Welcome to the Musculoskeletal / Physiotherapy Service. We strive to deliver the highest quality care to patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
Musculoskeletal / Physiotherapy is part of an integrated model for managing musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, rheumatology and pain services. To view the web-pages for the Pain Service and Rheumatology Service please click on the links below:
- Pain Service
- Rheumatology Service
COVID-19 our commitment to your safety
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We have a duty of care to make sure our patients and colleagues are safe and supported.
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For the safety of everyone, we offer telephone, video and face to face appointments. Please discuss your preferences with your clinician.
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These are unprecedented times, but we would like to reassure you that we are, at all points, following the relevant government and NHS guidance as it develops and we would like to say thank you to everyone for their patience and understanding.
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If you are a current patient and have any questions or queries please contact us Tel: 01254 735450 or Email: elmsk@nhs.net
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If you are not a current patient and require advice or help for a musculoskeletal / physiotherapy problem affecting your muscles, bones and joints please contact your own GP Practice.
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There are some useful patient information leaflets and videos below in the blue banner boxes.
- Attending Appointments during COVID-19 - Please click on the link to read the latest updates and information from the East Lancashire NHS Hospital Trust around attending appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Steroid Injections / COVID vaccinations - Patient Information Leaflet. Please click on the link. If you are due to have a covid vaccination injection this must take priority over injections booked with our service. You are advised not to have a steroid injection 2 weeks before or after the first or second covid vaccination.
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(updated July 2021)
Musculoskeletal (Physiotherapy) - What we do?
Musculoskeletal (MSK) is a term meaning 'muscles' and the 'skeleton'.
Musculoskeletal problems may relate to a variety of symptoms or conditions arising from muscles, bones, joints, nerves, tendons or ligaments. Common conditions treated are neck and back pain, osteoarthritis and sports injuries.
We provide expert care, support and advice to patients, carer’s and healthcare professionals in primary and secondary care settings, and other outside agencies.
The Musculoskeletal / Physiotherapy multidisciplinary team includes Consultant Physiotherapist & Clinical Lead, Specialist Doctors, Specialist Physiotherapists, Specialist Podiatrists, Physiotherapists and Health Care Assistants. For more information read the section 'The Team'
On this web site you will find information about some of our first line management / self-help guides - patient information and exercise leaflets and options for a variety of conditions, including video clips of exercises and helpful links to external websites.
We welcome any feedback, comments or suggestions please email: elmsk@nhs.net
Opening times
Our core hours are 8.30am - 4pm Monday to Friday. We are closed weekends, bank and public holidays
The below sections could be of interest to patients and to GPs / Health Professional
Patient Information - Leaflets - Self Help Guides - 1st line management
This section contains patient information and exercise leaflets for the first line management of common conditions affecting the lower limb, upper limb and spine.
Click on any of the words/links (in blue) to view the information and exercise leaflets.
Additional patient information - for example Islam and exercise
For GPs / Health Professionals click here for a printable one page information sheet which informs on how to find the Self Help Guides / Patient Information Leaflets on our website and a list of which leaflets are available on-line.
Spinal Leaflets - this includes neck, upper back, lower back (with or without associated limb pain)
1 - Back Pain (with or without leg pain)
2 - Back Pain - General mobility exercises
To view the recent NICE (National Institute of Health Care Excellence) Nov 2016 - NG59 Guidance on Low Back Pain and BMJ (British Medical Journal) info graphic click here
Upper Limb Leaflets - this includes the shoulder (Leaflets for elbow, hand and wrist will be available soon)
4- Contracted (Frozen) Shoulder
5- Osteoarthritis (inflammation) of the Shoulder
6 - Shoulder Impingement (Pinching) Syndrome
Lower Limb Leaflets - this includes hip, groin, knee, foot and ankle
10 - Plantar Fascitis (sole of foot heel pain)
11 - Knee Pain (not caused by injury or accident)
Patient - Exercise Videos
We have a whole series of exercise videos that can help you with various musculoskeletal problems.
