Frequently asked questions
Here is a list of common questions Head2Toe Physio are asked. If your question is not answered, or if you seek further information about our service please email us admin@head2toephysio.co.uk or call us on 01306 876 072 / 01293 535 884.
- All
- Appointments
- Back Pain
- Foot Pain
- Headaches
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Neck Pain
- Other Physiotherapy Services
- Payment
- Shoulder Pain
- Sports Injury
- Treatments
A headache is pain in any region of the head. It may occur on one or both sides of the head. They can be a sharp pain, throbbing sensation or a dull ache. They can last for only a few minutes or for several days.
Hip pain can be caused by a number of factors, including osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle strains, fractures, or impingements. At Head2Toe Physio we see a range of patients with hip pain. We see patients with hip resurfacings or replacements, either because of arthritic hips or fractures. We see patients with lateral hip pain because they increased their walking distances a bit too quickly and we see those with those patients with clicky, clunky, catching hips, that just won’t get better.
Lots of factors can cause or contribute to neck pain. Poor posture, sleeping awkwardly, whiplash, muscle strain, nerve compression, degenerative joint and disc disease, can all be involved.
Neck pain can be aching or sharp, deep or more superficial. Other symptoms which can occur with neck pain, include stiffness and limited mobility in the neck, as well as headaches, numbness or tingling in the arms or hands, and muscle weakness.
Your Head2Toe Physiotherapist will ask you all about your health and neck symptoms. How did it start? what makes it worse or better? Have you had something like this before? There are lots of things, some obvious and some much more subtle, that can help us work out what type of neck issue you have. We then use a physical examination and any relevant image reports (like MRI, CT and X-Ray) to help confirm our diagnosis.
If your pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or vomiting, or you experience severe numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or hands, then it’s a good idea to see a doctor. If after assessing you, we think that urgent referral is needed, or specific further investigations are warranted, we will advise you of this. At Head2Toe Physio we have excellent relationships with local doctors and consultants. We can advise on who the best person to see is and why.
Preventative measures may include maintaining good posture, avoiding repetitive motions, stretching and exercising regularly, taking frequent breaks during prolonged sitting or computer use, and using proper lifting techniques.
Home treatment options include rest, ice or heat, plus over-the-counter pain relievers. At Head2Toe Physio, dependent on what we find in your assessment, we have a number of different treatment options. These include soft tissue therapy, joint mobilisation and manipulation, exercise therapy and acupuncture.
Having treated tens of thousands of patients over the years, we can say with some confidence that simply having the reassurance of a good diagnosis and prognosis, plus some sensible advice on what to do to help, can do more good than any fancy gadget you see advertised on facebook!
Physiotherapy helps restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability, through a combination of movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. The profession helps to encourage development and facilitate recovery, enabling people to stay in work while helping them to remain independent for as long as possible.
Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, overuse, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions that affect the knee joint. At Head2Toe Physio, we see a range of patients, including those with arthritic knees who can’t get down stairs, skiers after ACL injury, footballers with meniscal injuries, youngsters with Patella pain and many more!
The most common causes of foot pain include:
- Plantar fasciitis: This is a condition that causes inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot.
- Heel spurs: These are bony growths that can form on the heel bone.
- Metatarsalgia: This is a condition that causes pain in the ball of the foot.
- Morton’s neuroma: This is a condition that causes pain in the toes, caused by a pinched nerve.
- Arthritis: This is a condition that causes inflammation of the joints, including the joints in the feet.
At Head2Toe Physiotherapy, we see hundreds of sports injuries every month. The most common sports injuries include sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, and overuse injuries such as tendinitis and bursitis.
We see amateur netball, football and hockey players to national swimmers and international athletes. We treat patients of every age, and who have sustained injuries in just about every sport you can think of. From sore knees fencing, knee pain showjumping, broken collar bones mountain biking, hip pain scuba diving to back injuries sustained on a trampoline. We’ve even seen a patient with an elbow injury throwing darts!
Back pain is all pain that occurs in the back. It is one of the most common medical problems in the world, and definitely one of the most common conditions we see at Head2Toe Physio. It can affect people of all ages, although different types of back pain are more common in different groups of people. A number of factors can be involved, including but not limited to, injury, prolonged postures, continued repetitive movements and obesity.
The causes of headaches vary depending on the type. Tension headaches are often caused by stress, anxiety, or muscle tension. Migraines can be triggered by a variety of factors, including stress, certain foods, or changes in weather. Cervicogenic headaches are caused by problems in the neck, such as a herniated disc or arthritis. Cluster headaches are thought to be caused by a problem with the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls many bodily functions.
Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including rotator cuff injuries, impingements, bursitis, frozen shoulder, and arthritis. At Head2Toe Physio, we see a range of shoulder patients, including patients who can’t serve at tennis because of rotator cuff pain, can’t get their jumper on because of a frozen shoulder, or who’ve broken their clavicle mountain biking on Leith Hill!
Treatment helps all patients of all ages to relieve pain and improve movement, allowing the body to function more efficiently. Restoring normal posture and alignment to prevent recurrence and achieving a speedy recovery.
At Head2Toe Physio, our physiotherapists will perform a thorough assessment. They will take a medical history and listen to what your problem is, how long it’s been there and what makes it better and worse. They’ll perform a physical examination.
For sporting patients, they might examine any videos or pictures of your sporting technique. For those with pain on running, they will likely watch you running to see if anything in your gait pattern might be contributing to your pain.
For those with diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays or MRIs), we will go through your scan reports with you and try to determine the underlying cause of your knee pain.
At Head2Toe Physio, our physiotherapists will perform a thorough assessment. They will take a medical history and listen to what your problem is, how long it’s been there and what makes it better and worse. They’ll perform a physical examination.
For sporting patients, they might examine any videos or pictures of your sporting technique. For those with pain on running, they will likely watch you running to see if anything in your gait pattern might be contributing to your pain.
For those with diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays or MRIs), we will go through your scan reports with you and try to determine the underlying cause of your hip pain.
At Head2Toe Physio we see lots of different types of ankle pain. Some of the most common causes of ankle pain are:
- Sprains: This is an injury to the ligaments that support the ankle joint. Sprains are usually caused by a sudden twisting or rolling of the ankle. That could be little gymnasts turning their ankle, or a more elderly patient falling.
- Strains: This is an injury to the muscles or tendons that attach to the ankle joint. Strains are usually caused by overuse or overstretching of the muscles or tendons. That could be a runner with a Tibialis Posterior Tendon Dysfunction or a footballer with a really sore Achilles Tendon.
The most common sports injuries are:
- Sprains and strains
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Muscle cramps
Symptoms can vary depending on the cause of the pain. However, some common symptoms include:
- Pain in the lower back
- Pain that radiates down the leg
- Numbness or tingling in the leg
- Weakness in the leg
- Stiffness in the back
- Difficulty moving the back
There are many different types, but the most common are tension headaches, migraine headaches, cervical headaches and cluster headaches.
At Head2Toe Physio, our physiotherapists will perform a thorough assessment. They will take a medical history and listen to what your problem is, how long it’s been there and what makes it better and worse. They’ll perform a physical examination.
For sporting patients, they might examine any videos or pictures of your sporting technique. For those with pain on running, they will likely watch you running to see if anything in your gait pattern might be contributing to your pain.
For those with diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays or MRIs), we will go through your scan reports with you and try to determine the underlying cause of your shoulder pain.
Physiotherapists can treat almost all conditions which have one of these symptoms; pain, weakness, stiffness, loss of movement.
At Head2Toe Physio, our physiotherapists will perform a thorough assessment. They will take a medical history and listen to what your problem is, how long it’s been there and what makes it better and worse. They’ll perform a physical examination.
For sporting patients, they might examine any videos or pictures of your sporting technique. For those with pain on running, they will likely watch you running to see if anything in your gait pattern might be contributing to your pain.
For those with diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays or MRIs), we will go through your scan reports with you and try to determine the underlying cause of your sports injury.
Our Head2Toe Physiotherapists have a range of treatment options for your knee pain. These may include manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, education on sporting technique, posture and ergonomics, and modalities such as ultrasound or TENS. We will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals.
Our Head2Toe Physiotherapists have a range of treatment options for your hip pain. These may include manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, education on sporting technique, posture and ergonomics, and modalities such as ultrasound or TENS. We will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals.
The symptoms of foot pain can vary depending on the underlying cause. However, some common symptoms include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tenderness
- Numbness or tingling
- Difficulty walking or standing
Sports injuries can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Overuse
- Poor technique
- Lack of warm-up
- Fatigue
- Equipment failure
- Accidents
You should see a doctor if:
- The pain is severe and does not improve with rest and home treatment
- The pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, chills, or loss of bladder or bowel control
- The pain is getting worse over time
- You have a history of cancer or other serious medical conditions
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent headaches, including:
- Avoiding your triggers
- Getting regular exercise
- Getting enough sleep
- Managing stress
- Eating a healthy diet
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Our Head2Toe Physios have a range of treatment options for shoulder pain may include manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, education on posture and ergonomics, and modalities such as ultrasound or TENS. We will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals.
