London Spine Unit - Back and Neck Pain Clinic Reviews 

Everyone, both medical and support staff, very friendly and helpful. I found the communication, treatment and care, including in my case, in-theatre spinal injections, excellent and professional . Although I only had a mild sedative as well as local anaesthetic, I felt so relaxed I fell asleep ! And my treatment has made a great improvement to my lower back problem.

I suffering from a degenerative disk and this caused a bulge in my spine, causing pressing against my nerves and severe pain.
The procedure called laser discectomy was amazing. I instantly felt immediate pain relief from the nerve pain and with rehabilitation, I was back to full fitness within a few weeks and with further rehabilitation I am sure I can get fully strengthen the entire area permanently.
Dr. Akmal was very informative about the procedure, professional and fully explained the situation after.
I am very happy with the service offered and could not recommend this anymore.

I was referred to Mr Akmal by Dr Now of Beaconsfield.
I had been suffering from sciatica for several months and on the 22nd. November he carried out a procedure to insert a titanium
'spacer' in the disc that was causing the problem and trapping the nerve. The pain relief was almost instant and now some four weeks later I am completely pain free.
I would have no hesitation in recommending the London Spine Unit,

I am a Canadian and have been suffering with back pain for many years, having had injections, physio, acupuncture, pain meds all with no long term relief. It came to a point where I was unable to resume normal activities as well as work and was looking for the best surgeon and unit to help me get my life back, regardless of the location. I am very glad to report that Dr. Akmal and the entire caring and professional Spinal Unit team did just that. I am now on week 3 recovering from spinal fusion surgery. I was standing and walking 2 hours post surgery, even walked to the office from the hotel 2 days after surgery. Week 3, I no longer have any back or nerve pain and my numbness in my leg is completely gone. A true miracle, as my mother would say!

From the rapid responses and support while I was abroad, to the pre-op support and ensuring I have all details and answering every possible question I had, to the post op support and physio. The unit is a true one stop shop for anyone having to have surgery and all with the best quality professionals and so caring. You will part of the family there. I am forever grateful and would recommend Dr. Akmal, and the entire team to anyone who is having back issues. They will not push or rush for surgery as their objective is to truly provide a personalize treatment for each patient, with surgery as a last option. If you do have surgery, they are so advanced in their technique that you can resume a much faster recovery. Even the best surgeons in New York were anticipating a 3-6 month recovery for me...I feel truly blessed to be able to go home and show my husband and kids that they have their mummy back :-)

Exceptional Enviroment.
Exceptional Dedicated Personnel.
Exceptional Caring Specialist Doctors.
Exceptional Efficient / Innovative Services.
Excellent Accessible Location.

The London Spine Unit (LSU) of the Harley Street Hospital (HSH) brought me back to life. God was, and will always be on my side and their side! I went from complete, awful, incapacitation, to wheel chair mobility, and finally to independent mobility (now looking glamorous) after their life-changing Spinal Fusion Surgery In 2016. They don’t just treat you, but follow through with your home and workplace adjustments, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and general rehabilitation at relevant locations.

I have been their patient since November 2015. My heart lights up with joy each time I step into this hospital. I often ask where could I have been without the world class expertise of Mr MO AKMAL (Spine Surgeon) and his wonderful team? We are now family, we are one!

I confidently recommended them to others.

Long live LSU/HSH!

Uche OJOMO
October 2019.

I suffered with lower back pain for 5 years - I saw a host of physios, osteos, Pilates instructors and chiropractors all of whom told me the same thing: that a little wear and tear was to be expected at my age (46) and that I should avoid surgery at all costs. However, the pain and resultant lack of mobility increased no matter what I did so I hesitantly made an appointment with Mr Akmal to discuss options.
How I wish I had done that 5 years earlier! After an MRI, Mr Akmal explained all the options open to me and gave the relative merits and chances of long lasting success for each one. I was immediately at ease with him and confident in the choice that I made so I booked the surgery. 6 weeks post op I was able to go back into the gym and 5 months post op I was back on the golf course and the tennis court. It is now one year since I had lumbar spine fusion and I can honestly say that I never have to think about lower back pain. I would not hesitate to recommend Mr Akmal and his team to anybody suffering with back pain.

