Your questions, answered before you book

Both use fine, sterile needles, but they work differently. Dry needling targets specific muscle trigger points directly, releasing tension and reducing pain. Acupuncture takes a broader approach, stimulating the nervous system to promote the body’s natural pain relief and healing. We often combine both, depending on what suits your condition best.

Most people feel little to no pain on insertion, as the needles are extremely fine, much thinner than an injection needle. You may feel a brief tingling, dull ache, or muscle twitch, particularly over a tight trigger point, but it shouldn’t be sharply painful.

Yes. We use single-use, pre-sterilised needles for every treatment, and acupuncture and dry needling is a well-established, evidence-based technique when carried out by a qualified professional.

Mild soreness, similar to post-exercise muscle ache, or slight bruising can occur for a day or two afterwards. This is normal and usually settles quickly.

It’s suitable for most adults dealing with acute or chronic muscle and joint pain, trigger points, tendon issues, headaches, or sports-related injuries. It’s not generally recommended for children under 12, those with a needle phobia, or in certain medical circumstances, we’ll always check this is right for you during your assessment.

Often, yes. While some people notice benefits after a single session, a short course of treatments is usually recommended for longer-lasting results, particularly for chronic conditions.

Yes, it’s included as part of your physiotherapy treatment at no extra cost, where it’s clinically appropriate for your condition.

Acupuncture and dry needling are provided as part of your physiotherapy assessment and treatment, ensuring it’s used appropriately alongside a proper diagnosis and wider treatment plan.

Loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being treated is best.

No, as with all our services, no GP referral is needed. You can book directly with us.

You can book directly via our website or by calling the clinic.

Yes, we are recognised by Bupa. If you are insured with another provider, please check your cover and any referral or authorisation requirements with your insurer first, then get in touch and we will help you arrange your appointment.

Some symptoms need medical attention first. Please contact your GP, call NHS 111, or go to A&E if you have warning signs such as sudden severe pain, numbness or weakness spreading in the legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, unexplained weight loss, a fever alongside back pain, or pain following a significant injury or fall. If in doubt, get checked.

We are based at Callendar Business Park in Falkirk and welcome people from across the local area, including Larbert, Stenhousemuir, Grangemouth, Bo’ness, Denny and Camelon.

No. While it’s a valuable tool for athletes returning to sport, it’s just as useful for anyone recovering from surgery, rehabilitating an injury, or simply wanting a clearer picture of their strength and movement, regardless of age or activity level.

You can book directly, no referral needed. It can also be recommended as part of your physiotherapy treatment plan if we feel it would add value to your assessment.

Depending on what we’re assessing, this may include jump and landing tests on our force plates, single-leg balance testing, or strength testing of specific muscle groups using a handheld dynamometer. Your therapist will select the tests most relevant to you.

A standard assessment relies on clinical observation and hands-on testing. Objective movement and strength testing adds objective, numerical data, including precise strength values and asymmetry percentages, giving us a more detailed and trackable picture alongside our clinical judgement.

Significant strength or balance asymmetry between limbs is a recognised risk factor for injury and re-injury. Identifying this allows us to target the weaker side specifically, helping reduce your risk going forward.

Yes. Testing can be used proactively to identify muscle imbalances or weaknesses before they cause a problem, helping guide training and reduce the likelihood of injury.

Your results help us tailor your rehab or training plan more precisely, track genuine progress over time, and make evidence-based decisions about when you’re ready to progress, whether that’s returning to sport, increasing training load, or being discharged from physio.

Yes, results can be shown to you in a clear, easy-to-understand format, and we can track your progress across repeat testing sessions.

This depends on your individual goals and rehab stage. Your therapist will advise on an appropriate retesting schedule to track meaningful progress.

No. You can book directly with us, no GP referral is needed. Many of our clients come to us before or instead of visiting their GP.

Your first session is a full assessment. We’ll ask about your symptoms, how and when they started, and your general health, followed by a physical examination to test movement, strength, and joint function. From this, we’ll explain our findings, give you a working diagnosis, and agree a treatment plan together.

Appointments are 40 minutes, giving us enough time to properly assess, treat, and explain, without feeling rushed.

Loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the affected area is best, for example, shorts for a knee or hip issue, or a vest top for a shoulder problem.

Some techniques may cause mild, short-term discomfort, particularly if you’re already in pain or the muscle is tight, but treatment should never be unbearable. We’ll always work within your comfort levels and explain what to expect beforehand.

This varies depending on your condition, how long you’ve had it, and how your body responds to treatment. We’ll give you a realistic estimate after your first assessment, and review progress regularly.

We treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions, including back and neck pain, shoulder, hip and knee injuries, sports injuries, chronic pain, post-surgical rehabilitation, and postural issues.

Yes, we are Chartered Physiotherapists registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), meeting the UK’s professional standards for training and practice.

Usually, yes. A tailored home exercise plan is a key part of most treatment plans, helping speed up recovery and reduce the chance of the problem returning.

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic pulses to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. It increases blood flow, breaks down calcific build-up, and encourages tissue repair in areas of chronic pain or stubborn injury.

You may feel some discomfort or a dull ache during treatment, particularly over a sensitive or tender area, but it’s generally well tolerated. Your therapist will adjust the intensity to keep it within your comfort level.

It’s particularly effective for chronic tendinopathies and long-standing soft tissue conditions, including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis and golfer’s elbow, shoulder tendinopathy, and patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee).

Treatment itself is quick, typically only a few minutes, though it will usually be incorporated into a wider physiotherapy appointment.

It will vary person per person; however, the research suggests 3 to 5 on average spaced 1 week apart for best results. We’ll discuss an expected number of sessions with you based on your condition.

Yes, shockwave therapy is available for a £15 supplement per session, added to your physiotherapy appointment.

Mild redness, soreness, or bruising in the treated area is common and usually settles within a day or two.

It’s not suitable for everyone, for example, it’s generally avoided during pregnancy, over areas with active infection, or for certain other medical conditions. We’ll check this is appropriate for you as part of your assessment.

Some people notice a change in symptoms shortly after treatment, but shockwave therapy typically works progressively over a course of sessions, with continued improvement over the following weeks.

It’s usually combined with physiotherapy, manual therapy, and a tailored exercise programme, as part of a wider treatment plan rather than as a standalone fix.

No, you can book directly with us, no referral needed.

Not at all. While it’s popular with athletes and regular gym-goers, sports massage is just as effective for anyone dealing with everyday muscle tension, tightness, or stress-related discomfort.

No. Sports massage is a therapeutic treatment focused on relieving muscle tension, improving flexibility, and supporting recovery, it’s more targeted and often firmer than a relaxation massage, though we’ll always work within your comfort levels.

You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort, particularly over tight or tender areas, but it shouldn’t be unbearable. Let your therapist know at any point if the pressure needs adjusting.

Both can be beneficial. Pre-event massage can help prepare muscles for activity, while post-event or regular massage supports recovery, reduces soreness, and helps prevent tightness building up over time.

Comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being treated, shorts or a vest top, depending on where you need work done. Towels are provided for larger treatment areas.

This depends on your activity levels and goals. Some clients book regularly as part of their training routine, while others come in as needed to address specific tightness or discomfort.

Yes, it’s often used alongside physiotherapy to support recovery, improve circulation, and reduce muscle tension around an injured or recovering area.

Mild soreness for a day or so afterwards is normal, particularly after deep tissue work, similar to how muscles feel after exercise. This usually settles quickly.

40 minute appointments. Unhurried, giving your therapist enough time to properly assess the area and treat it thoroughly rather than rushing through.

No, you can book directly, no referral needed.