Services
Adult Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy Service
About us
The musculoskeletal physiotherapy service offers a wide range of expert assessment and treatment options. Utilising specialist skills, the team works together to provide comprehensive patient-centred treatment. This is based on current, up-to-date research that empowers patients to improve their musculoskeletal health and facilitates prompt return to function, work or sport.
Physiotherapy helps patients with restoring movement and function of limbs and muscles when affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help in the management of long term conditions; empowering patients to effectively self manage their symptoms and remain independent.
We are an adult service and see patients of 16 years old and older, unless it is for hand therapy where we can see patients of any age.
Physiotherapists maintain health by helping patients to manage pain and prevent further problems. It is likely that as part of your physiotherapy treatment you will be given a rehabilitation programme to complete at home. Exercise and activity is important to help your muscles and joints remain strong and resilient.
When to seek an urgent medical assessment
While self-referral is appropriate for the majority of patients with muscular and joint problems, there are some exceptions where we would advise you to seek alternative medical assessment first. In the cases please follow the advice below and do not complete our referral form.
For patients with back pain
If you have pain radiating down one or both legs and/or severe lower back pain and any combination of the symptoms listed below, please call NHS111 immediately or attend your local Emergency Department.
- Loss of feeling/pins and needles between your inner thighs or genitals
- Numbness in or around your back passage or buttocks
- Altered feeling when using toilet paper to wipe yourself
- Increasing difficulty when you try to stop or control your flow of urine
- Loss of sensation when you pass urine
- Leaking urine or recent need to use pads
- Not knowing when your bladder is either full or empty
- Inability to stope a bowel movement or leaking
- Loss of sensation when you pass a bowel motion
- Change in ability to achieve an erection or ejaculate
- Loss of sensation in genitals during sexual intercourse
You can also watch this video which explains more about these symptoms. You can also access this information in different languages.
Had an accident or have a significant injury?
If you have had an accident or have a significant injury, please attend your nearest Minor Injury and Illness Unit or Emergency Department.
We are not an emergency assessment unit.
See your GP for other symptoms
It is important to contact your GP practice or seek more urgent medical advice first, if you have the following:
- Any unexplained significant weight loss
- Feeling generally unwell/feverish
- Pain and/or altered sensation in both arms and/or both legs
- Have recently become unsteady on your feet
- You’ve noticed unexplained changes in your vision, speech or swallowing
- You are having significant uncontrolled pain
Self-referral information
Our self referral service allows you to refer yourself to a physiotherapist without having to see your GP first.
To ensure we are the most appropriate service for you, please read the information below before making a referral. We are unable to accept referrals which do not meet our criteria, and this will delay your treatment.
- Our service provides treatment for muscular and joint problems. We also provide a specialist service for hand therapy and pelvic health treatment
- This is an adult service for people over the age of 16 only, with the exception of hand patients, who we see at any age
- Our service is for patients who are registered with a Gloucestershire GP only
- We do not provide community physiotherapy at home
If you would like your appointment to be at Cheltenham General Hospital or Gloucester Royal Hospital you will need to make your referral via You Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust adult physiotherapy service.
If you are happy to be seen in any other location in Gloucestershire, please complete the form below.
Make a referral
Checklist: Are you appropriate for our service?
To ensure you are eligible for our service you must meet the following criteria:
- I am over 16 years of age (unless you are referring for hand therapy)
- I am registered with a Gloucestershire GP
- I have read the information about ‘when to seek immediate medical assessment’ and this does not apply to me
- I am not seeking specific physiotherapy treatment for the following conditions/problems:
Neurological conditions – e.g. stroke, MS, head or spinal cord injuries, functional neurological disorders or Parkinson’s
Respiratory conditions – e.g. asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic lung conditions, hyperventilation - I do not require community physiotherapy, or physiotherapy at home
- My main problem is not related to mobility or balance issues
Other services who can help you
There are other physiotherapy services available which might be more appropriate for you. We are unable to accept referrals to our service for the treatment of the following problems:
- Neurological conditions – e.g. stroke, MS, head or spinal cord injuries, functional neurological disorders or Parkinson’s
- Respiratory conditions – e.g. asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic lung conditions, hyperventilation
- If community/physiotherapy at home is required
- If the main problem is related to mobility and balance issues.
Refer to the conditions and circumstances below to identify which alternative physiotherapy service could be more appropriate for you. This may require a consultation and referral from a GP, or a member of the GP team.
Under 16 years of age
Exception: Children with hand injuries can be seen in this Adult MSK Physiotherapy Service.
Alternative service
Self-referral to children’s physiotherapy services.
Neurological conditions
Stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, Motor Neurone Disease.
Alternative service
You may be more appropriate for the Integrated Community Team (ICT) or Neurology Team. Your GP or your specialist can refer you.
You can also contact the Adult Social Care Help Desk/Community Physiotherapy Service on 01452 426868.
Respiratory conditions
Asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic lung disease.
Alternative service
Contact your GP for advice. There is a specialist Respiratory Service.
Unsteady/balance/mobility issues - fear of falling and falls
If you require physiotherapy specifically for falls prevention, balance or mobility problems, please visit our Falls Assessment page for information on remaining strong and steady.
