Physiotherapy – Rheumatology Outpatients - Salford Royal, Salford Community

Physiotherapists are physical activity specialists, working with you to enable you to manage your symptoms, condition or recovery from injury.

The Rheumatology Physiotherapy service consists of a specialist team of clinicians who work with people who are living with both inflammatory and non-inflammatory Rheumatological conditions.

Our service specialises in providing expert advice and self management techniques in order to manage pain, stiffness, fatigue and sleep. Alongside providing personalised exercise programmes which are tailored to the needs of each individual patient. Additionally, we can broaden your understanding of your condition by providing links to helpful online resources and answer any questions that you may have.

Our service is based at Salford Royal Hospital.

The Rheumatology Physiotherapy service supports people with a wide range of conditions and symptoms. These can typically include:

Inflammatory Arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Fibromyalgia
Hypermobility
Osteoporosis
Myositis
Scleroderma
Lupus
PMR

Our Physiotherapists will ensure that you receive the most up-to-date and effective evidence-based management plan for your problem. Physiotherapists carry out an assessment and examination of your problem, and they will then discuss and agree a treatment / management plan with you. Rheumatology Physiotherapy takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care. This might include:

Information, advice and education
A rehabilitation and/or self-care programme agreed with you, that you are responsible for. This may include wider health and lifestyle aspects such as smoking, alcohol intake and general levels of physical activity.
Condition specific exercises and/or exercise classes
Pacing advice
Fatigue management
Informative group sessions
Pain management advice
Hydrotherapy
Referral onto other specialist services

Some Physiotherapists in our team are also qualified to administer steroid injections.

The Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (MSK CATS)

This is a ‘one-stop shop’ where problems are assessed, diagnosed and treated, where possible, in one appointment using a patient centred approach.

You will be seen by a qualified Physiotherapist, and usually by the same Physiotherapist each time you have an appointment. However, we are a teaching organisation with strong links to Salford University and Manchester Metropolitan University, and we regularly have students working alongside us for their clinical training placements. You should always be asked if you are happy to be treated by a student, who will be under close supervision of a senior Physiotherapist.

We now offer face-to-face, telephone and video appointments. Your appointment will last approximately 30 minutes.

Face to Face: Please wear loose comfortable clothing. If you have a leg or back problem, please bring a pair of shorts or a loose-fitting skirt. The Physiotherapist may ask you to undress to your underwear in order to examine you.

Telephone: Please ensure you are available at the allocated appointment time and in an environment where you are comfortable to discuss your condition with a Physiotherapist. The caller ID may appear as either 0161 780 7373 or withheld number on your telephone. Please ensure you can move around as the Physiotherapist may ask you complete a movement / activity / exercise.

Video: We are now able to provide video consultations for patients. Please ensure you are available at the allocated appointment time and in an environment where you are comfortable to discuss your condition with a Physiotherapist. In order to undergo a video consultation, you will need the following:

a private and well-lit area where you won’t be disturbed during the consultation
a good connection to the internet / WIFI signal
an android or iOS device