Exercise rehabilitation in London: what it involves and who it is for

What is exercise rehabilitation?

Exercise rehabilitation is a structured, progressive exercise programme that helps you regain strength, movement, balance and confidence after an injury, an operation or a long spell of pain. It is built around your assessment and your goals — getting back to work, sport, running, lifting your children or simply walking without pain — and it is progressed as you improve.

Who it can help

• After a sprain, strain or sports injury (for example ankle sprains, hamstring strains, knee ligament injuries)
• After surgery, once your surgeon has cleared you to start (for example knee, shoulder or ankle operations)
• Long-standing neck, back, shoulder, hip or knee pain, including tendon problems and osteoarthritis
• Returning to running, the gym or sport after time off

Exercise is well supported by research for many musculoskeletal problems, but it is not right for everyone at every stage — which is why it starts with an assessment. Outcomes vary from person to person.

What a programme looks like

1. Assessment – history, movement and strength testing, and screening for anything that needs a doctor instead.
2. A plan with clear goals – what you want to get back to, and how we will measure progress.
3. Hands-on treatment where useful – to ease pain and stiffness so you can move and load better.
4. Exercises in clinic and at home – taught and checked in clinic, with a simple home programme.
5. Progression – exercises are made harder as you improve, with a plan for returning to work or sport.

Physiotherapy and chiropractic both include rehab

At UK Pain Clinic, rehabilitation is part of every plan, whichever clinician you see:

• Physiotherapy – our HCPC-registered physiotherapists combine manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation and, where appropriate, acupuncture/dry needling, shockwave and taping.
• Chiropractic – our GCC-registered chiropractor combines adjustments, soft-tissue work and rehabilitation advice.

Every clinician speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin — see Cantonese & Mandarin and our team.

When to get help urgently

If you have new numbness around the groin or buttocks, loss of bladder or bowel control, weakness in both legs, fever or unexplained weight loss, call us for a same-day assessment and imaging. For more severe symptoms go straight to A&E, and call 999 for life-threatening signs.

Booking

Self-pay patients do not need a GP referral — book online and see our fees. Using insurance? Check with us before you book.

Sources: NHS: physiotherapy · Chartered Society of Physiotherapy