Alternatively if you require home assessment, please call the Adult Help Desk on: 01452 426868
Walking aids
If you require a walking assessment and/or mobility aid (e.g. stick or frame).
Alternative service
Contact the Adult Social Care Help Desk/Community Physiotherapy Service on 01452 426868.
Private purchasing of equipment
You may want to consider private purchasing of items you require from local mobility shops or from online suppliers, such as: Mobility Aids for the Elderly & Disabled – Manage At Home
Soft collars/cushions/replacement splints/replacement ferrules for walking aids
Private purchasing of equipment
You may want to consider private purchasing of items you require from local mobility shops or from online suppliers, such as: Mobility Aids for the Elderly & Disabled – Manage At Home
For wrist and hand splits, please browse the various options available on the internet. Below are a couple of links to websites you may find helpful:
Housebound/poor mobility
If you require physiotherapy/occupational therapy, but you are housebound or have severe mobility issues.
Alternative service
Contact the Adult Social Care Help Desk/Community Physiotherapy Service on 01452 426868.
Foot problems
If your problem is related to specific foot pains. Podiatry might be more appropriate.
Alternative service
To check you are appropriate and to refer yourself to the Podiatry Service, follow this link Gloucestershire Podiatry Referral Form > Glos Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust (ghc.nhs.uk)
Other support and resources
ESCAPE-pain Exercise and Education Group
This is a nationally-run group which most of our physiotherapy departments run. There is a group for patients with knee and hip arthritic pain. Some sites also run a group for patients with chronic back pain.
The programme involves attending 10 sessions over five weeks of exercise and education.
If you are interested in attending this group, please indicate by writing ‘Escape Pain’ on your paper self-referral form (in the section where you can write additional information about your condition). If completing the online referral form, check the ‘Escape Pain’ box.
There is also an app and an online version of the group available. To find out more, click here>
One-off Assessment and Advice Clinics
On occasion, departments may run sessions for patients who are happy to opt for a one-off assessment and advice/exercise prescription session. Sometimes this means they might be seen sooner than the predicted waiting time. If you would like to opt for this, tick ‘Yes’ for the ‘One-off clinic’ option on the referral form.
Talking Therapies
NHS Talking Therapies is a free service which provides access to psychological services. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, as well as other mental health difficulties.
Telephone: 0800 073 220
Visit the NHS Talking Therapies website to find out more.
Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire
Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire is a service you can self-refer to for support with:
- healthy eating
- reducing alcohol intake
- smoking cessation
- weight loss
- increasing activity levels.
Telephone: 0800 755 5533
Visit the Healthy Lifestyles website to find out more.
Self-Management
Many conditions can be significantly helped or successfully treated by appropriate self-management.
Our waiting times for an appointment can vary, so it is advisable to try self-help advice as the first step.
getUbetter app
While you are waiting for your appointment, you may find it beneficial to access getUbetter. This app can help with your condition which is linked to our local musculoskeletal pathways.
To access, scan the QR Code and it will take you directly to a registration page, or visit: app.getubetter.com/request-access
ESCAPE-pain app and website
For patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis.
Scan the QR code or visit: https://escape-pain.org/i-have-knee-hip-pain
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Visit the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website for Information and guidance for managing your pain and improving your quality of life. This includes specific exercises you can do at home, along with links to further support for important factors that are known to contribute to pain, such as mental health and work.
Scan the QR code or visit: https://www.csp.org.uk/conditions/managing-pain-home
The Pain Toolkit
The Pain Toolkit is for people who live with persistent pain and healthcare teams who support them. Visit the website here: Pain Toolkit – Pain Self Management by Pete Moore
GHT's Pain Management Service
Persistent, chronic or long-term pain is complex, and there is rarely a single treatment to resolve it. But Gloucester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Pain Management Service can help you address all aspects of persistent pain management, and help you live well with pain. Find out more here: Pain management service (gloshospitals.nhs.uk)
Contact information
Cirencester Hospital
Address: Tetbury Road, Cirencester GL7 1UY
Telephone: 0300 421 6270
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm
Fairford Hospital
Address: The Croft, Fairford GL7 4BB
Telephone 0300 421 6470
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm
George Moore Community Clinic
Address: Moore Road, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AZ
Telephone: 0300 421 8815
Opening hours
Tuesday to Friday, 8am-4pm
Forest of Dean Community Hospital
Address: Steam Mills Road, Cinderford GL14 3HY
Telephone: 0300 421 8711
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm
North Cotswolds Hospital
Address: Stow Road, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0DS
Telephone: 0300 421 8815
Opening hours
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8am-4pm
Stroud Therapy Department
Address: Level 4, 1 King Street, Stroud GL5 1RR
Telephone: 0300 421 8895
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm
Tewkesbury Community Hospital
Address: Barton Road, Tewkesbury GL20 5GJ
Telephone: 0300 421 6133
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm
Vale Community Hospital
Address: Lister Road, Dursley GL11 4BA
Telephone: 0300 421 8481
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm
Winchcombe Medical Centre
Address: Greet Road, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5GZ
Telephone: 0300 421 6133
Opening hours
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8am-4pm
