Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (MSK): Epping

The MSK Physiotherapy team provide expert assessment, treatment, advice and support to help with a variety of issues involving the musculoskeletal system.

The aims of treatment are to help you manage symptoms, restore range of movement, strength and function so that you can remain active, return to work, participate in your hobbies and improve your quality of life.

The Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy service offers expert assessment, advice, and treatment, for musculoskeletal problems and pathology. Musculoskeletal pathology affects bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and cartilage. These can include conditions affecting the neck, back, knee and shoulder, as well as other joints or muscles. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, numbness and weakness and can occur as a result of strains, arthritis, following an injury or after an operation.

The service is provided for people living in Harlow, Epping, Loughton, Bishop’s Stortford, Dunmow, Saffron Walden and surrounding areas.

The MSK Physiotherapy Service has three facets. These include:

First Contact Practitioners (FCPs)

FCPs are based in GP surgeries within West Essex and enable patients to have quick access to an MSK assessment, diagnostic tests, advice and treatment. FCPs are able to refer patients onto other services such as Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioners and Physiotherapy.

Appointments are arranged through your GP surgery.

MSK Physiotherapy

The MSK Physiotherapy team provide assessment, treatment, advice, supervised exercise and rehabilitation classes to help with a variety of issues involving the musculoskeletal system. The aims of treatment are to help manage symptoms, restore range of movement, strength and functional ability. This will enable you to remain active, return to work, to participate in your hobbies and to improve your quality of life.

The MSK Physiotherapy departments are based in West Essex at,
St. Margaret’s Hospital, Epping
Addison House, Harlow
Rectory Lane Health Centre, Loughton
Saffron Walden Community Hospital
Herts and Essex Hospital, Bishop’s Stortford

Referrals can be made by GPs, FCPs, Consultants and patients can self-refer to this service.

Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioners (APPs)

In this specialist MSK service you will been seen by expert physiotherapists (APPs) with extensive knowledge of both spinal and peripheral (upper limb and lower limb) conditions. Patients are referred to this service for specialist examination and treatments.

APPs are able to diagnose MSK pathology using physical examination, diagnostic imaging and blood tests. They are able to provide peripheral joint and soft tissue injections. Please note that spinal injections are not performed in these clinics. APPs can select patients who will benefit from surgical management for both spinal and peripheral pathology and make referrals to orthopaedic services when required.

APP clinics are held at,
St. Margaret’s Hospital, Epping
Saffron Walden Community Hospital
Herts and Essex Hospital, Bishop’s Stortford

Referral to this service must come from a GP, FCP or a Physiotherapist. We do not accept self-referrals for this service.

Self-Management Information:

If you require information regarding your MSK problem please refer to our extensive list of patient information leaflets on this webpage. The information leaflets will provide you with some self-management strategies.

Initial Assessment and Advice:

Please contact your GP surgery for an appointment with the FCP, who can conduct an initial assessment, request diagnostics, provide advice and exercises and refer you to appropriate services.

Assessment and Rehabilitation:

Patients who are 18 years old and over and who have a GP situated in West Essex or East & North Herts can refer themselves to this service.  This area includes most of Harlow, Epping, Loughton, Dunmow, Bishop’s Stortford, Saffron Walden and surrounding areas.

The easiest way to self-refer is to complete a Physiotherapy Self Referral Form. Once you have completed the form you can send it as an e-mail attachment or print and post as directed on the form. You can also telephone us on 0344 257 3965 if you require help with the form. Please note that we do not offer appointments over the phone.

When completing the self-referral form only mark one joint for assessment, otherwise your referral may be rejected. If you have multiple joint problems we suggest you contact your GP surgery for an FCP assessment, as you may require diagnostic investigation prior to beginning physiotherapy.

The self-referral form must be completed using a laptop or computer. The form is not compatible with phones or tablets. If you complete the form using a Mac computer, please save it as a PDF document. If you have any problems with this, please contact 0344 257 3965 for advice.

It is important you do not self-refer if you have any of the following:

• pregnancy
• unexplained weight loss
• unexplained bladder or bowel symptoms
• a previous diagnosis of cancer
• fever or night sweats
• unsteadiness on your feet
• pins and needles or numbness in both arms and legs.
• multiple joint problems
• following recent surgery as we will require a letter from your consultant.

If you have any of these conditions or symptoms it is important you speak to your GP first.

We do not treat neurological conditions such as Stroke, Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis and respiratory conditions. We do not provide home visits. This is provided via our Community Physiotherapy service which your GP will need to refer you to.

Referrals will be assessed by the physiotherapy team to ensure we have all the information we need. If there isn't enough information the referral may be rejected.

You will be offered one of the following depending on your symptoms

• 1:1 appointment with a physiotherapist
• Education workshop and exercise advice by an experienced physiotherapist
• Supervised exercise either 1:1 or classes

You will be contacted by the service when you get to the top of the waiting list to arrange an appointment.