Physiotherapy & Manual Therapy

Physiotherapy as the Clinical Foundation

At Sport Dimensions, physiotherapy is not simply one service among many — it is the clinical foundation on which all our treatments are built. Every patient pathway begins with a physiotherapy assessment, and our HCPC-registered, CSP-chartered physiotherapists are involved at every stage of your care.

What sets Sport Dimensions apart is that the same qualified physiotherapists who deliver hands-on manual therapy, acupuncture, and rehabilitation also operate our advanced treatment technologies — shockwave therapy, custom orthotics, and PelviPower. This means your clinician understands your condition from both a traditional physiotherapy perspective and a technology-enhanced treatment perspective, ensuring seamless, integrated care.

Our 12 Service Modalities

Sport Dimensions offers a comprehensive range of physiotherapy services, each delivered by experienced practitioners who tailor treatment to your individual needs.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy encompasses hands-on techniques including joint mobilisation, manipulation, and soft tissue work. Your physiotherapist uses skilled hand movements to restore joint range of motion, reduce muscle tension, and alleviate pain. Techniques are selected based on your specific condition and may include Maitland or Mulligan mobilisation approaches, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy. Manual therapy is central to the treatment of conditions including frozen shoulder, lower back pain, and post-surgical rehabilitation.

Acupuncture

Our physiotherapists are trained in evidence-based medical acupuncture, grounded in neurophysiology rather than traditional Chinese medicine. Fine filament needles are inserted at specific points to stimulate the nervous system, promote natural pain relief through endorphin release, and reduce muscle tension. Acupuncture is used alongside other physiotherapy techniques for conditions including chronic pain, muscle spasm, and tension headaches. Sessions are conducted in a calm, private treatment room.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a technique using fine filament needles to release myofascial trigger points — tight, painful knots within muscles that can refer pain to other areas. Unlike acupuncture, dry needling targets specific muscular trigger points identified during your physical assessment. The needle insertion produces a local twitch response that releases the trigger point, reduces pain, and restores normal muscle function. Dry needling is particularly effective for persistent muscle tightness, repetitive strain conditions, and sports injuries.

Kinesio Taping

Kinesio taping involves the application of elastic therapeutic tape to support injured structures, reduce swelling, and provide proprioceptive feedback during movement. The tape is applied in specific patterns by your physiotherapist to assist muscle function without restricting range of motion. It is commonly used for sports injuries, post-surgical support, postural correction, and bruising or swelling management. The tape is water-resistant and can be worn for several days between treatment sessions.

Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Our sports injury rehabilitation programmes are designed to get you back to your chosen sport safely and efficiently. Treatment begins with a thorough assessment of your injury, movement patterns, and sporting demands. Your physiotherapist designs a progressive rehabilitation programme that moves through phases of healing — from pain management and range of motion restoration, through strength and conditioning, to sport-specific drills and return-to-play testing. We work with recreational athletes, club-level competitors, and professional sportspeople.

Pre & Post-operative Rehabilitation

Pre-operative rehabilitation (prehabilitation) prepares your body for surgery by improving fitness, strength, and joint function before the procedure. Research demonstrates that patients who undergo prehabilitation recover faster and achieve better outcomes after surgery. Post-operative rehabilitation follows a structured, phased approach to restore movement, rebuild strength, and return you to full function. Our physiotherapists have experience with orthopaedic procedures including ACL reconstruction, knee and hip replacement, rotator cuff repair, and spinal surgery.

Gait Re-education

Gait re-education is the assessment and correction of walking and running patterns. Abnormal gait mechanics can contribute to a wide range of injuries and conditions, from knee pain to lower back problems. Your physiotherapist uses observational and technology-assisted gait analysis to identify deviations in your movement pattern, then designs a targeted programme of exercises, cueing strategies, and — where appropriate — orthotic support to correct these issues. Gait re-education is an essential component of recovery from lower limb surgery, neurological conditions, and running-related injuries.

Strength & Conditioning

Strength and conditioning programmes at Sport Dimensions go beyond general gym exercises. Your physiotherapist prescribes a progressive, evidence-based exercise programme tailored to your condition, fitness level, and goals. Programmes are designed to address specific deficits identified during your assessment — whether that is quadriceps weakness after knee surgery, rotator cuff endurance for shoulder stability, or global conditioning for return to sport. Sessions may take place in our treatment rooms or be prescribed as a supervised gym-based programme.

MSK Therapy

Musculoskeletal (MSK) therapy addresses conditions affecting muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues. This encompasses the assessment and treatment of acute injuries, chronic pain conditions, and degenerative changes. Your physiotherapist combines clinical reasoning with a range of treatment techniques — manual therapy, exercise prescription, education, and self-management strategies — to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent recurrence. MSK therapy covers the full spectrum of musculoskeletal complaints, from acute sports injuries to long-standing joint conditions.

Trauma & Orthopaedics

Our physiotherapists work closely with orthopaedic consultants and trauma teams to provide specialist rehabilitation for patients recovering from fractures, dislocations, surgical fixation, and joint replacement. Treatment follows evidence-based protocols tailored to the specific injury and procedure, progressing through protected movement, progressive loading, and functional restoration. We manage complex cases including multi-ligament knee injuries, proximal femoral fractures, and polytrauma rehabilitation, always coordinating with your surgical team to ensure optimal recovery.

