Frequently asked questions

Do you only help people with sports injuries?

No. Anyone can use our services. Whilst we specialise in treating sports injuries, we also provide treatment and support for anyone suffering from regular musculoskeletal (joint, muscle, ligament, tendon etc.) injuries.

How can you diagnose me without touching me?

95 % of a diagnosis in clinical practice is made from carefully listening to the history the patient provides, combined with the findings of specific movement tests. Your physiotherapist always starts a consultation by taking a detailed history, via video call, of how your injury started and she then gets you to perform certain test movements, just as she would in practice. You can also upload pictures of your injured body part or video clips of you running etc. for further analysis. Your physio may also guide you through a self-examination of your injured body part to identify specific ligaments and muscles.

Is my injury suitable for treatment via the Internet?

Most injuries involving joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves (musculoskeletal injuries) are suitable for treatment via the internet. You are welcome to ask us if you are not sure.

Can I trust that you will refer me on if I need it?

Always. We pride ourselves in helping people recover from injury and empowering them to maintain an active lifestyle. Early diagnosis and timely referrals are key to this process. Acknowledging our limitations and providing someone with a referral that leads to a more speedy recovery helps to build our reputation. We will always provide you, as part of your treatment plan, with a description of how we expect your symptoms to change over time. This will also act as a guide to decide if further actions or referrals are required.

How can you treat me without touching me?

All structures in the body have a specific time it takes to heal, depending on the type and severity of the injury. While a massage may make you feel better, research has shown that the most effective way of treating injuries is by providing a mixture of carefully graded rest and exercise. If you do too much too early you cause further breakdown of the tissue. Rest or protect the injury for too long and you can prolong your healing process or even cause yourself chronic pain. At SIP we provide you with a carefully graded exercise programme and assist you throughout your recovery. We always give clear guidelines as to how much discomfort you can expect, if any, and you can contact me at any time to ask for advice. Your treatment plan will also include ways that you can apply self-massage or other techniques if appropriate.

I have tried exercises before, but it did not work. Why will your treatment plan work?

An exercise programme can fail for several reasons:

• It was the wrong diagnosis and therefore the wrong exercises. At SIP we combine our years of experience in treating athletes with a detailed evaluation to provide you with a diagnosis.
• It was the wrong intensity or type of exercise for that stage of the healing process. At SIP we provide you with ongoing support and tweak your rehabilitation programme if necessary.
• You did not get a timely review or support throughout the programme. We are all different and what works for one person may have a totally different effect on the next. With SIP you have ongoing and convenient access to us, your physiotherapists, and we always encourage frequent communication. This way, we can quickly identify if a certain exercise is not right for you and make appropriate adjustments.
• You did not follow a graded return to sport. Whilst we always aim to help you return to sport as soon as possible, it is very important to do this in a gradual manner. We have years of clinical experience in helping people return to sport in a safe and effective manner.

Can you guarantee that you can fix my injury?

No. A full recovery can never be guaranteed, not for ‘face to face’ or online consultations.

What if I don't have access to video call technology like Skype/WhatsApp/Zoom?

We're very sorry but we cannot deliver this service without video technology. We aim to only provide quality care and feel that this can’t be done if we can’t see you move. Please feel free to ask if there is a specific video app that that you prefer. We've successfully used several video apps in the past include Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts and WhatsApp but we are happy to accommodate you should you prefer a different application.

I do not live in the United Kingdom. Can I still use SIP’s services?

Yes you can! We have patients from all over the world, even though we are registered in the UK.

Can I get a copy of my medical notes?

Yes, you can request a copy of any of your clinical records that we have on file. All you have to do is ask for it via our contact page or email us at info@sports-injury-physio.com . We will have to confirm your identity by asking you a few security questions before we can send the information. Please note that we will only provide electronic copies of your records.

Can I pay by debit or credit card?

Yes. We accept payment via debit and credit card. All payments are done at the time of booking, just like when you buy products from online retailers like Amazon.

How do I change my booking time?

You can change a booking without penalty as long as you do it at least 12 hours before the booking is due to start. You will find the link to change a booking in the confirmation email that was sent to you when you made the booking. Let us know if you have any trouble finding it. You may incur a penalty if you change a booking within 12 hours of its start time. You'll have to email us at info@sports-injury-physio.com or send us a message through our contact form to do this. Please read our Terms & Conditions Of Purchase before you book any physiotherapy consultations. You will not be refunded for missed appointments.

How can I cancel a booking?

You can cancel a booking without penalty as long as you do it at least 12 hours before the booking is due to start. You will find the link to cancel a booking in the confirmation email that was sent to you when you made the booking. Let us know if you have any trouble finding it. Your refund will be issued by the end of the next business day and a confirmation email will be sent to the email address linked to your account. Please note that payment platforms (like PayPal or Square) can take up to 10 working days to process a refund. You may incur a penalty if you cancel a booking within 12 hours of its start time. You'll have to email us at info@sports-injury-physio.com or send us a message through our contact form to do this. Please read our Terms & Conditions Of Purchase before you book any physiotherapy consultations. You will not be refunded for missed appointments.

I'm not from the United Kingdom. How do I pay you?

All payments are done via the website when you book your appointment, just like when you buy products from online retailers like Amazon. When you make a booking, you will first choose your physio, then the time and date of your appointment and then you'll be asked to fill in your Debit or Credit card details. Please ask if you have any questions about this process.

How do I book a consultation?

- Go to our Price & Bookings page – the link is at the top of every page on our website.

- Choose “Initial Physio Consultation” or “Follow-up Physio Consultation”.

- Choose with which physio you want to book a consultation.

- Choose a date and time for your consultation. All times are correct for your time zone.

- Fill in your information, check the box at the bottom to confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms and Condition, and click “Pay now”.

- Fill in your payment details and complete the transaction.

- You will receive a confirmation email. If you don’t see it, please check your Spam folder. If it isn’t there, please contact us.

Can I choose with which physio I book a consultation?

Yes, you can. During the booking process you will be able to choose the physio you want to work with.

How do I cancel a Treatment Package?

You can cancel a treatment package at any point. Your refund will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Any consultations that have already occurred or that were due to occur within the next 12 hours will be deducted and you will be refunded the remainder of the fee. Please email us at info@sports-injury-physio.com or send a message through our contact form if you would like to cancel a treatment package. The timestamp on your email will be used to calculate your refund. If you have any queries about this process, please feel free to contact us.