Common conditions
managed
Chiropractors are trained to diagnose, treat, manage and prevent disorders of the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, and muscles), as well as the effects these disorders can have on the nervous system and general health. They have a specialist interest in neck and back pain, but when they assess patients, they take their entire physical, emotional and social wellbeing into account.
Although chiropractors are best known for treating back and neck pain, which they do very well, patients also consult chiropractors regarding a range of other, related conditions. Common conditions managed by Chiropractors:
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Joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis
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General aches and pains from joints, muscle spasms and cramp
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Headache caused by neck problems
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Frozen shoulder, shoulder from back and neck problems
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Elbow pain or tennis elbow from back and neck problems
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Prevention of migraine
If you have queries about whether you may benefit from chiropractic care, call or message the clinic with your question.
Back and neck pain
Back and neck pain is very common. Most people will suffer one or more episodes of back / neck pain during their lives. In many cases, it starts suddenly and gets better quickly, without the need for any treatment.
However, back and neck pain can be painful, debilitating and persistent, and some people suffer repeated episodes. It can also be associated with other symptoms, such as leg pain or sciatica when the lower back refers pain, or into the arms and hands when pain is referred from the neck. It may start following a specific incident, such as bending awkwardly or lifting a heavy weight. Or it can develop gradually, perhaps as a result of poor posture, an uncomfortable work position or repetitive strain.
There are many different types of back pain, with different causes. The key to getting the right treatment is to establish which type of back pain you may be suffering from and to seek advice if it is not improving.
Your spine is one of the strongest parts of your body. It is made of solid blocks of bone known as vertebra, joined together by softer pads or discs which act as shock absorbers and maintain flexibility. Your back is reinforced by strong ligaments, surrounded by powerful muscles for support. It is, in fact, surprisingly difficult to damage your spine.
The majority of people with back pain are suffering from what is known as ‘simple’ or ‘mechanical’ back pain. This means that the pain is not related to any serious underlying condition and there are no trapped or compressed nerves. We do not always know the exact tissues that are involved in simple back / neck pain. Muscles, joints and ligaments can all be involved. Simple back pain can be caused by poor posture, prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position, and even muscular tension due emotional or work-related stress.
As we get older, wear and tear may contribute to back pain. The shock-absorbing pads or discs between the bones of the back can narrow with age and this can cause stiffness, pain and make it difficult to move.
Simple back pain is relatively common. Less frequently, the nerves of the back can sometimes become irritated, compressed or trapped. Again, there can be many reasons why this happens, but slipped discs or wear and tear can lead to pain spreading down the leg, which is commonly referred to as sciatica. This can be accompanied by pins and needles, tingling, numbness and weakness in all or part of the leg and foot.
The World Health Organisation endorses evidence-informed, people-centred, integrated approach to MSK healthcare.
We are pleased to bring you some huge news for the chiropractic profession and the wider MSK community.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) launched its new Guideline for the Non-Surgical Management of Chronic Primary Low Back Pain in Adults in Primary and Community Care Settings, which provides evidence-informed recommendations on non-surgical interventions for chronic primary LBP (CPLBP), to improve CPLBP-related health and wellbeing outcomes.
The Guideline Development Group included chiropractors and received evidence commissioned by WHO, from sources including the World Federation of Chiropractic’s Research Committee Chair, Dr Sidney Rubinstein, who led three of the systematic reviews informing the guideline recommendations.
Some of the recommendations made in the Guideline include:
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Spinal manipulation was one of the physical therapies recommended for use in all patients, as well as physical therapies such as, dry needling, a structured exercise program and massage.
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Structured and standardised education and advice were also part of the key management recommendations, as was cognitive behavioural therapy.
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TENS, therapeutic ultrasound, traction and lumbar braces/supports were all found not to be of value, with recommendations against their use.
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The Guideline was also scathing of most forms of commonly used pharmacological interventions, with only non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medication receiving a conditional recommendation.
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Opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, cannabis-related preparations and paracetamol (acetaminophen) all received the thumbs-down, with explicit guideline advice not to use or recommend.
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The Guideline was supportive of the use of multicomponent biopsychosocial interventions, repeatedly advocated by the WFC, and presenters at the launch repeatedly stressed the value of shared decision-making and the need to acknowledge patient needs, preferences and context.
Sciatica
Sciatica is where the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet is irritated or compressed. This can be due to slipped discs or a herniated disc and can cause a lot of discomfort for the patient. Symptoms of sciatica can range from moderate to severe pain in the lower back region and can often extend to the patient’s legs and feet. This can be accompanied by pins and needles, tingling, numbness and weakness in all or part of the leg and foot. More severe symptoms include the inability to flex the foot and reduction in the knee-jerk reflex. Anyone can be diagnosed with sciatica, however it is suggested that pregnant women can be more susceptible to sciatica due to changing pressures on the spine and pelvis. Individuals with very high BMI (Body Mass Index) are also more likely to suffer from the condition, especially between the ages of 35 and 50.
