The Treatment Table Blog

How much does physio cost in Liverpool?

Our private physio prices in Liverpool, what affects the total cost, whether you need a GP referral, how NHS physiotherapy works and what to check if you want to use health insurance.

By The Treatment Table physio team · 6 minute read · Seaforth & Speke, Liverpool

At The Treatment Table, a physiotherapy assessment in Liverpool costs £45. If you need further sessions, we explain what they involve and what they cost before you book, so there are no surprises. Physiotherapy is also available free on the NHS, but there may be a long waiting list (NHS, 2025).

Private physiotherapy prices are not always easy to compare, because clinics package things differently. This guide sets out our prices in full, explains what changes the total you pay, and covers the questions people often ask before booking: do I need a GP referral for physio, how does the NHS route work, and can I use health insurance for physio?

How much does physio cost in Liverpool at our clinics?

These are our current published prices at our Seaforth and Speke clinics.

ServicePrice
Physiotherapy assessment£45
Follow-up physiotherapy sessionsExplained and priced before you book
Sports massageFrom £35
Shockwave therapy£45 per session
Acupuncture£45
Diagnostic ultrasound scanFrom £80
Gait analysis£150
Cortisone (steroid) injection£150 per injection, including ultrasound guidance and the medication

A few notes on what is included. Sports massage starts from £35. Shockwave therapy is usually given as 2 to 3 sessions over 2 to 3 weeks, followed by a reassessment. Our diagnostic ultrasound scans start from £80.

Cortisone is a prescription-only medicine, so an injection is only given after an assessment by a qualified prescriber. Our Clinical Director, Jamie Fullerton, is an HCPC registered physiotherapist and independent prescriber, and every injection is given under live ultrasound guidance. If you are comparing injection prices elsewhere, our guide to cortisone injection costs in the UK explains what to check.

What affects the total cost of private physio?

The biggest factor is how many sessions you need, and that depends on the problem, how long you have had it and what you are aiming to get back to. Some people need an assessment and a clear home exercise plan. Others need more support over several weeks.

After your assessment we explain what we think is going on, what we recommend and what any further sessions will cost, before you book them. You can then decide what suits you.

If you would rather spread the cost, we also offer a pay monthly option. The details and terms are set out on that page.

Do I need a GP referral for physio?

Not to see us. You can book a private physiotherapy assessment directly, without a GP referral.

For NHS physiotherapy, you may not need one either. In many areas you can get physiotherapy from NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without a GP referral (NHS, 2025). Your GP surgery or local NHS provider can tell you whether self-referral is available where you live (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, n.d.). Some GP surgeries also have first contact physiotherapists who can assess you directly (NHS, 2025).

NHS physio vs private physio

NHS physiotherapy is free, and for many people it is the right route. The main trade off is time. The NHS itself notes there may be a long waiting list (NHS, 2025). In May 2026, Healthwatch England reviewed feedback from patients and reported people waiting months, and in some cases more than a year, for appointments, follow-up care and onward treatment. It also found that some patients felt they had no choice but to go private because of long waits. Healthwatch noted there is no single national picture of how many people are waiting for physiotherapy (Healthwatch England, 2026).

Waits vary a lot between areas and services, so it is worth asking your local NHS service how long the current wait is before you decide. With private physiotherapy you pay for each appointment, but you can choose the clinic and a time that suits you.

Physio near me: where we are

We have two clinics in Liverpool: Seaforth (Fitness Connection, 83 Seaforth Road, L21 3TY) and Speke (Business First Centre, Goodlass Road, L24 9HJ).

Can I use health insurance for physio?

Often, yes. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy notes that private medical insurance schemes often include physiotherapy, and advises checking the terms and conditions of your policy before booking an appointment (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, n.d.).

Before you book, it is worth asking your insurer:

  • Whether physiotherapy is covered on your policy, and how many sessions or how much money is allowed
  • Whether they need you to get a GP referral or a claim number first
  • Whether there is an excess to pay
  • Whether they will cover treatment at the clinic you want to use

If you are not sure, get in touch and we can talk it through before you book.

What to check when choosing a private physio

Price matters, but so does who is treating you. The NHS advises checking that a private physiotherapist is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is chartered (NHS, 2025). You can check a physio's registration on the HCPC website (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, n.d.).

It is also reasonable to ask what the first session includes, whether follow-up prices are explained up front, and whether you will be given exercises to do at home.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a private physio appointment cost in Liverpool?

At The Treatment Table, a physiotherapy assessment costs £45 at our Seaforth and Speke clinics. Follow-up session prices are not listed in advance, because they depend on what you need. After your assessment we explain what we recommend and what any further sessions will cost before you book them. We also offer a pay monthly option if you would rather spread the cost.

Do I need a GP referral to see a physio?

You don't need a GP referral to book a private physiotherapy assessment with us. For NHS physiotherapy, many areas let you self-refer to community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without seeing a GP first. Your GP surgery or local NHS provider can tell you whether self-referral is available where you live. Some GP surgeries also have first contact physiotherapists who can assess you.

Can I get physiotherapy for free on the NHS?

Yes. Physiotherapy is available free on the NHS, either through self-referral in many areas or through your GP. The NHS notes there may be a long waiting list. Healthwatch England reported in 2026 that some people waited months, and in some cases more than a year, for appointments or follow-up care. Waits vary between areas, so ask your local service about current waiting times.

Can I use health insurance for physio?

Often, yes. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy says private medical insurance schemes often include physiotherapy, but advises checking your policy terms before booking. Ask your insurer whether physiotherapy is covered, how many sessions or how much money is allowed, whether you need a GP referral or claim number first, whether there is an excess, and whether they will cover the clinic you want to use.

How do I know a private physio is properly qualified?

The NHS advises checking that a private physiotherapist is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is chartered, which is shown by MCSP after their name. You can check a physiotherapist's registration on the HCPC website. All physiotherapists at The Treatment Table are registered with the HCPC. It is also sensible to ask what the first session includes and how follow-up prices work.

Book physio in Liverpool

Our physiotherapy in Liverpool starts with a £45 assessment. We will explain what is going on, what we recommend and what any further sessions would cost before you commit to anything.

We see patients at our clinics in Seaforth (Fitness Connection, 83 Seaforth Road, L21 3TY) and Speke (Business First Centre, Goodlass Road, L24 9HJ). You don't need a GP referral. Book a physio assessment, call 0151 559 1107 or email info@thetreatmenttable.com.

Book an appointment Call 0151 559 1107

References

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (n.d.) Find a physio. Available at: https://www.csp.org.uk/public-patient/find-physiotherapist/find-physio (Accessed: 6 November 2026).

Healthwatch England (2026) NHS physiotherapy: what people are telling us. 27 May. Available at: https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/blog/2026-05-27/nhs-physiotherapy-what-people-are-telling-us (Accessed: 6 November 2026).

NHS (2025) Physiotherapy: how to access it. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/physiotherapy/accessing/ (Accessed: 6 November 2026).

This article is general information and not a medical diagnosis. All our physiotherapists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). If you are worried about your symptoms, please get them assessed.