About Us
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy involves the assessment and treatment of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, joints, nerves and other structures in order to:
- Improve strength and movement
- Help you to do normal activities and functions
- Help you to manage your condition and prevent recurrence
- Provide long term self-management options.
If you are 16 year old or over and live in Scotland, you do not need to see your GP first to receive physiotherapy advice and/or assessment.
How to access an MSK Physiotherapist
Within NHS Borders there are currently a number of ways to access MSK Physio:
- You can gain advice about your symptoms on the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints
- Our telephone triage service for standard MSK conditions such as back pain, muscle or joint problems is currently suspended due to Covid 19. However, we have temporarily reinstated our Self Referral form which you can print off and post to the MSK Coordinator address below or into your local health centre post box for forwarding to the same address:
MSK Physiotherapy Co-ordinator, Physiotherapy Reception, Ground Floor, Borders General Hospital, Melrose, TD6 9BS.
- If you are unable to print off the form at home, you can request a copy is sent out to you by calling your GP Practice or contacting the MSK Co-ordinator on 01896 827427.
- In all areas of the Borders, GP practices have First Contact Physiotherapists. This means you can go directly to them for assessment and the expert advice and exercises you need to help you manage your problem. They can also refer you to specialist services if necessary. Please contact your GP Practice for further information
- You can ask your GP to refer you to physiotherapy
- Or use the NHS Borders MSK Physiotherapy site for advice and exercises on certain conditions.
- Please be aware that waiting times do vary dependent on the level of demand for this service. Whilst we try to offer an appointment as close as possible to your nearest physiotherapy department, you may be offered an appointment at another location. This will help you receive the earliest available appointment that is most appropriate for your condition and helps us greatly manage waiting times for this service.
Information and Advice
Physiotherapy outpatients' staff have researched the evidence for exercise programmes and patient information leaflets to benefit our patients.
It is sometimes worth consulting with your Doctor or Physiotherapist to find out which of the leaflets/links is appropriate for you. It is possible that with some conditions, certain exercises can make you feel worse.
