5 tips for finding the best physio

Choosing a physiotherapist is a big decision. They’re the person you’re trusting with your health and wellbeing, whether it be recuperating from an injury, preparing or recovering from surgery, or other general therapy, so it’s important you choose someone who is the perfect fit and will help you achieve your goals.

But, there are a lot of choices out there and it can be confusing to know where to start when figuring out how to access physiotherapy. So, here are our tips for finding a physio that is best for you.

Did you know that physiotherapy is actually quite a broad term, referring to many different types of practice? Some of the more common ones you may have heard of include neurological physio, cardiopulmonary physio, sports injury physio and more. Doing your research by speaking to a GP or reading up online will help you understand the type of physio you’re after, so that you can choose the person who will be best placed to help you achieve your goals.

One of the unique things about Spectrum’s practice is that it incorporates a range of different types of therapies and therapists, to create a holistic approach to physio treatment. And while we specialise in all things musculoskeletal physio, we certainly have a breadth of skill sets not seen in most mainstream clinics.

While it’s important to ensure the physio you’re seeing is fully qualified, there is still a bit of scope when it comes to the level of experience and the prestige of qualification your practitioner may have.

For example, one of Spectrum’s lead physios, Rob, has a Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy Practice from La Trobe University from his homeland of Australia. On top of that, he completed a Certificate in Dry Needling and Myofascial Release, both of which are particular interest areas of his.

On the other hand, Spectrum’s other lead physio, Ant, grew up in the Netherlands, and studied Sports Science in London, followed by a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in Amsterdam. He specialises in post-operative rehabilitation, back pain and shoulder injuries and is also one of only five McKenzie Credentialed Therapists in London.

In the same way that there are different physio specialities, there are also many different physio treatments available — and it isn’t always a one-size fits all approach.

The team at Spectrum are not just diverse in terms of their qualifications and experience, it’s also the facilities and technology on offer in the clinic. While we do offer what many might consider more common types of physio, such as manual manipulations or soft tissue therapy, we also offer cutting edge treatments like our GameReady Ice/Compression machine and Shockwave therapy. Plus, our London Clinic is equipped with a specialised gym that can be used for guided exercise therapy too!

Finding out about a clinic’s treatments and facilities and how they may be relevant to you is a great way to narrow down your choice.

You know what they say — location, location, location! It might sound obvious, but choosing a clinic in a location that is convenient for you will make it a lot easier to keep your treatment up. If you commute into work, picking a clinic near the Tube stop or office that you can drop into at either end of the day, or even pop out to in your lunch break, can be sensible. Or, if you’re someone that spends a lot of time at home, pick a suitable clinic closer to your house. You’ll be surprised how much difference convenience makes to your ability to be consistent with your sessions.

If you’re still undecided about which clinic to choose, checking out testimonials or reviews from previous patients is a great way to determine whether the practitioner and clinic sound right for you. Check their social media channels and read comments, sus out their Google Reviews or even ask friends and family in the area who might have received physio treatment in the past.