Conditions

BACK PAIN / BACKACHE

The spine is the main support for our bodies and carries the spinal cord and the body's nervous system. Nerves branch off your spinal cord from between each spinal joint. Therefore, a mechanical dysfunction of the joints can lead to back pain - commonly caused by lifting and carrying incorrectly or by poor posture, leading to restriction of the joints in the spine. (See also Orthotics)

DISC PROBLEMS / SLIPPED DISC

Slipped disc is a frequently used but inaccurate term to describe a damaged disc. Discs are the flexible pads that separate one vertebra from another, and when damage occurs they may rupture or protrude causing back or leg pain by pressing on to surrounding structures. (See also Orthotics)

BACK PAIN DUE TO PREGNANCY

Back pain is common in pregnancy due to the enlarged abdomen which puts great strain on the low back area. Many women also suffer pain in the low back due to a difficult birth or the increased lifting that is inevitable with young children. (See also Orthotics)

PELVIC PAIN

Pelvic pain is caused by lifting and carrying incorrectly, poor posture or pregnancy and can lead to pain in the low back, buttocks, hips, lower abdomen, groin and thighs. Due to referred pain to the hips or legs, it is commonly mistaken for hip pain or sciatica. (See also Orthotics)

MIGRAINE HEADACHES & CERVICOGENIC HEADACHES

Headaches can present in many ways. Migraine headaches can be very distressing and can last for several days. Symptoms can include severe head pain, dizziness, nausea, flashing lights and visual disturbances. Migraine can be caused by irritation of the nerves close to the vertebrae in the neck or muscular tension.

Cervicogenic headaches are common and can be due to problems in the joints of the neck causing tightness in the neck and shoulder muscles.

NECK PAIN

Neck pain commonly occurs due to injuries following car accidents, falls, strained muscles, arthritic changes in the spine, poor posture or stress. Neck pain can refer into the shoulders and down the arms and, if there is irritation of the nerves that come from the neck and supply the arms and hands, you may also experience pins and needles, tingling or numbness in these areas. (See also Orthotics)

SHOULDER PAIN

Shoulder pain can be caused by injuries to the muscles or ligaments that surround the shoulder joints or even to the joints themselves. It can also be due to referred pain from the neck.

FROZEN SHOULDER

Frozen shoulder is caused by inflammation within the shoulder joint and can lead to severe restriction of movement in the long term.

ARM PAIN

Arm pain is commonly due to referred pain from the neck or shoulder, but can also be caused by injuries to the elbow or wrist or the muscles in the arm itself.

TENNIS ELBOW (LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS)

Tennis elbow is commonly caused by a repetitive action, particularly of the wrist, which leads to straining of the tendons around the elbow joint.

WRIST PAIN

Wrist pain may be caused by a fall or a strain due to a repetitive action, leading to muscular strains or restriction in joint movement in the wrist or hand. It may also be as a result of referred pain from a neck injury.

HIP PAIN

Hip pain can be a result of arthritis, strains of the muscles around the hip, joint injuries or referred pain from the spine and is commonly confused with pelvic pain. (See also Orthotics)

PELVIC PAIN

Pelvic pain is caused by lifting and carrying incorrectly, poor posture or pregnancy can lead to pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, lower abdomen, groin and thighs. Due to referred pain to the hips or legs, it is commonly mistaken for hip pain or sciatica. (See also Orthotics)

LEG PAIN

Leg pain can be due to irritation of the nerves in the lower back (see under Back Pain) or can be caused by referred pain from the low back or pelvis. Leg pain may also be due to strains in the muscles or damage to the hip, knee or ankle. (See also Orthotics)

KNEE PAIN

Knee pain can be due to many things, including wear and tear on the surfaces of the joint itself; damage to the cartilage pads within the knee; sprains of the ligaments that hold the knee together; strains of the muscles which surround the knee and help it to move; problems with the kneecap due to muscular imbalance; referred pain from the back, pelvis, hip or ankle. (See also Orthotics)

ANKLE AND FOOT PAIN

Ankle and foot pain may be a result of a direct injury to the joints, ligaments or muscles or may be due to injury of the sciatic nerve (see Back Pain). Foot pain can also be due to fallen arches (flat feet) which put the feet under abnormal strain.

Structural problems in your feet can alter your walking pattern and cause pain throughout your body, including feet, legs, knees, hips, back and even your neck.

The clinic has a computerised foot scanner (Gaitscan) which can analyse the way you walk (gait) and detect unusual foot function.

Gait analysis enables the chiropractor to prescribe and order orthotics (corrective devices worn in your shoes) which are unique to the patient's needs (see the dedicated Orthotics page).

ARTHRITIC PAIN OR SPONDYLOSIS

Any degenerative changes in the spine may be known as spondylosis. Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. There are many forms of arthritis including osteoathritis, which is due to wear and tear on the joint surfaces.

MUSCLE PAIN

Muscle pain can occur in any part of the body. It can be due to a simple strain caused by a sudden overstretching injury to the muscle or it can be caused by a joint injury which leads to muscle spasm around the injured joint.

NERVE PAIN

Nerve pain can occur in any area of the body as a result of inflammation due to a mechanical abnormality of the joint or due to a disc injury.

SPORTS INJURIES

Sports injuries often occur due to sudden trauma, incorrect use of sports equipment, not warming up and down thoroughly or overtraining. There are many types of sports injuries, but the majority will result in one or more of the symptoms described above.