My GP had suggested physiotherapy for my ‘sciatica’. After months of exercising the pain worsened. I went to see a consultation who was business-like and cold, he suggested an injection and very strong painkillers (which he said would cause psychotic nightmares). I chose to ignore him.
Mr Akmal was recommended to me by my dear friend Mike. Mike had had treatment from Mr Akmal and couldn’t endorse him highly enough.
The personal care, information and attention given at every step of my treatment by Mr Akmal and his team - Dr Lok, Dr Nathalie Courtois (Consultant Anaesthetist) and Elena, was outstanding. Totally surpassed my expectation. Incomparable, a unique Team indeed; THANK YOU ALL!
I was anxious about having spinal surgery but Mr Akmal put me at ease; he was caring, reassuring and most proficient. After the interspinous spacer surgery, the prolonged excruciating pain I’d had, completely disappeared, overnight.

I am indebted to Mr Akmal. A truly dedicated, brilliant Surgeon!

I was introduced to Mr Mo Akmal by a friend who had been treated by him for sciatica. His operation on my spine was a total success. My pain had been absolutely debilitating: I was unable to stand up, walking was difficult. The relief after the procedure was immediate. Since then I've been able to stand and walk without difficulty. Mr Akmal from the outset was informative and reassuring. My debt to him is immense.
Hamish MacGibbon (83 years old)

I had been suffering from sciatica for 8 years. I saw multiple physio therapists, had acupuncture, an injection and chiropractic therapy and still didn’t feel better at all.

I was worried about having surgery at first because I am still young however Dr Mo Akmal reassured me that the lumbar Discectomy is a simply key hole surgery with minimal invasion into the lower back making it a very safe procedure.

I felt immediate pain relief and am able to live normally and am extremely grateful for Dr Akmal and his team. I was discharged from the clinic on the same day and was able to walk and take public transport back home with no difficulty.

I would highly recommend anyone thinking of doing lower back surgery to see Dr Akmal. Thank you very much Dr Akmal and to your team.

I have been suffering from lower back pain for the past 10 years,of which Ive had three caudal epidural injections which did help.
Over the past two years the pain got much worst, especially in my left thigh and foot. This affected my personal life in a big way including lots of sleepness nights.After my last consultation in June, upon reviewing MRI report, I was again offered operation as that's the only solution that would elevate my pain and suffering. This time I gladly accepted.

Mr Mo Akmal performed my operation , what a great job he did, he is an amazing spinal consultant, so friendly and caring to his patients, he makes his patients feels at ease and he takes his time and explained everything prior and after.
I am now free of pain since the day of my procedure and now living a full and healthy life again. I'd like to thank Mr Akmal and his team for a job well done.

Mr Mo Akmal and Dr Lok were expert and friendly. They gave me all the time I needed to ask questions in my consultations with them and were helpful in any way I asked of them, promptly writing a letter for me to give the airline when I needed to travel and being available by email for any further questions I had. On the day of my procedure their manner was very reassuring. The procedure itself was successful and my pain has diminished by 70%. I am not rushing in to a second procedure as Mr Akmal believes I may heal the rest of my problem with physiotherapy. I appreciate this honesty too and the fact that unless necessary no intervention will be taken. I fully trust that if further treatment is necessary he will tell me and come up with the best possible option for my condition. I highly recommend both the manner and expertise of the Doctors at this clinic.

Maxine is an extremely professional and knowledgable clinician. She has a wonderful way of intelligently taking her patients thru a complex area of Physiotherapy.

The professionalism and the efficiency of London Spine Unit have no equal in London. I have been treated in the best possible way by a dedicated and super knowledgeable staff.

I have experienced increasing amount of
neck pain for the past two years and during this time have sort advice from the spine consultants at Spire Gatwick Park, The Horder Clinic and Spire Bushy Park. The 3 consultants advice was much the same, you have arthritis and spinal stenosis. There is no possibility of surgical treatment and we will refer you to a pain specialist, whose advised cortisone injections and increasing amounts of pain killers including morphine sulphate and BuTrans (opiate patches) none of which had much effect.

