Conditions treated
The following conditions have all shown to respond very well to treatment
• Back pain & sciatica
• Pelvic imbalance & groin pain
• Neck & shoulder restrictions
• Issues with mobility & flexibility
• Injuries including whiplash and sports injuries
• Migraines & tension headaches
Pelvic imbalance
A tilted pelvis means the pelvis is tipped forward, backward, or off-center. This causes imbalance and misalignment of the spine, leading to low back pain and can also cause pain in the knees, legs, hips, buttocks, shoulders, and neck.
Pelvic tilt is very often the result of poor posture though it can also be caused by joint degeneration or a condition present from birth.
Where it is caused by posture imbalance, ie standing or sitting in a particular position for an extended period, one muscle group tends to shorten and one lengthens and remains like that. This can cause a chain reaction of pain elsewhere. It is usually fairly easy to correct this imbalance and it can be an important factor in pain conditions. Once the muscles holding the pelvis out of alignment are released, the body no longer needs to compensate for the imbalance and pain is alleviated
Neck pain
Neck pain can be caused by poor posture, injury, stress, arthritis or disc issues. The neck is a fairly narrow structure that carries the weight of the head so can be vulnerable to strain when looking at a screen for long periods with head forward.
The goal of treatment is to identify what is causing the pain, alleviate muscle tightness and restriction, create postural awareness and to restore freedom of movement. Targeted exercises, correct posture and manual therapy all work well together to keep you pain free.
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury to any of a number of structures in the neck as a result of the head being thrown forwards and backwards with force. It is usually caused by a traffic accident or contact sport.
There is normally a gradual increase in the intensity of the pain over the following 2–3 days. Pain is usually felt in the neck, and sometimes in the head, shoulders and arms. This can be a dull ache or a sharp pain which is made worse by movement.
Whiplash responds very well to manual therapy to the muscles of the neck and shoulders and can significantly speed up your recovery.
TMJ and jaw Issues
Many people don’t realise that physical therapy can help treat jaw pain and clicking.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) happens if there is a change in the normal function of the bones, ligaments, muscles, disc, or nerve components of the jaw. This normally results in pain and/or clicking in the jaw when opening and closing your mouth.
A clicking jaw usually indicates that there is a problem with the disc mechanism within the TMJ. The disc acts as a cushion between the jaw bones and facilitates the smooth movement of bones against each other as we open and close our mouths. If the disc is damaged or being pulled out of alignment by connecting muscles then it can cause the clicking that you can feel in your jaw.
Jaw pain can be caused by injury, wear and tear or it is often be caused by clenching teeth through stress or teeth grinding at night. Identifying and addressing habitual causes and hands on treatment to heal the structures of the jaw can often relieve the problem.
Anxiety and sleep
When struggling with anxiety and sleep issues, we are often stuck in a fight or flight response. Bowen therapy works on the nervous system and is a very effective and relaxing way to switch off this response and allow the mind and body to be at ease. People also report having a great sleep after treatment. When the body learns to relax on a regular basis, it is less likely to automatically go to fight or flight mode in response to stressors. Anxiety and sleep issues often go hand in hand and quality sleep can greatly reduce anxiety. Good sleep hygiene and addressing snoring or sleep apnea can help enormously. We can discuss this at your treatment.
• TMJ issues, clicky jaw
• Pain in knees, ankles & feet/plantar fasciitis
• Digestive issues
• Arthritis
• Stress management & sleep issues
Back pain
Back pain is a very common issue that can affect anyone, regardless of age or activity level. It can be caused by various factors, including poor posture, muscle imbalances, injuries, or underlying medical conditions.
The good news is that most back pain responds well to treatment. A combination of manual therapy, techniques to improve your posture and strengthening exercises can help you stay pain free. It is always a good idea to seek help early when you experience back pain, to nip symptoms in the bud and prevent your pain becoming chronic.
Shoulder pain
Shoulder pain can be debilitating. Common causes include rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis. Symptoms may range from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing pain, often worsened by certain movements or activities. Shoulder pain can also radiate into the neck and thoracic spine and can cause headaches.
There are many muscles involved in shoulder movement and the aim is to discover which muscles are tight or restricted and work to free them. Joint mobilisation and targeted exercise are also of benefit.
Tension headaches
The stresses of daily life often cause us to become tense in the neck, back and shoulders which in turn then cause tension headaches. They can also be caused by posture or repetitive movements at the gym.
A treatment to both relax the body and relieve the tightened muscles involved are an extremely effective remedy for this problem.
Knees, ankles and feet
Pain in these joints is common can be caused by a variety of factors, such as injury, overuse or arthritis. They are complex structures and the pain is often caused by joints, ligaments and tendons rather than muscles. It is helpful to have imaging work such as MRI or x-ray to know exactly which structure is causing the problem and this can help direct treatment.
These conditions are often worsened by structural misalignment in the body such as pelvic imbalance or leg length discrepancy as it causes excess pressure on areas. Treatment to align the body is very helpful in alleviating pain plantar fasciitis for example responds extremely well to treatment as extra pressure on one foot is often the cause of this painful condition.
Digestive issues
Though you may not think of physical therapy to relieve digestive issues, the intestines work through muscular action and manual therapy to those muscles can help constipation. It is very important to stay hydrated as this is a big factor in constipation. There is also an extremely effective protocol for heartburn and acid reflux which we can discuss during your visit.
Arthritis
Arthritis and general wear and tear affect many people in some way as they get older. In fact by age 65, 75% of the population have a degree of wear and tear on their joints. Despite this, many people with arthritis do not feel pain.
Though physical therapy can't cure arthritis, it can both help symptoms and improve physical function. Manipulation can help ease muscles, reducing pain and inflammation and increasing blood flow. Joint mobilisation can ease stiffness in the joint. Targeted exercise can significantly help strengthen the muscles supporting the joint so that the joint itself is taking less load and, in turn, is less painful.