Spinal Dysfunction, Neck Pain & Back Pain
Spinal Dysfunction | Neck & Back Pain | Lower Back & Pelvic Girdle | Headaches & Migraines| Scoliosis & Thoracic Rib Cage
Neck & Back Pain
At PhysioMotion, we treat the following spinal dysfunctions:
Scoliosis management, correction & exercise therapy
Prolapsed intervertebral discs (‘slipped discs’)
Acute wry neck (torticollis)
Chronic stiff thoracic spine (upper back) and neck
Sacroiliac joint pain & pelvic pain
Lower back pain
Post-surgical spinal procedures
Neck and low back pain are some of the most common conditions managed by our Physiotherapists.
Treatments are based on the most up to date research and evidence based techniques. As with other conditions, an extensive analysis using a whole-body approach will be used including a thorough physical assessment of your biomechanics (the way your body moves), muscles and joints will be performed to find the root cause of your problem.
Once a definitive diagnosis is made (which we believe is the foundation of effective rehabilitation), manual therapy techniques are then employed by our Therapists.
These include:
Joint mobilisations
Soft tissue massage
Customised and specific exercise prescription such as core stability retraining (Pilates)
Postural advice and
Ergonomic workstation assessments
Lower Back & Pelvic Girdle Pain
Lower back and pelvic girdle dysfunctions include:
Scoliosis management, correction & exercise therapy
Prolapsed intervertebral discs (‘slipped discs’)
Chronic stiff thoracic spine (upper back) and neck
Sacroiliac joint pain & pelvic girdle pain
Lower back pain
Post-surgical spinal procedures
Many chronic and acute lower back pain; sacroiliac joint dysfunction; recurrent muscle strains (hamstring, groin and calf muscles); chronic headaches and pregnancy related discomfort (pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joint pain) are related to the lumbo-pelvic area.
At PhysioMotion we are able to ascertain whether the biomechanics of the lumbar spine (lower back) in relation to the pelvic girdle are optimal and how they are being affected by all other regions of the body. This holistic approach will aim to relieve acute pain within these specific areas, whilst also addressing other loads contributing to their dysfunction.
Ultrasonography can also assess imbalances and weaknesses in any of your core stabilising muscles. The proper use of these muscles (transversus abdominus, multifidis, pelvic floor, thoracic and hip stabilisers) and how they coordinate with other ‘global’ muscles will allow long term management of this condition.
Headaches & Migraines
Neck driven headaches include:
Migraines
Tension headaches
Ice pick headaches (acute pain in the eye region)
Cluster headaches
Hormonal headaches
Hormonal headaches and migraines are caused by elevated levels in progesterone and low oestrogen levels during your pre-menstrual cycles. These changes in your hormones make the mechanoreceptors (joint sensors that give your brain information) extra sensitive – highlighting to your brain that the joints are non-optimal.
If you suffer from headaches or migraines that have been investigated by a medical doctor and there is no known cause, then the cause may be musculoskeletal – the headaches and migraines are likely coming from your neck.
Non-optimal biomechanics specifically in the upper neck and base of the cranium (skull), known as the sub-occipital joints (C1/C2/C3) are often the pain ‘generator’. This is because the sensory nerve supply to the skin and other areas of your head comes from these joints. When there is dysfunction in these areas, your brain is unable to distinguish the difference between a headache as opposed to problems in the neck.
This is similar to ‘sciatica’ where the pain is perceived in the leg when it is actually caused by problems in the lower back.
More specifically, these upper neck joints may be hypo mobile (stiff), hypermobile (excessive movement) or have poor movement patterns. This will be associated with spasm of the suboccipital and other muscles that attach from the shoulder girdle, thorax and head to the neck.
Other factors that increase tension in this upper neck region may also significantly contribute to neck driven headaches such as physical and emotional stress, fatigue, dehydration and poor postures. Any other regions in the body that are contributing to the poor loading in the neck joints will also be related to the headaches and migraines, for example, a scoliosis in the thoracic spine.
Scoliosis, Thoracic Spine & Rib Dysfunction
At PhysioMotion we address the following scoliosis, thoracic & rib cage dysfunctions:
Scoliosis from moderate to severe cases pre & post-surgical rehabilitation
Scoliosis management through our unique integrated care model using manual therapy & exercise approach
Stiffness & pain in the upper back, neck and shoulder region
Chest pain & breathing difficulties of musculoskeletal in origin
Poor posture
Digestive issues such as reflux, indigestion and heartburn
Shoulder pain related to the thorax and rib cage
Weak abdominal core muscles
Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine involving mostly the thoracic and lumbar spine, costo-vertebral joints (spine and rib joints), but also affects the cervical spine (neck) and sacral (bottom of the spine) complex. It is usually diagnosed in adolescence and the causes can be congenital or neuromuscular.
Depending on its severity, treatment options include corrective surgery or conservative management with braces, exercise and physiotherapy.
The thoracic spine and rib cage can be a source of pain in regions such as the spine, chest, shoulders, neck, and lower back whilst also can cause referred pain anywhere in the arms and torso. It can be the source of poor posture, spinal scoliosis, inefficient loading mechanisms, digestive issues (such as reflux, indigestion and heartburn) and poor nerve supply to the abdominal musculature leading to ‘weak core’ muscles.
The thorax and rib cage can also be responsible for non-optimal loading through the pelvis, lumbar spine and hips causing various osteoarthritic conditions in the lower limbs.
Research shows that neck and back pain have a high recurrence rate.
Given the high recurrence rate of back pain, we will take the time in prescribing, explaining and getting you to feel how your program creates healthy movement in your body. Equally, we will advise exactly what aspects of your lifestyle need modifying, or sporting pursuits are contributing to the cause of any spinal condition to optimise your chances of a healthy spine. We want to empower you to lead a lifestyle free of back pain.
Our team of therapists will ensure that you have optimal care throughout your treatment and support you in returning to full physical health.
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