Question 1

What conditions does a neurological physiotherapist treat?

Accepted Answer

A neurological physiotherapist treats conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves where movement, balance, coordination, posture or strength are impaired. SMARTPHYSIO's neuro physiotherapists work with people who have had a stroke, and with patients living with Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy and other neurological conditions.

The full range of conditions SMARTPHYSIO's neuro physiotherapists work with includes:
Stroke, supporting early recovery and helping regain movement, balance and function
Parkinson's disease, improving mobility, posture, balance and confidence in daily activities
Multiple sclerosis, managing fatigue, gait changes and muscle weakness
Brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other acquired brain injuries
Spinal cord injury, with mobility training and upper or lower limb rehabilitation
Functional neurological disorder (FND), where movement retraining and physical re-education are central
Peripheral neuropathy, with strength and coordination work for affected hands, feet or limbs
Cerebral palsy and other lifelong neurological conditions in adults
Long COVID, where fatigue, dizziness or mobility issues respond to a neuro rehab approach

NICE guidance supports physiotherapy involvement across these areas.

NICE NG236 recommends physiotherapy for stroke survivors with weakness, sensory disturbance or balance difficulties. 
NICE NG71 recommends referring people with Parkinson's to a physiotherapist with experience of the condition for movement or balance problems. 
NICE NG220 recommends supervised exercise programmes for MS and access to physiotherapists with MS expertise.

The same broad neuro physio skill set (movement retraining, balance work, gait practice, strength and coordination) is applied differently depending on the underlying condition and your goals.

To find out whether neuro physiotherapy can help you or a relative, book an initial assessment with SMARTPHYSIO. Call 020 7435 4910 or book online. We offer in-clinic appointments across four London sites, home visits across all of London, and virtual sessions where appropriate.

Question 2

How much does private neurological physiotherapy cost in London?

Accepted Answer

Private neurological physiotherapy with SMARTPHYSIO in London starts from £85 for clinic appointments and from £160 for home visits. Full pricing is published on our Hours and Fees page.

Neuro physiotherapy at SMARTPHYSIO follows the same headline pricing as general physiotherapy. The initial assessment for a complex neurological condition often uses the longer end of the 30 to 45 minute slot.

Factors that affect what you pay:
Setting. Clinic appointments start from £85; home visits start from £160 because the physio travels to you and brings portable equipment
Insurance vs self-pay. Most major UK private medical insurers cover neuro physiotherapy; if you are claiming, the insurer's per-session rate applies, otherwise SMARTPHYSIO's published fees apply
Session frequency. The plan agreed at your first assessment sets the rough rhythm of how often you are seen, which affects total spend

There are no hidden fees. The Hours and Fees page is the most up-to-date source for current rates. The team can confirm the figure that will apply to your specific case before you book.

If cost is a concern, mention this when you call. Many clients start with a single assessment and then decide on the frequency that fits their budget and goals.

To get an exact quote for neuro physiotherapy, call SMARTPHYSIO on 020 7435 4910 or use the enquiry form. The team will confirm pricing, check availability and can normally arrange a first appointment within 24 to 48 hours, in clinic or at your home anywhere in London.

Question 3

Do I need a neurologist's referral before seeing a neuro physio?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need a neurologist's referral to see a neuro physiotherapist at SMARTPHYSIO. You can book directly with us, in clinic or at home. If you are claiming through private medical insurance, your insurer may want pre-authorisation or a GP referral first, so check your policy before booking.

Private physiotherapy clinics in the UK accept direct self-referrals, and that includes neuro physio. Chartered Physiotherapists (MCSP, HCPC-registered) are trained to assess people with neurological conditions, screen for any need for medical input, and refer onwards to a GP, neurologist or other specialist where appropriate.

In practice, most people who come to SMARTPHYSIO for neuro physio fall into one of three groups:
Already under the care of a neurologist or an NHS stroke or neuro rehab team, and adding private therapy to top up the input they are getting
Recently discharged from NHS rehab and wanting to continue with private support
Living with a long-standing condition (such as Parkinson's or MS) and wanting regular specialist input without going through a referral pathway each time

If you are under a neurologist, it is helpful to bring a copy of any recent clinic letters or scan reports to your first appointment so that your physiotherapist has the relevant medical context. 
SMARTPHYSIO is happy to liaise with your GP or consultant if that helps coordinate your care.

