issues.

Alternative service

Contact the Adult Social Care Help Desk/Community Physiotherapy Service on 01452 426868.

Foot problems

If your problem is related to specific foot pains. Podiatry might be more appropriate.

Alternative service

To check you are appropriate and to refer yourself to the Podiatry Service, follow this link Gloucestershire Podiatry Referral Form > Glos Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust (ghc.nhs.uk)

Self-help

Many conditions can be significantly helped or successfully treated by appropriate self-help.

Our waiting times for an appointment can vary, so it is advisable to try self-help advice as the first step.

getUbetter app

While you are waiting for your appointment, you may find it beneficial to access getUbetter. This app can help with your condition which is linked to our local musculoskeletal pathways.

To access please visit: app.getubetter.com/request-access

ESCAPE-pain app and website

For patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis.

Scan the QR code or visit: https://escape-pain.org/i-have-knee-hip-pain

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Visit the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website for Information and guidance for managing your pain and improving your quality of life. This includes specific exercises you can do at home, along with links to further support for important factors that are known to contribute to pain, such as mental health and work.

Scan the QR code or visit: https://www.csp.org.uk/conditions/managing-pain-home

The Pain Toolkit

The Pain Toolkit is for people who live with persistent pain and healthcare teams who support them. Visit the website here: Pain Toolkit – Pain Self Management by Pete Moore

GHT's Pain Management Service

Persistent, chronic or long-term pain is complex, and there is rarely a single treatment to resolve it. But Gloucester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Pain Management Service can help you address all aspects of persistent pain management, and help you live well with pain. Find out more here: Pain management service (gloshospitals.nhs.uk)

Other resources and support

ESCAPE-pain Exercise and Education Group

This is a nationally-run group which most of our physiotherapy departments run. There is a group for patients with knee and hip arthritic pain. Some sites also run a group for patients with chronic back pain.

The programme involves attending 10 sessions over five weeks of exercise and education.

If you are interested in attending this group, please indicate by writing ‘Escape Pain’ on your paper self-referral form (in the section where you can write additional information about your condition). If completing the online referral form, check the ‘Escape Pain’ box.

There is also an app and an online version of the group available. To find out more, click here>

One-off Assessment and Advice Clinics

On occasion, departments may run sessions for patients who are happy to opt for a one-off assessment and advice/exercise prescription session. Sometimes this means they might be seen sooner than the predicted waiting time. If you would like to opt for this, tick ‘Yes’ for the ‘One-off clinic’ option on the referral form.

Talking Therapies

NHS Talking Therapies is a free service which provides access to psychological services. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, as well as other mental health difficulties.

Telephone: 0800 073 220

Visit the NHS Talking Therapies website to find out more.

 

Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire

Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire is a service you can self-refer to for support with:

  • healthy eating
  • reducing alcohol intake
  • smoking cessation
  • weight loss
  • increasing activity levels.

Telephone: 0800 755 5533

Visit the Healthy Lifestyles website to find out more.

 

Contact our teams

Cirencester Hospital

Address: Tetbury Road, Cirencester GL7 1UY

Telephone: 0300 421 6270

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm

Link to further information>

George Moore Community Clinic

Address: Moore Road, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AZ

Telephone: 0300 421 8815

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 8am-4pm

Link to further information>

Forest of Dean Community Hospital

Address: Steam Mills Road, Cinderford GL14 3HY

Telephone: 0300 421 8711

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm

 

North Cotswolds Hospital

Address: Stow Road, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0DS

Telephone: 0300 421 8815

Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8am-4pm

Stroud Therapy Department

Address: Level 4, 1 King Street, Stroud GL5 1RR

Telephone: 0300 421 8895

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm

Tewkesbury Community Hospital

Address: Barton Road, Tewkesbury GL20 5GJ

Telephone: 0300 421 6133

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm

Link to further information>

Vale Community Hospital

Address: Lister Road, Dursley GL11 4BA

Telephone: 0300 421 8481

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm

Link to further information>

Winchcombe Medical Centre

Address: Greet Road, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5GZ

Telephone: 0300 421 6133

Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8am-4pm

Link to further information>

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