Spinal Dysfunction
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 girdle 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. An extensive analysis using a whole-body approach will be used including a thorough physical assessment of your biomechanics, 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 mobilizations, soft tissue massage, customized and specific exercise prescription such as core stability retraining (Pilates), acupuncture, postural advice and ergonomic workstation assessments.
Research shows that neck and back pain have a high recurrence rate. An integral part of healing and pain management requires an in-depth understanding of self-management techniques. PhysioMotion’s therapists will ensure that you understand how your customized exercise program is specific to your problems.
Your program will be designed to target the area of dysfunction that is causing your problems, and not just where the symptoms present. 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 your neck and back pain so as to optimize your chances of a healthy spine.
Lower Back & Pelvic Girdle Pain
At PhysioMotion, we treat the following lower back and pelvic girdle 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 girdle pain
- Lower back pain
- Post-surgical spinal procedures
Our therapists at PhysioMotion are trained using very effective assessment and treatment techniques to treat conditions that require expert knowledge in the lumbar spine and the pelvic girdle – both the sacroiliac joint and pubic symphysis.
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.
More so, we are able to ascertain whether the biomechanics of the lumbar spine 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.
Using our real-time ultrasonography, we are able to 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 are imperative to the long-term management of any chronic condition.
Headaches & Migraines
At PhysioMotion, we are able to treat neck driven headaches such as:
- Migraines
- Tension headaches
- Ice pick headaches (acute pain in the eye region)
- Cluster headaches
- Hormonal headaches and migraines due to the elevated levels in progesterone and low estrogen 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. Such non-optimal biomechanics in this region will cause headaches listed above.
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. Our Physiotherapists will take a holistic approach and include assessment of any other related areas and contributing factors.
All of our Physiotherapists are trained to treat neck headaches and migraines using specific manual therapy techniques, acupuncture, postural advice including ergonomic workstation assessments and lifestyle modifications. An extensive exercise program to address any stability issues in the neck or any other regions will be prescribed and progressively incorporated into the demands of your lifestyle and sport for long term management.
Scoliosis, Thoracic Spine & Rib Dysfunction
Thoracic spine and rib dysfunction are a specialized area of Physiotherapy that our therapist’s at PhysioMotion are trained and skilled at treating.
At PhysioMotion we treat the following scoliosis, thoracic & rib cage dysfunctions:
- Scoliosis from moderate to severe cases pre & post-surgical rehabilitation
- Scoliosis management through our unique 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 heart burn
- 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, but also affects the cervical spine and sacral complex. It is usually diagnosed in adolescence and the causes can be idiopathic (unknown cause), 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.