EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT FOR BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA

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Dr Oliver Thomson PhD is a leading London osteopath. Using the latest research, he provides effective treatment for back pain and sciatica, incorporating osteopathy, manual therapy, exercise advice and education. He has extensive experience in helping patients with acute, recurrent or chronic back pain, where other treatments and 'quick fix' approaches have not been successful.

Based in Belsize Park, his extensive clinical expertise and evidence-based approach will meet all your musculoskeletal healthcare needs, no matter how complex.

Choose us for effective relief for your back pain and sciatica:

Leading London osteopath
Persistent chronic back pain and acute episodes

Detailed clinical examination, explanation and diagnosis
Modern approach using the latest research

Exercise and rehabilitation
Professional, friendly and supportive approach

CLINICIAN

A leading London osteopath, Dr Thomson has extensive expertise and experience in treating and managing a range of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly back pain and sciatica. Using the latest research he puts the individual patient at the heart of any treatment plan so that you'll be involved in all the decisions regarding your care.

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RESEARCHER

Dr Thomson is an experienced researcher and academic. He collaborates with researchers worldwide and has published extensively in the areas of clinical reasoning, biopsychosocial model of back pain, qualitative research and grounded theory.

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EDUCATOR

Dr Thomson is currently an Associate Professor at the University College of Osteopathy in London, and he has held several teaching and lecturing positions at educational institutions in the UK and Scandinavia. He regularly holds seminars, workshops and CPD courses for osteopaths, manual therapists, healthcare professionals.

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Leading London Osteopath

Extensive clinical experience & training

Comprehensive clinical examination

Clear diagnosis & explanation

Modern approach using the latest research

Effective pain relief

Self-managment & pain education

Exercise & rehabilitation advice

Professional, friendly & supportive approach

Online booking

Book your appointment

If you're experiencing back pain, sciatica or another musculoskeletal problem or have been failed by 'quick fix' treatments and promises, Dr Oliver Thomson can provide effective evidence-based treatment and advice. He is based at BodyMatters Clinic, located at 1 McCrone Mews, Belsize Park, London, NW3. With free on-site parking, it is easily accessible via car or public transport (Jubilee and Northern tube lines) from central London, Camden, Hampstead, Golders Green, St John’s Wood, Primrose Hill, Swiss Cottage, West Hampstead and Chalk Farm.

Appointments can be booked online or calling 0207 419 7900.

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Recent Blog Posts

WE TALKED evidence, WE SHARED ideas and experiences, WE QUESTIONED practice knowledge, WE PRESSURE-TESTED our own beliefs, HECK we even ATE Mrs Crimble’s macaroons…

May 1 2019

By Oliver | May 1, 2019

WE TALKED evidence, WE SHARED ideas and experiences, WE QUESTIONED practice knowledge, WE PRESSURE-TESTED our own beliefs, WE SCRUTINISED our back pain language and HECK we even ATE some of Mrs Crimble’s finest macaroons… I really enjoyed the language & communication workshop on Sunday, lots of critical discussion, learning together, and coming up with…

Apr 24 2019

By Oliver | Apr 24, 2019

CPD for musculoskeletal therapists Patients with back pain who consult a musculoskeletal healthcare professional expect and desire a diagnosis and information for their problem. However, the words we use to shape our responses and convey messages to patients in pain, have the potential to heal (facilitate recovery) or have the capacity to harm (delay or…

Jan 4 2019

By Oliver | Jan 4, 2019

When we’re experiencing back pain is easy to feel that our spines are fragile and vulnerable to damage. It can really feel like any ‘wrong’ movement or position will be harmful to our backs. As a consequence, we often modify our behaviour and change how we move. For example, maybe you decide to skip a…

