NHS Islington...

Your local NHS

Physiotherapy

Who is the service is for?

NHS Islington's "GP Direct Access Physiotherapy Service"  is for patients who are registered with an Islington GP.  Our clients have musculoskeletal conditions that can be helped with physiotherapy such as the following:

• Recent injury - sprained ankle, whiplash, knee strain, recent onset of spine related symptoms.
• Post orthopaedic - knee replacement, ligament reconstruction, shoulder surgery.
• Spinal problems - cervical, thoracic and lumbar (lower back pain).
• Soft tissues problems.

What does the service do?

Physiotherapy is a science-based health care profession. It uses physical approaches to prevent and improve functional limitations of the body which may have arisen from movement dysfunction or pain.

The service offers outpatient musculoskeletal assessment, treatment, and advice. We aim to provide a high quality and equitable service to all of our clients.

The focus of physiotherapy is to assess clients holistically, so we look at the overall picture of your health. We determine the most appropriate approach to target the healing ability of the local tissues and the related nervous system. We also help you to self-manage your dysfunction.

Physiotherapy can be used to:

• Assess the cause of the dysfunction and the predisposing factors involved.
• Restore confidence and function.
• Encourage healthy living, especially related to exercise and activity.
• Address relevant postural, occupational and lifestyle stresses.
• Provide advice on work, leisure and activities of daily living.
• Relieve pain and muscle spasm.
• Promote healing.
• Restore movement to joints and soft tissues.
• Correct muscle weakness or imbalances.
• Advise your GP on referral to other specialist services.

Where is the service based?

The service is based at two Islington health centres - Holloway Community Health Centre and Finsbury Health Centre.

How are clients referred to the service?

Firstly, you must be registered with an Islington GP. You can be referred to our service via one of the following two ways:

GP Referral

Please make an appointment with your GP and ask to be referred to a physiotherapist. Referral to the physiotherapy service is at the discretion of your GP

Self Referral

Referrals for this service are managed through the central Administrative Referral Team Islington.

Tel: 020 3316 1111
Fax referrals: 0844 774 6419
Email: arti.centralbooking@nhs.net

Download Physiotherapy self referral form 

 Top tips

• Get moving! Exercise has been proven to help lift your mood, reduce anxiety, prevent aches and pains, give you energy and help you get fit.
• Exercise does not necessarily mean working out in the gym. Why not try walking, cycling, swimming and jogging?
• Walking is a great exercise. It not only puts you in touch with your local community but it’s cheap as well.
• Try exercising with a friend, family member or partner for some added fun. You could try badminton or join a dance class.
• Help a neighbour out in the garden. Not only is this good exercise but it's sociable too.
• Try and exercise three to four times a week, but not on consecutive days.
• Try to carry out flexibility exercises regularly, such as bending, stretching and twisting. These can help increase joint mobility and make performing exercise safer and easier. Warming up slowly before exercising can also help with exercise performance. If any stretches or exercises cause you discomfort, stop immediately and seek medical advice.
• Be sure to wear comfortable and supportive shoes and clothing when exercising.
• Be proactive, not reactive. Make use of these tips and you'll be ready in no time for whatever life throws at you! 

Related services

• Bladder and Bowel Care
• Community Rehabilitation Team
• Expert Patients Programme
• Podiatry (foot health)
• REACH Intermediate Care Team

Web links

• The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy - physiotherapy explained
• Health Professional's Council - check that your health professional is registered
• Pain Relief Foundation
• Backcare - the charity for healthier backs
• DIPEx - shows a variety of personal experiences of health and illness
• ARMA - Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance
• Arthritis Research Campaign
• NHS Direct