To book neuro physiotherapy with SMARTPHYSIO without a referral, call 020 7435 4910 or use the enquiry form. Major UK private medical insurers are recognised. First appointments can normally be arranged within 24 to 48 hours, in clinic or at your home anywhere in London.

NHS guidance confirms that most private physiotherapists accept direct self-referrals, and recommends checking that any private physiotherapist is Chartered (MCSP) and registered with the HCPC: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/physiotherapy/.

Question 4

Can neuro physiotherapy be delivered at home for patients with limited mobility?

Accepted Answer

Yes, neuro physiotherapy can be delivered at home, and for many patients with limited mobility it is the most practical option. SMARTPHYSIO offers home visits across all of Greater London. NICE supports rehabilitation continuing at home for conditions such as stroke, where travel to a clinic is difficult or unhelpful.

Home-based neuro physiotherapy has clear practical advantages for patients with limited mobility:
The physiotherapist can see how you actually move in the rooms you use every day, including stairs, hallways, the bathroom and the kitchen
Equipment you already use (walking frames, sticks, perching stools) can be incorporated directly into the session
Family members, carers and personal assistants can be involved in the session and learn how to support exercises between visits
For people with severe fatigue (common in MS, post-stroke recovery and long COVID), avoiding the travel itself is part of the treatment plan
The clinician can identify trip hazards and suggest small environmental changes to reduce falls risk

For some neuro conditions a hybrid model works well. The first assessment may be at home; clinic appointments are used when specialist equipment is needed (parallel bars, treadmill, gym work); home visits resume when intensive functional practice in your real environment is the next step.

To arrange a neuro physiotherapy home visit, call SMARTPHYSIO on 020 7435 4910 or fill in the home visit enquiry form. First appointments can normally be arranged within 24 to 48 hours across all London zones. Online booking is not available for home visits.

NICE NG236 explicitly supports stroke rehabilitation continuing in the community, including in people's own homes, where this is appropriate: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng236.

Question 5

How is neurological physiotherapy different from standard physio?

Accepted Answer

Neurological physiotherapy treats conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves, where the problem is how the nervous system controls movement. Standard musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy focuses on muscles, joints and tendons. Both are delivered by Chartered Physiotherapists, but neuro physio uses different assessments, techniques and goals built around neurological recovery.

The differences sit in three areas:
What is wrong. In MSK physio, the problem is usually a tissue injury (a strained muscle, a stiff joint, a tendinopathy). In neuro physio, the muscles, joints and tendons may be fine, but the brain and nervous system are not sending or receiving the right signals to make them move well.
How it is assessed. A neuro physio assessment includes tone (how tense or loose the muscles are at rest), sensation, coordination, gait pattern, balance reactions and functional tasks such as sit-to-stand and transfers. An MSK assessment focuses more on local joint range and tissue tests.
How it is treated. Neuro physio leans heavily on movement retraining, repetitive task practice, gait work, balance training and hands-on facilitation, with the goal of helping the brain and nervous system relearn patterns (a process known as neuroplasticity). Manual therapy and exercises still feature, but in the service of neurological recovery rather than tissue healing.

The same Chartered Physiotherapist (MCSP, HCPC-registered) qualification underpins both, but neuro physiotherapists develop specialist experience in conditions like stroke, Parkinson's, MS and brain injury.

If you are not sure whether you need neuro or MSK physiotherapy, book an initial assessment with SMARTPHYSIO. Call 020 7435 4910 or book online. The team will match you with the right specialist on the team based on your condition, symptoms and goals.

NHS guidance describes the broad range of conditions physiotherapy is used to treat, including neurological conditions and musculoskeletal problems: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/physiotherapy/.

Call us now: 020 7435 4910

Neuro Physiotherapy in London

Visiting and in-clinic neuro physiotherapy in London