Pain is a complicated thing, influenced by a number of internal and external factors. External factors include things like the context of an injury- you’ll likely be in more pain if an injury looks bad, or if you’re worried that it will have a larger impact on you. Internal factors can include your chemical makeup, including your hormones.
Aches and pains, particularly in the lower back, are common in pregnancy. But sometimes the discomfort is more than just the expected adaptation. SPD and PGP refer to more intense pains in the joints of the pelvis.
Hypermobility simply refers to excessive joint movement. This might be local, as when you injure the ligaments of a joint and it remains more mobile after healing. Otherwise it can be widespread. Some people are generally more bendy than others, and sometimes generalised hypermobility is caused by conditions like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
The TMJ stands for the Temporo Mandibular Joint. This is just the technical name for the jaw. The joint itself is just in front of the ear, so clicking can feel very loud to the person affected.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become less dense and more fragile. We cannot cure osteoporosis, but we need to know if you have it as it might alter the treatments that are appropriate and safe for you.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory form of arthritis that mainly affects small joints, such as those in the hands, feet, and neck. Sometimes RA is mistaken for Osteoarthritis. RA can begin as early as your 20s.
Migraines are complex, and still not fully understood. Current thinking is that they may be caused by a combination of neurological and vascular changes. There are medications available to help manage the symptoms of migraines, but research shows that manual therapy can be more effective.
When a muscle at the front of the neck becomes excessively tight, it causes reduced movement in the neck. It also results in the neck bending to one side and rotating to the other.
Tongue tie is a common problem with newborns, but it can be hard to diagnose. Cases fall on a spectrum, with some being visibly obvious, and others causing more vague symptoms.
The joints between the bones of babies’ skulls are relatively soft. This allows for movement during birth, and minimises restriction of the brain’s growth.
Being told you have a scoliosis is a horrible thought for some, but the truth is most of us have some degree of asymmetry. It’s also possible to have a scoliosis in certain positions only- this is called a “functional scoliosis”.
Also known as Lateral Epicondylitis, Tennis Elbow is more than just a pulled muscle. The muscles that extend the wrist (pull it back) attach to the outside of the elbow. Through repetitive strain and inflammation, the spot where muscle and bone meet can become sore.
The formal name for frozen shoulder is adhesive capsulitis, which means "sticky, inflamed capsule". As the shoulder begins to freeze, it is the capsule that has become tight or "stuck".
Sometimes you might find a “knot” in a muscle, which feels better when you massage it. Other times, pressing into the knot causes a strange pain somewhere else. This might be a trigger point.
