Your first physio appointment: what happens at the initial assessment
A first physiotherapy appointment involves a detailed discussion about your symptoms, a physical examination of your movement, and a shared treatment plan.
Physios near you
Physiotherapy, without the wait.
Limberly is a new way to find a registered physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor near you in the UK, starting with London, Manchester and Sussex.
- Across the UK, starting with London, Manchester and Sussex
- Search and practitioner profiles are live. Booking through Limberly opens later.
How it works
Start with where it hurts
- 01
Tap where it hurts
Tap one spot or several on the body map, front or back.
- 02
A short safety check
A few questions based on NHS advice. If you should call 999, contact NHS 111 or see a GP first, the check tells you before anything else.
- 03
Find practitioners near you
Physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors near your postcode, each checked on their register, with their prices and how you can see them.
Check where it hurts
You do not need an account to see your next step, and your answers stay on your device unless you choose to save them.
Muscle and joint pain
All body areasPhysio by body area
Pick the area that hurts to see when a physio helps, what the NHS suggests trying first, and the warning signs that need 999, NHS 111 or a GP instead.
- Neck painStiffness, a pinched nerve, whiplash
- Shoulder painPain lifting your arm, stiffness, clicking
- Upper back painPain between the shoulder blades
- Lower back painBack ache, a back that went, sciatica
- Elbow painTennis elbow, pain gripping or lifting
- Wrist and hand painSore thumb, tingling fingers, weak grip
- Hip painPain walking, stiffness, pain lying on it
- Knee painStairs, stiffness, a twist or a sprain
- Ankle and foot painSprains, heel pain, Achilles pain
Who you can find
Physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors
The biggest difference is how the NHS treats them: physiotherapy is part of standard NHS care, and in many areas you can refer yourself, while the NHS lists osteopathy and chiropractic with complementary therapies and most people pay privately.
Physiotherapists
Regulated by the HCPCPhysiotherapy is a treatment that can ease pain and improve movement after an injury, or with an illness or disability.
Osteopaths
Regulated by the GOsCOsteopaths use hands-on techniques such as massage, stretching and moving joints to help with pain and stiffness and improve movement, usually alongside advice and exercise.
Chiropractors
Regulated by the GCCChiropractors focus on problems with the muscles, bones and joints, especially the back and neck.
How we check
Every practitioner is checked on their register
Before a profile goes live, we look the practitioner up on their regulator's public register, and we check again when their registration is due for renewal.
A register check confirms registration. It does not measure how good a practitioner is.
How we check physios- Physiotherapists
- HCPCHealth and Care Professions Council
- Osteopaths
- GOsCGeneral Osteopathic Council
- Chiropractors
- GCCGeneral Chiropractic Council
From the blog
All articlesLatest guides
How to choose a physiotherapist in London and check their registration
A practical guide to choosing a private physiotherapist in London, including what to look for, how to check their HCPC registration, and average costs.
NHS physio waiting times in London: what the data shows and what to do
NHS physiotherapy waiting times in London often range from several weeks to a few months. Find out how the waiting list works and what to do while you wait.
Common questions
Do I need a GP referral to see a physio?
Often not. The NHS says most adults in England can refer themselves to community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, including physiotherapy, without a GP referral, although in some areas you still need to contact your GP surgery. You can also pay to see a physio privately.
What is the difference between a physio, an osteopath and a chiropractor?
All three are regulated by law and use hands-on treatment, exercise and advice for back, neck and joint problems. They have different regulators and degrees. The NHS offers physiotherapy as standard care, often by self-referral, and lists osteopathy and chiropractic with complementary therapies, which most people pay for privately.
Are physios, osteopaths and chiropractors all regulated?
Yes. Physiotherapists are regulated by the HCPC, osteopaths by the General Osteopathic Council and chiropractors by the General Chiropractic Council. In each case the title is protected by law, and you can check anyone on the HCPC register, the GOsC register or the GCC register.
Free to list, no subscription.
Are you a physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor? Create a free profile with your own prices and appointment types, and we check your registration before it goes live.
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