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Client Case Study: Neck & Upper Back Pain

  • May 6, 2025
  • The AG Team

Neck and upper back pain can feel relentless, especially when it affects your sleep, work, and the ability to train the way you love. At our Tunbridge Wells Osteopath & Sports Clinic, we regularly support patients dealing with chronic or episodic pain that interferes with daily life. In this case study, we explore how osteopathy helped a 39-year-old desk-based professional recover from a painful flare-up that had been impacting their life for years.

Patient Background

Our patient, a 39-year-old who works from home at a desk-based job, came to us after a three-week flare-up of upper back and neck pain. This was part of a longer-term, recurring issue that first started four years ago.

Although otherwise healthy with no diagnosed medical conditions, the pain had begun to interfere with everyday tasks, and more significantly, had forced them to stop weight training, one of their main passions.

Presenting Complaint

Symptoms: Right-sided upper back and neck pain

Duration: Current flare-up had lasted 3 weeks, but symptoms had been on-and-off for 4 years

Impact: Worsened by desk work and sofa sitting; stopped strength training altogether

Assessment & Diagnosis

Following a comprehensive case history and clinical examination (including assessments of the cervical and thoracic spine and right shoulder), we diagnosed:

Condition: Right cervical facet joint irritation at C5/6 with associated muscular tension in the cervicothoracic region

Confirmation: Diagnosis based on detailed physical assessment and review of the patient’s symptom history

Osteopathic Treatment Plan

We tailored a treatment plan focused on reducing pain, restoring mobility, and supporting long-term recovery. Techniques included:

  • Cervical and thoracic spine articulation and soft tissue work
  • Periscapular and right shoulder complex articulation
  • Muscle energy techniques targeting neck, thoracic, and shoulder-related muscles

We recommended 3–4 treatment sessions, paired with a personalised home care plan:

  • Rehabilitation program: Mobility exercises followed by a progressive return to gym-based strength training
  • Lifestyle support: Ergonomic adjustments for work-from-home setup and seating habits

Holistic advice: Education around the connection between menstrual cycle, nutrition, sleep, and injury recovery

Treatment Outcomes & Recovery

  • After 1st session: Significant reduction in neck pain and stiffness. Improved range of motion in the neck and shoulder. Patient described feeling “looser” and more mobile.

  • By 2nd session: Complete resolution of neck pain. No tenderness around the cervical facet joints. Shoulder blade discomfort and rotation limitations fully resolved.

  • Ongoing progress: Patient successfully returned to upper body strength training, with only minimal adjustments needed for certain exercises like overhead press and bicep curls.

They also reported better tolerance for long desk sessions, thanks to ergonomic changes, and no longer needed follow-up appointments due to sustained improvement.

Follow-up & Prevention Strategies

To support long-term results, we advised:

  • A progressive strength training plan aligned with their personal goals
  • Continued ergonomic improvements for desk and sofa setups
  • Regular mobility work and heat therapy when needed

Our goal was not just to resolve the issue, but to give the patient the tools to prevent it from recurring.

“5 stars just aren’t enough! Verity is truly incredible. She’s amazingly skilled at what she does. Thanks to her, my back is almost completely healed and that’s something I didn’t think I’d be able to say anytime soon! I actually look forward to every appointment because I leave feeling so much lighter, looser, and pain-free. She takes the time to really listen, explain everything clearly, and always makes you feel at ease. It’s like a mini reset for my body and mind each time. Can’t recommend her highly enough, she’s a total game changer!”
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Meet Our Team

Coral Salter

Growing up In a highly active and professional level sporting family, I have been immersed into sport and movement from a very young age with physical performance, injury prevention and recovery a part of every day life. Alongside my own sporting commitments, experiencing regular osteopathic treatments that sparked appreciation and interest for hands-on therapy and the body’s ability to hold onto tension, develop injuries and how effective treatment can be for performance and long-term wellness.

As a qualified sports massage therapist, I take a holistic and client centred approach, tailoring each treatment to the individuals needs. Helping the client better understand their body, and deliver results by reducing tension, improving range of moment and aiding recovery through sports massage, deep tissue techniques and cupping therapy. Working collaboratively alongside Osteopaths.

Beyond this, I am also especially passionate about women’s health, hormones with PCOS and the lymphatic system, I know firsthand the importance of balancing inflammation, tension and overall wellness.

Meet Our Team

Silas Tye

I take a comprehensive approach to osteopathic care, combining structural and functional treatments tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Where appropriate, I incorporate movement-based strategies and personalised exercises to help patients build resilience and take an active role in managing and improving their symptoms both in the clinic, at home or in a fitness environment.

Before qualifying as an osteopath, I began my career in the fitness industry as a personal trainer, specialising in rehabilitation and recovery from injuries and illness. This foundation has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to help people move better, overcome painful injuries, and reclaim their lifestyles. I am a firm believer in the power of movement and its ability to transform health and well-being.

