Conditions Treated
Back Pain
Some common conditions treated:
- Sciatica
- Disc Degeneration
- Facet Degeneration
- Trapped Nerves
- Slipped Discs
- Sacro Iliac Problems
- Arthritis
Many different conditions affect the Thoracic (Upper) and Lumbar (Lower) back, from arthritis (wear and tear) to overstraining the ligaments, and from compression of the discs to nerve pain referring to the arm or leg, such as Sciatica. These symptoms and more can be treated effectively by Osteopathic means. Pain can be sharp with muscular spasms or achey and constant. An injury can occur while playing sports or even as simply as bending over which can give tremendous discomfort. Sometimes these pains can be short lived or they can last months or even years.
Osteopaths are trained to assess and diagnose your condition whether it be acute (just happened) or chronic (long term). Treatment can involve gentle manipulation of the spine, upper or lower, to release the restrictions and tight muscles or soft tissue muscle massage and we at Bodymechanics.ie also use Acupuncture to relieve very acute injuries where patients find it difficult to move because of pain.
Neck Pain and Headaches
Some common conditions treated:
- Whiplash
- Disc Degeneration
- Facet Degeneration
- Trapped Nerves
- Headaches
- Tension
- Arthritis
Headaches and neck pain are very common in todays society with activities such as computer usage and long periods driving causing a build up of tension in the neck muscles and joints. Sports injuries or car accidents or even waking with the 'Crick' in the neck are all common presentations in the clinic. Usually neck pain is also accompanied by shoulder muscle pain as we recruit these muscles to protect the injury.
Releasing the bony restrictions and stretching the muscles is a very effective means to reduce the symptoms. Advice on correct sitting positions at desks and postural correction helps to maintain the results gained from treatment.
Hip Knee and Ankle
Some Common conditions treated:
- Arthritis
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Bursitis
- Gluteal Tendonitis
- Hamstring Tears
- Cruciate Ligament Injury
- Collateral Ligament Injury
- Cartilage Damage
- Patella (knee cap) Injury
- Tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciaitis
- Shin Splints
- Achilles Tendon Injury
Daily, patients present with one or more pains in the hip and/or lower limb whether it be knee or ankle or the muscles in between. Hip pain can be due to over use as the hip is a weight bearing joint although commonly hip and limb pain can be referred from a 'Trapped Nerve' in the lumbar spine so a complete examination is carried out to ascertain what structures are indeed giving rise to the symptoms.
Knees and ankles have so much pressure placed through them on a daily basis its easy to see that they can get hurt playing sports or just twisting the wrong way. Many ligaments, which are like chains holding bones together, are present surrounding the Knee and Ankle and with the wrong force or loading at the wrong time its not too hard for them to be stretched, overstrained or even snapped.
Pain can constant or intermittent depending on particular movements,(this goes for all joints in the body) and the surrounding associated muscles can spasm or tighten up to protect the injury. This can occur wherever there is an injury and its commonly this muscular protective spasm that causes more pain than the original injury itself.
Treatment involves assessment, diagnosis, hands on Osteopathic intervention and advice to help alleviate the pain and to prevent further injury.
Shoulder Elbow and Wrist
Some common conditions treated:
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- Tendonitis
- Frozen Shoulder
- Bursitis
- Tennis Elbow
- Golfers Elbow
- Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
- Arthritis
- Ligament Damage
- Cartilage Damage
The upper limb may not be a weight bearing structure when we are standing but we use it daily as one with activities such as leaning on our elbows at desks, lifting ourselves out of seats by pushing down on arm rests and exercises such as push-ups and other sports.
These activities can lead to wear and tear problems between the bones and in an overstrain situation the ligaments and muscles can become symptomatic also giving rise to common problems such as Frozen Shoulder or Tennis Elbow and even Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
These upper limb conditions and more can be treated in the clinic whether it be manipulation of the bones and joints, soft tissue muscle work and, if deemed appropriate, acupuncture.
Pregnancy
Some common conditions treated:
- Sacro Iliac Injury
- Pubic Symphysis Injury
- Trapped Nerve
- Bursitis
- Ligament Injury
During pregnancy the weight of the body increases and the posture changes accordingly. This can lead to pain as the muscles and joints and the ligaments stretch to try to accommodate the new pressures as the baby grows and exits. The sacro iliac joints are commonly affected in the lower back resulting in pain on one side or both of the posterior pelvis and lower back.
Also the pubic symphysis at the front can stretch and can be very painful also. The hips knees and ankles and upper back can all be affected as the body tries to compensate to the new posture and weight bearing.
Treatment is available for these conditions helping to alleviate even the worst pain and discomfort during and after pregnancy.
