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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make an appointment?

You can make an appointment to see one of our experienced chartered physiotherapists by using our online booking system linked to our live diary, calling 0800 6191261 and speaking with one of our friendly reception team members or by sending an e-mail to info@activeclinics.com.

How long will I have to wait for my appointment?

Unlike the NHS we have no long waiting lists. Usually we are able to offer you an appointment within 48 hours of you contacting us. Often we are able to see you on the same day.

Do you offer evening and/or weekend appointment?

Yes. Both our clinics offer evening appointments up to 8.30pm and we are open in Bolton and Whitefield on Saturdays until 1pm.

How long will my appointment take?

Your initial assessment will take up to 45 minutes and will include both a full assessment of your condition and whatever treatment is appropriate. Please try to arrive a little early for your appointment to complete our patient details and consent form. This will ensure your physiotherapist can utilise the whole of your appointment time assessing and treating your problem.

Follow-up treatment sessions are 30 minute appointments as standard, however for more complex cases or if you have more than one issue your physiotherapist may recommend an extended treatment session of 60 minutes.

How do I find your clinic?

Prior to your appointment please ensure that you know where we are. Both our clinics are located within Total Fitness gyms in Bolton and Whitefield.

Whitefield clinic: Total Fitness, Bury New Road, Whitefield M45 7TA

Bolton clinic: Total Fitness, Waters Meeting Road, Bolton BL1 8TT

Check out the map on our locations page.
If you have any problems finding us do not hesitate to call us for directions.

Do I need a doctor’s referral to get an appointment?

A letter of referral from your Doctor is not required unless specified by your private medical insurance company. Patients are able to self-refer for private physiotherapy.

We can however send a discharge letter to your GP to let them know what treatment you have received and for what condition on request.

Do I need to bring anything with me?

You will need to wear or bring suitable clothing to change into. For example, if you have a hip or a knee problem, shorts would be appropriate as it is necessary for the assessing therapist to be able to see and feel the injured area. In the case of a shoulder, neck or back problem, it may be necessary to remove your shirt or wear a top that exposes the relevant area (e.g. a vest top).

At Active Physiotherapy we can accommodate requests to see a female therapist but please note that this will restrict you to times when our female therapist is available.

If you are paying via private medical insurance, you may need to bring your policy details and authorization number with you.

How qualified are your physiotherapists?

All our physiotherapists at Active Physiotherapy have vast and varied experience in treating musculoskeletal problems. To maintain their professional registration, they have to provide evidence of continuing professional development (CPD). Here at Active Physiotherapy we naturally demand high clinical standards, therefore, all our staff attend clinical courses regularly and are involved in post-graduate study.

All physiotherapists need to be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) to ensure quality of practice and members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) for professional indemnity purposes. You can check your physiotherapist’s registration with the HCPC at www.hcpc-uk.org

How much do you charge for an appointment and how can I pay?

Our charges for physiotherapy are as follows: Initial Assessment costs £42 and our follow-up treatments cost £38.

We accept cash, debit and credit card as payment. You can also pay using your Private Medical Insurance (PMI), in most cases we can bill your insurer directly. However, please check your policy details as there may be an excess on your policy for physiotherapy treatment that you will be liable for. Please also note that PMI costs may differ due to pre agreed rates and administration charges.

Do you accept payment via Private Medical Insurance?

Yes, we are registered with all major health insurance companies including BUPA, AXA PPP, WPA and Aviva. In most cases we can bill your insurer directly once we have the relevant policy details and authorisation numbers. Please note that some policies do have an annual excess and therefore you may need to finance part of the treatment yourself. You can check this by reviewing your policy details or by speaking directly with your insurer.

What will happen at my appointment?

Your initial appointment will firstly involve completing some personal details and a consent form for our clinical records. This will be followed by a discussion with the physiotherapist regarding your problem.

Your physiotherapist will ask specific questions aimed at identifying the nature of the problem. A physical examination will then take place: this may include getting you to move the injured area and your physiotherapist using their hands to feel around the area and complete specific tests.

It may be necessary to look at the areas above and below your injury in order to aid diagnosis. Once complete, your physiotherapist will explain the findings and devise an individualised treatment plan for you. A diagnosis will be made at this point if possible and you will be given an estimated timescale for recovery. Treatment will then commence straight away at your first appointment followed by the provision of a home exercise plan, if appropriate.

At a follow-up appointment, your physiotherapist will discuss how your injury is progressing and may review some of the initial physical examination tests before further treatment commences. Your home exercise programme may then be modified or progressed, as deemed appropriate by your physiotherapist.

