Service detail

We have several physiotherapists within the department who are fully qualified to deliver acupuncture as part of your treatment regime.

All physiotherapists will have completed a recognised post-graduate acupuncture qualification and will maintain a record of appropriate on-going training (continuing professional development) to ensure that their skills are kept up-to-date, safe and as effective as possible.   

Acupuncture may be offered as part of your treatment when your physiotherapist feels it will aid your recovery.  Due to the nature of the referrals that we receive from GPs and consultants we rarely offer acupuncture as a stand-alone treatment.

All patients being considered for acupuncture treatment will undergo a screening process to make sure there are no reasons why this form of treatment may not be appropriate for you.

Physiotherapy management following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery
The physiotherapy out-patient department has close links with the orthopaedic knee surgeons and in-patient therapy team at Lewisham Hospital to provide a smooth transition from your in-patient post-operative care following ACL surgery.

We organise an initial appointment usually within one week of your discharge from hospital to ensure you are progressing as expected in this important initial 2 week period.  We will make sure that your pain is well controlled and that you are on target with your early exercise programme. 

For on-going management we offer a weekly gym-based exercise class specifically for ACL patients, as well as periodic reviews to ensure that you are meeting your targets.  If for any reason you are unable to attend this class then we give you all the information you need to carry out your rehabilitation independently, with periodic review appointments. 

All aspects of our ACL rehabilitation delivery have recently been reviewed, resulting in the most up-to-date, evidence-based care possible.  The changes that were put into place won the Association of Orthopaedic Chartered Physiotherapists (AOCP) 'Service of the Year' national award.

The service is delivered by senior physiotherapists and therapy assistants experienced in the management of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation.  Our aim is for you to return to your pre-injury levels of activity and sport.

Referral is by consultant or physiotherapist.

We provide specialist rehabilitation for adults who have undergone major lower limb amputation. 
Most amputees in south-east London will undergo major amputation at St Thomas' Hospital. Once medically well,

Lewisham residents will be referred to our service, where we work in close partnership with the Bowley Close Rehabilitation Centre. The service works with clients to assess their needs, rehabilitate them into the community and help them achieve function, mobility and independence.

The service includes:

• Twice weekly individual rehabilitation sessions.
• Strengthening program
• Limb care
• Bed and wheelchair transfer practice
• Balance and coordination training
• Ambulation with assistive devices without a prosthesis
• Donning and doffing of the prosthesis
• Gait training

The service is also available for existing amputees who may be struggling to use their prosthesis and may benefit from a short period of rehabilitation to improve their function.

Who can refer?

GPs, Consultants and other allied healthcare professionals.

The aim of the Back Rehabilitation Programme is that participants learn more about what may cause their low back pain and how to manage and improve it.

The Back Rehabilitation Programme runs over 6 weeks. Participants attend a group session once a week either on either Monday morning or Friday afternoon for an hour and a half. Each session contains 30 minutes of education and an hour of supervised exercise in the gym.

We have had impressive results from the programme: 100% of patients report finding it helpful and have learnt strategies to manage their low back pain and 80% saying that their low back pain improved as a result of the programme. 

Referral to this class is by a Physiotherapist following an individual assessment.

Cardiac rehabilitation, or heart rehabilitation, is the process of getting people back to as full a life as possible after a cardiac or heart event.  

It is helpful for those who have had a heart attack, a coronary angioplasty, or surgery, such as a coronary artery bypass, a valve or heart transplant operation. 

Read more about cardiac rehab

We see a variety of patients: those who have had 2 or more falls in the last year, those with a fear of falling or those who feel off-balance.

We offer a detailed assessment and tailor treatment accordingly. We base our treatment on postural stability exercises and Otago exercises.

Patients can be seen on a one-to-one basis or within the Balance Group (Falls Group).

The Balance group runs once a week over a period of 12 weeks, during which time we work on strength, flexibility and balance. The classes also contain an educational component which improves awareness of causes and consequences of falls and what can be done to limit these.

We generally require all our patients to also complete home exercises to help them reach their full potential. We expect these exercises to be done during the period of time they are coming for treatment and to be continued on discharge.

Referral is by GP, consultant or physiotherapist

Hydrotherapy is a type of physiotherapy carried out in water. Hydrotherapy differs from swimming because it involves special exercises in a warm pool: the water temperature is usually 33-36ºC, which is warmer than a typical swimming pool.

It is especially beneficial to help with early rehabilitation from acute lower limb injuries and fractures, as movements and activities that aren't possible on dry land can be performed in the water.

The properties of the water temperature, pressure and buoyancy can help reduce weight-bearing stresses and reduce pain. Dynamic exercises within the water will begin to restore muscle strength, balance and co-ordination.

