Clinic Fees
Fees, Insurance and Payment
The fees listed on this page are the same whether you are self-funding, claiming back through private medical insurance, or using an insurer that agrees to fund treatment with me directly. My fees are based on the time, experience and level of clinical responsibility involved in the appointment, not on who happens to be paying for it.
I no longer work with some of the larger insurance companies, including AXA, Bupa,Aviva and Nuffield because I do not agree with reimbursement models that pay the same regardless of a clinician’s experience, qualifications or level of responsibility. In simple terms, I do not believe a highly experienced advanced practitioner of 25 years, delivering 60-minute appointments should be valued in the same way as a far more junior clinician working under a very different level of responsibility or delivering 20-30 minute appointments to maximise profits. But believe it or not that is the state of private care currently.
Unfortunately, although I would be perfectly happy to charge a different rate purely for insurance reimbursement purposes, insurance companies do not allow this.
I do still work happily with WPA, First Health (Mercedes), and some higher-value or more complex insurance claims providers, to name a few. In addition, some insurers will allow out-of-contract access depending on the details of your individual policy, so the best thing to do is simply ask them directly.
That does not mean insured patients cannot see me. It means you must check with your insurer in advance to confirm whether I am recognised by them, whether your policy covers my fees, how many sessions are authorised, and whether there is any shortfall you would remain responsible for.
If your insurer does not cover my full fee, any difference remains payable by you.
All standard clinic appointments are 60 minutes long unless otherwise stated. That reflects the time needed for proper assessment, explanation, treatment and rehabilitation planning, rather than trying to rush everything into a shorter appointment that normally just results in more of them.
Fees
Physiotherapy Fees
Physiotherapy Assessment
60 minutes — £100
Follow-Up Physiotherapy Session
60 minutes — £100
These appointments are suitable for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation planning and ongoing review. More information about a what is included can be found on the physiotherapy assessment and physiotherapy service pages.
Shockwave Therapy Fees
Shockwave Therapy Session
60 minutes — £100 - up to 2 separate areas in one sitting
Shockwave therapy is provided where clinically appropriate and is normally used as part of a wider rehabilitation plan rather than as a stand-alone treatment. You MUST have a physiotherapy assessment BEFORE any shockwave therapy can be carried out. The reasons for this can be found on the shockwave service page and further information about how shockwave therapy actually works can be found in the General Conditions & Bits Hub.
Sports Massage Fees
Clinical Sports Massage
60 minutes — £100
Sports massage appointments are suitable for soft tissue treatment where this is clinically appropriate and relevant to the wider problem. You can read more about the clinical sports massage on the dedicated page.
Aquatic Therapy Fees
Aquatic therapy cannot be booked as a stand-alone starting point.
A full physiotherapy assessment (see top of list) is required first so that I can decide whether aquatic therapy is genuinely the best clinical option for your individual presentation. Please read the Aquatic Therapy service page if you have not already done so, to more about this amazing approach.
If aquatic therapy is appropriate the fees are:
Aquatic Therapy Session - 1:1 with me and completely private pool hire for you.
60 minutes — £150
Home Visit Fees
Home visits are charged at:
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a set home visit fee
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plus an additional mileage charge depending on location and ease of access. Because travel demands vary, the additional charge is quoted individually based on the details of each enquiry and can be obtained by submitting and contact form initially.
Physiotherapy Home Visit
60 minutes — £200 + additional fee (see above)
Important Information
Please note the following:
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all fees are payable in full at the time required by the clinic booking terms
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short-notice cancellations or missed appointments WILL be charged in line with the clinic cancellation policy (full with less than 24 hours notice)
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aquatic therapy requires prior assessment before it would ever be considered
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home visits are offered selectively and must be clinically appropriate
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if a home visit is requested based on a misrepresentation of the circumstances, I reserve the right to refuse to carry out that session, and the full appointment fee together with any additional home visit charges will remain payable in full
How to Book
Most appointments can be arranged through the online booking system.
If you are unsure which service is most appropriate, or if you need to ask about aquatic therapy or a home visit, please use the contact form with whatever information you feel comfortable sharing, and I will do my best to guide you accordingly.
Further contact information can be found in the page footer.
Chris Heywood Physio Fees FAQ's
1) Are your fees the same for self-paying and insured patients?
Yes. The fees listed are the same whether you are paying for treatment yourself, claiming back through insurance, or using an insurer that agrees to fund sessions directly.
My fees are based on the time, experience and clinical responsibility involved in the appointment, not on who happens to be paying for it.
2) Do you work with private medical insurance?
Yes, in some cases.
I still work with providers such as WPA, First Health (Mercedes), and some higher-value or more complex insurance claims companies, to name a few. Some insurers may also allow out-of-contract access depending on the details of your policy.