“I value movement above all else and believe that if we all moved more and moved better, we could achieve healthier, more resilient bodies. With the demands of modern life, it’s essential to keep our bodies moving and functioning optimally.”

Outside of work, I am a proud dog parent to Amber and enjoy staying active through training at the gym and CrossFit. I am also passionate about my hobbies, which include Warhammer, Dungeons and Dragons, cooking, cinema, video games, and sharing great meals with my wife.

Meet Our Team

Josh Wisson

Growing up in Kent, Josh has always had a strong passion for sport and fitness. This enthusiasm led him to pursue a career in osteopathy, where he could combine his interest in human movement and performance with helping people feel and function at their best.

He completed his Master’s degree at the European School of Osteopathy, gaining experience in a variety of specialist clinics including sports injuries, paediatrics, and headache management.

Alongside his osteopathic work, Josh plays semi-professional football and has completed multiple marathons. He also enjoys playing Padel and golf, which gives him a strong appreciation for the demands of different physical activities and how to support patients in achieving their goals whether that’s returning to sport, managing pain, or simply improving day-to-day function.

Josh treats a wide range of patients and tailors his approach to suit each individual’s lifestyle, goals, and needs. His treatments often incorporate structural, soft tissue, and functional techniques to support recovery, improve mobility, and promote overall wellbeing.

Meet Our Team

Verity Kelsey

Registered Osteopath GOSC: 11805

Verity’s journey to osteopathy began with Adult Nursing training at King’s College London, where her experience in surgical and intensive care placements sparked her passion for rehabilitation. Her personal experience with sports injuries from hockey and rugby led her to discover osteopathy’s person-centred benefits, inspiring her career transition.

During her osteopathic education at the University College of Osteopathy (UCO), Verity developed a passion for women’s health while working at the Expectant Mothers & Women’s Health Clinic. She plans to pursue advanced training in women’s health to combine her expertise in musculoskeletal rehabilitation with women’s healthcare. As an evidence-based practitioner, she integrates current research with hands-on techniques and targeted exercise rehabilitation to help patients not only recover from injuries but also return to movement stronger, more resilient, and better informed about taking their health into their own hands. Verity prioritizes patient education to ensure that patients have the information they need to improve their physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Outside of osteopathy, you’ll find Verity exploring local trails for running and hiking with her dog, strength training, or baking treats for family and friends.

Areas of Special Interest:

    • Sports Injuries
    • Pre/Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Women’s Health (including menstrual disorders, gynaecological chronic pain, and peri/menopause)

Meet Our Team

Marie-Pauline Otzen

Registered Osteopath GOSC: 11619

Growing up in Switzerland, Marie has always been very passionate about sports, including skiing, horse riding and cold water swimming. Throughout her life, she realized the importance of having osteopathic treatment and became interested in a career as an Osteopath. Being fluent in English, French and German, Marie is happy to communicate with you in any of these languages.

Marie graduated with a Master’s degree from the European School of Osteopathy. Throughout her degree, she was able to work in osteopathic specialist clinics, including sports, pediatrics, women’s health and headache clinic.

Marie applies a combined treatment approach, drawing on her knowledge and experience as an osteopath, sports massage therapist and athlete to deliver optimal care and long term management outcomes. She incorporates structural, soft tissue and cranial osteopathy techniques and principles into her treatments offering a thorough and holistic approach to health, healing, and sustainable recovery and injury management.

Additionally to Osteopathy, Marie is a professional Show Jumper and has trained in Equine Osteopathy.

Marie is a registered osteopath with the General Osteopathic council and insured with the Institute of osteopathy.

As well as being a qualified Osteopath, Marie is a sports Massage therapist with a particular interest in sport related injuries and work related stress and tension.

Meet Our Team

Angus Gould

Registered Osteopath GOSC: 10007

Angus grew up in East Sussex where both he and his family saw an osteopath regularly from a young age. After leaving school he explored different career options and decided to expand his knowledge in the area of health sciences. Four years later Angus graduated from Swansea university having obtained a first class masters degree in Osteopathy.


Angus is primarily a structural osteopath meaning he uses a variety of different techniques that focus on the body’s frame work and connective tissue, to improve the mobility and stability of joints, reduce the likelihood of muscle spasm, as well as improving circulation and lymphatic drainage to the target tissues. The type of techniques you can expect Angus to use are; joint manipulation and articulation, neuromuscular technique, muscle energy technique, myofascial release, joint harmonics, deep soft tissue techniques and exercise prescription.


Previously to being an osteopath Angus also trained as a qualified fitness instructor which he feels adds an element of rehabilitation to his practice to help achieve sustainable results.

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