After an assessment, we aim to provide you with a diagnosis of your condition; a treatment plan with approximate duration; and likely prognosis. The effect of treatment is monitored and, if necessary adjusted, to ensure that agreed and realistic outcomes can be achieved.
Our Head2Toe Physios have a range of treatment options for sports injuries, that may include manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, education on posture and ergonomics, and modalities such as ultrasound or TENS.
We will work with you, and if you have one, your sports coach, to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals.
At Head2Toe Physio we see lots of patients who are understandably keen to avoid surgery. They’re often sent by local doctors and consultants who think that surgery should be avoided at this particular time.
In many cases, physiotherapy can be effective in reducing pain, improving function, and delaying or avoiding the need for surgery. Our goal is to help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life without the need for invasive procedures.
At Head2Toe Physio we see lots of patients who are understandably keen to avoid surgery. They’re often sent by local doctors and consultants who think that surgery should be avoided at this particular time.
In many cases, physiotherapy can be effective in reducing pain, improving function, and delaying or avoiding the need for surgery. Our goal is to help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life without the need for invasive procedures.
At Head2Toe Physio we see lots of patients who are understandably keen to avoid surgery. They’re often sent by local doctors and consultants who think that surgery should be avoided at this particular time.
In many cases, physiotherapy can be effective in reducing pain, improving function, and delaying or avoiding the need for surgery. Our goal is to help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life without the need for invasive procedures.
The most common
The most common causes of shin pain are:
- Shin splints: This is a condition that causes inflammation of the muscles and tendons on the front of the shin. Shin splints are often caused by running or other activities that involve repetitive stress on the shins.
- Stress fractures: This is a small crack in one of the bones in the shin. Stress fractures are often caused by overuse or repetitive stress on the shins.
- Compartment syndrome: This is a condition that occurs when the pressure inside one of the compartments in the leg becomes too high. Compartment syndrome can be caused by injury, overuse, or certain medical conditions.
The treatment for a sports injury will depend on the severity of the injury. However, some common treatments include:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
There are a variety of treatments, including:
- Rest, Ice or heat, Over-the-counter pain medication
- Physiotherapy
- GP prescribed medications, such as muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory drugs
- Surgery
The best treatment for you will depend on the cause of your pain, and the severity of your symptoms. At Head2Toe Physio we specialise in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal back pain. We will work with you, to help you understand your back pain a little better. We may use soft tissue and joint manual therapy techniques, acupuncture and exercise based therapy to try and help you as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Manual therapy can help with a variety of headaches, including tension, migraine and cervicogenic.
Tension headaches are the most common type, and they are often caused by muscle tension in the head and neck. Manual therapy can help to relieve this muscle tension and reduce the pain associated with tension headaches.
Migraine headaches are a more severe type of headache, and they are often accompanies by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Manual therapy can help to reduce the pain and other symptoms associated with migraine headaches.
Cervicogenic headaches are caused by problems in the neck, such as herniated disc or arthritis. Manual therapy can help to relieve the pain and other symptoms associated with cervicogenic headaches.
After assessment your Physiotherapist will discuss the anticipated number of treatments with you. You will be reassessed on each visit and if progress plateaus or if no improvement seems apparent then your treatment will be altered appropriately or you will be referred on to a specialist.
It really depends on the type and severity of your sports injury. Some injuries may require rest to heal initially, while others may benefit from gentle exercise or rehabilitation straight away.
Our physiotherapists will help develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals.
It depends on the cause and severity of your shoulder pain. Our physiotherapists will work with you to develop an exercise plan that is safe and appropriate for your specific condition, and can help you maintain your fitness while you recover.
It depends on the cause and severity of your hip pain. Our physiotherapists will work with you to develop an exercise plan that is safe and appropriate for your specific condition, and can help you maintain your fitness while you recover.
Home treatment options include rest, ice or heat, plus over-the-counter pain relievers. At Head2Toe Physio, dependent on what we find in your assessment, we have a number of different treatment options. These include soft tissue therapy, joint mobilisation and manipulation, exercise therapy and acupuncture.
Head2Toe Physio have been treating patients for over 20 years. We have excellent links with local podiatrists and orthopaedic consultants. After assessment, if we consider that your condition needs a surgical opinion or further investigation, we will work with our trusted colleagues to manage your condition as effectively as possible.
