Knee pain? A physio near Finchley Road can help
Stairs at the station, the walk up to Primrose Hill or a run on the Heath. When your knee starts to complain, here’s what helps and where to get it sorted locally.
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Quick answer: Most knee pain, including runner’s knee, tendon pain and knee arthritis, gets better with the right exercise programme. NICE recommends exercise as a core treatment for knee osteoarthritis whatever your age. Our physio clinic is inside Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre at 4a Adelaide Road, NW3 3NF, by Swiss Cottage station at the southern end of Finchley Road, with four physios and same day appointments.
Where we are on Finchley Road
| Clinic | BOOST PHYSIO Swiss Cottage, inside Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, 4a Adelaide Road, London NW3 3NF |
|---|---|
| From Swiss Cottage station | Jubilee line, a short walk |
| From Finchley Road station | Jubilee and Metropolitan lines, about a ten minute walk south along Finchley Road |
| From Finchley Road and Frognal | Overground, about a 12 minute walk |
| Physios | Jason Hui, Setareh Radfar, Dan Burgin and Travis Egerton |
Finchley Road is a long road, so to be clear: we’re at the Swiss Cottage end, inside the leisure centre next to the library. If you’re further up towards Golders Green or Temple Fortune, our Hampstead Garden Suburb clinic may be closer.
Which kind of knee pain do you have?
Front of the knee
Runner’s knee, kneecap pain
Aching around or behind the kneecap on stairs, squats or after sitting for a while. Very common in runners and gym-goers.
Below the kneecap
Patellar tendon pain
Pain just under the kneecap with jumping, running or squatting. It needs carefully graded loading.
Stiff, achy knee
Knee osteoarthritis
Stiffness in the morning or after rest and aching with longer walks. Exercise is one of the best treatments.
After a twist
Ligament or cartilage injury
Pain, swelling or giving way after a twist. We assess it, refer for a scan if needed and rehab you back.
After surgery
Knee replacement, ACL, meniscus
We follow your surgeon’s plan and progress you safely, week by week.
Swelling
Fluid on the knee
A swollen knee needs checking. We find the cause and help settle it.
Knee arthritis: why exercise is the treatment, not the enemy
Many people with knee arthritis worry that exercise will wear the joint out faster. The evidence says the opposite. NICE guidance on osteoarthritis (NG226) recommends therapeutic exercise tailored to you as a core treatment, alongside weight management where needed.
Stronger thigh and hip muscles take load off the joint and staying active helps with pain, stiffness and confidence on stairs. Being inside a leisure centre helps here: your rehab can move from our treatment room to the gym and even the pool.
One patient wrote that Dan helped them “fix my knee issue that lasted for years” and then brought their parents in too.
Knee exercises our Swiss Cottage physios actually recommend
A squat mobility test from our Swiss Cottage physio
Runner’s knee and Heath runners
If you run on Hampstead Heath or around Primrose Hill, the hills and downhill stretches can be tough on the front of your knee. Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain) accounts for 25 to 40% of knee problems seen in sports injury clinics.
International consensus recommends combining hip and knee strengthening rather than knee exercises alone. We’ll also look at your training load and running technique, because a sudden jump in mileage is often the trigger.
Core
treatment: NICE recommends tailored therapeutic exercise for everyone with osteoarthritis.
NICE NG226, 2022
25-40%
of knee problems seen in sports injury clinics are front of knee pain.
Crossley et al, BJSM 2016
4
physios at our Swiss Cottage clinic, with appointments seven days a week.
BOOST PHYSIO
Knee pain near Finchley Road?
Book a physio at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre today.
When to get checked urgently
Please seek urgent medical advice if you have:
- A hot, red, swollen knee or you feel feverish
- A knee that has locked and won’t straighten
- You can’t put weight on your leg after an injury
- Calf pain and swelling, especially after surgery or a long journey
What Swiss Cottage patients say
★★★★★
“I started to see Dan to fix my knee issue that lasted for years. The exercise program he provided and supervised is super effective.”
Joyous Q. Z., Google review, Swiss Cottage
★★★★★
“With Jason’s professional care and advice and exercise program I recovered sooner than I would have expected.”
