Aches and pains are among the most common reasons people see a GP. If back pain is disturbing your sleep, a joint has become stiff or swollen, or a muscle injury is stopping you doing the things you enjoy, you deserve a proper assessment.
At Wimbledon Medical Service, our experienced private GP team offers unhurried same-day appointments in the heart of Wimbledon Village. We take the time to listen, examine you thoroughly, find the cause of your pain and build a treatment plan around you, with physiotherapy and specialist referrals arranged quickly when you need them.
Understanding Aches and Pains
"Aches and pains" covers a wide range of musculoskeletal problems: conditions affecting your muscles, bones, joints, tendons and nerves. Most are not serious and improve with the right advice and treatment, but persistent or worsening pain should always be assessed properly. The conditions we commonly see and treat include:
Back pain and neck pain, including lower back pain, stiffness and postural pain
Sciatica: nerve pain radiating from the lower back down the leg
Joint pain, including osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis and gout
Muscle strains, sprains and sports injuries
Tendon problems such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy and frozen shoulder
Symptoms That Deserve a Proper Assessment
Pain is your body's way of telling you something needs attention. It is worth seeing a GP if you notice:
Pain that has lasted more than two to three weeks, or keeps returning
Stiffness, swelling, warmth or redness around a joint
Pain that wakes you at night or stops you working, exercising or sleeping
Shooting, burning or tingling pain travelling down an arm or leg
A sudden, severely painful, hot or swollen joint (possible gout or infection, which needs prompt attention)
Weakness, numbness or reduced movement after an injury
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Most musculoskeletal pain has an identifiable cause. Frequent culprits include poor posture and long hours at a desk, lifting or twisting injuries, sporting overuse, and the natural wear that comes with age. Joint pain may be driven by osteoarthritis, gout or an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, while sciatica is usually caused by a disc pressing on a nerve in the lower spine.
Your risk rises with age, excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle, previous injury, and occupations involving heavy lifting or repetitive movement. Stress and poor sleep can amplify pain, too, which is why a good assessment always looks at the whole person, not just the painful spot.
How We Diagnose the Cause of Your Pain
Diagnosis starts with time, something we build into every appointment. During a private GP consultation lasting 20 to 60 minutes, your GP will take a detailed history, examine the affected area and assess your movement, strength and nerve function.
Where further investigation is helpful, we can arrange:
On-site [blood tests](https://www.wimbledonmedicalservice.com/services/private-blood-tests): for example, inflammatory markers or uric acid levels for suspected gout, with most results back within 24 to 48 hours
Imaging referrals: X-rays, ultrasound or MRI scans through trusted local providers
Specialist referrals: to local trusted physiotherapists, rheumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons or pain specialists, with a referral letter prepared promptly
Wherever possible you will see the same GP at every visit, so your care stays joined-up from first appointment to full recovery.
Treatment Options at Wimbledon Medical Service
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for musculoskeletal pain, so your plan is built around your diagnosis, lifestyle and goals. Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
Management of underlying causes: for example blood deficiencies, hormonal changes or specific medical conditions
Personalised medication management: for example the right pain relief or anti-inflammatory medication, prescribed safely and reviewed properly
Private prescriptions issued at your appointment, including treatment to settle acute gout attacks
Physiotherapy referral: fast access to experienced local physiotherapists for rehabilitation and strengthening
Referrals for specialist procedures: arranged via rapid referral where appropriate
Lifestyle and preventative advice: practical guidance on posture, activity, weight and sleep to stop pain returning, with private health checks available if you would like a fuller picture of your health
Planned follow-up: so your recovery is monitored, not left to chance
Standard 20-minute consultations start from £110, with longer appointments available for complex or long-standing problems. You can book an appointment online in minutes.
When to See a GP About Back or Joint Pain
As a general rule, see a GP if pain is severe, has lasted more than two weeks, keeps coming back, or is affecting your sleep, work or mood. Seek urgent medical help if back pain comes with numbness around your bottom or genitals, loss of bladder or bowel control, weakness in both legs, fever, or unexplained weight loss. These are red-flag symptoms that need immediate assessment, as NICE guidance makes clear. A hot, swollen joint with fever should also be assessed the same day.
If you are unsure whether your symptoms need attention, contact our reception team; we are happy to advise, and same-day appointments are usually available.
Why Choose Wimbledon Medical Service?
We are a compassionate, not-for-profit private GP practice and an established Wimbledon clinic built on the belief that the best care comes from having time to listen. When you see us about aches and pains, you benefit from:
Same-day appointments, in person at our Wimbledon Village clinic or by video
Unhurried 20–60 minute consultations: time to examine properly and explain clearly
Continuity of care: see the same experienced GP at each visit
On-site blood testing and fast imaging and specialist referrals
No membership fees or minimum commitment: use us alongside your NHS GP whenever you need us
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I see a GP about back pain in Wimbledon?
Usually the same day. We keep appointments available for urgent concerns, and you can book online, by phone or by video consultation. Our clinic is at 39 Church Road, in the heart of Wimbledon Village.
When should I worry about back pain?
Most back pain improves within a few weeks. See a GP promptly if pain lasts longer than two weeks, is getting worse, or follows an injury.
Can a private GP treat sciatica?
Yes. We diagnose sciatica through history and examination, provide effective pain management, and arrange physiotherapy or MRI scans and spinal specialist referrals where needed, without long waiting lists.
Do you treat gout?
We can assess for gout with an examination and a same-day blood test, and prescribe treatment to settle the attack quickly.
Can you arrange an X-ray or MRI scan?
Yes. If imaging is needed, your GP will refer you to a trusted local imaging provider, usually within days, and review the results with you at a follow-up appointment.
What can a private GP do for joint pain?
A thorough assessment to find the cause, whether osteoarthritis, gout or an inflammatory arthritis, plus blood tests, prescriptions, physiotherapy referral and rapid rheumatology, orthopaedic or pain consultant referral when specialist care is needed.
Do I need a referral to book an appointment?
No. Anyone can book directly with us: there is no registration fee and no need for an NHS referral. Many patients use us alongside their NHS GP for faster access when pain strikes. Our patient FAQs explain how it all works.
How much does an appointment cost?
Standard 20-minute consultations start from £110. Longer 30, 40- and 60-minute appointments are available for complex or long-standing problems. Blood tests, some prescriptions and referral letters are charged separately; see our services and fees for details.
Don't Let Pain Set the Pace of Your Life
Whether it is a nagging back, a swollen joint or an injury that will not settle, the sooner the cause is found, the sooner you can get back to normal. Book a same-day appointment with a private GP at Wimbledon Medical Service today, or call our friendly reception team on 020 8153 4239.