Physiotherapy · Hampstead, London · 5 Ella Mews, NW3
Back Pain Physiotherapy in Hampstead, London
HCPC-registered physiotherapy at 5 Ella Mews, NW3. We treat back pain through hands-on therapy, movement rehabilitation and lived experience, so you leave with a clear plan and the steps to take next.
Understanding back pain
What is back pain?
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy in the UK. It can affect the lower back, mid-back, or upper back and neck, ranging from a dull, persistent ache to sharp, debilitating pain. Most back pain is mechanical in origin, meaning it stems from how your spine, muscles and joints move and load, rather than from serious structural damage.
The good news: with the right diagnosis, the right plan, and a partnership approach to treatment, most back pain responds very well to physiotherapy.
Types of back pain
Symptoms back pain can cause
Back pain can affect how you move, work, sleep and exercise. Physiotherapy can help identify what's contributing to your symptoms and get you back to moving well and doing what you love.
- Lower back stiffness on waking that eases as you move
- Sharp or aching pain when bending, lifting or sitting for long periods
- Pain that radiates into the buttocks, hips or down the leg (sciatica)
- Muscle spasms or tightness across the lower back
- Back pain that returns repeatedly despite rest
- Postural pain from sitting at a desk or prolonged standing
- Back pain following a sports injury, fall or accident
- Chronic pain that has persisted for more than 3 months
Benefits
Benefits of Back Pain Physiotherapy
Back pain affects far more than posture. It can impact how you sleep, your ability to concentrate, and your confidence in everyday movements such as bending, lifting, or sitting for extended periods. Over time, this can lead to reduced activity levels and further weakness, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.
Targeted back pain physiotherapy helps to:
Relieve pain and reduce tension
Improve strength, mobility, and posture
Restore confidence in movement
Prevent recurring or worsening symptoms
Rather than simply managing discomfort, physiotherapy focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of your pain so your body can move more freely and efficiently.
Please do not wait until the pain becomes severe. Early intervention leads to better outcomes, helping to prevent long-term issues and build a stronger, more resilient back.
Our approach
How we treat back pain
Our philosophy is built on partnership. We don't treat back pain as an isolated mechanical problem - we look at the whole person, your movement patterns, your lifestyle, and your history. Every treatment plan is evidence-based and built specifically around you. We empower through knowledge, hands-on therapy, movement practice and lived experience - so you can take ownership of your health long after the treatment ends.
Hands-on physiotherapy
Manual therapy, soft tissue work and joint mobilisation. The foundation of how we treat - addressing pain, easing tension and restoring movement
Kinvent technology, where clinically appropriate
Pain is subjective. How your body actually moves and where it's compensating - that's measurable. When relevant, Kinvent gives us objective data on strength, balance and range of motion, so progress isn't just something you “feel.”
Movement rehabilitation
Targeted exercise and movement coaching to strengthen the structures that support your spine and prevent back pain returning. Where it serves you, we draw on the wider SF Studios team - coaching, massage, strength work.
Education and self-management
We share what we find. We share the reasoning. You leave each session understanding more about your body, not less - equipped to manage and prevent future episodes on your own terms.
Your programme
What your treatment may include
Your physiotherapy programme is designed around you, your current activity level, and what you want to achieve.
No.1
Postural alignment
Targeted exercises designed to improve posture and reduce strain on the muscles and joints of the back.
No.2
Traction therapy
Gentle, controlled decompression to relieve tension, reduce pain, and improve flexibility in the spine.
No.3
Soft tissue therapy
Hands-on treatment to release tight muscles, support recovery, and improve overall mobility.
No.4
Pilates
Focused on core strength, control, and alignment to support both rehabilitation and long-term back health.
No.5
Senior physiotherapy
Support for adults aged 65 and over to maintain strength, mobility, and confidence in movement for long-term health.
What to expect
How it works
Four principles that shape every session - whether you're recovering from surgery, managing chronic back pain, or returning to sport.
Step 1
Initial consultation
A 60-minute first consultation. We'll discuss your history, your symptoms, and what you want to be able to do again. Hands-on assessment plus, where clinically relevant, Kinvent technology to give us objective data.
