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Bones, muscles and movement · Hub

Physical Therapies and Complementary Treatments

A neutral, plain-English guide to hands-on and movement-based treatments in the UK: what each one is, what it may help with, its limits and risks, what it costs, and how to check that the person treating you is properly qualified.

Regulated or not: the difference that matters

Some professional titles are protected by law. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists or chiropodists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council and chiropractors with the General Chiropractic Council. Using these titles without registration is a criminal offence.

Many other treatments — including acupuncture, massage, and yoga or Pilates teaching — are not statutorily regulated. Anyone can use those titles. That does not mean practitioners are unqualified, but it does mean you should check training, insurance and whether they belong to a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Regulated professions

Protected professional titles

These practitioners are on a statutory register, must meet set standards of training and conduct, hold indemnity insurance, and can be investigated and struck off.

PhysiotherapyRegulated titleMovement, exercise and hands-on treatment after injury, surgery or illness. HCPC registered.Read more →OsteopathyRegulated titleHands-on treatment of muscles and joints. Registered with the General Osteopathic Council.Read more →ChiropracticRegulated titleManual treatment focused on the spine and joints. Registered with the General Chiropractic Council.Read more →Podiatry and chiropodyRegulated titleFoot, ankle and lower-limb care, including diabetes foot care. HCPC registered.Read more →Occupational therapyRegulated titlePractical help to manage everyday activities, equipment and home adaptations. HCPC registered.Read more →
Complementary treatments

Treatments without statutory regulation

These may still be delivered by well-trained practitioners, and some are used within the NHS, but the title itself is not protected. Voluntary registers and recognised qualifications are your main safeguard.

AcupunctureNot statutorily regulatedFine needles used mainly for some types of pain and headache. Check training and voluntary registers.Read more →Massage and sports massageNot statutorily regulatedSoft-tissue work for tension, comfort and recovery. Check qualifications and insurance.Read more →Yoga and PilatesNot statutorily regulatedMovement and breathing classes for strength, balance and flexibility. Teacher training varies.Read more →

Before you book: a short checklist

  • Check the relevant register — HCPC, GOsC, GCC, or a PSA-accredited voluntary register.
  • Ask what training the practitioner holds and whether they have indemnity insurance.
  • Ask what the treatment involves, the risks, and the total cost in writing.
  • Agree when progress will be reviewed, and what happens if it does not help.
  • Be cautious about long prepaid packages and open-ended “maintenance” plans.
  • Be very cautious about any claim to cure a disease, or advice to stop prescribed medicine.

When to seek medical help instead

Hands-on and movement treatments are for everyday aches, stiffness and rehabilitation. Contact your GP or NHS 111 first for new, severe, worsening or unexplained symptoms, pain after a significant injury, fever, unexplained weight loss, night pain, or numbness and weakness.

Call 999 for chest pain, sudden severe breathlessness, sudden weakness or numbness on one side, face drooping or slurred speech, or loss of bladder or bowel control with back pain.

Our position

How Sixpence Support UK treats this subject

Sixpence Support UK CIC is an independent information service. We do not recommend, endorse, list or accept payment from individual practitioners or clinics, we do not host booking facilities or advertising on our health pages, and we do not claim that any treatment cures a medical condition. Sponsorship and editorial health information are kept entirely separate.

References
  1. [1] NHS. Complementary and alternative medicine · 2026
  2. [2] HCPC. The professions we regulate and protected titles · 2026
  3. [3] General Osteopathic Council. Find an osteopath · 2026
  4. [4] General Chiropractic Council. Search the register · 2026
  5. [5] Professional Standards Authority. Accredited Registers · 2026
  6. [6] NICE. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s (NG59) · 2020
  7. [7] NICE. Chronic pain in over 16s: assessment and management (NG193) · 2021
  8. [8] NHS 111. Get help for your symptoms · 2026