Introducing Freedom Physiotherapy with Freedom 360: Fast access to expert physiotherapy

As of 1 April 2026, Freedom Physiotherapy, provided by Ascenti Physio, is officially live as part of the Freedom 360 health and wellbeing toolkit. Eligible UK members can begin their physiotherapy journey quickly, with 98% of initial assessments completed within one working day.

In this blog, we introduce Freedom Physiotherapy as a new Freedom Partner within Freedom 360, explain how the service works, and explore how it helps members access professional physiotherapy support when they need it.

Why Freedom 360 includes Freedom Physiotherapy

Freedom 360 is designed to support members across multiple aspects of their health and wellbeing, with a focus on earlier intervention and improved access to care.

Musculoskeletal conditions are among the most common reasons people seek medical support. By including Freedom Physiotherapy within the toolkit, Freedom Health Insurance enables eligible members to access treatment sooner, supporting faster recovery and better long term outcomes.

Hoosh Mires, Chief Operating Officer of Freedom Health Insurance, said: “We are seeing growing demand for faster access to care, particularly for musculoskeletal conditions where early intervention can significantly improve outcomes. Freedom Physiotherapy is a natural extension of our Freedom 360 digital health and wellbeing toolkit, which is focused on identifying gaps in traditional pathways and introducing practical, accessible support when members need it. By partnering with Ascenti Physio, one of the UK’s leading physiotherapy providers, we offer fast access to expert-led care through a more streamlined, clinically guided pathway, improving how members access and progress through treatment. This addition strengthens the value we provide to both members and employers by enabling more effective use of healthcare pathways.”

Who are Ascenti Physio?

Freedom Physiotherapy is delivered by Ascenti Physio, one of the UK’s leading physiotherapy providers.

The service leverages a national network of:

• 300+ directly employed physiotherapists
• 300 UK clinics

This scale enhances access to musculoskeletal support, helping members recover sooner, reduce time away from work, and maintain long term health and mobility.

Ascenti Physio was selected as a Freedom Partner based on its national reach, clinical expertise, and proven ability to deliver fast, accessible care. Members can access support directly through the Freedom Health Insurance claims team, without the need for a GP referral.

Kevin Doyle, Chief Commercial Officer of Ascenti, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Freedom Health Insurance to support the launch of their digital first MSK physiotherapy service. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to delivering high quality, accessible musculoskeletal care that puts patients first. By combining Freedom’s member focused approach with Ascenti Physio’s clinical and digital expertise across our national network, we are well positioned to deliver timely, effective treatment that supports better outcomes and helps people return to what matters most to them.”

What conditions can Freedom Physiotherapy help treat?

Physiotherapy is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal conditions affecting muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons.

Common conditions include:

• Lower back pain
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Knee injuries
• Muscle strains
• Rehabilitation following surgery

Key features of Freedom Physiotherapy

Eligible members can benefit from:

• No GP referral required, enabling direct access via the Freedom Health Insurance claims team
• 98% of initial assessments delivered within one working day
• 90% of the UK population within five miles of an Ascenti clinic
• 300+ directly employed physiotherapists across 300 UK clinics
• 100,000 referrals managed annually, with 92% self-referred
• Flexible treatment pathways, including self-management, virtual physiotherapy, and face-to-face care

This approach helps members start their recovery journey with the right clinical guidance from the outset.

How accessible is Freedom Physiotherapy?

Access to physiotherapy support is an important factor when choosing treatment.

Through Ascenti Physio’s nationwide network:

• 90% of the UK population is within 5 miles of a clinic
• The service supports over 100,000 referrals every year
• 92% of referrals are self-referred, demonstrating ease of access

This broad coverage helps ensure members can access treatment close to home when face-to-face care is required.

How do the Freedom Physiotherapy pathways work?

The Freedom Physiotherapy pathways are designed to be simple and supportive.

Step 1: Contact the Freedom physiotherapy team

Eligible members can contact the Freedom Health Claims team directly to begin the process. This removes the need for a GP referral and helps members access care more quickly.

Step 2: Initial virtual physiotherapy assessment

Members are offered an initial virtual consultation with a qualified physiotherapist.

• Discuss symptoms and medical history
• Assess mobility and pain levels
• Identify possible causes of the issue
• Recommend the most appropriate treatment pathway

Step 3: Recommended treatment options

Based on the assessment, the physiotherapist will recommend the most appropriate treatment pathway. This may include:

• Self-management with guided exercises and practical advice to help manage symptoms and support recovery.
• Virtual physiotherapy through a specialist-guided digital programme completed from home.
• Face-to-face physiotherapy with hands-on treatment from a physiotherapy specialist.

All treatment plans are tailored to the member’s individual condition and recovery needs.

Can you access Freedom Physiotherapy without a GP referral?

Yes. Eligible members can begin the physiotherapy pathway by contacting the Freedom Health Claims team directly.

Removing the need for a GP referral can streamline access to physiotherapy, allowing members to begin treatment sooner.

Learn more

To learn more about how Freedom Physiotherapy works, visit our Freedom Physiotherapy webpage.

 

Disclaimer: Freedom Physiotherapy is available to eligible Freedom Health Insurance members as part of the Freedom 360 digital health and wellbeing toolkit from 1 April 2026. Access to the service and appointment availability may vary depending on eligibility and clinical assessment. Information in this blog is provided for general guidance only, is accurate as of March 2026, but may be subject to change.

Musculoskeletal concerns are among the most common reasons people seek medical support, which is why Freedom Physiotherapy has been included in the toolkit.

By including Freedom Physiotherapy within Freedom 360, Freedom Health Insurance helps eligible members access professional physiotherapy support quickly, supporting earlier

To learn more about how Freedom Physiotherapy works, visit our Freedom Physiotherapy webpage.

Disclaimer: Freedom Physiotherapy is available to eligible Freedom Health Insurance members as part of the Freedom 360 digital health and wellbeing toolkit from 1 April 2026. Access to the service and appointment availability may vary depending on eligibility and clinical assessment. Information in this blog is provided for general guidance only, is accurate as of March 2026, but may be subject to change.