Dec 10 2018

By Oliver | Dec 10, 2018

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is now considered to be the optimal (albeit imperfect- see here) approach to healthcare practice and decision-making- and all healthcare professionals from art therapists to doctors should be adopting an evidence-based approach. Unfortunately, over the years, EBP has been misinterpreted as ‘EXCLUSIVELY applying research’ or ‘all patients receive the SAME algorithmic treatment…

Jul 10 2018

By Oliver | Jul 10, 2018

Backs LOVE sleep. Poor sleep (both quality and quantity) is highly predictive of developing and worsening low back pain (see here and here). Sleep patterns influence our psychological an emotional well-being (mood) which can further sensitise back pain and reduce the ability to cope and tolerate pain. Furthermore, worry and anxiety related to back pain (e.g.…

Jun 26 2018

By Oliver | Jun 26, 2018

Patients’ and practitioners’ values, preferences and experiences are very much part of modern iterations of evidence-based practice (EBP), and developing a research-based knowledge of these constructs are crucial to the sensible and effective adoption of EBP by healthcare professionals [see seminal paper by Greenhalgh and colleagues here]. Its now widely accepted that evidence derived from…

Mar 28 2018

By Oliver | Mar 28, 2018

I was recently invited to write a guest blog for social group Hampstead Mums, on the causes, risk factors and treatment options for pregnancy-related low back pain. A real dampener during pregnancy I see lots of mums-to-be in clinic experiencing back pain, and it can be a real dampener on their pregnancy experience. Low back…

Feb 25 2018

By Oliver | Feb 25, 2018

Many of my osteopathy patients with low back pain (LBP) often ask me whether or not a scan is required, but the decision to scan is not always straight forward, so let’s clear a few things up. Firstly, there are several different types of scanning procedures used to investigate back pain, we’ll focus on…

Feb 25 2018

By Oliver | Feb 25, 2018

I’ve been treating and managing patients with back pain for over 11 years. Below I outline my top 10 tips to help dispel common myths and ensure a swift recovery. Keep calm… -Although back pain can be very unpleasant and distressing, fortunately most episodes are short-term and rarely due to any serious damage or disease. Carry on – Changing how you move during…

Feb 9 2018

By Oliver | Feb 9, 2018

Research has enhanced our understanding of back pain, its causes and optimal treatment/management strategies. A wealth of research evidence now rejects the traditional view that back pain is simply due to biomechanical, physical or structural problems such as bad posture, ‘weak core’, vertebra ‘out of place/alignment’, disc injuries or degeneration. It is now recognised that…

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Patrick Populorum

08:51 20 Jan 19

I was having terrible back pain and Dr Thomson put me on the road to recovery! Thank you so much! With two kids to take care of I couldn’t afford to be debilitated. Dr Thomson was able to address the problem, show me how to adjust my movement and I have been pain free for the past year! I am so grateful and highly recommend Body Matters Clinic!

leon cohen

20:58 12 Oct 18

I found Dr Oliver both professional and reassuring. I strongly recommend him.

Joey BY

16:56 17 Jul 18

You can tell pretty quickly that Dr Oliver knows exactly what he is doing and talking about. Confident, reassuring and settles any doubt as to his prognosis by quoting numerous studies and journals.Highly recommended!

Jerry Draper-Rodi

12:34 28 Jun 18

Dr Oliver Thomson is a very professional osteopath. He's one of the leaders in research in the UK and he provides effective, up-to-date and evidence-based treatments. His aim is to help patients get better and to nurture their autonomy. I highly recommend him for anyone in need of help with back, joint and muscle pain.

Nuno Esteves

18:55 14 May 18

I see Dr Thomson on a regular basis due to reoccurring neck and back pain. Dr Thomson is an excellent osteopath—I consistently feel better and pain free after our sessions. I highly recommend him!

Mark Puertolas

13:31 12 May 18

I have known Oliver a few years now and have trained with him in the past. I have been in a area of inactivity for a few years now and my back had gone very bad. For months at a time. I knew I had to get more exercise but was really afraid to as my back was just destroyed. In three visits with Oliver I am a new person already. He got down to the mental aspect of what I feared right away and put these fears to rest. With that I have started to swim and stretch pretty regularly and have not had a problem with it .I highly recommend the Body Matters Clinic I find them very professional ,friendly and knowledgeable .They know what they are doing.

