Musculoskeletal services 

GetUBetter self-management app 

Residents in mid and south Essex aged 18 and over can access the GetUBetter self-management app free of charge for musculoskeletal conditions (muscle, bone, and joint problems). 

What musculoskeletal conditions does this cover? 

The service is designed to support individuals with one or more of the following conditions: 

  • Soft tissue injury, sprain, strain, or sports injury 
  • Arthritis 
  • Muscle, ligament, tendon, or bone issues, including tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and ankle sprains 
  • Spinal pain, including lower back, mid-back, and neck pain 
  • Spinal-related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms such as pins and needles or numbness 
  • Changes to walking 
  • Post-orthopaedic surgery 

Benefits to you:

  • A personalised recovery plan based on your symptoms 
  • Day-by-day and step-by-step guidance 
  • Exercises tailored to your stage of recovery 
  • A symptom checker with advice on when to seek help 
  • Referrals to local healthcare providers, treatments, and services (e.g., GP practice, physio, or wellbeing services) if needed 
Download the app

getUBetter is free to all mid and south residents aged over 18 registered with a local GP practice.

The app is suitable for:

  • People with any new, recurrent, or ongoing muscle or joint problem
  • People over 18 years of age
  • People who would benefit from self-management support

The app is not suitable for:

  • People with a known diagnosis such as infection, rheumatological conditions, neurological problems, cancer, or fracture
  • People under the age of 18 years of age
  • People with severe, worsening symptoms where self-management is not advised by a clinician
  • People with an injury or condition that requires regular physiotherapy or medical management e.g., after surgery or an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture
  • People with worsening neurological symptoms (numbness, weakness, an unexplained new onset of bladder and bowel symptoms)

The app can be translated to the following languages

  • Urdu
  • Arabic
  • Bengali
  • English
  • Farsi
  • Gujurati
  • Polish
  • Somali
  • Welsh
  • Spanish
  • Punjabi
  • Portuguese
  • Romanian
  • Ukrainian

getUBetter has introduced touch-to-speak (TTS) – a new powerful feature to improve access and serve impactful content to a wider range of patients across mid and south Essex. This means that users will be able to turn any text into audio in the language of their choosing, transforming their digital experience with just a touch of a finger.

First contact physiotherapists (FCPs) 

If you have a musculoskeletal condition—something affecting your bones, soft tissue, muscles, joints, or ligaments—specialists in GP surgeries and community services can help you access the treatment and support you need. 

Many GP surgeries have a First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) who specialises in assessing and managing musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. 

If your GP surgery has a first contact physiotherapy service, the receptionist can book you an appointment directly with a physiotherapist, so you won’t need to wait for a referral from a doctor. 

You may be offered an appointment with a physiotherapist if you experience any of the following: 

  • Soft tissue injury, sprain, strain, or sports injury 
  • Arthritis (any joint) 
  • Muscle, ligament, tendon, or bone issues, such as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, or ankle sprains 
  • Spinal pain, including lower back, mid-back, and neck pain 
  • Spinal-related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms such as pins and needles or numbness 
  • Changes to walking 
  • Post-orthopaedic surgery 

During your appointment, the physiotherapist will: 

  • Assess you and diagnose your condition 
  • Provide expert advice on managing your condition 
  • Refer you to a specialist service if necessary 

Find out more about your GP team 

Painkillers Don’t Exist

The term ‘painkiller’ is misleading – it implies that medicine will kill the pain completely. Although they can play a part in managing persistent pain they do not work for everyone, and even if you get some benefit, after 3 months they’re probably not working and addiction becomes a serious issue.

Find out more about the Painkillers Don't Exist campaign