Physiotherapy and Osteopathy in Corbridge: Local Clinics and the NHS Route

A bad back, a sore knee after a run or a shoulder that will not settle are common reasons to look for hands-on help. Corbridge has its own clinic in the middle of the village, and Hexham, about ten minutes up the A69, has several more. There is also an NHS physiotherapy service you can refer yourself to without seeing a GP first.

This guide covers what each offers. It is not medical advice: if you have sudden, severe or unexplained pain, numbness or weakness, contact your GP or NHS 111 first. Prices are rarely published, so check with the clinic when you book.

Physiotherapy or osteopathy?

The two overlap a good deal, and both treat muscle, joint and back problems.

• Physiotherapists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Treatment usually combines assessment, hands-on work and a structured exercise programme to get you moving again.
• Osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Treatment leans more on manual techniques such as massage, stretching and joint mobilisation, often alongside exercise advice.

Either is a reasonable first stop for common aches and sports injuries. If you are unsure, ring the clinic, describe the problem and ask whether they are the right fit.

Gelson Osteopathic Clinic, Corbridge

The village's own clinic is Gelson Osteopathic Clinic in Tynedale Mews, just off the Market Place. It says it has offered osteopathy in the Tyne Valley since 1975 and in Corbridge since 1994, and it is listed on the GOsC register.

The team includes several registered osteopaths, led by Chris Gelson, and a chartered physiotherapist with a background in occupational health and orthopaedic medicine. So although osteopathy is the clinic's focus, physiotherapy is available here too. Treatments listed include:

• Osteopathy and cranial osteopathy
• Acupuncture
• Exercise and sports injury rehabilitation

The clinic treats back, neck, shoulder, hip and knee pain, sciatica, headaches and arthritis. Appointments can be booked online through the clinic's website or by calling 01434 632427. Being in the centre of the village, it is within walking distance of most of Corbridge. For parking nearby, see our guide to parking in Corbridge.

InSync Physiotherapy, Hexham

InSync Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic is at Hexham Enterprise Hub on Burn Lane. The clinic states that it is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and HCPC registered.

It has one of the broadest menus locally: physiotherapy, sports massage, exercise therapy, acupuncture, shockwave therapy, pre and post-surgical support and injection services, with a rehabilitation suite on site. It also runs Pilates and personal training, offers virtual sessions, and does home visits around Hexham and the surrounding area, which may help if getting to a clinic is difficult. Contact the clinic on 07833 494268.

Hexham Physio

Hexham Physio is at St Matthews House on Haugh Lane. The clinic states that all of its physiotherapists are CSP members, and it offers early morning, evening and weekend appointments, which suits anyone working standard hours.

Alongside physiotherapy for musculoskeletal and sports injuries, it lists women's health physiotherapy, medical acupuncture, sports massage, shockwave therapy, posture and gait analysis, and online consultations. Book through the clinic's website or call 01434 394120.

Hobrough Healthcare, Hexham

Hobrough Healthcare is a smaller specialist clinic at Halliwell Dene, on the Corbridge side of Hexham. It is run by Dr Paul Hobrough, a physiotherapist who specialises in shockwave and EMTT (electromagnetic transduction therapy).

As well as physiotherapy, the clinic offers shockwave therapy, joint injections and gait analysis with orthotics. It may suit you if you have a long-standing tendon or joint problem and want to talk through those options. Call 01434 267111.

The NHS route

You do not have to pay to see a physiotherapist. The Northumberland Joint Musculoskeletal and Pain Service, known as JMAPS, is the NHS service for muscle, joint and back problems in the county, run by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

According to the trust's website:

• People aged 16 or over can self-refer by calling 03301 244 652. Adults over 18 can also use the online form.
• You are first booked in for a telephone assessment with a chartered physiotherapist.
• Face-to-face clinics are held at community hospitals and health centres across Northumberland, including Hexham General Hospital, and you are offered the nearest location where possible.
• A GP referral is still needed for conditions that require specialist assessment, or for persistent pain.

Waiting times vary, which is one reason some people pay privately. If you are not sure which route suits your problem, the GPs at Corbridge Medical Group can advise.

Before you book

A few points worth checking:

• Registration. You can search the HCPC register for any physiotherapist and the GOsC register for any osteopath, both free online.
• Insurance. If you have private health insurance, ask your insurer which clinics it recognises and whether you need a GP referral first.
• First appointment. Expect an assessment and questions about your medical history, so wear or bring loose clothing.
• Cost. Ask the clinic for current prices for a first appointment and follow-up sessions.

More ways to stay active

Once you are back on your feet, our guides to yoga in Corbridge and running and cycling in Corbridge have ideas for keeping moving.