Conditions We Treat at Quay Kinetics Physio
At Quay Kinetics we treat the full range of musculoskeletal conditions, from acute injuries and sports niggles to long-standing pain that's been holding you back. Our Chartered Physiotherapists work across two clinics in Exeter (inside the Quay Climbing Centre and at Boulder Exe), and bring specialist experience in spinal pain, sports injuries, climbing-related injuries, postnatal recovery, and vestibular rehab. Whether you're booking your first ever physio appointment or coming to us after seeing someone else, we'll listen, assess properly, and build a plan that fits your life.
You don't need a GP referral. Most clients are seen within a week. Below is a list of conditions we commonly treat, click through to learn more about how we diagnose and treat each one. If you can't see your specific issue, get in touch, we likely treat it.
Spine and nerve pain
Joint & limb pain
Specialist areas
Common questions about conditions and treatment
-
You don't need to diagnose yourself before booking, that's our job. If you have pain, stiffness, weakness, or limited movement somewhere, our Chartered Physiotherapists will take a full history, examine you properly, and explain in plain English exactly what's going on and why. Most people leave their first appointment with a clear understanding of the problem and a plan to address it.
-
Most musculoskeletal pain is not serious, but there are warning signs that need urgent medical attention rather than physiotherapy: severe pain after a fall or accident, sudden weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, unexplained weight loss alongside pain, or fever with back pain. If any of these apply, please contact your GP or NHS 111 first. For everything else, physiotherapy is usually the right first step.
-
Most conditions we treat don't need a scan. Physiotherapists are trained to diagnose musculoskeletal problems through a clinical examination, and modern guidelines actually discourage routine scanning because many "abnormalities" on scans turn out to be normal age-related changes rather than the source of pain. If we feel a scan would genuinely change your treatment, we'll discuss this with you and can refer to your GP or directly for private imaging.
-
It depends on the condition. Some acute injuries — like a recent muscle strain — improve within 2-4 sessions. Long-standing or complex conditions like chronic back pain, post-surgical rehab, or arthritis may take longer, sometimes 6-12 sessions spread over several months. At your first appointment we'll give you an honest estimate of expected timeframes based on your specific situation.
-
Yes, often it can. Long-standing pain isn't necessarily permanent, it usually means previous treatment hasn't found the right approach for you. We see many patients who've tried other physios, osteopaths or treatments without success, and a fresh assessment with someone experienced in chronic pain can reveal factors that have been missed. It won't always be a quick fix, but improvement is usually possible.
-
For most musculoskeletal conditions, a Chartered Physiotherapist is the right first port of call, we're trained to diagnose and treat the full range of MSK problems and can refer you onward if specialist input is needed. A sports and exercise medicine doctor or orthopaedic consultant is more appropriate if you've already had imaging suggesting a structural issue that may need injection or surgery.