Frequently Asked Questions

West Coast Physio is located at Devon Park House (above Devon Park Dental), 108 Salthill Road Lower, Galway City, H91 YV4Y.

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that helps people manage pain, restore range of movement, and improve function. Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques, including hands-on treatment, exercise therapy, massage therapy, dry needling and education, to help people achieve their rehabilitation goals.

West Coast Physio treats a wide range of conditions, including and not limited to:

  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Spinal pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Knee pain
  • Hip pain
  • Sports injuries
  • Postoperative rehabilitation
  • Chronic pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Elbow pain
  • Wrist pain

No, you do not need a doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist. However, if you have been referred by your doctor, please bring the referral letter with you to your first appointment.

You can book an appointment online at www.westcoastphysio.ie or by calling our clinic at (091) 581 773.

Your first appointment will typically last for 45 minutes. During this appointment, your physiotherapist will:

  • Take your medical history
  • Conduct a physical examination
  • Discuss your diagnosis
  • Discuss your goals for therapy
  • Develop and start a treatment plan

The specific treatments you receive will depend on your individual needs. However, some common treatments include:

  • Hands-on treatment, such as massage, joint mobilization, and stretching
  • Exercise therapy
  • Dry needling
  • Education on pain management and injury prevention
  • Education on return to sport or hobby

Most private health insurance plans will cover physiotherapy treatment. Please check with your insurance provider to see if your plan is covered.

Our fees are as follows:

  • Initial consultation: €60
  • Subsequent sessions: €60

We do offer a discounted rate of €50 per session for medical card holders and students. Please bring your card to your appointment and let our admin team know if you would like to avail of this. 

Payment Options

  • We accept cash, credit card, and debit card payments.
  • We are also happy to set up a payment plan if necessary.

Yes, we offer a free 15-minute consultation known as a discovery session which is designed to help you assess your injury and determine if physiotherapy is right for you. Please note that this will not include any treatment.

Yes, we offer virtual appointments for those who are unable to come to the clinic in person. Please call our clinic and request a virtual appointment.

Yes, we offer home visit appointments for those who are unable to come to the clinic in person. Please call our clinic and request a home visit appointment. Please be aware that the cost of the session will depend on the time travelled.

Yes, we have free parking available at our clinic, to the front and back of the building. There is also a bus stop (Route 401) outside our clinic.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

You will need to wear comfortable clothing. For lower limb assessments please bring shorts and for upper limb assessments please bring a top that allows us to assess your posture.

Yes, we can refer patients for an MRI. Please note that since 2023, MRI referrals made by chartered physiotherapists are now covered by some of the major private heath insurance providers such as Laya Clinic and Irish Life.

Yes, in most cases you will be prescribed a personalised home exercise program which will help you reduce pain, improve range of motion, improve strength and help restore any loss of function.

Most treatment plans consist of approximately 6-10 sessions depending on your own individual needs and the severity of your injury or condition. You can expect to see your physiotherapist weekly at the beginning. The physiotherapist will help guide you and help reduce your pain, improve range of motion, strength and help you return to your sport or preferred hobby.

Yes, we are open Monday to Thursday 8-7, Friday 9-6 and Saturday 10-5

Yes, patients who cancel last minute may incur a charge of €30. Patients who do not attend and do not cancel beforehand may incur a charge of €30-€60 depending on the circumstances. We have a waiting list of patients who are in pain, and we require at least 24 hours’ notice to fill your slot.

Yes, we accept medical card holders. Medical card holders can avail of a discounted rate of €50 per a treatment session. Please let our admin team know before your appointment that you would like to avail of this.

Yes, it is normal to be sore after physiotherapy treatment. Post treatment soreness may persist anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Focus on your home exercise program. This will help to reduce sensitivity and kickstart the healing process. If your pain continues to worsen please contact your physiotherapist or alternatively try to see your general practitioner.

Yes, some of our employees are trained in Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessment for in-person or virtual assessments that can be done in the office or at a home working station. The benefit of choosing West Coast Physio over our competitors is that we are also expertly trained in the management and treatment of many work related injuries and repetitive strain injuries that stem from office-based professions. Please call our clinic on (091) 581 773 to enquire further.

Yes, chronic pain is long standing pain that persists beyond the usual recovery period or occurs with a chronic health condition, such as arthritis. Physiotherapy treatment can help manage and, in many cases, alleviate chronic pain. Chronic pain is complex and requires a multi-faceted approach and sometimes requires more than one health care profession. Treatment plans need to be holistic and include an understanding of pain science, exercise therapy, physical activity, massage therapy and in some cases cognitive behaviour therapy or other forms of counselling.

Dry needling is a treatment technique that is commonly used in physiotherapy treatment. It involves the insertion of very thin, solid acupuncture needles into specific points in muscles or other soft tissues. These points, known as trigger points, are areas of tightness, tenderness, and dysfunction in the muscle tissue. Dry needling is commonly used to treat pain and improve range of motion in musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and headaches. It is normal to be a bit sore and tender after dry needling. We call this response “post needle soreness”. This will usually dissipate with gentle stretching and physical activity.

The exact mechanism by which dry needling works is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve several factors:

  • Release of muscle tension: The insertion of needles into trigger points can cause the release of muscle tension and trigger point activity.
  • Increased blood flow: Dry needling can increase blood flow to the area, which can help to reduce inflammation and pain.
  • Release of neurotransmitters: Dry needling may also release neurotransmitters, such as endorphins and serotonin, which have pain-relieving effects.
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