North Londoners - tell me your back/neck pain witchdoctors
February 20, 2013 7:35 AM   Subscribe

I've had recurring severe pain in my upper back and neck for the last four years. I don't know what to do next. Several years ago my brother saw a physiotherapist-type dude (other side of the country sadly or I'd be beating his door down) who cured his crippling shoulder pain. Do you know of someone in North London who can do this for me?

It's been more-or-less diagnosed as Torticollis, ie. spasming of the muscles due to inflammation. It comes on due to anything from cold to illness to stress.

Here are the things I've tried so far:

- prescribed painkillers + valium: this works ok to keep things bearable but when they wear off my god do I know about it; also I don't really like taking boatloads of drugs, and they make me fear being without them when it comes on
- physio on the NHS: pointless, as the waiting list is so long, the symptoms have usually gone by the time I get seen, told last time "I can't figure out what's wrong with you if it's not wrong right now"
- yoga, alexander technique, posture improvement: these help I'm sure but don't prevent or treat with any kind of effectiveness
- bowen technique - this did absolutely frack-all and was the biggest waste of my time and money I have ever willingly participated in

If you know someone awesome who can help me with this, I would be so grateful! I'm wary of chiropractors due to the risks of letting someone who isn't a qualified medic loose on your neck, but I'd still consider one as I know they do span the gamut between quack and magical, wonderous healer-of-all-ills.
posted by greenish to Health & Fitness (1 answer total)
 
I know it's been a while since you posted your question, but I've been having some shoulder problems (looking like bursitis) and am also based in North London. I've recently had both of these recommended to me by friends:
St Pancras Physiotherapy and Pilates Clinic and Bloomsbury Health Centre.
Hopefully, you're sorted now and won't need them, but here they are just in case.
posted by joboe at 5:36 AM on October 24, 2013


« Older Who's the kid here?   |   How do I build a support system? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.