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent sports injuries, including:
- Warming up before activity
- Using proper technique
- Wearing proper equipment
- Avoiding overtraining
- Listening to your body
In the past, it was believed that headache was caused by psychological factors; however, it is now recognized that headache is a complex biomedical disorder in which psychological factors can play a contributory, maintaining, and/or reactive role.
One of the core elements of Physiotherapy is the patient’s involvement in their own care, through education, awareness, empowerment and participation in their treatment. This could involve an exercise program, postural advice or even suggested adaptations to training techniques, after discussion with your sports coach.
Our Head2Toe physiotherapists will provide guidance on safe and appropriate exercises that can help you maintain your fitness while you recover. We may also recommend modifications to your workout routine or suggest alternative activities that are less likely to aggravate your injury.
It depends on the cause and severity of your knee pain. Our physiotherapists will work with you to develop an exercise plan that is safe and appropriate for your specific condition, and can help you maintain your fitness while you recover.
Our physiotherapists will provide education and guidance on techniques to prevent hip pain from recurring, such as maintaining good posture, using proper body mechanics, and staying active. We may also provide exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the hip joint and improve flexibility.
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent your pain, including:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Maintain good posture and change position regularly
- Lifting objects properly
- Avoiding activities that cause pain
- Wearing supportive shoes
If you have a headache that is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, stiff neck, or vomiting, you should see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if your headaches are interfering with your daily activities
It is important to see a doctor to determine the cause of your headaches and to get the best treatment. Manual therapy can be a helpful part of your treatment plan, but it is important to work with a doctor to make sure that it is right for you.
At Head2Toe Physio our physiotherapists will provide education and guidance on techniques to prevent shoulder pain from recurring, such as maintaining good posture, using proper body mechanics, and staying active. We may also provide exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the shoulder joint and improve flexibility.
All our Physiotherapists are qualified to treat spinal problems. In fact the largest proportion of our workload consists of neck and back problems.
You’ll be pleased to hear that you can get your back pain treated at any of our 3 clinics in Surrey and West Sussex.
At Dorking and Leatherhead, our clinics are based in sports centres with fantastic access to gym facilities and ample room to get you back up to full fitness. At Crawley, we have a modern physio clinic with our own rehab studio, all set to return you back to what you want to do, as quickly and effectively as possible.
You’ll be pleased to hear that you can get your foot and ankle pain treated at any of our 3 clinics in Surrey and West Sussex.
At Dorking and Leatherhead, our clinics are based in sports centres with fantastic access to gym facilities and ample room to get you back up to full fitness. At Crawley, we have a modern physio clinic with our own rehab studio, all set to return you back to what you want to do, as quickly and effectively as possible.
You’ll be pleased to hear that you can get your headaches treated at any of our 3 clinics in Surrey and West Sussex.
At Dorking and Leatherhead, our clinics are based in sports centres with fantastic access to gym facilities and ample room to get you back up to full fitness. At Crawley, we have a modern physio clinic with our own rehab studio, all set to return you back to what you want to do, as quickly and effectively as possible.
You’ll be pleased to hear that you can get your hip pain treated at any of our 3 clinics in Surrey and West Sussex.
At Dorking and Leatherhead, our clinics are based in sports centres with fantastic access to gym facilities and ample room to get you back up to full fitness. At Crawley, we have a modern physio clinic with our own rehab studio, all set to return you back to what you want to do, as quickly and effectively as possible.
You’ll be pleased to hear that you can get your neck pain treated at any of our 3 clinics in Surrey and West Sussex.
Our excellent Head2Toe Physios work at clinics in Dorking, Leatherhead and Crawley.
You’ll be pleased to hear that you can get your knee pain treated at any of our 3 clinics in Surrey and West Sussex.
At Dorking and Leatherhead, our clinics are based in sports centres with fantastic access to gym facilities and ample room to get you back up to full fitness. At Crawley, we have a modern physio clinic with our own rehab studio, all set to return you back to what you want to do, as quickly and effectively as possible.
You’ll be pleased to hear that you can get your shoulder pain treated at any of our 3 clinics in Surrey and West Sussex.
At Dorking and Leatherhead, our clinics are based in sports centres with fantastic access to gym facilities and ample room to get you back up to full fitness. At Crawley, we have a modern physio clinic with our own rehab studio, all set to return you to your chosen sport as quickly and effectively as possible.
