Physiotherapy with and without a referral: how it works
Pain in the back, neck, shoulders or knees is among the most common reasons to seek treatment. Physiotherapy can help in many cases, and you can choose whether to go through your GP or directly to a clinic. Here is the guide to both paths.
What does a physiotherapist do?
A physiotherapist examines and treats problems in muscles, joints and the musculoskeletal system. Treatment can consist of manual therapy, exercises, training programmes and advice on how to prevent the problem from returning. Physiotherapists treat everything from acute injuries such as sprains and muscle tears to long term issues such as lower back pain, neck tension and osteoarthritis. Many clinics also have specialised services such as rehabilitation after surgery, sports physiotherapy and treatment of dizziness.
With a referral: public subsidy
If your GP assesses that you need physiotherapy, you can get a referral. With the referral you receive a subsidy for treatment at physiotherapists with a public agreement, so your own payment is lower. For certain chronic conditions and severe physical disabilities you may be entitled to free physiotherapy. The referral is a good choice if you are seeing your GP anyway, or if you expect a longer course of treatment where the subsidy really adds up.
Without a referral: direct access
You can also go directly to a physiotherapist without seeing your GP first. Then you pay the full price yourself, but you save the waiting time and can often get an appointment within a few days. Many choose this path for acute pain, where getting started quickly matters. If you are a member of Sygeforsikringen danmark, you can get a subsidy even without a referral, and many workplace health insurance schemes also cover physiotherapy. Check your scheme before booking.
What does physiotherapy cost?
A first consultation with a private physiotherapist typically costs 300 to 550 kroner, and follow up treatments are often between 250 and 450 kroner. With a referral and public subsidy your own payment is lower. Group training and packages with several treatments can give a lower price per session. Ask the clinic about the price for both the first consultation and follow up treatments, so you know the total cost of a typical course.
Physiotherapist or chiropractor?
Both professions treat problems in the musculoskeletal system, and there is some overlap. The physiotherapist typically works with muscles, exercises and rehabilitation over a course of treatment, while the chiropractor specialises in joints and spinal function and often uses joint manipulation. For lower back and neck pain, both can be good choices. If in doubt, you can start with one and be referred onwards if it turns out to be the wrong place: practitioners readily refer to each other.