I then got to hear of Mr Akmal. His advice was to try one more injection (making 5 in total) and explained has reservations about surgery. I am now 87 years of age with a pacemaker which normally prevents MRI scans necessary for any surgery. Mr Akmal was able to find a hospital who would undertake an MRI scan (St Bart's) and result a C5/6 foraminotomy was diagnosed as the best surgical approach.

The operation was carried out in September 2017 and the result has been most successful. I would estimate that the pain I an now experiencing is about on quarter of that five months ago and the amount of pain killers I take is also about one quarter, only paracetamol and ibroprofen (no opiates).

Mr Akmal advised that residual pain is likely to further decrease for one year or even 18 months after surgery.

I have had increasingly severe neck and arm symptoms which, over the last two years have started to effect my work and personal life. As a fellow medic, I was reluctant to undergo any invasive procedure, well aware of potential complications. However.... I have had an amazing result from the nerve injection procedure carried out by Mr Akmal. It has been truly transformative. Throughout the journey, I have had full confidence in Mr Akmal and his team, including his fantastic anaesthetist. I would not hesitate to recommend him to my friends and family. He is one of the most accomplished and confidence-inspiring clinicians I have had occasion to meet.

Fantastically smooth service was provided from start to finish which exactly what you need when you are going through some excruciating back pain.
Between Mr Mo and Dr Lok, they provide reassurance and guidance on all possible options with clear language and positive spirits.
Not to say that the rest of the team - nursing and support functions are equally brilliant.
Appointment times were always within a short time frame.
Where there were administrative issues with my insurance company, they sought to help smooth those issues too.
Would absolutely recommend their service - and while I hope to never see them again having regained good health, should I have any further back issues I will certainly turn to them first.

Prior to my surgery I had experienced back pain for close to ten years, getting progressively worse, affecting my hips and legs too. Through swimming, massages and heat patches I coped on a day to day basis, but with two young children, getting tired of being in pain and how that affects you plus a desire to stay active I contacted Mr Akmal.
My initial consultation and discussion of my MRI scan was very professional and thorough. At no stage did I feel talked into a procedure and recommendations felt personal to my situation. My husband and I left feeling confident with the planned treatment and team.
I had three spinal injections prior to major lumbar spinal surgery. Whilst I underwent the spinal injections with Mr Akmal, I also saw a physio on a weekly basis, creating a daily routine of exercises to prepare me for spinal surgery.
After six months of treatment and several appointments with Mr Akmal, discussing the various options available, I underwent surgery. Although nervous, I felt very informed and reassured that this was the right solution for me. I have never regretted this decision.
Although I spent a few extra days at the hospital than expected - but with fantastic nurses and a physio team! - the recovery has been pretty smooth, not fast, and it takes great daily effort!
My quality of life has increased tremendously, not having my children say "Be careful, mum has a bad back" is wonderful and enjoying a long haul flight or sleeping in a different bed on holiday instead of fearing it has been life changing.
I cannot recommend Mr Akmal and his team enough.
Thank you!

Everything about my experience, from the friendly receptionist to Mr Akmal and Mr Lok, was positive. I found everyone very caring and helpful and would highly recommend.

Very impressed with the service and the advice. I was on a likely path to radical surgery and may have avoided that through the more conservative treatments advised by the clinic

Earlier this year I fractured my back and suffered from an acute pain. As I had an excellent past experience, being treated successfully by other wonderful units at the hospital, I referred myself to the Spine Unit. From the first moment I entered the unit I felt at home. All members of staff, doctors, nurses and administrators are highly professional, welcoming, friendly, caring, helpful and warm. They all treat patients with the utmost respect and the highest level of professionalism.
Mr. Akmal, Dr. Lok, Dr. Hussain, Hashim Saifuddin, Miguel, Pinar Cak, Carmen Ciurchea, Katrina Mitchell and the rest of the team as well as Natalie Courtois-Purgass the anaesthetian and the ward where I stayed / they have all been wonderful. Each visit has been a pleasure. A typical example is the fact that every time I came in for an appointment everyone took the time to have a conversation with me. I could not have asked for a better treatment and I owe them my recovery.
May I also add that from my past and present experiences this is the best hospital and I would recommend it to every single member of the public.
A big Thank You. You deserve 10 stars and a special award.