Step 2
Your treatment plan
A personalised plan built around your back, your life, and your goals. Combining hands-on therapy, movement rehabilitation and, where it serves you, coaching, massage or strength work from the wider SF Studios team.
Step 3
Recovery & progress
Follow-up sessions guided by measurable progress. We share the data, we share the reasoning. You'll leave with a clear understanding of your body and the tools to take care of it long after treatment ends.
Meet the team
Meet the team
Highly skilled and personable. Whatever brings you in, you'll work with someone genuinely invested in your progress.
Founder • Director physiotherapist
Suz Ferreira
Physiotherapist, coach and movement specialist. BPhysT · APPI · ICF · IFS · Gestalt · Strozzi.
25+ years helping people recover from injury, overcome pain and build lasting resilience - treating the whole person, not the symptom.
Book now
Senior Physiotherapist
Tamas Kariko-Toth
MSc Physiotherapy, Semmelweis. Sports injuries, back pain and post-surgical rehab.
Sports injuries, chronic pain, post-surgical rehab and senior care, with a strong focus on educating every client.
Book nowWhat it costs
Physiotherapy pricing
All sessions at 5 Ella Mews, Hampstead NW3. Clear bookings and follow-up packages available - designed to keep you on track with your treatment.
New clients
Physio Intro Package
£225
1-hour assessment + 3 × 30-min follow-ups with Tamas.
Book this packageFirst assessment with senior physio
£135
Initial 60-min consultation. Expert-led assessment & hands-on treatment with Tamas.
Book with TamasFirst assessment with director physio
£195
60-min consultation with Suz. Senior-level care for complex cases and strategic rehabilitation.
Book with SuzFollow-up sessions
From£100
Packages: 12 × 30-min from £90/session ・ 6 × 60-min from £145/session. Valid for 7 months
View packagesCover & Reimbursement
Private medical insurance
Our physiotherapists are registered with Aviva and WPA. We operate on a self-pay basis and provide a detailed invoice for reimbursement. Clients have also claimed with providers including Vitality, Healix, and others, depending on their coverage.
If you are planning to use private medical insurance, we recommend checking with your provider in advance to confirm your level of cover and reimbursement eligibility.
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist for back pain?
No. You can book directly with a private physiotherapist, no referral needed. Just book an initial consultation through our website or by phone.
How many sessions will I need?
Most acute issues respond within 3–6 sessions. Chronic or complex cases may require more. After your initial consultation, your physiotherapist will give you a realistic treatment plan with an expected timeline, no surprises, no open-ended treatment.
Is physiotherapy covered by insurance?
Many private health insurance providers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Cigna and others) cover physiotherapy. Check your policy or contact your insurer directly. We can provide invoices and clinical notes to support your claim.
What's the difference between Tamas and Suz?
Both are HCPC-registered. Tamas (Senior) provides expert-led, hands-on assessment and treatment for sports injuries, back pain and post-surgical rehab. Suz (Director, founder) provides Director-level clinical care for complex cases that benefit from strategic rehabilitation across her wider expertise in coaching and movement. Not sure which is right? Get in touch, we'll help you decide.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Bring any relevant MRI or X-ray results and a list of current medication if you have one. None of this is essential, but it helps your physiotherapist build a fuller picture from the outset.
Can you relate to these?
Other conditions we treat
Click a condition to see how we treat it - symptoms we recognise, the approach we take, who you'll work with, and what to expect from your first visit.
- Neck PainDesk strain, headaches, mobilityView
- Shoulder PainRotator cuff, frozen shoulder, instabilityView
- Knee PainACL rehab, sports injuries, strengthView
- Foot & ankle painLigament injury, balance, gaitView
- Sports physiotherapySports massage, ACL rehab, performance recoveryView
- Pre & post-surgeryRehab & recovery, build back strongerView
- Senior physiotherapyActive ageing, arthritis, falls preventionView
- ACL injuryReconstruction rehab, return to sportView
- All PhysiotherapyConditions, team and pricingView
Ready to address your back pain?
Book your first consultation, or start with the Physio Intro Package, £225 for an assessment plus three follow-ups.