Nell Mead Physiotherapist

Nell Mead Physiotherapist Specialist in complex musculoskeletal rehab. Book available now on Amazon: How To Be Your Own Physio. Everything in your body is connected.

An injury in one place can lead to compensation and further injury in another. So when you feel pain, you need to know where the trouble stems from. When you come to see me, I'll find, analyse and tackle the cause of your pain, rather than just looking at the symptoms. Once I've located the problem, I can help you get better and better. No temporary fixes - I only deal in long-term solutions. Everyone's body has a story to tell, and when you come to see me, I'll listen. I understand that injury is rarely just about one painful part. Using my unique Health & Performance Pyramid, I'll look at your body as a whole to find the real cause of the problem. And when I'm designing a treatment plan for you, it's about more than physiology; I'll think about who you are, and what's important to you, whether it's trampolining or trips abroad. Call my team on 0207 175 0150 now to find out how I can help you.

Imagine your body as a magnificent skyscraper.Just like any impressive structure, it needs a solid foundation, a robust ...
03/01/2026

Imagine your body as a magnificent skyscraper.
Just like any impressive structure, it needs a solid foundation, a robust framework, and specialised features to function at its best.

That’s exactly what the Health & Performance Pyramid represents – a comprehensive blueprint for building and maintaining a strong, resilient, and high-performing body.

This pyramid serves as your guide, helping you understand the intricate relationships between different systems of your body in an easy-to-remember format. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, aiming to prevent one, or simply wanting to optimise your physical capabilities, this pyramid will guide you through the process.

Are you ready to start building your resilient body? Discover how to apply the Health & Performance Pyramid to your life in my book, How To Be Your Own Physio. 📚💪 Buy the book here: http://mybook.to/htbyop-book

🥊 Surely a champion boxer wouldn't struggle with elite military training? Here's an insight into how your body adapts to...
02/01/2026

🥊 Surely a champion boxer wouldn't struggle with elite military training? Here's an insight into how your body adapts to what you repeatedly ask it to do!

A story from my Army days perfectly illustrates this: I once worked with an elite boxer who dreamed of joining the Special Forces. On paper, he was perfect - incredibly fit, strong, and determined. But there was a catch that only became apparent when I assessed his movement:

His body had completely adapted to boxing. From the age of 6, he'd trained with his left foot forward and right shoulder back, ready to throw punches. This was brilliant for boxing - but created a significant problem: when I asked him to do simple symmetrical movements like squats or weight transfers, his body moved completely differently on each side.

Here's why this mattered: Special Forces training demands perfect symmetry. Think long-distance runs carrying heavy weights - activities that require equal strength and control on both sides of the body.

💪 This is the SAID principle in action - Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands. Your body becomes extremely good at what you repeatedly ask it to do, but sometimes at the cost of other movement patterns.

The lesson? Being fit for one sport doesn't automatically make you fit for another. Each activity trains your body in specific ways, creating unique patterns of movement that might not transfer to other sports.

1.2 million people in the UK take time off work each year due to back, neck and muscle pain. That's 23% of all working d...
02/01/2026

1.2 million people in the UK take time off work each year due to back, neck and muscle pain. That's 23% of all working days lost.

The majority of these cases – probably around 70% - respond well to traditional physiotherapy.

But there's a hidden story in these numbers, because that meanst that about 30% - that's nearly 400,000 people each year - don't get fully better with standard treatment. Their pain may become chronic. They may or may not have to take a lot of time off work, but either way, they aren’t living a full and pain free life.

The traditional approach to physiotherapy is called the biomedical approach, and it’s relatively simple: if your knee hurts, we look at your knee. We examine the structures, test the muscles, maybe do a scan. We massage and stretch it if it’s tight, and give you knee exercises if it’s weak, and if we see significant structural damage on the MRI scan, we might send you to see a surgeon.

So what about that 30%?

The hideous phrase we used to use in the Army was that they’d "failed rehab".

In my experience, that's rarely true.
For many of them, rehab failed them.

Some people who've "failed rehab" end up having unnecessary surgery
Others give up activities they love
And many simply accept living with pain as their new normal

That is where I come in!
That is my area of expertise.

I look at the whole body as an interconnected system, or as a series of interconnected systems, like an electrical circuit.

Rather than just looking at your knee when your knee hurts, I identify what's driving that issue. And once we've done that, we treat the cause, not just the symptoms.

