People with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions often experience aches, pains and a lack of mobility in their muscles and joints.
We want to prevent as many people as possible from developing MSK conditions through promoting healthy lifestyles such as a healthy eating and regular physical activity. You can find out more about healthy lifestyles in the prevention section here.
If you are experiencing aches and pains that are having an impact on your life, there are lots of things you can do to self-manage your condition at home. Take a look at the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHFT) or Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) websites for lots of advice.
If you need additional help, because self-management isn’t making things better, you can self-refer for physiotherapy. If you live in Gloucester or Cheltenham, you can refer yourself to physiotherapists managed by GHFT. If you live in any other part of the county (Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, Stroud or Tewkesbury) then you can refer yourself to physiotherapists managed by GHC. The physiotherapist will be able to examine you and give you advice and support to manage your condition. They are also able to refer to other MSK specialists if needed.
To refer a child for physiotherapy, contact the children’s physiotherapy direct team here.
If things are getting worse, or you have symptoms you are worried about, your GP will also be able to give you advice and support. They may decide to refer you to MSK specialists such as the Musculoskeletal Advanced Practitioner Service, or the Rheumatology Service who are specialists in joint, muscle and bone problems.