Low Back Pain Specialist London; Kieran Macphail

14/08/2026

Swearing has been found to increase pain tolerance (Stephens et al 2009). However, swearing did not increase pain tolerance in males with a tendency to catastrophise. The observed pain-lessening (hypoalgesic) effect may occur because swearing induces a fight-or-flight response and nullifies the link between fear of pain and pain perception.

13/08/2026

Dehydration increases tissue sensitivity (Bear et al 2016). Drink some water!

12/08/2026

Spinal discs are like sponges—they don’t have a direct blood supply. Instead, they stay healthy through imbibition: absorbing nutrients and fluid during movement and unloading. That’s why regular movement is vital for disc health (Urban & Roberts, 2003). Move!

11/08/2026

Historical records—from ancient Egypt to pre-industrial Europe—show people often had two sleep phases, waking for 1–2 hours at night. Today it’s seen as poor sleep, but it was once completely normal (Ekirch, 2001). Knowing this might provide some solace the next time you wake up in the middle of the night.

10/08/2026

Webster et al (2013) found patients with low back pain who received an MRI early had more disability and much increased health costs compred to those who didn’t. This likely reflects how scans are interpreted and communicated, not imaging itself (Webster et al., 2013). This kind of research is often used to suggest we should image less, however imaging does save lives and to me what this shows is the importance of how imaging is reported. E.g. if you're told you have the back of a 70 year old, you will move very differently!

08/08/2026

Battersea half 1.25:10.

45/815, 6th in age group.

1st half in 23yrs, PB. Pretty pleased with this, v disrupted prep came in a bit overtrained but got a nice rhythm and still seems crazy to me run ks sub 4 mins.

There was a lot of weaving, a couple of stops due to congestion and I think the extra 500m run might be pretty accurate.

Lots learned on to Chester marathon in October!

The man the myth the legend Diego Jacquet Chef Patron at ZOILO London’s best steak restaurant and one of the key people that motivate me to get back to running.

07/08/2026

If you never meditated before, a walking meditation can be a nice introduction. All you are going to do is focus on what your senses tell you while you walk, what you see, smell, how your body feels. Your mind will wander, just come back to the sensations. The app, Headspace has excellent walking in the city and walking in nature meditations.

07/08/2026

06/08/2026

After surgery good general recommendations are 25-30kcal/ per kg of weight, 2g of protein per kg of healthy weight, increase anti-oxidants e.g. 400mg of vit C and take a probiotic if you've had a general anaesthetic (from my post surgical recommendations- email/ dm if you want a copy).

05/08/2026

Neuroticism, negative outlook and health anxiety form part of a vicious cycle that lead to worse musculoskeletal symptoms (Sahm et al 2024). Sort your thoughts!