There are many preventative measures which can be taken into consideration, such as leading a healthy lifestyle, sleeping on a firm mattress, maintaining good posture and regular exercise. If these preventative measures fail, there are a number of exercises that can be done to ease symptoms of sciatica, such as using a foam roller to massage the glute area and a variety of yoga poses aimed at opening the hip flexor and stretching the outer hamstring, lower back and glute. Sciatica can be cured permanently, however, this is often achieved through more severe measures; natural options are also available. The most important thing to remember is that not one solution fits all and you need to find the best solution for your body.
Mike’s top tips to help ease the symptoms of sciatica
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Take a stand: Inactivity is a leading cause of back pain. If you spend most of your day sitting down, make sure that you take regular breaks, ideally every 20-30 minutes. Stand up, change position and walk around a little.
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Stretch it out: If you struggle to get away from your seat at work, simple activities such as stretching, shoulder shrugging or even fidgeting in your seat can help to keep your back in line.
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Get active: Exercise is key to a healthy back. This doesn’t mean that you need to embark on any extreme fitness regimes. Adding just a few extra minutes of walking a day can hugely benefit your posture. Consider a group exercise programme (Yoga, Pilates).
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Check your workspace: If your job primarily involves sitting at a desk and staring at a computer for hours at a time, make sure your workspace is set up to support a comfortable position. This is different for everyone, so if you don’t feel comfortable in your current set up, try altering the height of your chair or screen.
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Consider manual therapy: Spinal manipulation, mobilisation or soft tissue techniques, such as massage for managing sciatica, but only from a qualified chiropractor.
Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, with most people experiencing them at some point in their life. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that almost half of all adults worldwide will experience a headache in any given year. In the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, headache disorders were the second most prevalent condition worldwide, as well as the second highest cause of years lost due to disability (YLD).
In the UK, migraine headache occurs in 15% of the adult population, with around 200,000 individual episodes estimated every day, resulting in high levels of disability and work absence, as well as having a significant impact on the wider economy. Episodic tension-type headaches affect 80% of people at some time, and are chronic (having more days with a headache than without one) in up to 3% of the population. Medication-overuse headache is the third most common cause of headache, affecting up to 2% of adults. Despite these figures, headache is under-estimated, under-diagnosed and under-treated, and remains a major public health concern.
Chiropractors regularly see patients that present with headache, often having not been seen by any other healthcare professional, and with no diagnosis having been made. Chiropractors have the skills and competencies to assess patients in order to diagnose most primary headaches, identify secondary headaches that require further investigation and, importantly, recognise the red flags that indicate a medical emergency.
As well as having a role in the management of some primary headaches and a few secondary headaches (in particular cervicogenic headaches), chiropractors also play an important public health role in providing support and advice to patients, signposting and making appropriate referrals.
Sport aches and pains
Whether you are an amateur sports enthusiast or a top-flight professional, your body is prone to the same kinds of aches and pains. Repeated stresses can lead to a slight loss of proper movement in the bones of your spine (vertebrae) and joints, which in turn, can interfere with the healthy working of your muscles and nerves. You may have ignored the pain and carried on with your sport for too long without treatment. It’s not surprising that chiropractors often see patients with problems of the shoulder, neck, elbow, back, hip, knee and ankle that could turn the enthusiastic amateur into a couch potato.
Performance
Joint and muscle pain is not the only problem for sports enthusiasts and professionals. Many find that they reach a ‘threshold’ of ability, and cannot improve further, however hard they work and however much training they put in. This is why so many serious sportspeople consult chiropractors.
The Advantage
Your chiropractor will carry out a full examination and ask questions about your sporting life, posture, medical history and lifestyle, to discover the cause of your pain and make a diagnosis. Then your treatment will begin, often with gentle, specific manipulation. This effective treatment is generally painless, although you may feel some short term discomfort around the injured area. Treatment will normally be followed by a rehabilitation plan which may help to strengthen the affected area, improve your flexibility and assist in preventing future flare-ups. Chiropractic treatment aims to restore normal function to your joints and muscles and may increase your control, co-ordination and muscle strength.
Like most athletes who have benefited from chiropractic treatment, you may decide to return for regular check-ups to keep your body working at its best. Indeed, many top sports teams use a BCA chiropractor as part of their medical care package.
Can reoccurrence be prevented?
This, of course, will depend upon the problem itself.
It is vitally important that you warm up before you start and stretch when you have finished. If you been away from your sport for a long time, your body will be less fit and supple, making pain more likely. Your chiropractor will be able to advise you in either case.
Some people think that ‘running it off’ is a good idea, but this is usually not the case. If your body is not working properly, you will continue to overload the body, prolonging the healing process and risking further problems.