The conditions listed below are some of the most common problems treated at Sussex Physical Therapy. This is not a complete list, and if you are unsure whether osteopathy or shockwave therapy may be suitable for your condition, please get in touch for advice.
Back Pain
A very common problem experienced by the majority of the population at some time or another. It can be commonly caused by spinal joints, discs, muscles or ligaments as a result of an injury or due to postural dysfunction. There are other less common but more severe conditions such as disc prolapse that can be helped with osteopathy.
Sometimes low back pain can be associated with pain in the leg and occasionally pins and needles, weakness or numbness. Osteopathy is an effective treatment option for back pain addressing the tissue causing the symptoms as well as addressing any postural or spinal dysfunctions to improve not only pain but function also.
Treatment involves a combination of soft-tissue, acupuncture, mobilisations and manipulations. Usually ice or heat and exercise prescription will be given to aid in alleviating symptoms and returning the patient to optimal health and function.
Neck Pain
Another common condition which can lead to headaches, arm pain and also restriction in movement. Causes of pain to the neck can be traumatic such as a head injury, whiplash and falls or can be atraumatic due to poor posture during sitting, occupation or driving. It can also be caused by dysfunction of the middle part of the spine or the shoulder girdle.
Many people suffer from not only acute episode but also from chronic or recurrent bouts of neck pain and impairments may persist after symptoms have cleared. This shows the importance of seeking treatment.
Osteopathic treatment aims to restore full pain free range of movement and improve function by addressing postural dysfunctions using a combination of soft-tissue techniques, mobilisations and manipulations. After treatment advice will be given as appropriate to enhance treatment changes and speed up recovery.
Strains/ sprains
This type of injury usually involves either the muscle or ligament and is most often caused by a traumatic event such as over stretching or twisting, for example your ankle. Usually it is immediately painful and is accompanied by swelling. It is best to reduce swelling using a cold compress over the first few days and then seeking treatment to decrease pain and restore stability and function of either the muscle or ligament involved.
The length of time of the injury is dependent on the severity. Both ligaments and muscles injuries are graded from 1 to 3. Grade 1 injuries usually take up to two weeks with treatment to recover where as a grade three may take several months with the possibility of surgical intervention to repair the affected tissue.
Rotator cuff and shoulder injuries
Rotator cuff injuries can be due to a traumatic event or due to repetitive strain. Pain is experienced around the shoulder and can radiate into the arm. It is accompanied with restriction to movement usually in one or possibly multiple directions. If it is caused by a traumatic event then recovery followed by restoration of function is necessary. If it is due to repetitive movement/strain then function of the shoulder girdle and shoulder blade movement will have to be addressed to improve function and prevent further injury/pain.
A common cause of shoulder pain is caused by impingement of tissues (tendon or bursa) below the bony arch of the shoulder joint. This can be as a result of either a traumatic event such as over stretching or throwing for example or due to poor postural positioning of the middle part of the spine, dysfunction of the shoulder girdle or due to tight muscles.
Osteopathy can help to improve pain free range of movement as well as treating and giving exercises to help improve posture and function. Osteopathy can also help with conditions that affect the shoulder such as frozen shoulder, dislocations/subluxations rehabilitation and injuries to the acromioclavicular joint which is located above the shoulder joint.
Repetitive strain injuries (Overuse Injury)
This usually affects muscles or tendons (soft-tissues) most commonly around the wrist, shoulder, elbow (tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow), knee and ankle. Pain affects the area where the tendon attaches into the bone or within the tendon itself and gives a sharp pain caused by repetitive movements that has created the problem in the first place. These conditions used to be known as tendinitis.
Treatment involves reducing pain, increasing function and also addressing the causative factors such as posture, weakness, tightness of any involved muscles and also technique.
Arthritic conditions
Osteoarthritis (wear and tear) is very common and affects the majority of the population usually as we get older. It commonly can affect the neck, low back, fingers/thumb, hips and knees. Osteopathic treatment will not get rid of the osteoarthritis but it can help to alleviate symptoms and improve some functioning of the affected joint to aid pain management and possibly improve general daily activity.