Clinical Pilates 1:1

One-to-one Clinical Pilates sessions at Sport Dimensions are prescribed and supervised by a qualified physiotherapist, tailored to your specific condition and rehabilitation goals. Unlike group fitness Pilates, Clinical Pilates is an evidence-based, individualised treatment that addresses specific movement deficits, post-surgical recovery, and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Your physiotherapist designs each session around your clinical assessment, selecting exercises that target the areas requiring attention — whether that is core stability for lower back pain, shoulder blade control following rotator cuff rehabilitation, or lower limb strengthening after ACL reconstruction or knee replacement. Clinical Pilates is particularly effective for patients who need a structured, progressive approach to rebuilding movement confidence and functional capacity under direct clinical supervision.

Pre & Postnatal Pilates 1:1

Specialist one-to-one Pilates for women during pregnancy and after birth, delivered by a physiotherapist with women's health expertise. During pregnancy, sessions focus on maintaining strength, managing pregnancy-related discomfort such as lower back pain and pelvic girdle pain, and preparing the body for labour through targeted breathing, pelvic floor, and mobility work.

Postnatally, your physiotherapist guides you through a safe, progressive return to exercise, rebuilding core and pelvic floor strength, addressing diastasis recti (abdominal separation), and restoring functional movement patterns. Every session is adapted to your stage of pregnancy or recovery, ensuring you receive clinically appropriate guidance rather than generic fitness advice.

Your Physiotherapy Consultation

Your first appointment at Sport Dimensions typically lasts 45–60 minutes. Your physiotherapist will take a detailed history of your condition, including the mechanism of injury, symptom progression, previous treatments, and your goals. A thorough physical examination follows, assessing range of motion, strength, movement patterns, and specific clinical tests relevant to your presentation.

Based on this assessment, your physiotherapist will explain your diagnosis, discuss the treatment options available, and agree a personalised treatment plan with you. Where appropriate, treatment may begin during the first session — this could include manual therapy, exercise prescription, acupuncture, or dry needling. Your physiotherapist will also advise on self-management strategies and any modifications to your daily activities or training.

Follow-up sessions typically last 30–45 minutes and are scheduled at a frequency appropriate to your condition, usually 1–2 times per week initially.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do your physiotherapists have?

All our physiotherapists hold a BSc or MSc in Physiotherapy and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and chartered members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Many hold additional postgraduate qualifications in specialist areas including sports medicine, manual therapy, acupuncture, and orthopaedic rehabilitation. Importantly, our physiotherapists are also trained to operate the advanced technologies available at Sport Dimensions — shockwave therapy, custom orthotics, and PelviPower — providing truly integrated clinical care.

Do I need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist?

No. You can book directly with Sport Dimensions without a GP referral. Physiotherapists are autonomous practitioners who can assess, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal conditions independently. If your condition requires imaging, specialist referral, or GP involvement, your physiotherapist will coordinate this on your behalf.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions depends on your condition, its severity, and your response to treatment. Simple acute injuries may resolve within 3–4 sessions, while complex or chronic conditions may require a longer course of treatment. Your physiotherapist will provide an estimated treatment plan at your first appointment and review progress regularly. Our goal is always to help you manage your condition independently as soon as possible.

What is the difference between physiotherapy and sports therapy?

Physiotherapy is a regulated health profession. All physiotherapists must be registered with the HCPC and have completed an approved degree programme covering the full scope of musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory conditions. Sports therapy focuses specifically on sport-related injuries and exercise. At Sport Dimensions, our physiotherapists have specialist training in sports injury management alongside their broader clinical expertise, giving you access to the full scope of physiotherapy care.

Can physiotherapy help with chronic pain?

Yes. Physiotherapy is recommended by NICE as a first-line treatment for many chronic pain conditions. Treatment combines manual therapy, exercise, education, and self-management strategies to reduce pain, improve function, and help you regain confidence in movement. Your physiotherapist will work with you to understand your pain, identify contributing factors, and develop a long-term management plan that fits your life.

How does physiotherapy integrate with shockwave therapy and PelviPower?

At Sport Dimensions, the same qualified physiotherapists who deliver your hands-on treatment also operate our advanced technologies. This means your clinician can seamlessly combine manual therapy with shockwave therapy for tendon conditions, prescribe custom orthotics informed by their clinical assessment, or integrate PelviPower sessions into a broader rehabilitation programme. You benefit from a single clinician who understands your full clinical picture rather than being passed between different practitioners.

Supporting Your Recovery

• Complete your home exercises — Your physiotherapist will prescribe exercises tailored to your condition and stage of recovery. Consistent completion of your home programme between sessions is one of the strongest predictors of a successful outcome. Aim for the frequency and duration recommended by your clinician.
• Stay active within your limits — Unless specifically advised otherwise, maintain your general activity levels during treatment. Walking, swimming, or cycling can support your recovery without aggravating your condition. Your physiotherapist will advise which activities to continue and which to modify.
• Communicate openly with your clinician — Report any changes in your symptoms, new pain, or difficulties with your exercises. This helps your physiotherapist adjust your treatment plan and ensures you progress safely. No question is too small.
• Apply self-management techniques — Your physiotherapist may recommend ice, heat, stretching, or postural adjustments between sessions. These strategies complement your in-clinic treatment and help manage symptoms day to day.
• Attend regularly and on schedule — Consistency with your treatment schedule allows your physiotherapist to build on progress from session to session. If you need to reschedule, try to do so within the same week to maintain momentum.
• Set realistic expectations — Recovery timelines vary between individuals and conditions. Some improvements are rapid, while others are gradual. Trust your physiotherapist's guidance and focus on the long-term goal rather than expecting immediate results from every session.