Here are a few of the more common conditions we help our patients with:

Sciatica:

Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve which is located from the lower back down the leg to your feet is aggravated or pressured. Sciatica usually occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) causes a compression to a part of the sciatic nerve. The compression of the nerve causes inflammation, pain and sometimes a numbness of one side of the lower body. The pain can range from mild to severe and will usually be felt from the lower back, the buttocks, down the legs, calves and into the feet. The pain can be severe but still be resolved with non-surgical treatments. Usually, sciatica can be treated at home and will disappear after care is taken to the area such as doing some light stretches, applying heat or an ice pack. If the pain does not subside, it is advised to visit a chiropractor if the pain is severe and does not diminish. In some cases, surgery may be advised.

Whiplash:

Whiplash can be described as a neck injury caused by the sudden movement of the head. One of the most popular ways whiplash is caused is by car accidents, in particular where a person has been rear-ended. Other causes of whiplash can come from sporting accidents, assault or extreme sports. The instant symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, loss of range of motion of the head and neck, headaches, dizziness, fatigue and tenderness in the shoulders, upper back and arms.

Most whiplash sufferers recover completely within a few weeks; however, some people may develop longer lasting or chronic problems from whiplash. If you are involved in such an accident and have similar symptoms, it is incredibly important to see a doctor and to rule out any other serious injury that could have been caused to the head.

Migraines: 

Migraines are described as a severe form of headaches. Migraines are usually felt by a throbbing or pulsing pain in one side of the head (in some cases can be both sides), accompanied by the feeling of nausea, vomiting, and an increased or severe sensitivity to light and sound. While the cause of migraines is still not well defined, there are some factors that can trigger migraines such as hormones, stress, caffeine, medication, weather changes, etc.

If you have a history of migraines, take a log of what happens before, during and after a migraine. Your health practitioner will then seek the appropriate treatment. In some cases, treatment may include certain medications, home remedies and lifestyle changes to prevent future migraines. If treatment does not reduce the quantity and severity of migraines, it is recommended to seek a specialist for a change in treatment.

Neck and Shoulder pain: 

Simultaneous pain in the neck and shoulders is very common and is usually caused by strain or sprain due to bad posture, sport injuries or overexertion. Whiplash is also a popular cause of neck and shoulder pain.

Neck and shoulder pain can range from stiffness, numbness, tingling, spasms, and sometimes a severe shooting pain. Majority of cases, neck and muscle pain is related to soft tissue injury such as muscles, tendons and ligaments in the neck and shoulder area. If the injury is more severe, such as in the hard tissue (bones and cartilage) it is recommended to see a doctor immediately. If the neck and shoulder pain is relatively mild, treatment can be done at home by resting, taking pain relievers, applying ice packs or heating pads and doing a gentle massage to the area. If the pain is not decreasing over time, a physiotherapist may provide help on easing pain and restoring range of motion. In some cases, you may be referred for surgery if needed.

Rotator Cuff injuries:

Rotator cuff injuries are very common and can increase with age. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Injuries to the rotator cuff can be sudden and come from events such as sports injuries or can accumulate over time from jobs that require overhead motions such as painters and carpenters. If the rotator cuff suffers a single injury such as a sporting accident, then medical advice should be sought right away to examine the possibility of surgery. If the rotator cuff pain is accumulated and is causing you aches in the shoulder and limiting everyday activities as well as arm weakness, then it may be cured with light exercises, stretches and a few sessions with a professional physiotherapist.

Sprain: 

A sprain can be characterized as a torn or stretched ligament which is used to connect two bones together. Symptoms of a sprain are usually pain, swelling, bruising, or difficulty to move the joint. One of the most common areas for a sprain to occur is the ankle. Majority of sprains can be treated at home with rest, ice, and painkillers. If the pain is severe then it is important to see your doctor to rule out the sprain causing a fracture or where the sprain is severe, surgery may be necessary to repair the torn ligament. One way to avoid sprains is by doing stretches and warming up your joints before heavy activities. Sprains may also be mistaken for strains which are injuries to the muscles or the tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. Treatment is similar for both sprains and strains.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or otherwise known as median nerve compression is a condition that causes weakness, numbness or a tingling sensation in the hand. This occurs when there is considerable pressure on the median nerve which is located from the arm, through the carpal tunnel in the wrist and into the palm side of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome typically starts with tingling and numbness in the hand that can affect the thumb and index fingers the most. The sensation may travel from the wrist to the arm also. This can occur from repetitive motions especially from holding a phone or steering (where the hand is tensed). Then weakness and numbness gradually increase in the hand as the muscles in the thumb for example are directly controlled by the median nerve. It is best to see a doctor if the syndrome begins to affect your daily life. Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome include resting the affected hand, corticosteroids, non-inflammatory medication, and if these treatments are not effective, surgery may be advised.

