Top 10 FAQs of Physio.
Press play below to hear from a few of our staff as they discuss the most commonly asked questions of physio.
In this video, hear about the issue of taking clothes off
and how much pain physio might cause.
Is physio right for my problem?
This is the all-important question that many patients want answering. And it’s a very easy one to answer. If you’re in pain with or have any of the following problems then you can be really confident that physio is right for you:(Please note these are the symptoms and the problems that you might be experiencing, the injury as you see it and feel it, not the specific name or diagnosis of the injury. See Question 9 for the specific types of injury).
- Back pain and stiffness
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Shoulder muscle tension and tightness
- Pain and pins and needles in your leg
- Sports Injury
- Ankle or Knee injury
- Pain in hamstring, calf, groin muscles or the achilles tendon
- Pain underneath your foot
- Pain in your lower back when you sit or stand for even short periods
- Pain and stiffness in your back when you put your socks and shoes on
This is the all-important question that many patients want answering. And it’s a very easy one to answer. If you’re in pain with or have any of the following problems then you can be really confident that physio is right for you:(Please note these are the symptoms and the problems that you might be experiencing, the injury as you see it and feel it, not the specific name or diagnosis of the injury. See Question 9 for the specific types of injury).
How much pain will physio cause?
This is a really great question. It’s true that physio is a very physical experience and as such treatments can often be a little uncomfortable at times, but we will always aim to be as gentle as possible and cause the minimal discomfort we possibly can to get your problem solved as fast as we can. Before we do any physio techniques we will tell you exactly what is about to happen whether or not it is likely to hurt and for how long.
More often than not the pain stops as soon as we do, so you only have to tell us to stop and we will. Pain is a side to physio that is often unavoidable and most patients eventually concede that the pain is a nice sort of pain, one they know that is doing them some good and is often no worse than the pain that they are already in. The discomfort usually reduces as treatment progresses and we always advise you on things like ice and heat to help reduce the soreness that might be caused by the treatment.
What injuries do physios see?
Here is a list of the common injuries that we see: This is known as the diagnosis.
Back
- Sciatica
- Sacro Iliac joint pain and stiffness
- Spinal Stenosis
- Weak core stability
- Disc prolapse/herniated disc/slipped disc/bulging disc
Neck / Shoulder
- Muscle spasm and tension
- Rotator Cuff tear
- Impingement Syndrome
- Neck Spondylosis (degeneration)
- Disc prolapse/herniated disc/slipped disc/bulging disc
Ankle and Knee
- Ankle Sprain
- Achilles tendon
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Knee Cartilage
- Post surgery knee rehab
Sports Injury / Muscles
- Calf strain
- Hamstring strain
- Shoulder muscle tear
- Achilles tendonitis
- Groin strain
Whiplash Injuries
Any Injury Requiring Massage
How will physio help my injury?
Physiotherapy is as much about the physical as it is the ability to give you peace of mind. Your physio will aim to reduce your pain or get you active again as fast as possible. That’s the physical benefit of physio but we will also speak to you in a way that can be understood to give you a clear understanding of your injury from what it is, to how it happened and importantly how to prevent it from happening in the future.
If you can find your injury or your problem from the list above, we would be really confident that physio will help. So much so that we offer you a Help Guarantee – if by the end of your treatment you’re not convinced that physio has eased your pain or reduced your problem, Paul will personally refund your payment.
Are you registered with BUPA?
Yes, Paul Gough Physio Rooms is a registered Practice with BUPA health insurance. Following a GP referral you are able to use your BUPA health care plan to fund the cost of your treatment with us. Please see our health insurance page for further information.
BUPA Practice Provider Number: 80011131
You can ask for Paul Gough Physio Rooms or Paul Gough. Either way, BUPA will give you a code to fund treatment with us.
AXA PPP Provider Numbers:
Darlington Clinic: ZZ02667
Durham Clinic: ZZ02668
Guisborough Clinic: ZZ02669
Hartlepool Clinic : ZZ02666
Can I refer myself?
Yes. This is the most common way that patients come to us. They have usually either been recommended to us by their friends and family, GP, Surgeon, work place or health insurer or have simply found us by this web site – but you do not need a formal referral from any of these. Just call and make the appointment when ever you’re ready.
What should I wear?
To make your physio experience as comfortable as possible please bear in mind the location of your injured body part. For example if you have a lower back injury, shorts and a loose vest would be ideal. Or if you're suffering a shoulder injury, a vest would be great.
You do not have to remove all of your clothing. Just to confirm, so that there can be no miss understanding, YOU WILL NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE ASKED TO REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHING.
Your physio will always aim to remove as little clothing as possible and we will never ask that you remove an item of clothing that may completely expose a large area of your body. For example, instead, we may ask that you remove an arm from your top for us to view the shoulder region. Occasionally patients will ask us if it would be easier or more convenient for us to provide treatment if an item be removed completely. You are free to make this decision.
Can I bring someone with me?
No problem. You do not need to inform us of this decision in advance. If you are accompanied by a friend or family member then we will often ask if you would like them to join you in the physio room during treatment. Alternatively they can wait in reception if you would prefer.
When do I pay?
This may vary. If you are a self-pay patient, you can choose to pay at the end of each individual treatment session, or if a number of sessions are required, on account at the end of your total treatment with us. If you are using an insurance company like BUPA then we recoup the costs from them on a monthly basis and if you're referred by your employer such as ASDA, Coast and Country, Medical Services North East or Housing Hartlepool then we will seek payment directly from them also.
You can pay with cash, cheque, debit card or internet bank transfer.
How often will I need treatment?
That is always dependent upon the nature of your injury. Our aim is to return you to full fitness as quickly and as safely as possible. Your physio will be in a better position to answer this following your initial assessment. An acute/early phase injury may require one or two visits in a short period of time. On the other hand, a more chronic injury such as an arthritic knee problem may require 2 or 3 visits in order to progress an exercise programme to help you self manage your injury.