There are other types of arthritic conditions where osteopathy could aid in symptom relief depending on the severity of the condition.
For information, see our article on treating knee osteoarthritis with shockwave therapy.
Disc injuries
Commonly affects the low back but can also affect the lower neck. It usually occurs in younger adults but can affect those of older years. This condition can be associated with pain or pins and needles/numbness in either the leg or arm depending on the location of the injury.
Disc injuries in the neck are usually caused by prolonged positions such as in reading or can be traumatic as with whiplash.
Low back disc injuries can be caused by prolonged postures such as during sitting/driving or with lifting where the person bends forward and twists. Pain is not usually immediate but can come on 1-2 days following the event and gradually worsens over the next few days or weeks and can be very debilitating if it affects the adjacent nerve as it exits the spine.
Osteopathy can help to alleviate symptoms using soft-tissue and traction techniques to reduce pressure and inflammation of the disc. Advice about avoidance of aggravating factors and improvements in posture can aid to a more speedy recovery. Use of ice and NSAIDs can help to reduce inflammation and therefore reduce pain intensity.
Headaches
Osteopathy can help tension type headaches that are usually related to cervical spine (neck) pain and dysfunction due to tight soft-tissues or restrictions with in the neck. Treatment reduces soft-tissue tensions and improves range of movement of the neck thereby restoring normal functioning and reducing the pain.
Other types of headaches may be helped by osteopathy but they usually require some medical intervention such as drug prescription. Improving range of movement, function and posture of the neck, upper back and shoulder girdle may reduce frequency and intensity of the headache.
Pregnancy related pain
During pregnancy the body undergoes significant structural and functional changes to allow for the growth and development as well as birth of the baby. During pregnancy the ligaments become more lax (looser) to allow for the pelvis to expand and move for delivery but this can potentially cause pain in the lower back, mid back, pelvis and pubic region which can be very debilitating.
The aim of treatment is to balance/realign the pelvis and improve the function around the low back, middle part of the spine and pelvis to take away any areas of increased stress and strain and can also help in aligning the pelvis for delivery. Osteopathy can help following labour and birth, which is a very traumatic event for the body to cope with, to restore correct posture and functioning and aid in strengthening areas that have been over stretched such as the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.
Joint Pain
Osteopathy can help with most conditions or injuries affecting any joint of the body. Joint injuries are usually traumatic in nature such as twisting the knee, dislocations and so on. Following an injury pain, and swelling are the first symptoms to be experienced.
During the first 48-72 hours you should follow the principles of icing, rest, elevation and gently loading the injured joint to speed up recovery and also to allow treatment to be carried out. Treatment consists of restoring pain free range of movement, function, stability and strength. Treatment will also address weaknesses, postural problems, muscle imbalances for full recovery and injury prevention.
Sports Injuries
All types of sports injuries can be treated with osteopathy as well as rehabilitation programmes following injury or surgical intervention. Examples of injuries osteopathy can help with include muscle injuries, ligamentous injuries of all joints, tendinopathies (tendinitis), stiff neck/back, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot injuries.
Rehabilitation consists of restoring range of movement, strength, endurance and proprioception (stability exercises) of the injured area.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot, becomes irritated or overloaded. Symptoms are often worse during the first few steps in the morning or after periods of rest.
Treatment may include osteopathy, rehabilitation exercises, activity modification and, where appropriate, shockwave therapy. Learn more about treating plantar fasciitis.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy is a common condition affecting the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. It often develops gradually and may cause pain, stiffness and discomfort during walking, running or exercise. The condition is frequently seen in runners, active individuals and people who spend long periods on their feet.
Treatment may include osteopathy, rehabilitation exercises and, where appropriate, shockwave therapy to support recovery. Learn more about treating achilles tendinopathy.
Many of these conditions can be treated using osteopathy, shockwave therapy, rehabilitation, or a combination of approaches, depending on your diagnosis and individual needs. To learn more about the treatment itself, visit our Shockwave therapy page.
Take a look at some of our client success stories to see how we’ve helped people with similar conditions.
