Physiotherapy at Back in Action focuses on restoring movement and function after injury, strain or ongoing musculoskeletal problems. It sits naturally alongside the chiropractic care we have been known for since 2002, giving patients at our Penwortham clinic a joined-up route from assessment through to full rehabilitation — all under one roof, and all coordinated by a team that talks to one another.
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a hands-on, movement-based approach to problems affecting the muscles, joints and soft tissues. Where chiropractic care often centres on the spine and joint function, physiotherapy places particular emphasis on rehabilitation: rebuilding strength, mobility and control so that an area not only feels better but is better able to cope with the demands you place on it day to day.
That distinction matters. Easing pain is only half the job; the other half is making sure the problem is less likely to return. Physiotherapy is as much about what you can do for yourself — through targeted, progressive exercise — as it is about what we do for you in the treatment room.
In practice, the two disciplines work very well together. Many patients benefit from a combination of hands-on care to settle a problem and a structured exercise programme to keep it settled.
Care from a Chartered Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy at Back in Action is provided by Helen Thompson, a Chartered Physiotherapist who qualified from Manchester Royal Infirmary in 1987. Helen is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP) and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the UK’s statutory regulator for physiotherapists. It means your care comes from an experienced, fully qualified professional working within recognised national standards. You can read more about Helen and her background on her profile page.
What physiotherapy can help with
Physiotherapy can support people dealing with a wide range of musculoskeletal complaints, including:
- Back pain and neck pain
- Joint problems affecting the shoulder, hip and knee
- Sciatica and other nerve-related symptoms
- Recovery from minor sports injuries and recurrent injuries
- General stiffness, muscular tension and the deconditioning that comes from a sedentary spell or time off your feet
As with all our care, we start with a proper assessment and are honest about whether physiotherapy is the right approach for you. If your problem would be better served another way — or needs referral elsewhere — we will tell you.
Our approach at Back in Action
We do not believe in handing out the same photocopied exercise sheet to everyone who walks through the door. After assessing how you move, where you are restricted and what you actually need to get back to, we build a plan around you and the life you lead. That may combine hands-on techniques in the clinic with a progressive exercise programme you can carry out at home.
Where it helps, we draw on methods such as exercise and rehabilitation, muscle energy techniques, PIR / PNF stretching and kinesiology taping to support your recovery and help prevent the problem returning. The right mix depends on you, and it can change as you progress.
What to expect from your first appointment
Your first visit begins with a conversation about your symptoms, your history and what you are hoping to achieve — whether that is getting back to running, lifting your grandchildren without wincing, or simply sitting through a working day in comfort. We then carry out a physical assessment of movement, strength and the affected area.
From there we explain what we have found in plain terms and agree a realistic plan together, including a sense of how many sessions might be involved and what you can do between them. You can read more about getting started on our new patients page, and current charges are listed on the fees page.
Who physiotherapy is for
Physiotherapy is not just for athletes or for people recovering from an operation. We see office workers whose necks and shoulders have stiffened after months at a desk, parents managing the lifting and carrying of young children, active people wanting to recover well from a niggle, and older patients keen to stay mobile and independent.
The common thread is a desire to move better and to take an active part in recovery. If you are willing to put a little work in between sessions, physiotherapy tends to reward that effort.
Your part in recovery
Good rehabilitation is a partnership. The hands-on work we do in the clinic creates the opportunity; the exercises you do at home are what consolidate the gains and make them last. We will keep your programme realistic and manageable rather than overwhelming, explain why each exercise matters, and review and progress it as you improve. If something is not working or is aggravating your symptoms, we want to know, so we can adjust it.
How physiotherapy fits with our other services
Because we are a multi-practitioner clinic, your physiotherapy can be coordinated with the rest of your care. Many patients combine it with chiropractic treatment, while those recovering from an injury may also benefit from sports therapy or massage. We will recommend whatever genuinely helps your recovery, not simply more appointments.
Booking your appointment
If you are recovering from an injury, struggling with a persistent ache, or want help getting moving again, we are happy to talk it through. You can get in touch to book, or to ask any questions beforehand.