Physiotherapy

Low back pain

Symptoms range from a dull ache to a stabbing or shooting sensation. The pain may make it hard to move or stand up straight. Acute back pain comes on suddenly, often after an injury from sports or heavy lifting. Pain that lasts more than three months is considered chronic.
 

Common causes of lower back pain;

-Poor Posture (computer work)	-Workout (technique)
-Job (lifting, pulling, or anything that twists the  spine,)	-Bag over the shoulder
-Herniated Disc	-Chronic Conditions (Spinal stenosis,   Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia)

 

Neck pain and headache

Neck pain and headache are commonly experienced by people who use computers daily/office job. If untreated, the prognosis for neck pain and headache without treatment can cause both an increase in neck pain and headache frequency and symptoms may persist.

 

Common causes of neck pain and headache;

-Joint and muscle dysfunction	-Disc bulge or degeneration
-Nerve irritation, compression or central sensitization of the nervous system in the case of chronic pain

Nearly always neck pain and headache is linked with muscle dysfunction. Similar to the core muscles of the lower back, the deep muscles in the neck can be weakened through pain or injury. The neck joints become stressed and painful and the surface muscles become tight, tired and sore.

If you are experiencing something similar to this, it can be treated. Exercises specific to the area will decrease the intensity, frequency and duration of both neck pain and headaches.

 

Knee pain

The knee is a hinge joint which contains two joints;

-Tibiofemoral joint – between the tibia (lower leg bone) and femur (thigh bone)

-Patellofemoral joint – between the patella (knee cap) and the femur

The tibiofemoral joint is considered the “knee joint” but problems with the patellofemoral joint is an extremely common cause of knee pain. The knee also contains ligaments which keep the knee stable as well as two cartilage menisci that help to cushion the joint.
 

Common causes of knee pain;

-Patellofemoral pain/joint syndrome	-Patellar tendinopathy
-Iliotibial band friction syndrome	-Fat pad impingement
-Meniscus tear (medial or lateral)	-Medial collateral ligament sprain
-Anterior cruciate ligament sprain/rupture	-Posterior cruciate ligament sprain
-Articular cartilage injury	-Patellar dislocation

 

Shoulder impingement

Shoulder impingement syndrome, is also called swimmers and thrower's shoulder, painful arc syndrome and supraspinatus syndrome. It occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles become irritated and inflamed as they pass through the subacromial space, the area under the acromion. This can result in pain, weakness and loss of movement at the shoulder.
 

Common causes of shoulder impingement;

-Overhead activity of the shoulder, especially repeated activity such as painting, lifting, swimming, tennis, and other overhead sports. Other risk factors include bone and joint abnormalities.

Symptoms of shoulder impingement;

-Pain radiating from the front of the shoulder to the side of the arm that is present both with activity and at rest

 

-Pain and limitation with lifting and reaching movements, including arm behind back, and pain when lying on affected side

-Local swelling and tenderness in the front of the shoulder

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is the term used to describe inflammation or a series of small tears of the muscles which extend (bend back) the wrist and fingers.

Symptoms of tennis elbow;

 

-Local tenderness on the outside of your elbow

-Pain radiating from the outside of the elbow into the forearm and wrist

-Pain when extending the wrist

-Pain and / or weakness in the grip during certain activities, such as holding a racket or turning a tap

-Pain at rest, particularly in the morning on waking or resting after activity

-Pain increasing over time

 

Common causes of tennis elbow;

-Overuse of the arm, particularly repetitive movements such as playing tennis, using a mouse and

-Muscle imbalance and /or weakness

-When tennis related, incorrect technique or equipment

 

Chronic pain

Pain is used as an alarm system when you first injure yourself to prevent you from further injury. When is pain lasts longer than 6 weeks, it’s called chronic pain.

 

In chronic pain, tissue damage has healed, but due to chemicals and hormones the nerves in the previously injured area become more sensitive. A gentle touch can provoke pain as more nerves are hypersensitive.

Treatment for chronic pain requires improving motor control by teaching your muscles to work efficiently and effectively without ‘flaring’up pain.

Treatment for chronic pain;

-Reducing the fear of pain	-Active versus Passive Therapy
-Goal Setting	-Pacing
-Exercise Program

 

Achilles Tendinosis

The achilles is the largest tendon in the body. It is located at the back of the ankle receiving fibres from gastrocs and soleus muscles. Tendinopathy is an umbrella term which encompasses both tendonitis (an inflammatory condition) and tendinosis (degenerative tendon condition). People of all ages, skill levels and non-athletes can be affected by this condition. Often they not only result in time off sport but can also affect day to day activities.