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 …
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 …
Your baby’s developmental milestones are key for tracking their progress in early life. As a result, they can cause parental anxiety when they appear later than expected. For some of the physical milestones, like learning to roll over, sit up, and crawl, there are things you can do to help. Practice Makes Perfect Like progressing …
Piriformis syndrome is a neuromuscular condition that occurs when the piriformis muscle, located deep in the buttock, compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve. This can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling along the back of the leg and into the foot, causing the symptoms of sciatica. This is, indeed, a form of sciatica. But understanding …
Muscle cramps can be excruciating, but annoyingly, most seem to come on for no reason. We know that some groups of people are more likely to suffer from them, namely: Although we often attribute cramps to an “electrolyte imbalance”, this is rarely the real cause. There may be a link with dehydration, but cramps can …
Sciatica is a common cause of pain the the leg. Pain is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back into the buttock, back of the thigh, then onwards down the calf and into the foot. Symptoms do not always appear along the whole length of the nerve. Often they …
The carpal tunnel is a small space in the front of the wrist, through which nerves, vessels, and tendons run. Because the space is so small, compression of the structures inside is not uncommon, leading to pain and other symptoms into the hand. Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome There will often be a number of …
Migraines are not just bad headaches: they are diagnosed according to a strict criteria. There are a range of sub-types, including some migraines which do not come with a headache at all. Migraine Headache Symptoms Each headache will fulfil all of the following criteria: As long as there is not a better explanation for the symptoms, …