You do not have to live in pain.

💡 Why settle for temporary fixes when you can truly understand your body? 💡The truth is, pain can feel overwhelming, but...
01/01/2026

💡 Why settle for temporary fixes when you can truly understand your body? 💡
The truth is, pain can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to take over your life.

After two surgeries and years of frustration, Roni walked away from our appointment with a renewed sense of confidence in his body - and that’s the transformation I want everyone to experience.

"I have been to more than 20 physiotherapists in my life and never have left so happy and confident about my health’s future as with Nell. She was great, insightful, funny, and caring. After 2 knee surgeries and 4 years of pain and discomfort on my whole body I finally feel confident about my body again. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for her after just one session."

My online self-assessment course is designed to help you uncover the true driver of your pain - just like I do in my clinic - and take the steps to address it.

Whether it’s recovering after surgery, managing long-term pain, or simply wanting to move freely again, you can get started today.

You’ve got the power to change how you feel: howtobeyourownphysio.com/courses

Are you stuck in a frustrating loop where pain goes away, only to come back again? Treating the symptoms isn’t enough – ...
30/12/2025

Are you stuck in a frustrating loop where pain goes away, only to come back again? Treating the symptoms isn’t enough – you need to address the driver behind it.

My online self assessment course helps you escape this cycle by identifying and treating the root cause of your pain. This isn’t a quick fix – it’s a long-term solution for pain-free living.

Here’s what it will walk you through to start with:

🌀 Pick a movement that triggers your pain – this becomes your test movement.
🌀 Follow guided videos to release key areas of your body, from your feet to your shoulders.
🌀 Retest your movement after each release to uncover which part of your body is the real problem.

💡 By the end, you’ll know what’s driving your pain and how to fix it – for good.

Stop letting pain control your life. Learn more about the course and take the first step toward lasting relief: https://howtobeyourownphysio.com/courses

29/12/2025

😵 30 YEARS of Headaches… Until THIS Happened!
Imagine enduring headaches for three decades without a solution. Sometimes, the cause isn't where you'd expect, and the remedy can be surprisingly simple!

Chronic pain isn't always about where it hurts—the real issue might be hiding elsewhere.​

Have you ever experienced a health mystery with an unexpected cause? Share your story in the comments! ⬇️​

"Loved the case studies and the personal style of the writing."- Lillie P.I've shared everything I've learned about opti...
28/12/2025

"Loved the case studies and the personal style of the writing."
- Lillie P.

I've shared everything I've learned about optimising movement and performance in How To Be Your Own Physio. Get started here: mybook.to/htbyop-book

Ready to put the Health & Performance Pyramid into practice?Download the FREE questionnaires from 'How To Be Your Own Ph...
27/12/2025

Ready to put the Health & Performance Pyramid into practice?

Download the FREE questionnaires from 'How To Be Your Own Physio' to track your progress through hydration, nutrition, sleep and stress.

Get them at howtobeyourownphysio.com/book-resources

🪑 Is your desk job secretly sabotaging your body? Let's unlock the secrets of proper sitting posture that can transform ...
26/12/2025

🪑 Is your desk job secretly sabotaging your body? Let's unlock the secrets of proper sitting posture that can transform your workday comfort!

Think of your body like a carefully stacked tower - when one piece is out of place, the whole structure gets wobbly. Here's your complete guide to sitting like a pro:
Head & Neck:

Keep those ears aligned over shoulders - no turtle neck posture!
Avoid letting your head tilt forward or down (looking at you, phone scrollers!)
Think of floating your head above your shoulders

Shoulders & Upper Back:

Think 'relaxed superhero' - shoulders back but not tense
Let your chair's backrest do its job
Maintain that natural curve - no slumping!

Lower Back & Support:

Pop in a small cushion if needed - your lower back should have a natural curve
Stay connected to that backrest
Think about keeping your spine long and supported

Hips & Pelvis:

Keep hips level or slightly higher than knees
Sit evenly on both sit bones - no tilting to one side!
Imagine your pelvis as a bowl of water that shouldn't spill

Knees & Legs:

Plant both feet flat on the floor - no crossed legs!
Aim for those 90-degree knee angles
Use a footrest if your feet don't reach the floor comfortably

Feet & Ankles:

Keep ankles relaxed and neutral
Both feet should be properly supported
Avoid tucking feet under your chair

Ergonomic Setup Tips:

Position your monitor so its middle is at chin level
Adjust your chair/desk height so the desk sits just below your relaxed elbow height
Use ergonomic tools to keep wrists neutral when typing or using the mouse

👩‍💻 Pro tip: Every 30 minutes, stand up and have a little wiggle. Set a timer if needed - your body will thank you!

