Oliver, Author at Dr Oliver Thomson PhD Osteopath Back Pain and Sciatica Treatment

Evidence-based practice in osteopathy- results from a UK national survey

By Oliver | December 10, 2018

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is now considered to be the optimal (albeit imperfect) 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 based on…

Protect your sleep to protect your back

By Oliver | July 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.…

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

By Oliver | June 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…

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

By Oliver | March 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…

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

By Oliver | February 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…

Top tips for back pain

By Oliver | February 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…

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

By Oliver | February 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…

Jedi powers and magic manipulations for back pain? Nope, just get moving.

By Oliver | December 8, 2017

Back pain is common…really common. In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) estimates that LBP affects about a quarter of us each year costing the UK over £12 billion annually. With lots of bad advice and claims of instant fixes, lets clear a few things up: Q. What’s the…

Sticks and stones….Words can be hurtful with back pain

By Oliver | November 24, 2017

Preface Having attended my first TherapyExpo earlier this week, I presented this topic to a far from packed-out audience. As I wandered around the endless stalls, I was struck by the emphasis on selling ideas, gadgets and gizmos to help therapists find and fix the perceived/imagined broken bits of peoples’ bodies, which ironically, but conveniently, exemplified…

What is sciatica?

By Oliver | November 10, 2017

Approximately 70-80% of people will suffer from lower back pain (LBP) at some time during their life. Fortunately, the majority of these cases are ‘simple non-specific’ LBP which will resolve relatively quickly with manual therapy and exercise. However around 15-40% of people with LBP will also experience additional back-related leg pain, which can be…

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.

Oliver

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