MSK Physiotherapy
What is MSK physiotherapy and when should you see a physiotherapist?
MSK physiotherapy, also called musculoskeletal physiotherapy, helps people recover from problems affecting muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and movement. At Kinertia Physiotherapy Clinic in London, it is commonly used for back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, sports injuries, and work-related aches.
NICE guidance for low back pain supports advice to stay active, exercise-based care, and manual therapy only as part of a wider package that includes exercise.
What does MSK physiotherapy help with?
MSK physiotherapy can help when pain, stiffness, weakness, or injury stops you moving normally. Common reasons people book include lower back pain, sciatica, neck pain, shoulder impingement, tennis elbow, hip pain, knee pain, ankle sprains, tendon pain, muscle strains, and post-operative rehabilitation.
What happens in an MSK physiotherapy assessment?
Your physiotherapist will listen to your symptoms, medical history, activity level, and goals. They may assess posture, joint movement, strength, balance, nerve sensitivity, and functional tasks such as walking, bending, squatting, lifting, or reaching.
What we look at
- Pain pattern and symptom triggers
- Joint movement and muscle strength
- Balance, control, walking, lifting, or sport demands
- Work, sleep, exercise, and daily-life load
Why imaging is not always first
NICE recommends against routine imaging for low back pain in non-specialist settings unless the result is likely to change management. A good physical assessment often gives the most useful starting point.
How treatment is planned
Treatment is based on the assessment, not guesswork. Your plan may include manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation, strength work, mobility exercises, pain education, load management, and advice to help reduce flare-ups. The aim is not only to settle pain, but to help you move with confidence again.
When should you book?
Consider booking if pain is lasting more than a few days, keeps returning, limits work or sleep, stops you exercising, or makes daily tasks harder. Early physiotherapy can help you understand what is happening and start a clear recovery plan.
Sources used
NICE NG59: low back pain and sciatica recommendations Systematic review: manual therapy plus exercise for neck painNeed MSK physiotherapy in London?
Kinertia provides MSK physiotherapy in clinic and home visit physiotherapy where suitable.
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