Will I be expected to do anything following my appointment?

It is quite common to be sent home with things to do following your appointment. This may be in the form of exercises, activity modification or the self-application of heat and/or ice. This is to reinforce the benefits of the treatment you have received and to achieve greater improvement at an accelerated rate.

If you require further information or have any unanswered questions please call free on 0800 6191261 info@activeclinics.com or fill out our enquiry form.

What should I expect on my first visit?

On your first visit to the clinic, you can expect a warm welcome from one of our staff who will then invite you to complete a short form with some personal details such as name, address, telephone number and date of birth. You will also be required to sign a consent form to give your consent for us to assess and treat you.

You will then be introduced to the physiotherapist you are seeing and your consultation will then commence.

What should I wear?

You will need to wear or bring suitable clothing to change into. For example, if you have a hip or a knee problem shorts would be appropriate as it is necessary for the assessing to be able to see and feel the injured area. In the case of a shoulder, back or neck problem, it may be necessary to remove your shirt/blouse or wear a top that exposes the relevant area, for example, a vest top.

Can I see a female therapist?

Yes. We can accommodate requests to see a female therapist but please note that this will restrict you to times when a female therapist is available.

Do I need to bring anything?

All you need to bring is yourself, a change of clothing if appropriate and a means of paying for your treatment. If you are paying by private medical insurance, you may need to bring your policy details and authorisation number with you.

What happens during my assessment?

Your physiotherapist will start by taking a full history of your problem. They will ask specific questions about the start of your problem, how it has been since, when and where you feel the pain along with what aggravates it and makes it feel better.

A full physical examination of the area will then take place with steps being taken to maintain your modesty at all times. Your therapist will then begin a series of movements and tests to the injured area using their hands to feel for any tenderness or abnormality. It may also be necessary to look at the areas above and below your injury to aid diagnosis.

Once the assessment is complete your therapist will explain the findings and give you a clear diagnosis. Getting a clear understanding of your problem is really important, so feel free to ask your therapist any questions you like. At this point your therapist will set out a plan for your treatment and provide you with an estimated time frame for recovery.

Your first session will often include a full treatment unless the referrer has only authorised an assessment. If your condition is particularly complex or you have multiple injuries, more time will need to be spent on examination, leaving reduced treatment time at your first session.

What do you get from your treatment?

At Active Physiotherapy we treat every patient as an individual so you can be sure to receive a treatment programme specific to your individual needs. Our physiotherapist emphasise treating the whole person rather than just “the condition” We have vast experience in treating patients with a wide variety of problems and we use this experience and expertise to plan the very best treatment for you!

Therefore depending on your specific needs you can expert one or more the following treatment options. As a general rule we will use a combination of hands on and hands off treatment options to ensure that we are doing everything we can to get you better as soon as possible.

For more information on the conditions we treat and services we offer, or to book an appointment please call 0800 6191261 or email us at info@activeclinics.com

Why Choose Us...

We specialise in offering 'Physio for the whole family'

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Experienced Physios

Our highly trained team have the skills to ensure a speedy recovery.

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Advanced Treatment

Our treatment is more than just any treatment, its to benefit you now and for the future.

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We Get Results

Your goals are our goals, we work with you to make sure you achieve them.

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Always been flexible with appointments and fitting around work commitments. All staff are very friendly and welcoming, would highly recommend and use again if required.

Charlotte from Radcliffe, 27

Treatment was excellent, home exercises really made a difference.

John from Swinton, 55

I've been to a few physios and Richard is one of the best I have seen. Would recommend to anyone

Leonard from Bury, 54

Excellent physiotherapist with a great deal of knowledge and experience in the field. Helpful advice given with each session.

Gayle from Bury, 28

Friendly accommodating service, have recommended to friends and family.

Annabelle from Bolton, 48

Friendly accommodating service, have recommended to friends and family.

Annabelle from Bolton, 48

The treatment has helped the pain I had experienced after my car accident. It is now a lot better and the physiotherapist was great, he gave me exercises to do at home which has helped my injuries to heal a great deal. All in all a fantastic service start to finish. Thank you.

Jane from Bolton, 37

The treatment has helped the pain I had experienced after my car accident. It is now a lot better and the physiotherapist was great, he gave me exercises to do at home which has helped my injuries to heal a great deal. All in all a fantastic service start to finish. Thank you.

Jane from Bolton, 37