Desk professionals
Neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness and posture-related discomfort.
Musculoskeletal · Rehabilitation · Respiratory
Physiotherapy in South Kensington
Precise assessment and structured rehabilitation for pain, injury and movement limitations — focused on understanding what is driving the problem, restoring function and building long-term resilience.
Private 60-minute sessions
HCPC-registered physiotherapists
Hands-on + exercise therapy
Self-referral welcome
One-to-oneNo shared treatment rooms or rushed appointments
Assessment-ledClinical reasoning before a generic exercise sheet
MeasurableClear milestones and review points
Joined-upWe can liaise with your GP, consultant or surgeon
Physiotherapy that restores confidence in movement
Physiotherapy is often most useful when pain or injury starts to change how you move, train, work or sleep. The aim is not simply to reduce symptoms for a few days, but to understand the problem and progressively restore capacity.
Active clients
Gym, running, tennis, padel and sports-related injuries or performance limitations.
Post-surgical clients
Structured rehabilitation after orthopaedic, spinal or joint procedures.
Persistent pain
Recurring flare-ups where the goal is to understand why symptoms keep returning.
Conditions we commonly treat
Choose the area most relevant to you. Each guide explains what we assess, how rehabilitation progresses and when medical review may be more appropriate.
Lower Back Pain & Sciatica
Lumbar pain, nerve-related leg symptoms and recurring back flare-ups.
Read the back pain guide →Neck Pain & Headaches
Mechanical neck pain, cervicogenic headaches, stiffness and desk-related symptoms.
Read the neck guide →Shoulder & Rotator Cuff
Rotator cuff irritation, shoulder pain, weakness and restricted overhead movement.
Read the shoulder guide →Knee Pain
Meniscal irritation, patellofemoral pain, strength deficits and return-to-running.
Read the knee guide →Hip & Groin Strains
Adductor and hip-flexor strains, gluteal tendinopathy and selected labral irritation.
Read the hip guide →Ankle & Achilles
Ankle sprains, Achilles pain, calf capacity, balance and return-to-sport progression.
Read the ankle guide →Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow
Progressive loading for lateral or medial elbow tendinopathy, with work and sport modifications.
Read the elbow guide →Post-Operative Rehabilitation
Protocol-aligned rehabilitation after knee, hip, shoulder, spine, foot or hand surgery.
Explore post-op rehab →Posture & Desk-Related Pain
Neck, shoulder and back symptoms linked to prolonged sitting, laptop work and ergonomics.
Read the desk-pain guide →Respiratory Physiotherapy
Breathlessness, airway clearance, recurrent chest infections and respiratory rehabilitation.
Explore respiratory physio →Sports Injury Rehabilitation
Assessment, load management and graded return for gym, running, racket sport and training injuries.
Ask us about your injury →Persistent or Recurrent Pain
A structured approach when symptoms repeatedly settle and return without a clear long-term plan.
Describe your symptoms →What to expect at Santi
Thorough assessment
History, movement testing, strength and clinical reasoning to identify contributing factors rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
Hands-on treatment
Manual therapy where appropriate, combined with practical movement or exercise guidance from the first appointment.
Progressive plan
A personalised home programme with realistic milestones, refined as symptoms settle and capacity improves.
What we work towards
Reduce pain & flare-ups
Help movement feel safer and reduce unnecessary guarding or avoidance.
Restore function
Improve walking, lifting, training, desk comfort, sleep and daily activity.
Build resilience
Strength, confidence and self-management strategies designed to reduce recurrence.
How treatment may be delivered
Manual therapy
Joint mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques, trigger-point work and stretching where useful.
Exercise therapy
Strength, mobility, motor-control and return-to-activity progressions.
Post-op protocols
Structured rehabilitation aligned with your procedure and surgeon guidance.
Posture & ergonomics
Desk set-up, pacing strategies and practical changes to reduce repeated aggravation.
Taping & supports
Used selectively as short-term adjuncts rather than substitutes for rehabilitation.
Pain education
Clear explanations so symptoms feel less mysterious and self-management becomes practical.
