We provide high quality healthcare services primarily to the residents of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen, which have a combined population in the region of 530,000.
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:
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
Our core hours are 8.30am - 4pm Monday to Friday. We are closed weekends, bank and public holidays
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.
1 - Back Pain (with or without leg pain)
2 - Back Pain - General mobility exercises
3 - Neck Pain
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
4- Contracted (Frozen) Shoulder
5- Osteoarthritis (inflammation) of the Shoulder
6 - Shoulder Impingement (Pinching) Syndrome
7- Traumatic Shoulder Injury
8 - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
9 - Achilles Tendon Pain
10 - Sprained Ankle Pain
11 - Plantar Fascitis (sole of foot heel pain)
12 - Knee Pain (not caused by injury or accident)
13 - Traumatic Knee Injury
14 - Lateral Hip Pain (outer side)
15 - Groin Pain
16 - Osteoarthritis of the Hip
We have a whole series of exercise videos that can help you with various musculoskeletal problems.
Go to videos
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."
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.
Living with persistent pain. Useful resources and strategies to help patients cope with conditions causing frequent or long term pain.
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)
Below is information and resources that we hope GPs will find helpful when using the Keele STarT Back Screening Tool.
For GPs and other health professionals we also offer:
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
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.
GPs - please refer patients through the Single Point of Access e-Referral System (Choose & Book) or use the Advice & Guidance section.
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
Joanne Lishman - East Lancs Hospitals Trust (ELHT) Directorate Lead Integrated MSK, Pain and Rheumatology Service (IMPReS)
Dr Sunil Nedungayil - Clinical Lead and GP with Special Interest (GPwSI)
Michael Bryant - Consultant MSK Physiotherapist & Sonographer and Clinical Lead
The Integrated Musculoskeletal team comprises of highly skilled and professional clinical staff.
The clinical team are fully supported by
Management team
Administration and reception team
As a musculoskeletal team we aim to:
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.
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.
Please contact 01254 735450
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.
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