Keith Gladstone

06:54 08 Feb 18

Dr Thompson is certainly someone i would recommend. He offers clear, sensible advice and treatment.

Driton Budakova

17:11 07 Jan 18

Dr Thomson is excellent. He’s helped me and family members recover from back pain and sciatica. Oliver doesn’t try to sell you lots of sessions or unnecessary treatment. A true professional and I highly recommend him.

Keir Kennedy Mitchell

10:50 21 Dec 17

I have had lower back problems since I was 15 and have had to manage the symptoms since then. Over the years I have seen a number of osteopaths. Three years ago a friend of mine recommended Oliver Thomson and I booked a session. I was so impressed and benefitted so much from that first treatment with him that he has become the man I immediately turn to whenever my back troubles me. Oliver has also treated me for a number of other injuries including elbow, knee and ankle all with the same positive results!He gives feedback, recommends exercise programs and how to implement them and guides you in preventative measures to stop your injuries recurring. As a personal trainer, knowing I have Oliver to turn to if anything goes wrong is very reassuring.I cannot recommend him highly enough!

Paul Babai

13:07 14 Dec 17

Over the last year I was suffering with chronic back pain, following back surgery I had on a slipped disc 5 years ago. I tried everything, physio, pilates, stretching, yoga but nothing was helping. Dr Oliver helped me isolate the pain and showed me the right exercises to focus on. Not only this but he also helped with the mental side which not a lot of people can identify let alone work with. Unlike other specialists Dr Oliver doesn’t want you to come back, he wants you fixed as soon as possible and recommends coupling his therapy with other training methods to fix the issue for good. He genuinely changed my life and well-being and should you choose to visit him you’ll be in good hands!

Alex Huckle

09:40 13 Dec 17

One of the best osteopaths around. DrThomson, sorted my sciatica out. I can highly recommend him.

John Ingledew

19:02 18 Oct 17

I went to see Dr Oliver Thomson at BodyMatters Clinic for an osteopathy treatment for my back pain. He was excellent, very professional, caring and knowledgeable. The clinic is very welcoming and it offers a wide range of therapies. The reception team were very helpful and accommodating. If you suffer from any back pain I would certainly recommend Dr Thomson and will be returning to his clinic.

EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT FOR BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA

Choose us for effective relief for your back pain and sciatica:

Leading London osteopath

Persistent chronic back pain and acute episodes

Detailed clinical examination, explanation and diagnosis

Modern approach using the latest research

Exercise and rehabilitation

Professional, friendly and supportive approach

CLINICIAN

RESEARCHER

EDUCATOR

Book your appointment

Recent Blog Posts

WE TALKED evidence, WE SHARED ideas and experiences, WE QUESTIONED practice knowledge, WE PRESSURE-TESTED our own beliefs, HECK we even ATE Mrs Crimble’s macaroons…

May 1 2019

CPD Course on Effective language and communication when managing low back pain- how to help and not harm

Apr 24 2019

Your back IS strong…even if you (or someone else) doesn’t think that it is

Jan 4 2019

Evidence-based practice in osteopathy- results from a UK national survey (and clearing things up!)

Dec 10 2018

Protect your sleep to protect your back

Jul 10 2018

Re-grounding biopsychosocial back pain research- Introducing Grounded Theory Method

Jun 26 2018

“I should be glowing not aching!”- The facts about low back pain during pregnancy

Mar 28 2018

Low back pain: To scan, or not to scan? That is the question

Feb 25 2018

Top tips for back pain

Feb 25 2018

Evidence-based courses, workshops and seminars for fitness and health professionals

Feb 9 2018

Follow @DrOliver_T

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