TMJ disorders: 

TMJ Disorders or Temporomandibular joint disorders are problems with the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. TMJ disorders are usually caused from jaw injury or inflammation such as from arthritis. TMJ disorders cause pain in the jaw which may lead to issues such as chewing, aches in the face, ear, and sometimes neck. In some cases, it may be difficult to open or close your mouth due to lock jaw. TMJ pain is usually mild and is usually relieved with non-surgical treatments or can even go away by itself. Taking non-inflammatory medication should help symptoms, but if pain persists, a doctor’s visit may be necessary. Your doctor may advise you to see a physiotherapist to ease TMJ pain and restore movement. Only in rare cases is surgery advised.

IT band syndrome: 

Iliotibial band syndrome refers to the iliotibial band which is a thick group of fibres connecting from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee and top of the shin bone. IT band syndrome is where there is pain coming from your knee usually from repetitive motions that can come from sports such as running, cycling or walking. If the IT band gets too tight, swelling and pain can appear around the knee. This is due to the fluid that allows your knee to bend as normal gets caught with the IT band and gets trapped. This leads to swelling and pain. Your doctor may seek symptoms such as pain coming from the outside of your knee, pain up and down the leg and sometimes, tenderness, and redness on the outside of the knee. Your doctor may also advise you to take anti-inflammatory medication, resting the injured leg, stretching and doing a warm as prevention of future IT band syndrome. Physiotherapy is also recommended to prevent and manage IT band syndrome.

Nerve entrapment: 

Nerve entrapment is generally described where nerves become compressed or restricted. This can occur from many different causes such as injury, overuse, trauma, and can occur for people with certain health conditions. Individuals with diabetes, auto-immune disorders, thyroid dysfunction, high blood pressure and obesity are all at high risk of nerve entrapment syndrome. Common symptoms of nerve entrapment include numbness, weakness, and pain at the site of the nerve. These are all due to reduced blood flow to the nerve, structural changes to the nerve, swelling in the nerve and surrounding structures and damage to the nerve’s insulation. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and may use MRI, ultrasound, and nerve conduction tests to find the source of pain. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication, and often visiting a physiotherapist will help ease symptoms and prevent future nerve entrapment.

Plantar Fasciitis:

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot connecting the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis is the condition caused by inflammation of the band of tissue which results in a sharp pain in the heel or foot. Pain can occur first thing in the morning, after standing for long periods, and mostly after exercise. Pain arises due to small tears in the fascia, and due to repetitive stretching or tearing this can irritate or inflame the fascia. People who do activities that place a lot of pressure on the feet (such as long-distance running, ballet, aerobics) are at high risk of getting Plantar fasciitis, as well as not wearing supportive shoes can quickly cause this condition. Physical therapy is a very beneficial way to relieve the symptoms of plantar fasciitis and ensure it does not keep coming back. Massage techniques and certain stretches can help with pain and regain a sense of movement that is safe for the fascia and not cause further tearing.

Shin splints:

Shin Splints or otherwise known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome refers to pain which effects all along the shin bone in the leg. Shin splints are common in people who run, dancers, and members of the military. Heavy activity or changes to intensity can overwork the muscles, bone tissue and tendons within the leg and shin. Shin splints are typically displayed by pain on the inner side of the shin bone and in some cases, some mild swelling. Usually shin splints go away themselves with some rest, applying an ice pack, making sure to stretch before and after intense activity and wearing appropriate footwear. If pain does not subside by itself, contact your doctor. In some cases, you may be referred to a chiropractor or physiotherapist to analyse movements and to improve knowledge to prevent future injury.

Runner’s Knee: 

Runners Knee refers to pain felt in the front part of the knee especially when doing activities such as walking or running. This is a general term to describe knee pain but can be the first step to finding out the core problem within the knee. The dull pain in the knee can also be accompanied by the feeling of grinding, a sound of the knee ‘clicking’ and some swelling. In some cases, runners’ knee is caused simply from overuse. Other possible causes can be bone malalignment, problems with the feet or an injury to the knee such as from a fall. In some cases, a doctor may do an x-ray after a physical exam to find the root cause of the problem. Usually, runners’ knee can be solved at home by resting, icing and wrapping the knee. A visit to a physiotherapist may also be advised to learn stretching and strengthening exercises.

