Blog Archive

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First Contact Practitioner

Do you have a muscle, joint or bone problem?

From 4 April, when you request an appointment, you may be offered an appointment with a specialist physiotherapist called a first contract practitioner instead of a GP.

A First Contact Practitioner can:

  • Assess your concern
  • Start a treatment programme
  • Arrage tests
  • Refer to other services – both hospital and community
  • Provide a work advisory note if you need to be off work

Nationally 96% of patients recommend the service and only 5% choose to see a GP afterwards

Speak to the GP reception team for further information

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Sprains and Strains

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are common injuries affecting the muscles and ligaments. Most can be treated at home without seeing a GP.

Its likely to be a sprain or strain if:

  • you have pain, tenderness or weakness – often around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back
  • the injured area is swollen or bruised
  • you can’t put weight on the injury or use it normally

you have muscle spasms or cramping – where your muscles painfully tighten on their own

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Neck Pain / Stiff Neck

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Neck Pain / Stiff Neck

Neck pain or a stiff neck is a common problem that usually gets better after a few days or weeks. It’s rarely a sign of anything serious.

You can often get a painful or stiff neck if you:

  • sleep in an awkward position
  • use a computer for a prolonged period of time
  • strain a muscle because of bad posture
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Back pain

Back Pain

Back pain is very common and normally improves within a few weeks or months. 

In most cases the pain isn’t caused by anything serious and will usually get better over time.

There are things you can do to help relieve it. But sometimes the pain can last a long time or keep coming back.

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Whiplash

Whiplash

This video has been produced by the Sandbach GPs Physios.