You’ll be pleased to hear that you can get your sports injury treated at any of our 3 clinics in Surrey and West Sussex.
At Dorking and Leatherhead, our clinics are based in sports centres with fantastic access to gym facilities and ample room to get you back up to full fitness. At Crawley, we have a modern physio clinic with our own rehab studio, all set to return you to your chosen sport as quickly and effectively as possible.
At Head2Toe Physio, our physiotherapists will provide education and guidance on techniques to prevent hip pain from recurring, such as maintaining good posture, using proper body mechanics, and staying active. We may also provide exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the hip joint and improve flexibility.
The outlook is generally good. Most people with pain will recover within a few weeks or months. However, some people may experience chronic back pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks.
If you have difficulty attending the clinic, a number of our physiotherapists provide physiotherapy assessment and treatment in the comfort of your own home. Our Physiotherapists will assess your movement and posture with everyday activities such as walking and balancing.
Your Head2Toe Physiotherapist will first make sure you have filled in your information form and that you have understood and given your consent for Physiotherapy. They will carry out a subjective assessment and a physical assessment. The questions they ask and the answers you give during the subjective assessment will inform the Physiotherapist when it comes to the physical assessment. The physical assessment does exactly what it says and the Physiotherapist will assess all relevant joints and soft tissues.
No. We can usually see you within 24 – 48 hours. Sometimes same-day appointments are available.
You can attend any one of our 3 clinics, in Dorking, Leatherhead or Crawley to receive headache treatment.
Clinic times vary somewhat between our three sites, although we do offer daytime and evening sessions from Monday to Friday at all 3 clinics. We also offer weekend clinic sessions.
No, anyone can refer themselves for treatment. However, if you wish to use your medical insurance to claim for treatment costs, some policies require your GP to authorise this.
We currently have male and female Physiotherapists at all our clinics. Please ask our receptionists for more details when you book your appointment.
In order to assess you properly, your Physiotherapist will need to see the affected area. It is often a good idea to wear shorts for lower limb problems. In addition if you feel your injury is related to an item of clothing or sports equipment, for example running shoes, please bring them along as well.
Payment is made after each consultation either by cheque, cash, credit card or BACS payment . If authorisation is gained from an insurer / solicitor / case manager we can invoice them directly for your treatment.
Head2Toe Physiotherapy Clinics provide care for patients with private medical insurance. We are registered with all major private medical health insurers including BUPA, AXA PPP, AVIVA, WPA, CIGNA, VitalityHealth, Simplyhealth and many more.
Medical Health policies and Health care cash plans vary between insurers. Whilst some insurers allow self referral by their policyholders, others require a referral from your GP first. At Head2Toe Physiotherapy we are able to invoice your insurer directly but to do so we will need your membership number and authorisation code.
Not all Physiotherapy clinics are registered and your insurance company may require our Physiotherapy provider code before they authorise treatment. Please feel free to contact us directly for our provider codes and any extra information you may need.
Each insurer is different in the way that they operate as far as payment is concerned. Some require you to pay for your own treatment and then claim the costs back whereas others allow us to invoice them directly. We strongly advise that you discuss this with your insurer prior to arranging a consultation.
Post-surgery rehabilitation at Head2Toe Physio will relieve pain, increase range of movement and muscle strength and minimise the potential of re-injury. We receive regular surgical referrals from orthopedic and neurosurgeons.
Head2Toe Physio is keen to establish partnerships with local businesses to help them manage one of the biggest causes of absence from work. We already receive direct referrals from over 20 national insurance and case management companies.
Head2Toe Physio provides an on-site physiotherapy service for employers wishing their staff to be treated at work.
Head2Toe Physio work with occupational health departments services to treat current injuries, as well as minimise the risk of potential future injuries in the workplace. Our physiotherapists are experienced at assessing and treating a variety of work-related injuries.
Neurological rehabilitation involves assessment and treatment of the physical problems caused by a number of neurological conditions. Common examples of neurological conditions treated include Stroke, Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and Cerebral Palsy.
At Head2Toe Physio we provide assessment and physiotherapy treatment for individuals in Care or Nursing homes. Our physiotherapists commonly help people with problems such as reduced mobility, poor balance, muscle weakness, and decreased independence.
We receive referrals from rehabilitation case managers. These include referrals for musculoskeletal and neurological Physiotherapy assessment and treatment. Referrals may include written quotations for assessment and ongoing treatment, written reports, treatment sessions alongside NHS treatment, as well as treatment from a variety of different locations including clinic, home and gym settings.