Pain that builds up over the working day
Long days at a desk rarely cause one dramatic injury. Instead, neck, back and shoulder pain, headaches and stiffness build slowly, ease at the weekend, and come back by Wednesday. For some people they never fully go away.
That last group matters. Pain that has lasted for months often stops being only about the original tissue and starts to involve sensitivity, sleep, stress and how confident you feel moving. Desk-related pain and persistent pain overlap, so I treat them together.
What the evidence actually says about posture
There is no single "correct" posture, and slouching on its own is rarely the cause of pain. The body is adaptable. What matters more is how long you stay in one position, how much variety you get across the day, and whether your neck, back and shoulders have the strength and tolerance for the demands you place on them.
So I will not simply tell you to sit up straight. We work out what your body is being asked to cope with, where it is falling short, and how to build it back up.
Posture and sport
If you play sport, posture also means how you control your body when you land, run and change direction, and how your feet and balance hold up under load. That side has its own page: Posture & Performance.
What I commonly treat
- Neck pain and tension-type or neck-related headaches
- Low back pain, including pain that flares with long periods of sitting
- Upper back and mid-back stiffness
- Shoulder pain and tension across the shoulders
- Persistent and chronic pain that has not settled with rest or previous treatment
- Hip pain and tightness linked to long periods of sitting
How I work with you
Assessment
A 60-minute first session: your full history, how the pain behaves through the day and week, a movement and strength assessment, and a look at your working setup and routine. By the end you will know what I think is going on and what the plan is.
Treatment
- Hands-on treatment to ease pain and restore movement in stiff areas
- Strength and tolerance work for the neck, upper back, shoulders and trunk
- Practical changes to your workstation and day, focused on movement variety rather than a perfect position
- For persistent pain: a clear explanation of what is happening, pacing, and a gradual plan to get you back to what you have been avoiding
What to expect
Many people feel a difference within the first few sessions once movement improves and the most aggravating habits change. Lasting change comes from the strength and routines you build over the following weeks. Long-standing pain usually takes longer, and I will give you an honest estimate after your assessment rather than an open-ended course of treatment.
Where I see patients
At The Light Centre Belgravia, a few minutes from Victoria station. Morning appointments Monday to Thursday fit around an office day. Location and directions.