Ann D., Google review, Swiss Cottage
★★★★★
“explaining and demonstrating articulately, clearly what I need to do get my runner’s knee (maltracking) back on track.”
Kyo C., Google review, Swiss Cottage
Your Swiss Cottage physios
Jason Hui
Senior Physiotherapist, Swiss Cottage
Jason has worked in hospitals and private practice in Hong Kong and London, combining hands-on treatment and bespoke exercise with shockwave, acupuncture and taping.
Setareh Radfar
Chartered Physiotherapist, Swiss Cottage
Setareh worked as a gym instructor before training as a physio, so she knows how to turn rehab into a gym session that fits you.
Dan Burgin
Sports Rehab Therapist, Swiss Cottage and East Finchley
Dan combines sports massage and joint mobilisation with strength and conditioning and has worked with football teams at tournaments abroad.
Travis Egerton
Senior Physiotherapist, Hampstead and Swiss Cottage
Travis has worked with high-level rugby and ultimate frisbee teams, with special interests in post-surgical rehab, especially ACL reconstruction.
Watch: knee advice from our physios
Short videos from the BOOST PHYSIO team. Tap to play.
Pain at the front of the knee when squatting
Why is my knee swollen?
Get to know Jason at Swiss Cottage
Our clinic at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre
Why patients choose BOOST PHYSIO
Swiss Cottage is one of 13 BOOST PHYSIO clinics across North London and Hertfordshire. Being part of a bigger group matters more than most people realise. Our physios train together twice a month and every physio has a dedicated mentor who reviews cases with them, so when you see one of us you get the experience of the whole team behind them.
We combine hands-on treatment with exercise rehabilitation built around you, then adjust it as you progress. That’s what sits behind our promise: Your Best Recovery, Guaranteed.
- Same day appointments, seven days a week
- No GP referral needed to book
- Recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva
- Strong links with London’s leading consultants and surgeons
Also close by: our Hampstead, West Hampstead and Kentish Town clinics. Read more about our Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre physio clinic.
Book at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre
Same day appointments, seven days a week, near Finchley Road.
Related reading
Knee pain physio in London
Arthritis physio in LondonBack to the gym, pool and court after injury
Knee replacement recovery: both knees, three months apartSports injury clinic in LondonHow much does private physio cost in London?Your questions answered
Is there a physio near Finchley Road station?
Yes. Our clinic inside Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, 4a Adelaide Road, NW3 3NF, is about a ten minute walk from Finchley Road station and a short walk from Swiss Cottage station.
Can physio help knee arthritis?
Yes. NICE recommends tailored exercise as a core treatment for osteoarthritis. Physio helps reduce pain and stiffness and builds the strength you need for stairs, walking and getting out of a chair.
What is runner’s knee?
Runner’s knee, or patellofemoral pain, is aching around or behind the kneecap. It’s usually worse on stairs, squats, hills and after sitting and responds well to hip and knee strengthening.
Should I stop running with knee pain?
Not always. Often we adjust your training rather than stop it completely. Your physio will help you find a level you can run at while you strengthen.
Do I need to be a member of the leisure centre?
No. You don’t need a membership to see our physios at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly online, by phone on 020 8201 7788 or on WhatsApp. If you’re claiming on insurance, check whether your insurer needs a referral.
Can I use my health insurance?
Yes. We are recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva.
Written and clinically reviewed by Steven Berkman, BSc Physiotherapy (University of Cape Town), HCPC-registered chartered physiotherapist, MCSP, founder of BOOST PHYSIO in 2008, with Jason Hui, Setareh Radfar, Dan Burgin and Travis Egerton at BOOST PHYSIO Swiss Cottage. Last reviewed 28 October 2026.
References
- NICE NG226. Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (2022).
- Crossley KM et al. 2016 Patellofemoral pain consensus statement. Part 2: recommended physical interventions. Br J Sports Med 2016;50:844-852.
This article is general guidance and is not a substitute for an individual physiotherapy assessment. If you have severe or worsening pain, numbness, weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or you feel unwell, seek urgent medical advice.
