Medically reviewed by James Walker, Service Development Director & Senior Physiotherapist, on 21/07/26.

When you can't get to a clinic - because you're away from home, working, short on time or limited by mobility - there is still a lot we can do to help. Remote physiotherapy lets a chartered physiotherapist assess your problem, guide your treatment and keep your recovery moving by video call or by telephone, so your pain and symptoms can be managed from the comfort of your own home, workspace or even while you're away. It is delivered by the same senior team you would see in person, and because it removes the travel it isn't tied to one location - patients across South Yorkshire, North East Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and beyond can all be seen from wherever they are. You can book without a referral.

The evidence for this kind of care is encouraging. A large 2017 review of remote physiotherapy found it effective and comparable to conventional, in-person care for improving movement and easing pain across a range of musculoskeletal conditions [1]. That is a general finding for remote care rather than a promise for any one person, but it carries a clear message: for many problems, you don't have to be in the room to make real progress.

What is remote physiotherapy?

Remote physiotherapy is assessment, advice and guided treatment delivered by a chartered physiotherapist by video call or by telephone, instead of in person. It lets us understand your problem, set a plan, teach and progress your exercises, and review how you are getting on - so pain and symptoms can be managed from home, work or while away. It suits many musculoskeletal conditions.

How is remote physiotherapy delivered?

We offer remote physiotherapy through two modalities, and your physiotherapist will help you choose the one that fits your problem and your circumstances.

Video consultation

A video consultation lets your physiotherapist see you move, so they can observe your posture, range of movement and exercise technique much as they would in clinic. It works well for a first assessment, for checking and correcting how you perform your exercises, and for progressing a programme over time. Video consultations run via Zoom and last 30 minutes.

Telephone consultation

A telephone consultation is a practical option for advice, triage, exercise progression and follow-up where a video call isn't practical or needed. It is well suited to talking through your symptoms, reviewing how a plan is going, and adjusting your exercises between appointments. The remote telephone evidence base is less developed than for real-time video, so we use telephone as an access and follow-up option rather than a like-for-like replacement for a hands-on or video assessment.

Who is remote physiotherapy for?

Remote physiotherapy is for people who can't easily attend in person - whether you're away from home, working, juggling time pressures or limited by mobility - and whose problem is suited to remote management. It can help with many common musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendinopathies, chronic pain, sports injuries, neuropathies and sciatica.

It is not right for everything. Some problems, and any sign that needs an in-person examination, are better seen face to face. If your physiotherapist feels you need a hands-on assessment, imaging or onward referral, they will tell you and help you arrange it. Remote appointments still begin with a proper assessment - we don't diagnose or treat sight unseen, and a remote consultation is the start of that process, not a shortcut around it.

Why have remote physiotherapy at the White House Clinic?

Remote physiotherapy is delivered by the same senior, experienced physiotherapists you would see in person, so there is no trade-off in expertise when you choose a video or telephone appointment. Our clinicians assess first and only manage remotely where your problem is suited to it - then guide your exercises and progress your plan as carefully as they would in clinic, and route you to in-person care, imaging or referral the moment that is the better option. If you would prefer to be seen in person, remote physiotherapy sits alongside our full clinic-based physiotherapy service, and we can help you choose the right option.

How much does remote physiotherapy cost?

Remote physiotherapy is offered as video and telephone consultations, and our online video consultation is offered at a reduced rate compared with an in-person physiotherapy assessment. You can see all current prices on our prices page, and our reception team can talk you through cost and access before you book.

Book an appointment

You can book an appointment online or call our reception team on 0114 230 2030, and ask for a video or telephone consultation. No referral is needed. If you would prefer to talk through your situation first, contact the team via our contact page and we will help you choose the right appointment.

This page is general information and not a substitute for individual assessment. Book a remote consultation or call 0114 230 2030 to speak to our team.

References

1. Cottrell MA, Galea OA, O'Leary SP, Hill AJ, Russell TG (2017), Real-time telerehabilitation for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is effective and comparable to standard practice: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 31(5):625-638 (13 studies, 1,520 participants): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27141087/