Disclaimer / Copyright:
"These videos are professionally created and the property of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and should not be used or copied without Connect2Physio’s permission. These exercises should not be used without prior consultation with a medical professional as the use of the wrong exercise may cause additional health related issues and discomfort."
Patient - Useful links and information
10 facts everyone should know about back pain: Based on the editorial infographic publised in the Bristish Journal of Sports Medicine. 10 Back Pain facts link
STarT BACK is an online back pain calculator: The STarT Back approach uses a simple tool to match patients to treatment packages appropriate for them: STarTBack online calculator
StarTBack approach is free to use for non-commercial use and in particular for the NHS user so you are very welcome to use it. Copyright (©2020) University of Keele. No license is required for non-commercial use. Acknowledgement: The STarT Back Approach research was part-funded by Arthritis Research UK (now Versus Arthritis).
Orcha: If you have a smartphone or tablet - ORCHA is the World’s leading health app evaluation and advisor organisation. The apps are all tested and rated with clear information if they are free or paid for. www.orcha.co.uk
Versus Arthritis: is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting people with arthritis. www.versusarthritis.org
NHS website: Your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.www.nhs.uk
Patient UK: aims to help the world proactively manage its healthcare, supplying evidence-based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals. Patient UK / health / www.patient.co.uk
Escape Pain: is a rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain of the knees and/or hips that integrates simple education, self-management and coping strategies, with an exercise regimen individualised for each person. Escape Pain / www.escape-pain.org
The 'Up and Active' and' Healthy Lifestyles' teams operate across East Lancashire.
They all run a variety of Exercise Referral Schemes offering a wide range of activities and classes suitable for all ages and abilities.
Sessions are supported by specialist instructors who will be able to guide and support you through your chosen programme and work towards a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Please contact your nearest Up and Active or Healthy Lifestyle team to find out what they can offer you.
- For Hyndburn, Accrington, Pendle, Nelson, Rossendale, Ribble Valley and Burnley contact 'Up and Active'
- Website: www.upandactive.co.uk
- For Blackburn contact 'Refresh'
- Website: Blackburn with Darwen 'Refresh'
Osteoporosis. Useful Information for patients about osteoporosis and bone health
Gout; Helpful information on the causes, symptoms and treatment of gout for patients and clinicians
Steroid Injections / COVID vaccinations - Patient Information Leaflet. If you are due to have a covid vaccination injection this must take priority over injections booked with our service. You are advised not to have a steroid injection 2 weeks before or after the first or second covid vaccination.
How to book your X-Ray appointment (open access details / telephone numbers / opening times)
GPs - Useful links and information
Below is information and resources that we hope GPs will find helpful when using the Keele STarT Back Screening Tool.
- Link to The Keele University Website - STarT Back - general information
- The Keele University On-Line STarT Back Screening Tool
- STarT Back Tool Decision Aid for GPs
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- Live well with pain
- Managing Fibromyalgia in Primary Care
- British Society for Rheumatology Guidelines; Gout
- British Society for Rheumatology Guidelines; Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Temporal Arteritis
- National Osteoporosis Guideline Group 2017 Clinical Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis
- The Royal Osteoporosis Society Clinical Publications and Resources
GPs - Advice & Guidance
For GPs and other health professionals we also offer:
- General Practitioner (GP) training posts
- Student placements
- GP education and training events
GP Advice & Guidance:
For all General Practitioner (GP) clinical/medical enquiries please use the UHMB Advice System on EMIS.
For any other general queries unrelated to patient care please contact our central administration hub:
Tel - 01254 736041
Mon - Fri 8.30am - 4.30pm
Closed weekends, bank and public holidays
Alternatively you can contact us by email.
Email: elmsk@nhs.net
Please see below for further information
How to access our service
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Patients - please discuss with your GP or other Health Professional if an appointment with our service is required; and they will guide you through the referral / appointment process.