Knee injuries:

Knee injuries can affect people of all ages and are a very common complaint. Pain in the knee can come from many sources such as injury, ruptured ligaments, torn cartilage and arthritis. Many knee injuries can be healed at home with rest, ice packs, wrapping or applying a knee brace, and making sure to prevent future injury. Physical therapy sessions are very beneficial for knee injuries as they find the source of pain, use massage techniques to alleviate the pain and inform the patient how to prevent future pain by teaching stretching and strengthening techniques which can be used independently. Some common signs you need to see a medical practitioner for knee injuries is when there is swelling, redness, weakness, or inability to straighten the knee. Only in some cases is surgery necessary for knee injuries.

Tendonitis: 

Tendonitis refers to pain arising from inflammation and irritation of a tendon. Tendons are the fibres that attach muscle to bone. Some of the common places for tendonitis are shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels. The pain is usually felt just outside a joint. Some common names for tendonitis variations are tennis elbow, pitchers’ shoulder and jumpers’ knee to name a few. Many of these cases can be treated with rest, pain relieving medication and physical therapy. Severity of tendonitis can lead to a rupture of the tendon and therefore surgery may be needed. If the pain does not go away itself, physical therapy may be beneficial to ensure long lasting pain relief and prevention of the same injury.

Tennis Elbow: 

Tennis elbow, which is a form of tendonitis, refers to the swelling of tendons in the elbow and arm. Tennis elbow can occur even if you never play tennis, any repetitive gripping activity and overuse of the thumb and first two fingers can be a major contributor to tennis elbow. Although the pain develops over time, the main symptoms of tennis elbow include pain in the tip of the elbow (just outside the joint) and can radiate through the upper and lower arm. A doctor may examine the range of motion in the elbow and arm to find the source of pain, sometimes an x-ray may be necessary. At home and self-care techniques are recommended to ease tennis elbow pain, however, a slow and careful recovery is advised as the arms and elbows are used daily. To prevent more damage and ensure proper recovery, your doctor may provide you with non-inflammatory and pain relief medication, as well as advise physical therapy sessions.

Frozen Shoulder: 

Frozen Shoulder or otherwise known as “Adhesive Capsulitis” is pain arising from the shoulder joint. The pain develops gradually in the capsule tissue which holds the shoulder bones together. The capsule becomes thick and tight until movement becomes incredibly restricted due to the accumulation of scar tissue and less synovial fluid to lubricate the joints. The ache and pain from frozen shoulder can travel to the upper arm and cause issues sleeping. In most cases, frozen shoulder has different stages of pain and stiffness until it becomes to get better which can take up to 2 years of recovery. To speed up the process, one of the best treatments is to seek help and guidance from a chiropractor and physiotherapist. Stretching and strengthening the shoulder can regain range of motion much faster and can help with almost all stages of frozen shoulder. Other treatment options include corticosteroid injections and surgery.

Groin injuries: 

Groin injuries usually originate from pulling or straining the muscles in the groin and thigh area. Many athletes and in particular people who play football for example suffer from groin injuries regularly. This occurs from activities such as running, jumping, or suddenly changing direction. The sudden tension of the groin muscles causes a pull or tear and causes pain in the groin and thigh. You may also feel pain lifting your knee or bringing your legs together. Groin Injuries can vary in degree ranging from 1st degree which is mild pain with little or no loss in range of motion, to 2nd degree, which is moderate pain and moderate tissue damage, and finally 3rd degree which is severe pain, loss of strength and function due to a tear. Groin injuries often heal on their own but can be sped up by the help of a physical therapist and taking anti-inflammatory medication.

Back and hip pain

Back and Hip Pain is a general term to describe a long list of possible issues associated with the back and hips. It is incredibly common to experience back and hip pain at some point in your life. Some of the usual causes of back and hip pain are muscle strains or sprains, trapped nerves, arthritis, herniated disk or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The symptoms of back and hip pain can range from dull aches and pains in the back and hip region to tingling sensations, weakness, swelling, numbness and a loss of motion. Treatment depends on the cause of pain, and the severity of the symptoms. In most of these cases, chiropractor and physiotherapy help can ease pain and restore back and hip function in the long term compared to self-treatment options.

Piriformis: 

The piriformis is essentially a flat like muscle located in the buttocks near the top of the hip joint. The muscle plays an important role in lower body movement and for stabilizing the hip joints. Piriformis Syndrome, however, is when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve which goes through or alongside the piriformis muscle. The entrapment or compression of the nerve can cause pain, tingling and even numbness in the buttocks. The pain can also extend down the leg and the length of the sciatic nerve. Repeated trauma, repetitive motion within the area or even activities such as long-distance running can activate piriformis syndrome. Treatment includes resting, ice and heat therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and a visit to a physical therapist. This is so the source of the pain can be found through certain movements and a recovery plan can be made by learning different stretches to relieve the sciatic nerve compression.