News & Advice

At Physiofusion, based in Burnley, Padiham, and across Lancashire, we regularly get asked “what’s the difference between private physiotherapy vs NHS physiotherapy?” What they often don’t realise is that private physiotherapy offers not just quicker access to a diagnosis, but an entirely different type of care than the treatments normally supplied in NHS services.

This is not through the NHS’ want of trying to see you sooner or supply the treatment you want and need, but inevitable logistical challenges that the NHS face that private clinics can manage their way around to be able to supply fast, effective treatment. It gets you the 100% result that mother nature doesn’t seem to be able to achieve on her own.

Here’s what sets us apart, and why choosing private physiotherapy can make all the difference to your recovery.

Private Physiotherapy vs NHS Physiotherapy: Access and waiting times

NHS physiotherapy: NHS services are under huge demand. We feel for them! To get NHS physiotherapy you will commonly have to see or speak to your GP to gain the referral, adding in a ‘hoop to jump through’.

Waiting lists for physiotherapy can stretch for weeks, sometimes months. You may have an initial phone assessment before being offered a face-to-face appointment. Treatment sessions are often very limited (due to a number of reasons) and specialist physiotherapy input for more complex injuries can be limited too.

The primary treatment type is exercise therapy and advice.

Private physiotherapy: At Physiofusion, we can often offer same-week appointments across our Burnley and Padiham clinics more often than not. That means your recovery starts immediately instead of enduring the wait for GPs, and physiotherapy referral waiting list that follows. The sooner you start your recovery, the sooner you get back to your best, but also, the less time you have the injury to prevent chronic problems arising before you even start treatment!

You have the ability to choose your appointment time, therapist and location, making it easier to fit treatment around your life. Fast access to care means quicker diagnosis, earlier pain relief, and a shorter road back to full movement. The number of treatments you can have is not limited and almost all treatments are on a weekly basis.

The primary treatment types are hands on therapy, exercise and advice rehab to match the hands on therapy and other options like strapping/taping, laser and ultrasound, acupuncture and more.

Private Physiotherapy vs NHS Physiotherapy: The type of treatment you’ll receive

NHS physiotherapy: NHS physiotherapists do fantastic work, but they’re limited by time and resources. Appointments tend to be shorter than those in private medicine, and manual therapy (hands-on treatment like muscle release, joint mobilisation or acupuncture for instance) are often not available.

Instead, most patients are issued home exercises. While this can help, it often leaves people feeling unsure if they’re doing them correctly, or frustrated when symptoms don’t improve. With injuries, you want to feel like you’re doing the right thing, at the right time, all the time.

Private physiotherapy:
Private clinics, such as ourselves, take a more hands-on, one-to-one approach. Our sessions include manual therapy, guided movement rehabilitation, and expert advice tailored to your specific injury and lifestyle.

The exercises we issue are tailored, often “video’d” to act as a personal reminder for your exercises, with voice-over of YOUR tips to do them well (you will have your own individual mechanical faults we are trying to correct). We stay with you throughout your recovery, adapting your plan as your body responds. It’s a connected, supported experience designed to get results. We’re also on hand at any point if you need some quick advice or are unsure about an issue you may have. Our door is always open. 

Private Physiotherapy vs NHS Physiotherapy: Continuity and personal support

NHS physiotherapy: You may not always see the same physiotherapist from one appointment to the next. With large caseloads, follow-ups are commonly 4-6 weeks apart, and progress reviews are limited.

Private physiotherapy: At Physiofusion, you’ll work with the same physiotherapist throughout your treatment, only adding in extra therapists when you would benefit from expert care for a specific reason. This continuity allows us to build a clear picture of your progress and adjust your treatment plan at every stage.

We take the time to understand you, your job, lifestyle, hobbies and long-term goals. This way, your recovery fits around what matters most to you.

Value, outcomes, and real results

It’s easy to think of NHS physiotherapy as “free” and private care as an expense, but what’s the real cost of waiting?

Delaying treatment can lead to stiffness, weakness, and more pain over time. With private physiotherapy, you start sooner, recover faster, and get back to doing what you love. You prevent chronic weakness, time affected structural changes and if you are self employed restarting earning!

At Physiofusion, we also work closely with local GPs, private partners and alternative services. So, if you ever need further investigations, like an MRI scan, need injections, acupuncture would benefit you, or podiatry could solve the cause, we can arrange it quickly without long waits or multiple (sometimes costly) referrals.

If you have any questions or queries about an issue you’re facing currently, you can use our FREE Ask A Physio service, here, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.