Most of us experience back pain or neck pain at some point in our lives.  Typically aches and pain in the lower back or neck, muscle spasm and sometimes sciatica which is nerve pain down the buttocks and legs. Both Osteopathy and Physiotherapy can address most types of back pain and neck pain using soft tissue manipulation, stretching techniques, joint mobilization and spinal manipulation.

Our spines contain sponge-like shock absorbers between the bones (vertebrae) in our spine.  When a disc becomes weak or injured, the centre of the disc can push out against the disc wall or even break through the wall of the disc.

A bulging or herniated disc can put pressure on nerves or cause irritation and pain.  Manual therapy can relieve some disc problems. However, when manual therapy alone is not enough to address a disc issue, we use IDD Therapy Spinal Decompression. 

Joint pain and dysfunction is often caused by some restriction which may have built up over time or may have been caused by injury.  Manual therapy aims to ease restrictions in the joint by working soft tissues and gently mobilising the joint to enable the body’s natural healing mechanisms to operate freely. Electrotherapy is also used to reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing.

We treat many joint pains including ankle, knee, hip, shoulder and elbow problems.

Whether a muscle injury or a joint problem, sports injuries can be caused by over exertion, repetitive strain or bio-mechanical imbalance.  We need to ensure we understand the whole body function to address weakness and imbalance.  For most athletes, a sports injury is less about relieving pain, and more about restoring function and performance. We aim to do both, using our comprehensive range of treatment.

One cause can be tension or strain in the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back. In cases like this, treatment from an osteopath may help. Gentle massage to the tight muscles and manipulation to loosen the joints of the neck, and upper back can relieve the build-up of muscular tension that may lead to headaches.

While we cannot reverse the process of osteoarthritis, we treat the effect of it. Using soft tissue massage, stretching, electrotherapy and joint mobilistion , we aim to get the affected joints moving more freely, with less pain and less inflammation.