Bromley Neck Pain Treatment
We are an osteopathic and sports massage clinic in Bromley offering a range of treatments for neck pain including osteopathy, acupuncture, massage and laser therapy. We will accurately diagnose the cause of your problem and get you out of pain and back to normal as soon as possible.
Our experienced practitioners are fully qualified and registered. You can make an appointment easily online, or if you would like more advice, book a free 15-minute no-commitment chat to discuss your symptoms and we will be more than happy to advise.
"Oliver has helped to reduce my chronic low back pain significantly! He is really knowledgeable, explains your difficulties well, and gives you helpful advice. I'm pleased to say that the effects have been long-term, and would recommend him to anyone."
Pooja, Bromley
"My mum woke up one morning with crippling back and leg pain and Oliver squeezed her in for an appointment at short notice. I'm pleased to say just over a month later, mum is happily walking around again and just in time for our holiday too. Oliver was very professional, kind and compassionate. We can't recommend him enough, thank you so much!"
Elise, Google Review
"Robert was extremely professional, kind and knowledgeable. I got a brilliant treatment with my first session and excellent exercises to practise at home. I highly recommend Robert."
Alicia, Google Review
"I have been seeing Oliver for a year now since I started getting difficulties with my neck and I have not regretted this one bit. He has encyclopaedic knowledge about his field and a great passion for what he does. He always explains what he is doing and he is so well researched and up to date on the different methodologies used. 1 year on and I feel more confident and pain free. Thank you Oliver!"
Hasti, Google Review
"I've been treated by Oliver for years for neck, back and calf tension. Very effective treatment. Recommended him to my mum who was also impressed and sees Oliver regularly now. Recently she had a course of acupuncture and was very pleased with the results. Recommended."
Sophia, Google Review
"It had been recommended to me to see an Osteopath and was very happy to locate one close by. I’m so glad to have met Oliver who has literally given me my life back by sorting out my back pain in as little as three sessions! I have never felt so much better and have exercises that I can do myself at home. Oliver is a lovely person and always enjoyed our chats during the sessions."
Nicky, Google Review
Causes of neck pain
Neck pain is on the rise, with Google searches for neck pain treatment doubling in the UK from 2023 to 2024. There are a wide range of possible causes for neck pain, but increasingly neck pain is caused by laptop and smartphone use, meaning increasing neck pain cases in younger people. You can read more about how to avoid pain when using these devices further down this page.
There are of course many other potential causes. Sometimes neck pain is caused by a trauma injury such as a fall, or a collision in contact sports. Overextension can also occur, for example in sudden vehicle stoppage similar to whiplash, or a fairground ride. Neck pain can also simply be caused by falling asleep in an awkward position.
Neck pain is often related to other lifestyle factors and habits. Sometimes these can be obvious, for example in the case of a violinist, or in other cases something as seemingly innocuous as regularly speaking with a colleague who sits to the side of you, or sitting in a certain way at home which means you turn your head to watch the TV. Whatever the cause, we will treat the immediate problem, and help you to identify any lifestyle issues which can be fixed to prevent the problem recurring in the future.
Treating neck pain with osteopathy
With its focus on the spine and musculoskeletal system, osteopathy is an ideal treatment for most neck pains. Osteopaths are able to note any misalignment in your cervical (neck) spine and correct it using direct manipulative techniques to safely bring your vertebrae back into correct alignment.
Osteopaths combine direct spinal manipulation with related physical therapy treatments such as massage and Western acupuncture. Once neck pain has developed there will often be more than one factor involved - for example an overextension injury may have caused the muscles around the neck and shoulders to tighten to prevent further overextension, which in turn may be preventing the neck from returning to correct alignment and restricting blood flow to the area. By using a range of techniques, osteopaths are able to address all the various issues that are contributing to your neck pain.
“In our days of laptops, smartphones and working from home, more people are developing neck pain, making it one of the most common complaints we see at the clinic. Fortunately most neck pains are easily treatable. Don't let the problem worsen and become a chronic issue, let us get you back to a healthy and pain-free life.”
Oliver Hicks M.Ost, Clinic owner
About osteopathy and your first appointment
Osteopathy is a non-invasive and conservative treatment that does not use drugs. Osteopathy is a registered Allied Health Profession recognised by the NHS and most medical insurers. Osteopaths undergo a minimum 4 year degree to qualify and to use the term Osteopath, and are registered and regulated in the UK by the General Osteopathic Council.
At your first appointment, your osteopath will begin by asking you about your injury and carrying out an examination of the affected area. They will also assess your posture and general biomechanics to identify any issues which may be contributing to the problem, and ask you about your lifestyle and activity.
In most cases, you will receive treatment immediately and should notice an improvement from your first session. Your osteopath will explain any treatments you have not previously experienced. In any case where further diagnostic assessment is needed - for example x-rays - your osteopath will refer you to the most appropriate service.
Our Bromley Clinic
Our Bromley Clinic is conveniently situated in a peaceful location in South Bromley. We offer a range of treatments including osteopathy, sports massage, pregnancy massage and acupuncture, and our helpful staff are on hand to give you any advice you require.
You can find all the information you need for your visit, including parking, public transport and accessibility, on our Bromley clinic information page.
Laptop and smartphone posture
“Text neck” is now a recognised problem among medical practitioners. We all use handheld devices every day, but they are increasingly contributing to neck problems, with one study showing that overuse of smartphones increases the chance of neck pain by 600%. Looking down at your smartphone screen can increase the load on the neck by 4-6 times, so it’s no wonder it can frequently cause neck pain.
To avoid problems when using laptops, first of all try to ensure you maintain an upright posture with your shoulders relaxed, not hunching forwards to type or to look at the screen. You may want to consider a laptop riser and a separate keyboard to allow you to keep your head up and looking straight ahead when working.
Looking down is generally less avoidable with smartphones, but try to keep your neck straight and relaxed, tilting your head forward from the top of the neck rather than thrusting it forward from your shoulders. If you use a smartphone at your desk, you might want to consider a stand for it, to allow you to see the screen without needing to look down so far.
Book an Appointment
Booking is easy using our online system, or call us on 0208 088 0442 and our expert staff will be happy to help. There are no long wait times and appointments are usually available within 24-48 hours.
To discuss your symptoms and the best treatment for you, a free 15-minute telephone or in-person chat is also available.
This page was reviewed by Oliver Hicks M.Ost on the 18th March 2024