Physiotherapy: How it works
The two things every visitor wants to know before booking
What actually happens at your first consultation, and how we think about treatment.
What to expect
How it works
Four principles that shape every session - whether you're recovering from surgery, managing chronic back pain, or returning to sport.
Inside the 60 minutes
Step 1
0-15 min
Conversation
Your history, your symptoms, and what you want to get back to, before any hands-on work.
Step 2
15-35 min
Hands-on assessment
Manual palpation and movement testing, supported by Kinvent technology where it gives objective data.
Step 3
35-50 min
Treatment & reasoning
Your first hands-on treatment, with the reasoning behind each technique explained as we go.
Step 4
50-60 min
Plan & next steps
A clear plan and realistic timeline, with any follow-up booked before you leave.
The nitty gritty
60 minutes
First consultation is fully assessment-led, plenty of time to talk before any hands-on work.
Comfortable clothing
Loose-fitting layers you can move in. Shorts or leggings work well for back work.
No referral needed
Book directly. If you have scans or notes, bring them, but it's not essential.
Insurance-ready
Bupa, AXA, Vitality & Cigna covered. We provide invoices and notes for your claim.
Our approach
Whole person, evidence based, partnership
Our philosophy is built on partnership. We don't treat pain as an isolated mechanical problem - we look at the whole person, your movement patterns, your lifestyle, and your history.
Every treatment plan is evidence-based and built specifically around you. We empower through knowledge, hands-on therapy, movement practice and lived experience - so you can take ownership of your health long after the treatment ends.
Step 1
Hands-on physiotherapy
Manual therapy, soft tissue work and joint mobilisation. The foundation of how we treat - addressing pain, easing tension and restoring movement
Step 2
Kinvent technology, where clinically appropriate
Pain is subjective. How your body actually moves and where it's compensating - that's measurable. When relevant, Kinvent gives us objective data on strength, balance and range of motion, so progress isn't just something you “feel.”
Step 3
Movement rehabilitation
Targeted exercise and movement coaching to strengthen the structures that support your spine and prevent back pain returning. Where it serves you, we draw on the wider SF Studios team - coaching, massage, strength work.
Step 4
Education and self-management
We share what we find. We share the reasoning. You leave each session understanding more about your body, not less - equipped to manage and prevent future episodes on your own terms.
After your first consultation
How a treatment plan gets built
Every plan goes through the same three stages - but the contents are entirely yours
Step 1
What we find
A 60-minute first consultation. We'll discuss your history, your symptoms, and what you want to be able to do again. Hands-on assessment plus, where clinically relevant, Kinvent technology to give us objective data.
Step 2
What you want
A personalised plan built around your body, your life, and your goals. Combining hands-on therapy, movement rehabilitation and, where it serves you, coaching, massage or strength work from the wider SF Studios team.
Step 3
Your plan
Follow-up sessions guided by measurable progress. We share the data, we share the reasoning. You'll have a clear understanding of your body and the tools to take care of it long after treatment ends.
Beyond physiotherapy
Where movement and wellness come in
Physiotherapy gets you out of pain, movement and wellness keep you there. When you're ready, the wider studio picks up where treatment ends.
MovementPhysio-led group classes
If you're getting flared up in classes or rebuilding from an injury, start with physio. Hands-on assessment first, then back into classes with a plan.
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WellnessThe 3-month wellness programme
For when the whole picture matters more than the injury. A 3-month programme bringing physiotherapy, movement, coaching and stress management together, developed by Suz from her own recovery journey.
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Where to find us
SF Studios · 5 Ella Mews© OpenStreetMap contributorsSF Studios • Hampstead, London
- Address
- 5 Ella Mews, London, NW3 2NH
- Call us
- 020 7284 1168
- Opening hours
- Mon–Fri · 07:00–20:00Sat · 08:00–14:00
- Nearest station
- Hampstead Heath Overground, 5 min walk
Ready to book?
Now you know what to expect and how we work. Book an initial assessment from £135, or try the Summer Reset for £189