Back and neck pain physio in Primrose Hill: how we assess and rehab your spine

By Geoff Scott, Founder & Senior Physiotherapist, Hauora

By Geoff Scott, Senior Physiotherapist and founder of Hauora. Reviewed by Jason Oliveira, Senior Physiotherapist. Last updated 14 November 2026.

In short: most back and neck pain isn’t caused by serious damage and gets better with the right plan. At Hauora in Primrose Hill, London, a senior physiotherapist assesses your whole spine, rules out anything serious, and builds an exercise-led plan with hands-on treatment where it helps, so you get back to work, sport and sleeping well.

Spinal problems we treat

Low back pain, whether it came on suddenly with a lift or built up over months at a desk
Sciatica and disc-related pain: pain, tingling or numbness travelling into the buttock or leg. See our guide to sciatica.
Neck pain and stiffness, including headaches that come from the neck
Whiplash after a car, cycling or sports accident
Back pain in sport, common in golf, running, rowing, tennis, cricket and the gym
Rehab after spinal surgery, following your surgeon’s protocol

When to get urgent help

Go to A&E or call 999 straight away if back pain comes with numbness around your bottom or genitals, new problems controlling your bladder or bowels, or weakness or numbness in both legs. These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome, which needs emergency treatment. See your GP urgently if back pain comes with a fever, unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer, or follows a fall or accident.

How we assess your spine

Your story. How the pain started, what eases it and what makes it worse, your work, sport and sleep.
A safety check for the warning signs above, so we know physio is the right place to start.
Movement and strength. How your spine, hips and upper back move and share load.
Nerve tests of sensation, strength and reflexes when pain travels into an arm or leg.
A clear explanation of what’s going on and a plan you understand.

Do you need a scan?

Usually not. NICE guidance advises against routine imaging for low back pain outside specialist settings, because scans often show changes that are normal for your age and don’t explain the pain. We arrange an MRI or a specialist opinion when there are warning signs, when nerve symptoms aren’t improving, or when the result would change your treatment.

How we treat back and neck pain

Exercise at the heart of it. A strength and movement programme in our clinic gym and at home, built up week by week.
Hands-on treatment where it helps, such as mobilisation and soft tissue work, always alongside exercise, in line with NICE guidance.
Staying active. Keeping up normal activities, adapted where needed, usually beats resting in bed.
Work and sport. Practical changes to your desk set-up, training load or technique, and a staged return to full activity.
Working with doctors. If you need a scan, an injection or a surgical opinion, we refer you to trusted spinal specialists and stay involved in your care.

Neck pain, whiplash and headaches

Neck pain often builds up from long hours at a laptop or phone, but it can also follow a car accident or a knock in sport. We look at how your neck and upper back move, how strong the deep neck muscles are, and whether the neck is driving headaches or dizziness. After a head injury, neck problems can mimic ongoing concussion symptoms, so we check both. Read more in our guide to concussion assessment.

Back pain in sport: the elite-sport approach

In professional sport, back pain is managed by understanding load: what the player did, how often and how hard. We use the same approach for golfers, runners, rowers and gym-goers. We find what overloaded the spine, build the strength to handle it, then return you to full training in clear stages rather than guessing.

Why patients choose Hauora for back and neck pain

Senior physiotherapists only. Geoff Scott led medicine and performance at Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, and Jason Oliveira spent seven years as a senior physio at Saracens.
Unhurried 45-minute appointments, so there’s time to assess properly and treat.
Same-day appointments are often available in Primrose Hill, close to Camden, St John’s Wood, Regent’s Park, Belsize Park and Hampstead.

Frequently asked questions

Should I rest my back?

Not completely. Keeping up your normal activities as much as you can, and adapting them where needed, generally helps back pain recover faster than bed rest.

Do I need an MRI for back pain?

Most people don’t. NICE advises against routine imaging outside specialist settings. We arrange a scan when there are warning signs, when nerve symptoms aren’t improving, or when the result would change your treatment.

Can physio help a slipped disc?

Yes. Most people with disc-related back pain and sciatica get better without surgery. Physio helps you manage pain, keep moving and rebuild strength, and we refer you for a specialist opinion if your symptoms need it.

Can physio help neck pain and headaches?

Yes. When headaches come from the neck, treating the neck with exercise and hands-on treatment, and changing how you work, often eases them.

Do I need a referral?

No, you can book directly. If you’re claiming on health insurance, check with your insurer first, as some ask for a GP or specialist referral.

Book a back or neck pain assessment

Book at Hauora, 44 Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8JD. Book online at hauora.com/book or call 020 4541 8924. See also our back pain and sciatica and neck pain pages.

Finding us: Hauora is based inside the At The Core building, but we’re a separate business from At The Core. We share the building and the phone number, so when you call, please ask for Hauora.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you’re injured or unwell, see a doctor or physiotherapist.