Sciatica

Sciatica is the name used to describe pain that comes from irritation of the bundle of nerves exiting the sacrum – the Sciatic nerve.

• The pain is often present for the entire length of the leg. Starting in the low back or buttock and extending down the back of the thigh, into the calf and foot. It is persistent, very painful and for most debilitating.
• Sometimes there are associated pins and needles or numbness or loss of strength in the thigh, leg or foot.
• Our Chiropractors aim to diagnose the cause of the sciatic. It can occur as a result of a spinal disc injury, local irritation, osteoarthritis or due to tension in the gluteal muscles – specifically the Piriformis.

This can involve a variety of manual adjustments, low force treatment, stretches, traction, advice on home care, soft tissue techniques. Imaging (x-rays) can often be required. Your chiropractor can also determine whether referral to other practitioners is required.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and occurs as the result of wear and tear.

• It mainly affects the weight-bearing joints such as the spine, hips, knees, ankles and joints in the hands.
• It can affect both men and women at any age, but is more common as we get older.
• Degeneration of your joints begins without you knowing and it happens slowly to all of us.
• Generally our bodies compensate for this and we feel no pain up to point.
• However, loss of movement in a joint wear of the joint cartilage will eventually cause you pain. It might come and go and then becomes more constant.
• Chiropractic can help improve muscle and joint function and therefore reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
• Along with chiropractic treatment, greater emphasis is now being placed on a controlled and regulated diet to reduce joint inflammation and arthritic pain.

Knee Pain

Injuries to the tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilages and bones around your knee can all cause pain.

• Some common conditions include: Patella tracking, patella bursitis, torn cartilage, Osgood Schlatters, meniscal/ACL/PCL tears.
• The approach the chiropractors take to manage the complaints is similar to other sports practitioners. We also have a range of chiropractic methods that are specifically for the knee.

Hip pain

It is quite common for patients to ask for help with a stiff, painful hip.

• Hip pain can be due to injuries, arthritis or conditions that develop such as perthes, dysplasia’s, osteoarthritis, bursitis or strains to ligaments, tendons or the muscles that attach to the hip.
• Hip pain can also come from structures known as ITB, or TFL.
• The extent that chiropractic management can help is determined by the individual diagnosis and will include a patient’s age and level of fitness. Our advice is to talk to our chiropractors to find out whether they can assist, help or resolve your complaint.

Shin Splints

A painful condition that effects the front of the leg.

• It usually occurs after excessive, or repetitive use of the shin muscles. Severity can vary.
• It is also known as Anterior Compartment syndrome
• Sometimes ankle swelling or weakness lifting the foot can occur.
• We manage this condition by determining what stage the complaint is at and utilizing particular techniques to examine and treat contributing biomechanical issues of the surrounding soft tissue and joints (feet/ankle/knee/hip/low back)
• Self-help and home advice is given to patients regarding factors such as exercise level/load and shoe wear.
• We may also collaborate with other health practitioners. Recommendations are dependent on the specific nature of each patients’ complaint.

Plantar Fasciitis

Refers to an injury or rather inflammation of the fascia in the sole of the foot.

• The foot is quite complex with many bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles comprising the arches and assisting with the mobility as well as complex movement patterns.
• Excessive use of (i.e. running/walking) the feet, incorrect footwear and technique as well as prior injury and high muscular tension all contribute to plantar fasciitis.
• Commonly this injury is worse in the mornings upon rising and painful with activity.

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