The Health Professions Council is the regulatory body for many health professions. Under current law only qualified people Registered with the Health Professions Council as Physiotherapists are allowed to use the title of "Physiotherapist". It is therefore important to establish that you choose a physiotherapist who is HPC Registered. You can do this by viewing the HPC Register at www.hpcheck.org and searching the physiotherapists list. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional body of Physiotherapists. All Physio First Members are registered with the HPC and are members of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. They will probably also have one of the following sets of initials after their name:

• MCSP – Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
  

• FCSP – Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

All Chartered Physiotherapists are bound by the Society's Rules of Professional Conduct and Standards of Physiotherapy Practice in addition to the Health Professions Council’s Standards, regardless of whether they work within the public or private sector.

Chartered Physiotherapists are involved in a huge range of care. Common complaints treated by Chartered Physiotherapists include:

• Spinal problems – including prolapsed discs, degeneration, sciatica, lumbago, stiff/painful neck and referred arm and leg pains

• Joint problems – arthritis, injury, pain and swelling, stiffness in joints

• Injuries – to muscles ligaments, cartilage and tendons. Work related conditions such as repetitive strain injury (RSI) and sports injuries

• After surgery – rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery eg. hip and knee replacements or general physiotherapy after general surgery

• Fractures – treatment to increase the healing rate and gain full function once the bones have healed

• Abdominal problems – such as spastic colon, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome

• Gynaecological conditions – including stress incontinence, salpingitis and post-surgery rehabilitation

• Obstetrics – including ante and post-natal classes/exercise/relaxation/advice and treatment for backpain during pregnancy

• Chest conditions – both medical and surgical including hayfever, asthma and sinusitis, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, bronchitis and bronchiectasis

• Neurological conditions – such as strokes, head injuries, nerve injuries, multiple sclerosis, shingles, cerebral palsy and ME

• Paediatrics – for childhood conditions including postural and walking problems

• Circulatory problems – such as Raynauds disease, wounds, ulcers and cardiac rehabilitation

Physiotherapists will not only treat the problem but by spending time with the patient will often be able to show the patient how to minimise the impact of their problem and to help prevent the problem happening again.

Physiotherapists use a number of different techniques including manipulation and mobilisation, massage, hydrotherapy, exercise programmes, electrotherapy (eg. ultrasound) and in some cases acupuncture. Reassurance and education about a problem also gives patients the confidence to get back to normal activities quickly.