Often mistaken for a trapped nerve, referred pain causes aches and pains beyond the problematic area. When the lower back or pelvic joints are involved, it can cause an ache down the thigh as far as the calf; but a few details make it easy to distinguish from true sciatica. What is Referred Pain? Any …
The TMJ is always an interesting one to treat. It often comes up as an aside when a patient comes in to address another area. Sometimes the problem has been present for a long time, but the patient never really knew who would be able to deal with. Is it a dentist job? Would a …
The knee is made of a few joints, supported by ligaments, cartilage, and muscle. Any of these can be susceptible to injury and sometimes these issues come in groups. Your osteopath can diagnose and treat at your first appointment, so you don’t need to wait for a referral to start getting on top of your …
When joints move further than we expect, we consider them to be hypermobile. There’s often not much reason why you have a hypermobile joint, or it might be due to injury or a connective tissue disorder. Widespread Hypermobility Some people are “just bendy”. Sometimes this comes down to bony anatomy, like being able to squat …
Most cases of lower back pain, although disruptive, are considered simple. Osteopaths see a lot of lower back pain, so we know what “simple” looks like, and are well placed to identify complex cases. What Constitutes a Red Flag in Lower Back Pain? Most lower back pain is caused by something mechanical. That might include: …
Chronic pain is defined as pain that has continued for 6 months or more. It can be broken down into two types: primary and secondary chronic pain. Primary Chronic Pain Primary pain exists without, or after resolution of, another condition. For example, a back injury might cause the expected pain initially, but after the injury …
Welcoming a new baby is wonderful, but for new parents, it can lead to a handful of aches and pains too. Osteopathy can help with fatigued muscles and joints that ache from holding an awkward position for too long. But there are also things you can do to prevent or limit the discomfort in the …
The pelvic floor is integral for continence, and plays a significant role in the function of the lower back. But it’s an area often overlooked or ignored. Sometimes that’s because we assume our symptoms are normal, and just something we have to get on with. Other times it’s because we don’t know who can help. …
Osteoporosis is a diagnosis of reduced bone density, meaning you have a higher likelihood of breaking bones. This happens when the usual process of the body breaking down old bone overtakes the speed of rebuilding. Bones are not completely solid- they’re full of tiny holes. But when density reduces, the holes grow bigger. It’s more …
Osgood Schlatters disease (OSD) is a common ailment in adolescents, causing pain and swelling just below the knee cap (patella). “Disease” makes it sound more scary than it is: it’s much more of a mechanical issue and can typically be managed with lifestyle changes. Basics of Osgood Schlatters Before we finish growing, our bones have …