Conditions
There are many causes of back pain. It can be due to muscle strain, joint sprain, arthritic changes or disc injury in the spine which can cause swelling around the nerves and create back pain, leg pain or a changes in sensation in the leg (commonly known as ‘sciatica’).
‘Sciatica’ is one our patients’ most common areas of pain.
Many do not realise that their symptoms are not actually classified medically as ‘sciatica’ but are instead due to referred pain from other structures and when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed.
Some of the symptoms of ‘sciatica’ include difficulty in moving the leg or foot, accompanied by weakness, numbness or a change in sensation, lower back, pain in the buttock, hamstring and the calf that worsens when you sit.
Back Pain and Sciatica Issues
There are many causes of back pain. It can be due to muscle strain, joint sprain, arthritic changes or disc injury in the spine which can cause swelling around the nerves and create back pain, leg pain or a changes in sensation in the leg (commonly known as ‘sciatica’).
‘Sciatica’ is one our patients’ most common areas of pain.
Many do not realise that their symptoms are not actually classified medically as ‘sciatica’ but are instead due to referred pain from other structures and when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed.
Some of the symptoms of ‘sciatica’ include difficulty in moving the leg or foot, accompanied by weakness, numbness or a change in sensation, lower back, pain in the buttock, hamstring and the calf that worsens when you sit.
Jaw/ TMJ issues
There are two types of arthritis: degenerative and inflammatory.
Degenerative arthritis is very common and is often referred to as ‘wear and tear’. Whereas inflammatory arthritis, which has many different forms is less common but can affect people at a younger age and the symptoms are usually more severe as it can affect more systems and may affect the whole body.
As Osteopaths we spend a large amount of time dealing with pain and suffering caused by arthritis. Many people wrongly assume that they must live with their symptoms. But in many cases, Osteopaths are able to help considerably with pain and management caused by arthritis.
Joint Pain and Arthritis
There are two types of arthritis: degenerative and inflammatory.
Degenerative arthritis is very common and is often referred to as ‘wear and tear’. Whereas inflammatory arthritis, which has many different forms is less common but can affect people at a younger age and the symptoms are usually more severe as it can affect more systems and may affect the whole body.
As Osteopaths we spend a large amount of time dealing with pain and suffering caused by arthritis. Many people wrongly assume that they must live with their symptoms. But in many cases, Osteopaths are able to help considerably with pain and management caused by arthritis.
Lower limb injuries
There are many different injuries that can occur to the lower limb. It is important to get an assessment from an osteopath to determine the cause of your pain but also work out what other areas may be contributing.
The biomechanics of our lower limb are extremely important during our gait cycle/ walking so we need to be moving efficiently from our feet, ankles, knee’s, hip’s and pelvis. And when one part of this chain is malfunctioning there may be a flow on effect and progress to injuries.
There are a variety of different conditions, types of pain and associated symptoms that can be associated with neck and head. These conditions can include muscle strain, headaches, joint sprain, degeneration and disc-related injuries in the spine.
Osteopathic treatment may help by reducing the muscle spasm in the area and by mobilising the joints of the neck. We will use our hands treatment techniques including soft tissue massage, mobilisation of the joints, dry needling and we may use manipulation to achieve optimal joint motion and muscle relaxation.
Neck Pain, Migraine and Headaches
There are a variety of different conditions, types of pain and associated symptoms that can be associated with neck and head. These conditions can include muscle strain, headaches, joint sprain, degeneration and disc-related injuries in the spine.
Osteopathic treatment may help by reducing the muscle spasm in the area and by mobilising the joints of the neck. We will use our hands treatment techniques including soft tissue massage, mobilisation of the joints, dry needling and we may use manipulation to achieve optimal joint motion and muscle relaxation.
Pregnancy and Obstetric Issues
Osteopaths work towards allowing the woman’s body to cope with the increasing demands of pregnancy. This is by maintaining biomechanical balance and minimising the stress on structures as the uterus enlarges and the baby develops.
Osteopathic treatment techniques used throughout the different stages of pregnancy are gentle and designed not to place stress on the tissues. This allows the baby space to grow comfortably and also reduce pressure on structures.
Babies may undergoes a large amount of compression and strain to their body during pregnancy and delivery that may results in mechanical changes.
Using a detailed birth history and structural examination to determine the extent and location of any areas of restriction / strains in the baby’s body. We see babies for torticollis, plagiocephaly, reflux, constipation, oral dysfunction/ feeding issues.
Babies response quickly to gentle manual therapy to resolve strains in order to relieve discomfort and improve the body’s function.
We assess for oral dysfunction including tongue ties.
Paediatric Conditions
Babies may undergoes a large amount of compression and strain to their body during pregnancy and delivery that may results in mechanical changes.
Using a detailed birth history and structural examination to determine the extent and location of any areas of restriction / strains in the baby’s body. We see babies for torticollis, plagiocephaly, reflux, constipation, oral dysfunction/ feeding issues.
Babies response quickly to gentle manual therapy to resolve strains in order to relieve discomfort and improve the body’s function.
We assess for oral dysfunction including tongue ties.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a term used to describe damage sustained by tissues from recurring pressure over time.
The damage results in inflammation and tissue changes which can lead to a wide range of symptoms such as aching, throbbing, and/or weakness in and around the affected area.
It can been seen in different areas of the body with the most common ones being known as ‘golfer’s or tennis’ elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome or ITB friction syndrome.
Osteopathy may assist you in recovering or managing RSI with treatment and advice.
Shoulder Injuries
Soft Tissue Sprain and Strain
Soft tissue injury is damage to any of the soft tissues of the body. Basically anything that is not bone usually falls under the soft tissue category. The most common soft tissues injured are muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Two categories of injuries: acute and chronic/overuse. Acute injuries are caused by a sudden trauma, such as a fall, twist, or blow to the body causing sprains, strains, and contusions. Chronic/ overuse injuries occur gradually over time, from repetitive motion from a sport or other activity which doesn’t allow the body enough time to heal between occurrences causing most commonly tendinitis and bursitis. Treatment and management will always be different depending on the patient and their presenting complaint to determine treatment techniques and home based exercise programs.
Sports Related Problems and Injuries
Whiplash
Whiplash (WAD: whiplash associated disorder) is an injury caused by a severe force to the head typically from a car accident and traumatic sports injuries. This type of injury usually caused some sort of hyperextension to the neck followed by rebound hyperflexion which irritates the joints in the neck, ligaments, muscles and intervertebral discs.
It may also cause jaw tenderness and difficulty in swallowing.
Other symptoms which may be associated with WAD are shock, concussion, dizziness, headache, fatigue and poor concentration.