Referral to hydrotherapy is by a Physiotherapist following an individual assessment.

Following lower limb surgery or injury, it often takes a while to return to pre-injury function or sport.
After consultation and initial treatment from a Physiotherapist it may be agreed that an intensive 6 week exercise class, individually tailored to the specific injury, may be the best way to achieve this return to full function.

This class is designed is to provide advice, education and exercise regarding your particular injury and provide help and assistance in progressing your exercises to return to your pre-injury level of ability.

The class consists of a maximum 6 sessions for 1 hour.  They run once a week - Tuesday at either 3pm or 4:15pm or Friday at 8.30am. The class takes place in our fully equipped rehabilitation gymnasium within the outpatient department.

Referral to this class is by the treating Physiotherapist only.

Treatment options include:

• Tailored home exercise program
• Specific exercise classes
• Joint manipulation and mobilisation
• Hydrotherapy
• Taping
• Acupuncture

Physiotherapy helps people keep mobile and active, whatever their age or state of health, and to get people back to work after illness or injury.

Back Pain

Including joint pain and stiffness, disc related pain, sciatic pain, whiplash and referred leg and arm pain

Joint pains

Pain swelling and stiffness, injury and arthritis

Soft tissue injuries

Acute and chronic injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Including; Achilles problems, frozen shoulder, tennis elbows, knee and hip pain, repetitive strain injuries and postural problems.

A physiotherapy service for people with a neurological condition; e.g. stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, vestibular problems and any condition or injury affecting the brain or spinal cord, resulting in altered movement patterns.

We offer an assessment and treatment programme. Treatment may include exercise and stretches, gait and balance re-education, management of long-term disability, hydrotherapy or a circuit exercise group.

Initial assessment may take up to an hour; subsequent appointments are approximately 45 minutes to an hour, dependent on need.

We expect patients to take an active part in their treatment, and follow agreed exercise programmes independently.

The service is based at Lewisham Hospital in the neuro rehabilitation gym on the ground floor of the blue zone building.

Knee pain and stiffness are common, but can be disabling and have a significant impact on the ways people are able to lead day-to-day life.

As we get older our joints and the muscles and ligaments surrounding them become more susceptible to degeneration, often as a result of the stresses and strains they have withstood throughout our lifetime. Previous injuries may also mean our joints no longer function as well as they used to. The joints commonly affected are the hips, knees, lower back and hands; many people will experience symptoms in one or more of these areas as they age.

People who experience knee pain and stiffness (sometimes associated with swelling and redness) will often be told they have osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis of joints affects approximately 8 million people in the UK, and is becoming more common as we live longer.

Many people think osteoarthritis/joint pain is untreatable: this is not correct. Whilst getting rid of knee joint pain completely is not possible, there is a lot you can do to reduce pain and maximise your ability to do what you want.

ESCAPE (Enabling Self-Management & Coping And Pain through Exercise) is a well-researched programme to help patients learn to manage their knee osteoarthritis. It is supported by Arthritis Research UK and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

The aim of this class is to provide advice and education regarding knee arthritis and help you start the exercises designed to improve your movement and reduce your pain. You will be provided with guidance for self-management of your arthritis.

The class consists of 10 sessions.  They run twice a week - Monday at 2.30pm and Thursday at 2.30pm and it is important to attend every class.

Referral to this class is by a Physiotherapist following an individual assessment.

We provide a comprehensive outpatient service run by a team of specialist paediatric therapists.Children are seen from birth to 16 years of age for a wide range of conditions, including general musculoskeletal problems, gait education, post-fracture rehabilitation, hypermobility and developmental problems.

The paediatric team can offer appointments throughout the week, some being available before and after school. As well as offering a department-based service, therapists regularly attend the Cystic Fibrosis clinic and Paediatric Rheumatology clinic. In this environment, patients and families have instant access to a therapist, for regular reviews or for new patient referrals.

The same specialist paediatric physiotherapy team also covers the inpatient areas for paediatrics at UHL. This ensures smooth referral to Lewisham’s outpatient services and provides continuity of care to the children and their carers.

Referral is by GPs, Consultants and other allied healthcare professionals.

Our Women’s Health team provide an extremely specialised service, treating a wide variety of conditions including bladder dysfunction (urinary incontinence, overactive bladder), bowel dysfunction (incontinence, constipation), post-natal problems, pelvic pain and related sexual dysfunction and pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.

The team perform detailed examinations as required, alongside musculoskeletal assessment techniques.

They employ a variety of treatment options including advice, pelvic floor muscle exercises, general exercises, acupuncture, bladder and bowel retraining, use of rehabilitative equipment and electrical stimulation, as well as a pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain group education and exercise session.

GPs and consultants and other allied healthcare professionals can make referrals for this service.