Low Back Pain Specialist London; Kieran Macphail

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!

04/08/2026

974 vacationers answered questions about their happiness before and after a holiday trip (Nawijn, J., et al. 2010). Vacationers reported a higher degree of pre-trip happiness, compared to non-vacationers, possibly because they are anticipating their holiday. Only a very relaxed holiday trip boosts vacationers’ happiness further after return. Generally, there is no difference between vacationers’ and non-vacationers’ post-trip happiness. Thus once you're back off holiday plan your next one!

03/08/2026

In a 13-year follow up study of Low Back Pain among 360 Finnish fire-fighters, those with sleep disturbances were 2.4 times as likely to develop LBP (Lusa et al. 2014).

31/07/2026

Acupuncture meridians align with connective tissue planes in ~80% of cases. Tension in fascia may trigger signals via mechanotransduction—the conversion of mechanical force into cellular activity—possibly explaining sensations of “energy flow” (Langevin & Yandow, 2002).

30/07/2026

Mould exposure can trigger respiratory symptoms, fatigue, brain fog, and even joint or muscle pain—especially in sensitive individuals. If you suspect mould is affecting your health, reach out for specialist support (Straus, 2011; WHO, 2009).