Back pain or sciatica? There is a lot we can do
Long days at a desk, a commute on the District line and weekend workouts. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people walk through our door in Kensington, and most of them get much better.
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google from 127 reviews of our Kensington clinic
Quick answer: Most low back pain and sciatica settles within weeks to a few months, and the best evidence supports staying active with a graded exercise programme and hands-on treatment alongside it. Routine scans are not recommended. Our Kensington clinic at 17a Old Court Place, W8 4PL, can assess you, often the same day.
Why does back pain happen?
For most people back pain is not a sign of damage. Sensitive joints, discs and muscles, combined with more sitting, a heavy lift, a new training plan or a stressful week, are the usual mix. Disc bulges show up on scans of many people with no pain, so a scan rarely changes the plan.
Sciatica, pain from an irritated nerve felt down the leg, can be intense, but most cases still settle with time and physio.
Back pain exercises recommended by our physios
Acute back pain
Sudden, sharp, stiff
Often after bending or lifting. Most improve a lot within 6 weeks.
Desk back
Sitting and commuting
A dull ache that builds through the day and eases when you move.
Sciatica
Leg pain
Pain, pins and needles or numbness down the leg.
Gym back
Lifting and training
Usually a load issue we can fix by adjusting technique and building back.
Back pain affecting work?
Book at our Kensington clinic, often the same day.
What actually helps
- Keeping active with short walks and normal tasks, adjusted to your pain
- Graded strength and mobility work, progressed in the gym when you are ready
- Hands-on treatment, acupuncture or dry needling alongside exercise
- Practical changes to how you sit, work and train
- A clear plan for sciatica, with specialist referral if needed
6 weeks
is when most people with new low back pain see a large improvement
da C Menezes Costa et al, CMAJ 2012
Exercise
first, with manual therapy alongside it, is what NICE recommends
NICE NG59
~5
sessions is typical for our patients to reach their goals
BOOST PHYSIO patient data
Meet Tanvi, physio in Kensington and Kentish Town
Tanvi has a special interest in back pain and spinal conditions. In this short video she introduces herself and how she works.
Call 999 or go to A and E if you have back pain with
- Numbness around the genitals or back passage
- Difficulty passing urine or loss of bladder or bowel control
- Weakness in both legs or worsening weakness in one leg
- Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer: see your GP urgently
Meet your Kensington physios
Tanvi and Siubhan both have a particular interest in back and neck pain.
Tanvi Parikh
Senior Physiotherapist
Tanvi has a special interest in back and neck pain, spinal conditions and rehab after surgery.
Siubhan Slater
Senior Physiotherapist
Siubhan treats sports injuries, back and neck pain and rehab after surgery.
What our Kensington patients say
★★★★★
“Tanvi is super knowledgeable and understands how to treat my back injury.”
★★★★★
“I’ve been working with Boost Physio Kensington over the past three months for some back issues, and I honestly couldn’t recommend them more highly.”
★★★★★
“I can feel a huge difference in the muscles around the area, my overall discomfort has reduced significantly, and most importantly, I am able to sit again, something I had struggled with for years.”
Watch: exercises for back pain and sciatica
Short videos our physios use with back pain patients.
How to relieve sciatica
How to help back stiffness at work
One clinic, the experience of a whole team
Something our patients don’t always realise is how much support sits behind each physio. Our team trains together twice a month and every physio has a dedicated mentor who reviews cases with them, so when you see us in Kensington you get the experience of the whole BOOST PHYSIO group.
- Same day appointments, seven days a week across our clinics
- No GP referral needed
- Recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva
Prefer another clinic? Book at BOOST PHYSIO Swiss Cottage, Hampstead or West Hampstead, or read more about back pain physio and slipped disc and sciatica.
Get your back moving again
Book at BOOST PHYSIO Kensington, Virgin Active, 17a Old Court Place, W8 4PL.
Related reading
Back pain physioSlipped disc and sciatica
Do I need an MRI for back pain?
Physio near South KensingtonYour questions answered
Where is your Kensington clinic?
Inside Virgin Active Kensington at 17a Old Court Place, W8 4PL, a few minutes’ walk from High Street Kensington station.
Should I stop going to the gym with back pain?
Usually not completely. We will help you adjust your training so you keep moving while your back settles.
Do I need an MRI scan for sciatica?
Most people do not. A scan is useful if there are worrying signs or if an injection or surgery is being considered.
Do I need a GP referral to see a physio?
No. You can book directly with us online, by phone or on WhatsApp. If you are claiming on private medical insurance, check with your insurer first, as some ask for a GP or specialist referral.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem and your goals. On average our patients reach their goals in around 5 sessions, and we will give you an honest estimate at your first appointment in Kensington.
Written and clinically reviewed by Steven Berkman, BSc Physiotherapy (University of Cape Town), HCPC-registered chartered physiotherapist, MCSP, founder of BOOST PHYSIO in 2008, with Tanvi Parikh and Siubhan Slater at BOOST PHYSIO Kensington. Last reviewed 12 November 2026.
References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s (NG59). 2016, updated 2020.
- da C Menezes Costa L et al. The prognosis of acute and persistent low-back pain: a meta-analysis. CMAJ 2012;184:E613-E624.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are unsure what is causing your symptoms, book an assessment or speak to your GP. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, call 111 or 999.
