Back Pain Physiotherapy in London
Specialist Treatment in Moorgate, Strand and Chiswick
At Atherapy, clinical delivery is led by Andrew Balderston, who brings over 25 years of experience in elite professional football, having worked across Manchester United, Preston North End, Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Hull City, leading integrated medical and performance teams.
Andrew is also a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists and this forms part of a broader evidence informed clinical toolkit.
This experience underpins a performance led, structured approach to rehabilitation across all Atherapy clinics.
Our model is aligned with current best practice and combines clinical expertise, performance based rehabilitation and where appropriate collaboration with Sport and Exercise consultants.
Andrew Balderston
MSc MCSP HCPC MAACP
- Clinical Lead Complex cases and second opinions
- Based at Moorgate
- Over 25 years in elite professional football across Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Hull City
- Specialist in complex recurrent and performance limiting back pain presentations with a structured return to performance approach
- Limited availability due to clinical leadership responsibilities
Dr Emma Collier
- Physiotherapist Women’s health running and Pilates reformer
- Based at Moorgate
- Runner and HYROX competitor with a strong interest in women’s health and acupuncture integrated within rehabilitation
Claire Cuffe
- Physiotherapist with Strength and Conditioning background dealing with chronic and complex cases
- Based across Strand and Moorgate
- Combines physiotherapy with strength based rehabilitation to rebuild resilience and long term outcomes
- Also trained in acupuncture used where clinically appropriate
Dimitrios Michtatidis
- Former Tottenham Hotspur Academy physio Performance rehabilitation specialist
- Based across Chiswick and Strand
- Extensive experience in elite football with a focus on movement quality strength under load and return to performance
Fernanda Falcone Saldanha
- Physiotherapist Post pregnancy rehabilitation specialist
- Based at Chiswick
- Focused on structured rehabilitation following pregnancy helping patients rebuild strength confidence and function and women's health
Phase 1 - Settle pain and restore movement Week 1 to 2
Phase 2 - Build strength and control Weeks 2 to 6
Phase 3 - Return to full activity and performance Week 6 onwards
What Causes Back Pain
Back pain can arise from muscles joints discs or nerves and is often a combination of factors rather than a single diagnosis
Common causes include mechanical pain disc related pain facet irritation muscle strain nerve pain postural overload and training load errors
How We Assess Back Pain
Your initial 45 minute assessment is designed to give clarity from the outset including clinical history movement assessment and strength testing
Where appropriate we liaise with consultants or refer for imaging
Our Approach to Treatment
Our approach is evidence based and centred on active rehabilitation including hands on treatment targeted rehabilitation load management and performance based progression. Where appropriate acupuncture may be used to support early stage pain management within a structured plan. This is supported by access to full rehabilitation facilities within Virgin Active allowing progression at each stage.
Access to Full Rehabilitation Facilities
We have access to a full rehabilitation environment including gym space studios hydrotherapy and cardiovascular equipment allowing progression from early stage rehabilitation through to full return to performance.
Real Results
Patients commonly report faster and more sustained improvements when a clear diagnosis and structured plan is in place.
Case Example
E.g. City professional with recurrent back pain returned to full training within 6 weeks following structured rehabilitation and load management.
Back Pain and Sport
Back pain is often linked to movement control fatigue and load progression and our background allows us to address both symptoms and root causes
Should You Be Worried
Seek assessment if pain persists beyond 7 to 10 days is recurring limits activity or travels into the leg.
Back Pain Treatment Locations - Moorgate Strand and Chiswick with consistent clinical standards across all sites
Frequently Asked Questions
Modified movement is preferable to rest
Most cases do not require imaging
Many improve within 3 to 5 sessions
Chronic pain can be treated with structured rehabilitation
