Physiotherapy Injury Assessment in Northampton

A physiotherapy assessment is designed to build a clear understanding of both the symptoms you are experiencing and the factors contributing to them. It is often the most important stage of the physiotherapy process, as treatment decisions should be guided by careful clinical assessment rather than assumptions.

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Trying to compress this process into very short appointment slots can make it difficult to properly explore the problem. Assessment appointments at Chris Heywood Physio therefore last 60 minutes, allowing time for a thorough and considered evaluation.

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The process typically involves several stages.

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1. Discussion of Your Symptoms and History

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The appointment begins with a detailed discussion about your symptoms and injury history.

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This may include questions about:

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• when the problem started

• what activities aggravate or ease symptoms

• previous injuries or treatment

• work, sport, or lifestyle factors that may be relevant

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Understanding the background to the problem helps guide the physical examination and identify possible contributing factors.

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Information that may be helpful to bring

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If you have access to them, it can sometimes be helpful to bring any relevant letters from your GP or consultant, as well as reports from previous scans or investigations. Only the written reports are needed — the images themselves are not usually necessary.

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If you have access to your medical information through an NHS app or GP online service, having this available on your mobile device can also be useful. Free guest Wi-Fi is available at the clinic if you need to access these during the appointment.

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Some patients also find it helpful to note down a few key points in the days before the appointment, particularly if symptoms have been changing or if there are specific questions they would like to ask.

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Bringing someone with you

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You are also welcome to bring a partner, friend, or chaperone to the appointment if you feel it would be helpful. Some people find this useful as another person may remember details of the discussion or explanations given during the consultation.

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2. Physical Examination

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A physical examination is then carried out to assess how the body is moving and which structures may be contributing to the symptoms.

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As an example this may include examination of:

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• joint movement

• muscle strength

• flexibility and tissue tension

• functional movement patterns

• Neurological tests

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In some cases, movement analysis may be used to observe how the body behaves during activities such as walking, squatting, or running.

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The aim of the examination is to identify the most likely source of symptoms and any factors influencing recovery.

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As an advanced practitioner physiotherapist with more than 25 years of clinical experience, I may undertake a number of clinical tests depending on how the problem presents. These tests help gather the information needed to form a working clinical diagnosis, which then guides appropriate treatment recommendations or management advice.

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Comfort, dignity and chaperones

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During physiotherapy assessment it may sometimes be necessary to examine areas of the body that people may consider private or sensitive. Maintaining comfort, dignity and professionalism during the examination is therefore very important.

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Please consider wearing clothing that allows the relevant area to be examined appropriately (see the section below on what to wear).

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As a male physiotherapist, and to ensure the examination can be carried out properly and professionally, patients are encouraged to bring a partner, friend, or chaperone if the area being assessed may feel sensitive or if they would simply feel more comfortable doing so.

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Please note that the clinic does not provide chaperones. If a chaperone is required but one has not been arranged in advance, it may not be possible to carry out the more sensitive parts of the examination during that appointment.

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Every effort will be made to complete as much of the assessment as possible, but if parts of the examination cannot be undertaken for this reason the appointment will still be considered to have taken place. Patients are therefore encouraged to consider this when preparing for their visit.

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After more than 25 years in clinical practice my aim is always to ensure that all patients feel comfortable, respected and safe throughout the examination process, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries for both patient and clinician.

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3. Explanation of the Findings

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Once the assessment has been completed, time is taken to explain what the findings suggest.

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This discussion may include:

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• which structures appear to be involved

• why the symptoms may have developed

• factors that may be slowing recovery

• what the most appropriate next steps are

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Understanding the problem is an important part of physiotherapy. Patients are encouraged to ask questions so they leave the appointment with a clear explanation of what is happening and what can be done about it.

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Where helpful, I will often use 3D anatomy software available in the clinic to demonstrate the relevant anatomy and structures involved. Most people understandably find it difficult to visualise these things in the same way that healthcare professionals do, and seeing the anatomy can often make the explanation much clearer.

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I am also well known for using relatable examples and anecdotes to help explain what can sometimes be complex medical processes. These comparisons are often drawn from everyday life, work activities, or sport so that the explanation makes practical sense in your own context.

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This aspect of patient education is often overlooked, yet it is extremely important. If you do not fully understand the working diagnosis or differential diagnosis, and why the problem may be occurring, it becomes very difficult to make informed decisions about the next steps in recovery — particularly when much of the healing process actually occurs outside the clinic environment.

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Once you have a clear understanding of the findings, we will discuss the most appropriate treatment recommendations and management options, where appropriate. If the assessment suggests that further investigation may be indicated, this will also be explained.

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In situations where further investigation is needed, I will usually correspond with your GP or referring consultant to help ensure the process moves forward as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

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In my view, this is what private healthcare should provide — speed, expertise, honesty and efficiency. Otherwise, there would be little reason to choose it when NHS services are available.

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Only once you feel comfortable with the explanation and understand the available options will any treatment plan be agreed. You are accessing my knowledge and clinical experience, but it is your body, and ultimately the decisions about how to proceed should always be yours.

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4. What Happens Next

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Once the assessment and explanation have been completed, the most appropriate next steps are discussed.

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In many cases this may involve beginning physiotherapy treatment or rehabilitation during the same appointment, allowing time to start addressing the problem straight away.

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Further information about treatment approaches used in the clinic can be found on the Physiotherapy Treatment page.

 

In some situations, however, the assessment may indicate that immediate treatment is not appropriate. If this is the case, the reasons will be explained and the most suitable next steps discussed.

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Depending on the findings, this may involve allowing symptoms to settle, modifying activity or training loads, or considering whether further medical investigation may be appropriate. Where necessary, I may also correspond with your GP or referring consultant to help ensure the process moves forward smoothly.

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