Private physiotherapy
Is private physio worth it?
What you actually get when you go private, what it costs you and when the NHS is the better route. An honest guide from our physios.
Quick answer: Going private usually means being seen within days rather than months, choosing your physio, clinic and appointment time, getting hands-on treatment as well as exercise and being seen as often as your recovery needs. It costs money or uses your health insurance, so it makes most sense when pain is affecting your work, sleep, sport or family life, or when the local NHS wait is long. You don’t need a GP referral to book.
Why do people go private for physiotherapy?
Patients tell us the same thing again and again: “I just want someone to look at it properly and tell me what’s going on.” Most aren’t unhappy with the NHS as such. They’re stuck. Stuck on a waiting list, stuck between short appointments or stuck with a sheet of exercises and no idea whether they’re doing them right.
Private physiotherapy gives you back control of the timing and the type of care you get. Here’s what that looks like in practice.
Hands-on private physiotherapy in Hendon
Six reasons people choose private physio
Speed
Days, not months
In October 2026 Whittington Health listed an average wait of 45 weeks for a first MSK physiotherapy appointment. At BOOST PHYSIO we offer same day appointments, 7 days a week.
Time
Properly assessed
Time to hear your full story, examine you thoroughly and start treatment in the same session, rather than a quick check and a leaflet.
Hands-on and exercise
Every tool available
Manual therapy to ease pain and stiffness, combined with exercise rehab that builds you back up. Not one or the other.
Continuity
The same physio
You see the same physio who knows your history, so every session builds on the last.
Frequency
As often as you need
Weekly when you need momentum, spaced out when you’re doing well. Your recovery sets the pace, not the waiting list.
Choice
Your time, your clinic
Early mornings, evenings and weekends across a network of clinics in North London and Hertfordshire.
Most of our patients aren’t looking for luxury. They’re looking for someone to take the time to fix the problem.
What we hear from people who come to us after NHS physio
We see a lot of patients who have had some NHS physio before they find us. The themes are remarkably consistent and they match what Healthwatch England reported from 500 pieces of public feedback in 2026: long waits, short appointments, exercises sent by email with no demonstration and long gaps between sessions.
We want to be fair here. NHS physiotherapists are highly trained and many are excellent. Most of these frustrations come down to capacity: too many patients and too few appointments. If you’ve felt let down, it’s rarely because your physio didn’t care. We’ve written more about short NHS physio appointments, NHS physio with no hands-on treatment and being handed an exercise sheet.
When the NHS is the right choice
Private isn’t always the answer and we’d rather you hear that from us. The NHS is often the better route when:
- Cost is a real barrier: NHS physio is free at the point of use
- The problem is mild and improving: you can afford to wait
- You need hospital based care: some complex neurological and inpatient rehab sits within NHS services
- You have urgent symptoms: red flags need your GP, NHS 111 or A&E, not a physio appointment
Our guide on when to choose private physio vs NHS walks you through the decision.
Ready to get it looked at properly?
Book online in under a minute. No GP referral needed.
What happens at your first private physio appointment
- We listen: how it started, what makes it better or worse and what you want to get back to
- We assess you thoroughly: movement, strength, joints and nerves, so we find the cause and not just the sore spot
- We explain it in plain English: what is going on and how long recovery is likely to take
- We start treatment: hands-on treatment and your first exercises in the same session
- We give you a plan: how often to come in and what to do at home, demonstrated and checked
Is private physio worth the money?
It depends on what the problem is costing you already. If pain is stopping you working, sleeping, training or looking after your family, getting it sorted sooner often pays for itself. If you have private health insurance, physio is commonly covered and we are recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva. Check with your insurer before your first visit, as some need a GP referral or an authorisation code.
Private physio at a glance
| GP referral needed? | No, you can book directly (some insurers ask for one) |
|---|---|
| How quickly can I be seen? | We offer same day appointments, 7 days a week |
| Opening hours | 8am to 9pm, seven days a week |
| Insurance | Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva |
| Treatment approach | Hands-on treatment combined with exercise rehab, adjusted as you progress |
Watch: inside our clinics
Meet some of our physios and see what a BOOST PHYSIO session looks like.
Meet Finlay at our Crouch End clinic
Our Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre clinic
Physiotherapy in Hampstead Garden Suburb
Expert physio treatment in Hendon
Every tool for your best recovery
At BOOST PHYSIO, we believe your best recovery comes from having every tool available, not relying on just one. Our physiotherapists combine hands-on treatment with exercise rehabilitation built around you, then adjust it as you progress.
Something our patients don’t always realise is how much support sits behind each physio. Our team trains together twice a month and every physio has a dedicated mentor who reviews cases with them, so whichever clinic you visit you get the experience of the whole team.
- Same day appointments, seven days a week
- No GP referral needed to book
- Treatment recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva
Find your nearest BOOST PHYSIO clinic: Borehamwood, Crouch End, East Finchley, Elstree, Hampstead, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Hendon, Kensington, Kentish Town, Mill Hill, Muswell Hill, Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre and West Hampstead. Same day appointments, 7 days a week, 8am to 9pm.
See a physio this week, not next year
Same day appointments across North London and Hertfordshire.
Related reading
Knee pain physio
Slipped disc and sciatica
Shockwave therapy
Tennis elbow physio
Achilles tendon physio
Groin pain physioYour questions answered
Do I need a GP referral for private physiotherapy?
No. You can book a private physio appointment directly. If you are using health insurance, some insurers ask for a GP referral or authorisation code, so check with them first.
Is private physio better than NHS physio?
Private and NHS physiotherapists hold the same HCPC registration and training. The difference is usually access: how quickly you are seen, how long your appointments are, how often you can be seen and whether you see the same physio each time.
Can I use my health insurance at BOOST PHYSIO?
Yes. We are recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva. Check your policy and whether you need an authorisation code before your first appointment.
Will going private affect my place on the NHS waiting list?
No. Many of our patients see us while waiting for NHS physio, a scan or surgery. Seeing a private physio doesn’t remove you from an NHS list.
How many private physio sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem, how long you’ve had it and your goals. We’ll give you an honest estimate at your first appointment and review it as you progress.
How much does private physio cost?
Fees vary by appointment type. Call us on 020 8201 7788 and our team will talk you through current prices and insurance options.
This article is general information and not a substitute for an individual assessment. Sources: Whittington Health, MSK wait times (accessed October 2026). Healthwatch England, NHS physiotherapy: what people are telling us (May 2026). Written by the BOOST PHYSIO team, reviewed by Steven Berkman, Chartered Physiotherapist, MCSP, HCPC registered.
