Musculoskeletal conditions
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions affect many people and can affect your joints, bone and muscles. Sometimes, they also affect associated tissues, such as your nerves.
MSK conditions can range from minor injuries to long-term conditions. Over 20 million people – almost one third of the population – have an MSK condition such as arthritis or back pain, and MSK conditions account for approximately 30% of all GP appointments in England. MSK symptoms can include pain, stiffness and limited movement. These symptoms can affect quality of life and independence.
How to access physiotherapy support
Most residents of Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire can now access an musculoskeletal First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) at their GP surgery without waiting to be referred by their GP. First Contact Physiotherapists in GP surgeries can help people with musculoskeletal issues such as back, neck and joint pain by:
- assessing and diagnosing issues
- giving expert advice on how best to manage conditions
- referring on to specialist services if necessary
Your GP receptionist will be able to tell you whether your practice has a First Contact Physiotherapist and how to make an appointment.
In addition, a wealth of resources has been created by Physiotherapists across Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to help people manage common MSK conditions, such as low back and neck pain.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Community pain service
Pain is complex and sometimes it continues for months and possibly years. Sometimes medications and surgeries do not successfully reduce pain. Sometimes we must learn strategies to live well with pain and this is where the community pain service can be useful. It takes a holistic (meaning whole person) view of the pain problem and then can work with you to improve your physical function, your sleep quality, how you manage stress and mood, and help overall quality of life.
The Honest Physiotherapy Pain Management Guidebook is a very good read on the approach we take – Pain Management Guidebook
Your GP or orthopaedic interface service can refer you to the community pain service.