Your questions answered
On your visit to the Exeter Physio clinic we want you to have the best experience that you can, from start to finish. We have created some FAQ’s below which we hope helps you understand what happens at your physiotherapy appointment. We hope you find these useful.
If you have any questions we have not already answered, please call us on 01392 211066, or email [email protected] and we’ll do all we can to assist.
We look forward to your arrival and helping you to a speedy recovery.
You can book your appointment online by clicking here. Alternatively please phone our reception on 01392 211066.
The Exeter Clinic is open:
Monday 8.15 – 7,
Tuesday 8.15 – 6.30,
Wednesday 8.15 – 6.30,
Thursday 8.15 – 7.30,
Friday 8.15 – 5.30.
The Sidmouth Clinic is closed at the moment.
Yes we do. We have a disabled access ramp to the side of the building with a door bell if needed, and a disabled W.C. We have treatment rooms both downstairs and upstairs, and so if you require a downstairs room, or to use the disabled access, this is not a problem, but please inform us before your visit.
In Sidmouth there is disabled parking, and full access to the building including a lift.
If you have a more specific questions about accessibility please get in touch.
You will receive a top quality of care whichever discipline your appointment is with. We will treat your visits with respect and courtesy. We encourage open communication and aim to exceed your expectations. All our clinicians are highly skilled in their particular field and our clinic maintains the highest levels of continuing professional development.
Appointment duration varies from discipline to discipline and you will be advised of the best option when you book.
If you are unsure please call for more information.
Absolutely. However, this may affect how quickly you can be seen, if your chosen staff member is fully booked when you wish to attend. We otherwise operate a policy whereby we offer the next available/convenient appointment.
Please refer to our team section to see the specialism’s of each clinician, or call us to discuss your requirements.
Yes you can. We will ask you when you book if you prefer a male or female member of staff. If you do not have a preference you will be booked in whichever available appointment time best suits you.
If you have a lower limb related problem you should bring shorts. If your problem is athletic/activity related e.g. running or playing a musical instrument, then you should bring any pertinent footwear or equipment. Ladies with an upper body related problem should bring a vest top for their comfort.
You will need to know any previous surgery or illnesses, along with any current medication. If you are using a private medical insurance policy to cover the costs of treatment please be sure to have the appropriate details with you on arrival.
The most important thing to bring with you is the attitude to partake in the process of your recovery and to interact with our therapist to make their role more effective!
For our clinicians to do an accurate assessment and gather all relevant information it is often beneficial to uncover the body part in question.
We assure you that all levels of decency will be observed at all times and we encourage you to bring a chaperone if you would feel more comfortable. If you have an upper limb or neck problem you will be required to uncover your top half whilst remaining decent. Ladies should wear underwear that they would be happy to be seen in or bring a vest top. We can supply a freshly laundered vest top if you should forget.
For a lower limb or low back problem we often require seeing most of the back and so we would ask you to uncover both your lower and upper back. For the lower half we would suggest that you bring shorts and for ladies a vest top as well. We can also supply freshly laundered shorts if needed. It is important to communicate your feelings if at any time you feel uncomfortable during the process. Our primary concern is your satisfaction with the experience.
There is a limited amount of street parking in Lower Summerlands which lasts for 2 hours. Please check the parking signs and road markings carefully before leaving your vehicle. Alternatively, the Triangle pay and display car park is directly opposite the clinic.
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We accept all major credit cards (except American Express), debit cards, cash and cheque. We are recognised by all major insurance companies, but please check your policy for conditions of use before your arrival.
This depends on whether your policy includes physiotherapy treatment. However, we are registered with all the major insurance companies. All you have to do is to confirm with your insurance company before attending and acquire a claim number and on your first visit bring your policy number and claim numbers with you and we look after the rest.
If you have any concerns please call us to discuss your situation.
We do operate a cancellation policy (see below) and so we try to assist you in remembering your appointment. We will send you a text, e-mail or telephone confirmation of your booking and reminder of your appointment two days before your due time. This way if you have a change of circumstances it will allow enough time to rearrange your time slot.
APPOINTMENT CANCELLATION POLICY
We strive to render excellent clinical care to you and the rest of our patients.
In an attempt to be consistent with this, we have an Appointment Cancellation Policy in operation that allows us to schedule appointments for all patients. When an appointment is scheduled, that time has been set aside for you and when it is missed, that time cannot be used to treat another patient who needs our services.
Our policy is as follows:
We request that you please give our clinic 24 hours notice in the event that you cannot attend your scheduled appointment slot. This allows another patient to be scheduled into that appointment slot time. If a patient misses an appointment without contacting the clinic, this is considered a missed appointment and a full standard fee will be charged. If a patient accumulates a total of 3 missed appointments, the patient may not be rescheduled for future appointments until this outstanding amount has been paid in full.
If you arrive late for your appointment, we will do our best to deliver your full appointment slot time but please bear in mind this may not be possible and your full appointment fee will stand.
This can only be established after your initial assessment. We will then be able to discuss your needs and organise a treatment plan. You can be assured that we only treat what is necessary when it is necessary.
Your first visit will involve assessment, treatment and probably homework! We will spend time getting to know your needs and diagnosing your problem where possible. This is done with an in-depth discussion, with you being required to answer specific and general questions about your presenting condition, occupation and lifestyle. All of which can have a significant yet sometimes obscure impact on your symptoms.
After the gathering of this information your clinician will then do a thorough objective assessment of your symptoms, which may include movement tests, gait analysis, or muscle power tests. At this point we will explain our findings and their significance. We will then begin treatment and formulate a plan for your recovery going forward.
At this point you will be given some “homework” and any future appointments required will be discussed and justified. Probably the most important part of your treatment success is your active participation as your actions can make a significant difference to your symptoms under our guidance.
Once your assessment is complete we will have a very good idea of what course of action we need to take.
The “homework” tends to evolve over the course of your recovery, aiming to progressively improve your function. This may involve improving flexibility of tight muscles and soft tissue, mobility of stiff joints, supporting or reducing unwanted movement at a particular body part, increasing “lazy” muscle function, decreasing overactive muscle function, improving control and proprioception, reducing inflammation and controlling pain. Sometimes you will need to modify your activities initially and then re-introduce the previously painful activity to progress to full function.
All of these issues can be improved with the appropriate exercises and management but will only be successful if you engage in the process. Your care will be documented so you will not forget it and you can take it away with you.