Physiotherapy Questions Answered – Strovolos, Nicosia
Physiotherapy FAQ: Common Questions About GESY, Treatment and Recovery
Clear, direct answers to the questions patients in Nicosia ask most often about physiotherapy: how GESY works, what a physiotherapist actually does, how long recovery takes, and what happens at your first session.
GESY and Referrals
Do I need a referral for GESY physiotherapy?
Yes. GESY does not allow direct access to physiotherapy. A referral must be issued by your personal doctor or a specialist doctor participating in GESY before you can book a covered appointment. A physiotherapist cannot issue the referral themselves.
How much does GESY physiotherapy cost?
Beneficiaries pay a co-payment of EUR 10 per session. This amount is set by the system and is identical at every GESY-contracted physiotherapy centre in Cyprus.
How many sessions does GESY cover?
A short-term referral covers three sessions and a medium-term referral covers six, both valid for six months. There is also a maximum number of sessions per diagnosis, per beneficiary, per calendar year, published in the covered-diagnoses tables at gesy.org.cy. Full detail is in our GESY physiotherapy guide.
Can I choose my own physiotherapist under GESY?
Yes. Once a referral has been issued you are free to attend any physiotherapist contracted with GESY. You are not assigned to a specific clinic.
Can I have physiotherapy privately instead?
Yes. Private physiotherapy requires no referral and can begin immediately. It is often chosen when someone wants to start without waiting, when the diagnosis is not covered, or when a longer programme is preferred.
About Physiotherapy Treatment
What does a physiotherapist actually do?
A physiotherapist assesses how you move, identifies what is causing your pain or limitation, and builds a treatment plan to restore movement, strength and function. Treatment typically combines manual therapy, progressive exercise, movement retraining and advice on managing load and activity.
What happens at the first physiotherapy session?
The first appointment is mainly assessment: your history, a physical examination of movement, strength and joint mobility, then an explanation of the findings. Treatment usually begins the same day, and you leave with a home exercise programme. See what to expect at your first appointment.
Does physiotherapy hurt?
Assessment may briefly reproduce your symptoms, since identifying which movements provoke pain is part of diagnosis. Treatment itself should be tolerable. Mild soreness for a day or two afterwards is common and usually settles quickly.
How long does rehabilitation take?
It depends on the condition, how long it has been present and how it responds. An acute problem caught early often resolves in a few weeks, while long-standing or post-surgical conditions may need a structured programme over several months. Your physiotherapist should give you a realistic estimate after the initial assessment.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI before physiotherapy?
In most cases, no. Imaging is considered when specific clinical signs indicate it. If your assessment suggests further investigation is needed, you will be advised accordingly.
What should I wear to a physiotherapy appointment?
Comfortable clothing that allows movement and access to the affected area. Shorts and a t-shirt suit most assessments. If you are coming from work, bring a change of clothes.
Conditions We Treat
Do you treat sports injuries?
Yes. We treat sprains, muscle strains, tendinopathies and overuse injuries, with a focus on graded return to training and reducing re-injury risk. See sports physiotherapy in Nicosia.
How does physiotherapy help back pain?
Treatment addresses what is driving the pain rather than the symptom alone: restoring movement, building strength in the core and hips, retraining movement patterns and managing load. Understanding whether the problem is mechanical back pain or nerve-related matters, as the two need different approaches. See lower back pain vs sciatica.
Can physiotherapy help after surgery?
Yes. Post-surgical rehabilitation supports controlled recovery of range of motion, strength and function while respecting your surgeon’s protocol. See post-surgical rehabilitation in Nicosia.
Do you offer neurological rehabilitation?
Yes. We provide rehabilitation for stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions, focusing on balance, walking, transfers and daily independence. See neurological rehabilitation in Nicosia.
When should I see a physiotherapist rather than wait?
Consider an assessment if pain has lasted more than one to two weeks without improvement, keeps returning, radiates into an arm or leg, causes weakness or numbness, or is affecting your sleep, work or training.
About the Clinic
Where is the clinic located?
Elinos Petrou Physiotherapy Center is at Andrea Avraamidi 37, Office 203, Strovolos, Nicosia 2024, Cyprus. We see patients from across Nicosia including Engomi, Aglantzia, Lakatamia, Acropolis, Dasoupoli, Latsia and Archangelos.
Are your physiotherapists registered?
Yes. Our physiotherapists are registered with the Cyprus Physiotherapists Registration Council, and the centre is contracted with GESY.
How do I book an appointment?
Call +357 22 260053 or book online. If you are using GESY, have your referral ready when you contact us.
Still Have a Question?
If your question is not answered here, contact our physiotherapy centre in Strovolos, Nicosia and we will advise you before you book.