If you are living with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition—such as back pain, a sports injury, or joint stiffness—getting the right specialist support is a vital step toward recovery. Across Scotland, the NHS provides several pathways to help you manage these conditions effectively.
What Specialist Services Are Available?
Musculoskeletal services are designed to help restore movement, reduce pain, and improve your daily quality of life. Key services include:
- Physiotherapy: Specialist support to restore function and movement after an injury or illness.
- Podiatry: Expert care for foot and lower limb problems, including infections or mobility issues.
- Occupational Therapy: Practical support to help you adapt your environment and perform daily tasks more easily.
- Orthotics & Hand Therapy: Specialized treatment for foot inserts or hand-specific injuries and conditions.
How to Access These Services
The way you access MSK care depends on your local health board’s specific guidelines. There are generally two main routes:
- Self-Referral: Many areas now allow you to contact services directly. This might involve filling out an online form, downloading a paper application, or calling a dedicated appointment hotline. This “fast-track” route often removes the need to see a GP first.
- GP or Professional Referral: In some regions or for specific specialised treatments, you may still need to speak with your GP or another healthcare professional to be referred into the service.
Children and Young People
Please note that access routes for children often differ from adult services. Many regions provide dedicated advice lines or specific self-referral forms for parents and carers concerned about a child’s development, mobility, or injuries.
Next Steps for Patients
- Check Local Guidance: Visit the NHS inform MSK service page to find the specific contact methods and referral rules for your local area.
- Explore Self-Management: For many common aches and pains, you can find exercise guides and recovery tools on the NHS inform website to help you start your recovery immediately.