Acute back pain is often caused by an injury. For example you may have hurt your back trying to lift a heavy object, or performed an awkward movement. In these cases you will normally be able to pinpoint the moment the injury occurred.
Chronic (ongoing) back pain may be caused by many factors. These may be purely musculoskeletal, for example repetitive injury caused by too much bending over. Many lifestyle factors can also contribute to back pain, such as poor workstation posture, driving, incorrect mattress, or pregnancy. Our expert practitioners will be able to help you identify and correct any contributing factors, helping you to recover quickly and avoid aggravating the problem further in future.
Back pain may also be caused by underlying medical issues such as sciatica, lumbar disc prolapse (slipped disc) or scoliosis. Our practitioners are able to diagnose any underlying causes and provide a treatment plan to deal with the problem at its root. We will also refer you for further diagnostic scans – such as X-rays – or alternative medical treatment such as cortisone injections if appropriate in your case.
We offer a range of treatments in order to provide the most appropriate and effective treatment for your particular condition. If you would like to know more or get advice on the best treatment for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
If you are suffering from chronic back pain or feel that posture may be contributing to your problem, osteopathy is an ideal first choice. Osteopaths are specialists in understanding spinal alignment and how different parts of the body function together. For example, an osteopath may trace the cause of your back pain back to compensatory reactions to an underlying cause such as incorrect shoes or respiratory issues.
Osteopaths also manipulate the spine directly, allowing them to ‘push’ misaligned vertebrae back into place, and use a range of other physical therapy techniques such as joint mobilisation, dry needling, and massage.
Osteopathy is a recognised Allied Health Profession, and osteopaths are registered and regulated in the UK by the General Osteopathic Council.
Similar to osteopathy, physiotherapists use a range of manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilisation, stretching, deep tissue massage, myofascial release and trigger point therapy to restore the health of ligaments, tendons, joints and muscles.
Physiotherapists take a rehabilitative approach and will provide you with a plan of exercises and stretches to be done outside of treatment, helping you to take action to improve your condition on a daily basis.
Our physiotherapists are experienced practitioners and registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and Health Professions Council.
If you feel that your back pain is caused primarily by muscle fatigue, aches and tightness, a massage may help to relax and replenish the muscles, relieving pain. Many people also find massage therapy generally relaxing and rejuvenating.
We use a combination of massage approaches depending on the most appropriate treatment for your particular problem. This includes deep tissue massage, sports massage, trigger point therapy, manual lymphatic massage, Thai massage and myofascial release.
Our massage therapists are experienced and registered with relevant professional bodies.
Shockwave therapy involves sending high-amplitude acoustic pulses into affected tendons to promote healing. It can be used as a standalone treatment or incorporated into other treatments such as physiotherapy or osteopathy.
Shockwave therapy is typically used for chronic repetitive injuries which have not responded to other treatments. It is recommended to begin with an osteopathy or physiotherapy appointment, and your clinician will advise whether shockwave therapy will be effective in your case.
We are a leading multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to getting you quickly out of pain and back to living a full life.
At your first appointment with one of our osteopaths or physiotherapists, we’ll begin by asking you what has brought you to the clinic and taking a brief medical history. Initial appointments are 30 or 60 minutes long, giving plenty of time to understand your problem and possible causes.
Your clinician will then examine any painful areas, and your overall posture and biomechanics, to understand exactly what is causing the pain and any contributing factors. They will then give you a professional diagnosis and explain the most effective course of treatment for you and how many sessions you are likely to need.
In most cases you will receive treatment at the first session. This will involve various physical therapy techniques depending on the treatment you are receiving. You will speak with your clinician throughout the process and they will explain any techniques or treatments you are not familiar with.
Generally our treatments are not painful, although you may experience slight discomfort if your clinician is working with areas that are already tender.
Please note you may need to remove outer layers of clothing such as jumpers or t-shirts. Ladies may wish to wear a vest top to their appointment. You may also wish to bring shorts to change into.
You will normally notice an improvement in your symptoms from the first treatment session. At the end of the session your clinician will ask you whether your symptoms have changed at all, and typically provide you with exercises or stretches to help your specific condition, which you can do in your own time.
We are dedicated to your recovery. If you require advice or help in between sessions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and one of our osteopaths or physiotherapists will be happy to help you.
Please call us and arrange to speak to an Osteopath or Physiotherapist if you are unsure about the nature of your injury or what treatment would be right for you. If treatment is not deemed appropriate there will be no charge made for your appointment.
Osteopathy offers a hands-on, manual therapy approach to the treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries using mobilisation and stretches, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy and myofascial release to restore the health of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints.
As the treatment involves massage and stretching techniques you may need to remove some outer layers of clothing such as shirt, jumper or trousers. If you are suffering from low back pain or leg pain you may wish to bring shorts or loose trousers to change into. Women suffering from back and upper limb pain may wish to wear a vest top.
Your initial consultation involves the osteopath or physiotherapist taking a full medical history, treatment notes are then also taken at subsequent visits. Medical histories are kept on our secure practice software in accordance with data protection and the code of practice set out by The General Osteopathic Council and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. Medical history and treatment notes are not disclosed to any third party such as General Practitioners or health insurance providers without the permission of the patient.
Osteopaths and physiotherapists are trained as primary healthcare practitioners and patients can seek treatment without referral. If necessary you will be advised to see your GP or you may be referred for further investigations such x-ray or MRI. Please note most Health Insurance companies ask that you contact your GP before seeking treatment.
State-of-the-art clinics in two conveniently central locations.
Booking is quick and simple using our online system, allowing you to search appointments to find the day, time and practitioner which best suit you. There is no long wait and appointments are typically available at 24-48 hours notice, allowing you to get out of pain quickly.
If you require any further help or advice on whether our treatments can help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
© Copyright 2024
LudgateClinic 101 Fleet Street London, EC4Y 1DE
020 7427 0080
