Physiotherapists in Sunderland

If you have a bad back, a sore knee or an injury that is not settling, a physiotherapist can assess the problem and give you a plan to recover. In Sunderland you can reach physiotherapy through the NHS, usually with a wait, or book privately and often be seen within a few days. This guide covers five private clinics we have confirmed are seeing patients in 2026, spread across the city centre, the coast and the south-west of the city. All of them accept patients directly, so you do not need a GP referral to book.

The NHS route first

Before paying, it is worth knowing that adults registered with a Sunderland GP can usually refer themselves to the NHS musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy service run by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, without seeing a GP first. Waiting times vary, and the service is aimed at problems such as back, neck and joint pain rather than sports performance. If your problem is urgent, or you have numbness, weakness or bladder or bowel changes alongside back pain, contact your GP or NHS 111 straight away.

Goodacre Physiotherapy

Goodacre Physiotherapy is an independent practice on Grange Terrace, a short walk south of the city centre, working from a restored Victorian terrace. It is run by Sam Goodacre, a chartered physiotherapist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, who has around 25 years of experience across the NHS and private practice.

Treatment combines hands-on manual therapy with electrotherapy, such as ultrasound and pulsed short-wave, and a programme of exercises to continue at home. The practice can also write to your GP or a consultant if you need onward care. Appointments are arranged by phone or through the practice website.

Best for: People who want to see the same experienced clinician at every appointment, close to the city centre.

Response Physio & Sports Therapy

On the coast, Response Physio & Sports Therapy has a clinic on Mere Knolls Road in Roker, just off Side Cliff Road. It was previously Sunderland Physiotherapy Clinic and is now part of a small group with clinics in Stockton and Gosforth. The team mixes chartered physiotherapists with sports therapists.

Alongside standard physiotherapy, the clinic offers sports massage, gait analysis, acupuncture and dry needling, women's health physiotherapy and virtual appointments. It says it is recognised by insurers including AXA, BUPA and Aviva, which is worth checking if you have cover through work. Bookings can be made online.

Best for: Runners and coastal residents, and anyone using private medical insurance who wants a wide range of treatments under one roof.

The Performance Clinic

The Performance Clinic runs its Sunderland branch from City Space, the University of Sunderland's sports building on Chester Road, with parking at the building. The group also has clinics in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Its services lean towards sport and activity: chartered physiotherapy, shockwave therapy for stubborn tendon problems, acupuncture, biomechanical gait analysis and sports massage. No referral is needed.

Best for: Active people with a running, gym or team-sport injury who want a structured rehabilitation plan.

Sano Physiotherapy

In the south-west of the city, Sano Physiotherapy sees patients at Regus House on Doxford International Business Park, which is handy from the A19 and has parking. Its published hours run from 8.30am to 8pm on weekdays and from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.

The clinic treats musculoskeletal problems, sports injuries and post-operative rehabilitation, and also offers sports massage. The building has disabled access, and appointments are booked online.

Best for: People who need an early, evening or Saturday appointment, particularly if they work at Doxford Park.

5th Element Sports Injury Clinic

5th Element Sports Injury Clinic works from The Powerbar Gym on Anthony Road in Farringdon, with a sister clinic near Durham. Its clinical lead is a registered osteopath, and the team covers physiotherapy, sports injury therapy and osteopathy.

Hands-on treatment includes clinical soft tissue massage, with techniques such as acupuncture, cupping and taping used where appropriate. The clinic accepts private medical insurance including AXA and BUPA, and bookings are made online.

Best for: Gym users and lifters, and anyone who would like a choice between a physiotherapist and an osteopath.

Choosing a physiotherapist

Check that whoever treats you is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, which is a legal requirement for anyone using the title physiotherapist. Sports therapists and massage therapists can be very useful, but they are not the same as physiotherapists, so ask who you will be seeing when you book. If you are claiming on insurance, contact your insurer first, as many need a pre-authorisation number before the first appointment.

A first appointment is usually longer than follow-ups and includes an assessment, so wear clothes that let the clinician see and move the affected area. If you are returning to sport, our guides to gyms, personal trainers, yoga and running and cycling may help, and for a hands-on treatment without an injury, see our massage guide.

Know a clinic we have missed? Get in touch.