The 3 most common conditions we treat

Osteopathic treatment can assist in the recovery from and alleviation of pain associated with an extensive range of conditions and common ailments.

Our patients range from newborns through to the very elderly. Here's a list of some of the most common conditions we see here at Not Just Backs…

1.     Lower back pain

Of all the complaints that osteopaths treat, back pain is certainly one of the most common. It can affect people of all ages and as many as eight out of ten of us will suffer from back pain at some point in our life.

In most cases, back pain isn’t serious and will usually be resolved without treatment within a few days or weeks – such as basic joint strain which can even lead to referred pain into the buttock and thigh. However, there’s no doubt that back pain can be extremely painful and troublesome, making it hard to carry out normal day-to-day activities

Then you have the more serious disc problems and sciatica, which are common but not like your typical joint problem. Sciatica is a symptom of a pinched nerve, which results in a lightening pain that goes from the buttock down the back of the leg and calf and into the foot. This may be the result of a disc or from a narrowing where the nerve exits the spine.

This is much slower to heal, but 95% of cases resolve themselves with treatment, good management and guidance. Only a very small percentage of patients require injections or surgery.

2.     Neck pain

The neck region comes in at a close second, suffering from similar problems to the lower back i.e. strains and trapped nerves. The neck is a particularly vulnerable region due to its extreme ranges of motion and forces that it is subjected to.

Neck pain and stiffness can be localised, but may also radiate to the head causing headaches, or to the upper back, shoulders and arms. If a nerve root in the neck has been irritated, you may also experience pins and needles, numbness or weakness in your hands, arms and even down into your legs. Nerve root irritation is usually caused by a bulging disc or ‘wear and tear’ to the facet joints at the back of the spine.

3.     Tension headaches

It is generally recognized that a large proportion of headaches originate from stiffness and tension in the neck. This gives rise to pain often radiating over the skill from the base of the neck to the eyes. Heat and analgesic tablets frequently ease this pain but long-term relief often requires accurate osteopathic diagnosis and treatment of the underlying problem.

If you have any questions about the ailments discussed in this blog or feel you need to book an appointment with us, please call 01722 421 242 or click here to book an appointment online.