May 2026 Newsletter
Dear patients,
We hope you are enjoying the beginning of summer in London.
This month, we have been reflecting on a pattern we often see in clinic: people doing all the “right” things for their health: yoga, Pilates, strength training, mobility work, running, meditation, but still finding themselves in pain or discomfort.
This is not because these practices are wrong. More often, it is because the body needs more precision, recovery, awareness and support than a busy London lifestyle sometimes allows.
Across our clinics in Soho, Liverpool Street, Marylebone, Mayfair and Canary Wharf, we continue to support patients with back pain, shoulder pain, sciatica recovery, posture-related tension, stress-related symptoms, movement rehabilitation and long-term wellbeing.
This Month’s Article
Yoga Injuries in London: When a Healthy Practice Starts Creating Pain
Yoga is often seen as the antidote to modern life. For many people in London, it becomes the place where they finally breathe, stretch, move and reconnect with the body after long hours at a desk, commuting, travelling, parenting, training, or carrying the weight of a demanding working life.
And for many people, yoga is genuinely helpful.
But sometimes, a practice that begins as something healthy gradually starts creating pain.
This month’s article explores how yoga-related injuries can develop through repetitive spinal extension, shoulder loading, hip compression, overstretching and nervous system guarding. It also explains why flexibility is not the same as healthy movement, and why body awareness often matters more than the shape of a pose.
The article is written from our clinical experience working with patients in London, especially those who practise yoga, Pilates, barre, reformer Pilates or mobility-based training.
Health Tips: Yoga, Pilates and Summer Movement
As the weather improves, many people naturally feel more motivated to move, train, stretch and attend more classes. This can be a positive thing, but sudden increases in activity can also expose areas of weakness, restriction or compensation.
A few useful reminders:
- If a movement repeatedly creates sharp pain, pinching, nerve-like symptoms, or discomfort that lasts into the next day, it is worth modifying rather than pushing through.
- If you practise yoga or Pilates regularly, try not to chase depth in every pose. Instead, notice whether the breath remains available, whether the jaw and neck stay soft, and whether the body feels more integrated afterwards.
- If you are returning to movement after sciatica, back pain or shoulder pain, strength and cardio are useful, but they may not be enough on their own. Alignment, stability, load management and recovery all matter.
- If your body feels irritated after a class, a simple walk, gentle mobility, hydration, sleep and recovery may be more helpful than doing another intense session immediately.
Positive News: Crested Ibises Return to the Wild in Japan
This month’s positive news comes from Japan, where eight endangered crested ibises were released into the wild in Hakui city, in the Noto region, decades after the species disappeared from the country’s main island. The birds, known as Toki in Japan, are admired for their white feathers, orange-pink underwings and red markings around the eyes.
The species had disappeared from Honshu by the 1970s due to overhunting and environmental degradation, and the last native Japanese crested ibis died in 2003. Conservation efforts, supported by captive breeding and international cooperation, have helped rebuild the population, with previous releases contributing to a wild population of around 500 birds on Sado Island.
It is a lovely reminder that recovery is sometimes slow, patient and highly intentional, but with the right conditions, life can return.
Clinic Update
Appointments remain available across Soho, Liverpool Street, Marylebone, Mayfair and Canary Wharf, as well as selected home or hotel visits where appropriate.
If you are experiencing discomfort from yoga, Pilates, gym training, long hours at work, travel, or a recent flare-up, we are here to support you with a thoughtful, individual approach.
Thank you, as always, for being part of our clinic community.