Physiotherapy, massage or medical review?
| Your main concern | Best starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pain, injury, weakness or restricted movement | Physiotherapy | Assessment-led care, diagnosis, rehabilitation and progressive loading. |
| General muscular tension, recovery or relaxation | Massage | Best where there is no specific injury or rehabilitation need. |
| Training soreness or recurring tightness without clear injury | Sports Massage | Targeted soft-tissue recovery without a full injury pathway. |
| Sudden severe, progressive or systemic symptoms | Medical review | Urgent or unexplained symptoms need medical assessment rather than routine physiotherapy. |
Safety first
When physiotherapy should not be the first step
Most musculoskeletal pain can be assessed safely in physiotherapy, but some symptoms require urgent or medical assessment first.
Seek urgent medical advice for:
- New bladder or bowel disturbance with back pain
- Saddle numbness or rapidly progressive weakness
- Chest pain or severe breathlessness
- Major trauma or inability to weight-bear
- Severe headache with neurological change
Tell us about:
- Fever, unexplained weight loss or night sweats
- Recent surgery or fracture
- Cancer history, osteoporosis or immune suppression
- Persistent numbness, pins and needles or weakness
- Symptoms that are rapidly worsening
Physiotherapy is not an emergency service. If symptoms are severe or you feel acutely unwell,
seek appropriate urgent medical care.
Meet Santi’s physiotherapists
HCPC-registered, MSc-qualified senior physiotherapists offering calm, structured and clinically grounded care.
Elizabeth Dioti
HCPC PH100696 · Senior Physiotherapist · MSc
Elizabeth brings more than 20 years of experience in complex rehabilitation and injury management, with particular interest in spinal and upper-limb conditions. Her work combines detailed assessment, progressive rehabilitation and confidence-building guidance.
Maria Koulopoulou
HCPC PH100723 · Senior Physiotherapist · MSc
Maria combines respiratory expertise with musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Her sessions integrate functional movement, breathing strategies, pacing and practical home guidance, particularly after illness, surgery or persistent respiratory symptoms.
Explore respiratory physiotherapy →Supportive services and physiotherapy resources
Massage Therapy
For general muscular tension, recovery and relaxation.
Explore massage →Full House Massage
A longer head-to-toe treatment blending recovery-focused and restorative techniques.
Explore Full House →Sports Massage
Targeted soft-tissue work for training recovery and muscular tightness.
Explore sports massage →Skin Lab
Objective measurement and diagnostics within Santi’s wider clinical network.
Explore Skin Lab →Wellness at Santi
Explore Santi’s wider rehabilitation, massage and wellbeing services.
Explore wellness →Respiratory Physiotherapy
Specialist breathing, airway-clearance and respiratory rehabilitation.
Explore respiratory care →Tension Headache Guide
Read more about tension headaches and treatment pathways.
Read the article →Neck Pain & Physiotherapy
An established Santi article on neck pain and physiotherapy.
Read the article →Meet the Team
Meet Santi’s wider clinical and wellness team.
Meet the team →Price List
View current physiotherapy and wider Santi treatment pricing.
See prices →Contact Santi
Not sure which appointment is right? Describe your symptoms and we’ll guide you.
Contact us →Physiotherapy FAQs
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can self-refer. If imaging or onward medical review is needed, your physiotherapist will guide you.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing that allows movement and access to the affected area is ideal. Bring relevant scan reports or consultant letters if you have them.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the condition, duration of symptoms, goals and response. Your first session should give you a clearer idea of the likely pathway and review points.
Will treatment start at the first appointment?
Usually yes, where appropriate. Assessment remains the priority, but hands-on treatment and practical exercise guidance can begin on day one.
Do I need an MRI before physiotherapy?
Usually not. Many musculoskeletal conditions can be assessed clinically. Imaging is considered where the history, examination, red flags or lack of progress make it appropriate.
Should I book physiotherapy or massage?
Physiotherapy is generally the better starting point for pain, injury, weakness, restricted movement or recurring symptoms. Massage is more appropriate for general tension, relaxation or muscular recovery.
Can physiotherapy help recurring pain?
Often. The aim is to understand contributing factors, improve movement and load tolerance, and build a plan that reduces repeated flare-ups rather than relying on passive treatment alone.
Is physiotherapy suitable for older adults?
Yes. Assessment and rehabilitation are adapted to baseline strength, balance, medical history, confidence and individual goals.
Book private physiotherapy in South Kensington
Start with a private 60-minute consultation. We’ll assess the problem, begin treatment where appropriate, and give you a clear plan from day one.
Information on this page is for general guidance and does not replace medical advice. If you feel acutely unwell or symptoms are severe, seek urgent medical care.