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GPs - please refer patients through the Single Point of Access e-Referral System (Choose & Book) or use the Advice & Guidance section.
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Other Health Professionals - please use our Single Point of Acess Referral Form (below)
Click here for a printable version of the Single Point of Access Referral Form
Any queries please contact our central administration team:
Tel: 01254 735450 / 736041 / 733951
Email: elmsk@nhs.net
Services we offer
- Information
- Advice
- Highly skilled and fully supported staff
- (MDT) Multi disciplinary team approach
- Education
- Condition Specific Exercises
- Condition Specific Exercise Classes
- Injections including joint & soft tissue / Bursa / Autologous blood / Caudal epidural
- Splints
- Insoles
- Bespoke Orthotics
- Rehabilitation
- Pain Management advice
- Back Pain Advice
- Referral on to specialist services such as Orthopaedics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pain Management, Rheumatology, Healthy Lifestyles and Orthotics
- Referral for Diagnostic tests such as X-ray, Blood Tests, MRI, CT and Nerve Conduction studies
Service Lead and Key Staff
Service Lead
Joanne Lishman - East Lancs Hospitals Trust (ELHT) Directorate Lead Integrated MSK, Pain and Rheumatology Service (IMPReS)
Key staff
Dr Sunil Nedungayil - Clinical Lead and GP with Special Interest (GPwSI)
Michael Bryant - Consultant MSK Physiotherapist & Sonographer and Clinical Lead
The Team
The Integrated Musculoskeletal team comprises of highly skilled and professional clinical staff.
The clinical team are fully supported by
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Management team
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Administration and reception team
As a musculoskeletal team we aim to:
- Provide an accessible, timely and high-quality patient-centred service
- You will be treated by a clinician who will complete a comprehensive assessment of your condition. They will provide you with an opinion on your diagnosis and formulate a management plan.
- Keep you fully informed of what is happening at all times to enable you to make informed and supported choices
- Provide you with a high standard of care based on current recommendations and protocols
- Make your visit to our service as relaxed and as dignified as possible
The medical team
You may be seen by any member of our team depending on your problem.
Consultant MSK Physiotherapist & Sonographer (Clinical Lead)
Specialist Doctors - GPwSI
(General Practitioners with a Special Interest in Musculoskeletal Medicine) These are very experienced specialist doctors, who have gained extra qualifications and experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients with a musculoskeletal condition that my otherwise have been referred directly to a hospital consultant.
Specialist Physiotherapists
(Extended Scope Physiotherapist Practitioners) These are very experienced Chartered Physiotherapists, who have gained extra qualifications within the field of musculoskeletal conditions. They specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and management of joint and soft tissue problems.
Specialist Podiatrists
(Extended Scope Podiatrist Practitioner) - Foot and Ankle. These are very experienced podiatrists, who have gained extra qualifications and training to assess, diagnose and treat conditions which affect the way the foot functions and effect your posture and walking.
Physiotherapists
These are all Chartered Physiotherapists who can assess, diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions. A physiotherapist is someone who helps to restore normal function and movement when a person is affected by injury, illness or disability. This is done through movement and exercise, manual therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, education and advice.
Physiotherapy Assistants
Physiotherapy assistants work alongside qualified physiotherapists to assist patients in the restoration of movement and function. They provide individual and group exercise and issue instructions in the safe use of mobility aids.
Contact us
Where to find us
The Integrated Musculoskeletal Service holds clinics at different locations across East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. Accrington, Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Darwen, Nelson, Rossendale.
For a full list of where our services are offered click here.
General enquiries
Please contact:
Central Administration Site at Accrington - Tel: 01254 733951 / 736041
Email for all general enquiries - elmsk@nhs.net
Click on the link for details of all our clinic sites (phone numbers and addresses)
We are closed weekends, bank and public holidays.
work in progress
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