Bad back

dion

Can anyone recommend a good chiropractor in the vicinity?

Colette

No, but I can recommend a really good osteopath on Upper St? if you're interested let me know and I'll give you his number.

dion

That would be great. Do osteopaths and chiropractors do the same sort of thing? I am new to this sort of thing.

Colette

Hmm, sort of I think, but they are different approaches. I've always used osteopaths (my uncle used to be one; his son is a chiropractor - in Rome though, unfortunately...) and it usually helps. There's a fair amount of crunching and cracking, which can be a bit alarming if you're not used to it, but also some very pleasant massage. The number is 020 72260011, and his name is Hussein Eshref. His practice is right above the Gem restaurant/cafe at the top of Upper st (H&I end) - I think it's 265 Upper st. Hope he's still there, haven't been for over a year (he must be good)

matt

I went to one up on Archway Road, and she was OK but - like all of them I imagine - was more interested in signing me up for a bunch of sessions than fixing my back. I remember I was late for one session, and she had to leave early and she still took the full amount for the session! After a being crash into in 2006, I got sent to a physio in Crouch End by the insurance company mid-2007. This guy was a miracle worker! I cannot recommend him enough. He will diagnose and recommend treatment, so you don;t have to figure out what type of person you need. He will do it all - I promise! [http://www.crouchendphysio.com](http://www.crouchendphysio.com/)

dion

I will check them out; thanks guys.

andy

There's clearly a lesson here about sitting properly at your computer.

matt

True, I recently bought a couple of great ergonomic office chairs. Not your massive Aeron monstrosities that were bought in container loads around the dot com boom. But a simple looking Norwegian office chair by HÅG, one as below from Gumtree for about two thirds of it's cost new, and one slightly older that I got for a steal off eBay. I tried one out and got fitted for size at a place just off Haymarket. It's done wonders for my back and "inner core" strength. *"The HAG Credo 4400 Medium Back Chair comes with Balanced Tilt Movement which encourages you to move while sitting and aids blood circulation. It is lockable in 3 positions and the tilt tension is adjustable to individual user's bodyweight.* *Seat height and depth adjustment plus back height adjustment mean you can tailor this chair to you own individual shape. Adjustable armrests to support your arms while resting are included."* I should be on commission. [http://designer-seating.com/Range/H04/4400/](http://designer-seating.com/Range/H04/4400/) Here's [how they work](http://www.theofficebackcarecentre.co.uk/hag guides/h04/index.html) 

andy

it's cheaper, but is it better than an aeron?

matt

Define "better" I find it more comfortable. The way it works makes more sense for people with bad backs than an Aeron. Also, I wouldn't be able to fit two Aeron at our reasonably sized desk! Also, I tried a bunch out at a specialist shop

matt

Well... almost a year ago to the day! ...there's a guy selling a batch on eBay. Retail is £350 and he wants £85 delivered. I've just bought one from him (now I have two in the office, one at home) as have several friends. Here's the link: [http://bit.ly/hag-h04](http://bit.ly/hag-h04) And in response to Andy's year old question I would now way "yes, it is better than an aeron"

krappyrubsnif

Give me a kneeling chair any time. I've got two

doctorlalloo

I've had lower back problems for ages - I've managed to control the pain and improve my posture by:

a) Gettin treatment from <a href="http://www.gavinburtosteopath.moonfruit.com/" target="_blank">Backs & Beyond</a> in NW5

b) Sitting on a swiss ball at work - it forces you to adopt a good seated posture, the only downside is that I've managed to burst a few as they rub on the exposed floorboards in the office.

bennyfromtheblok

I've suffered a bad back for a few years and my mother has for many more. I've found that Chiropractors and Osteopaths tend to resolve your pain and the issue there and then. My suggestion is a good physio, most will be trained in osteopathy anyway. They will get your posture right by getting you to strengthen whatever muscles are not doing their job.

I visit http://www.barbicanphysiotherapyclinic.co.uk/? and they are excellent and they are approved by most insurance companies if you are lucky enough to have one. I realise a bit out of the way for N4, but if you work in the City, you can go at lunch.

matt

krappyrubsnif is that one kneeling chair for each p in your username?

Arkady

Right, I've been seeing a chiropracter recently.  Some of the 'subluxation' bollox strikes me as so much quackery, but the actual back-straightening (or re-curving) seems evidence-based, and I feel great afterwards.<br><br>Problem is, my chiropracter is in Ealing.  I got 4 appointments there for £30 through a Wowcher scheme, but I'd like to find something closer to home now.  Can anyone recommend somewhere nearby?<br>

miss annie

Jeanette at the Haelan Centre in Crouch End is a great chiropractor, acupuncturist (about which I was sceptical 'til my first experience of its wonders) and masseuse. I have a long term spinal problem which leads to all kinds of pains and she's been brilliant every time.

andy

I have a long wonky back. My solution has been low-level painkiller addiction.

dion

My back is a lot better since I started this thread.  A lot of stretching and trying to improve my posture helped stop my hideous headaches, getting the right pillow, a back support for driving, a good chair, a homedics back massager and a macho boxers' skipping rope.  The osteopath in the end was fine, but not life changing.  Realising I had muscles in my back that I had rarely ever used was more important.<div><br></div><div>But it has taken four years and still not great, but I am off the painkillers at least.</div>

gardener-joe

On the odd occasions I have had a painful/locked-up lower back I use an excellent osteopath at Kentish Town, Ron Marx; find him on Google.