Being told to take your clothes off in front of 35 other people!I went to uni with not much money to spare, so I went fo...
26/12/2025

Being told to take your clothes off in front of 35 other people!

I went to uni with not much money to spare, so I went for the cheapest campus accommodation - Waveney Terrace. My £36-a-week room had a narrow cot bed, a built-in wardrobe, a desk, and a sink. I shared a corridor (and a kitchen + two showers!) with 13 others. Cosy, right?

Our corridor turned out not to be party animals. We mostly missed the Freshers' Week events and instead spent evenings sitting on the floor, legs intertwined, drinking cheap wine and getting to know each other.

Julie, my next-door neighbour, was also studying physiotherapy. Together, we ambitiously signed up for every sports club - football, rugby, gym, tennis, lacrosse… and then I spotted the men in green. The OTC (Officer Training Corps) was the uni version of the Territorial Army.

Unable to resist showing off my Army gap year experience, I marched up to the stand. They told me it was the only society that paid you to attend - £10 per Monday drill night and £29 per day for weekend camp. And since I was already a commissioned 2Lt, I’d be paid even more! That covered my rent, and I figured it couldn’t be worse than actual Army life… so I signed up.

Then, lectures started.

Julie and I trooped into our first physiotherapy class, where 36 students (only 4 were boys!) sat around hydraulic therapy couches, facing the lecturer.

"Hello, everyone. Take your tops off!"

We were startled. Then, slowly, 32 girls in bras and 4 shirtless guys emerged.

"Now your jeans!"

Cue more hesitation.

“Remember this feeling – this is how your patients will feel every day!”

We all ended up sitting in our underwear.

Julie, however, was mortified - she was wearing a thong and admitted she didn’t own any other type of pants.

Big mistake.

That afternoon, a few of us ran into town and found the biggest pair of pink thermal granny pants we could. We decorated them with her name and pinned them above her door. She saw the funny side... eventually!

The moral? Always wear your Bridget Jones underwear to your physio appointment ;)

🔥 3 years of pain, gone in 10 days 🔥It’s amazing what happens when you treat the real cause of pain instead of just the ...
25/12/2025

🔥 3 years of pain, gone in 10 days 🔥
It’s amazing what happens when you treat the real cause of pain instead of just the symptoms. For Ruth, a simple, tailored plan made all the difference—and I love seeing results like this.

"After 3 years of shoulder pain and umpteen physiotherapists, Nell gave me a treatment and simple set of exercises that solved the problem in around ten days. She is exceptional! Thank you, Nell."

Shoulder pain, back pain, knee pain… they often aren’t caused by the area that hurts. That’s why my approach focuses on uncovering the root issue, or the “driver,” behind your discomfort.

If you’re tired of trial-and-error treatments, my online self-assessment course can help you pinpoint what’s really going on. Learn how to assess your body, just like I do in clinic, and get on the path to lasting relief.

✨ Don’t wait years for a solution - learn to be your own physio!

🌐 Learn more: howtobeyourownphysio.com/courses

📍 I work in Liverpool Street, central London, and I love what I do. But the reality is that my waiting list is long, and...
23/12/2025

📍 I work in Liverpool Street, central London, and I love what I do. But the reality is that my waiting list is long, and coming to see me in person is, quite frankly, a high-end investment. This means that for many people, whether due to price, location, or availability, my in-clinic treatment isn’t an option.

But I don’t believe top-quality care should only be for those who can make it to my clinic.

That’s why I created my online self-assessment course.

For £100, it helps you become your own physio and work out where your pain is really coming from.

And the best part?

You only need a tennis ball, a yoga brick, and a foam roller to get started.

Then... once you’ve identified the root cause of your problem - the driver - I’ve created follow-up courses to guide you in treating it effectively.

✨ Is it time to take control of your recovery and start feeling better? Go here: https://howtobeyourownphysio.com/courses

Address

Longcroft House
London
EC2M4NS

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+442071750150

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