The best approach is to ask your insurer directly before booking.
Why do you no longer work with some of the larger insurance companies?
I no longer work with some of the larger insurers because I do not agree with reimbursement models that fail to reflect differences in clinical experience, qualifications, appointment length and level of responsibility.
Unfortunately, although I would be quite happy to bill differently purely for insurance reimbursement purposes, insurance companies do not allow this.
4) Can I still see you if I am insured but you are not directly recognised by my insurer?
Sometimes, yes.
Some policies allow out-of-contract access, which means you may still be able to see me and either claim back some or all of the cost, depending on your cover.
This is something you need to check with your insurer in advance. If not, you are alway welcome as a delf payer but I appreciate this is not achievable by all.
5) What do I need to ask my insurer before booking?
Before booking, you should check:
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whether I am recognised by your insurer
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whether your policy covers my fees
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how many sessions are authorised
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whether pre-authorisation is needed
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whether there will be any shortfall for you to pay
If your insurer does not cover my full fee, any difference remains payable by you.
6) Are all clinic appointments the same length?
All standard clinic appointments are 60 minutes long unless otherwise stated.
That includes the time needed for proper assessment, explanation, treatment and rehabilitation planning, rather than trying to squeeze everything into a shorter slot.
7) Why are home visits and aquatic therapy charged differently?
These services involve additional cost and logistics beyond a standard clinic appointment.
Home visits include travel, off-site setup, and transport of equipment, so they are charged at the standard appointment fee plus a set home visit fee and an additional mileage charge.
Aquatic therapy involves off-site delivery and pool-related costs, so it can only be considered after a full physiotherapy assessment and any extra charges are explained at that stage.
8) What should I do if I am not sure which service I need?
If you are unsure which service is most appropriate, the best starting point is usually a physiotherapy assessment.
If you are still uncertain, or if your enquiry relates to aquatic therapy, home visits, or insurance questions, you can use the contact form with whatever information you feel comfortable sharing and I will do my best to guide you accordingly.
Why Should You Choose Chris Heywood Physio
Choosing the right physiotherapist can make a significant difference when dealing with pain, injury, or persistent movement problems. The most important thing when seeking help is finding a practitioner you trust—someone who is honest, responsible, and clear about your diagnosis, the treatment you really need, and whether any follow-up appointments are necessary.
I’m not here to poach you from another therapist, but if you’re looking for a new physiotherapist in Northamptonshire or simply want a second opinion, here’s why many people choose to work with me (read my reviews):
Over 25 years of experience & proven expertise
With 25+ years of hands-on physiotherapy experience, I’ve built a trusted reputation for clinical excellence and evidence-based care. My approach combines proven techniques with the latest research, so you can feel confident you’re in safe, skilled hands.
Longer appointments for better results
No two people—or injuries—are the same. That’s why I offer 60-minute one-to-one sessions, giving us time to:
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Thoroughly assess your condition
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Provide focused, effective treatment
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Explain what’s really going on in a clear, simple way
Your treatment plan is tailored specifically to you, aiming for long-term results, not just temporary relief.
Honest advice & support you can trust
I will always tell you what is best for you — even if that means you need fewer sessions, not more. My goal is your recovery and long-term wellbeing, not keeping you coming back unnecessarily.
Because I operate an independent practice with low overheads, I do not work to preset business targets based on a number of sessions per patient. Treatment recommendations are based on clinical need only, not on maximising appointments.
If you are interested in this topic, you can read more in my article “Do You Really Need Weekly Private Physiotherapy Sessions?”
Helping you take control of your recovery
I believe the best outcomes happen when you understand your body. I’ll explain your condition clearly, give you practical tools for self-management, and step in with expert hands-on treatment when it’s genuinely needed.
Independent clinical care
Chris Heywood Physio operates as an independent physiotherapy practice rather than a high-volume clinic model.
This allows treatment decisions to focus entirely on what is most appropriate for the patient.
The aim is always to understand the problem properly and provide clear, effective physiotherapy that helps you return to normal activity as quickly and safely as possible.
Contact Me
Alongside private practice, I also work on Mondays and Tuesdays as an advanced physiotherapist in a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) in Musculoskeletal Primary Care within the NHS, assessing, diagnosing, and triaging patients without the need for a GP appointment.
The easiest way to see my private physiotherapy appointment availability in real time, and book, is to visit the book an appointment page. If you need to make contact directly for questions and queries you are very welcome to call, but when I am in clinic my phone is always on silent so I can give my full attention to the patient I am seeing at the time. For this reason, it is usually quicker to reach me via the contact form, email or WhatsApp, where I can often read and respond in gaps.
Whichever way you get in touch, I will respond as soon as possible — and during the working week that is almost always the same day.