Conditions

Arthritis literally means “inflamed joints” and incorporates more than 150 disorders characterised by pain, swelling, tenderness and limited movement. Such disorders can affect not only the joints, but also other connective tissues, including muscles, tendons and ligaments as well as the protective covering of internal organs. Arthritis may be caused by inflammation in a joint, be degeneration …

When an accident precedes the onset of back or neck pain, a broken bone (fracture) must be considered. The amount of force required to fracture the spine through the bone or soft tissue is quite high. Less force is required to fracture the spine of the very young (less than 8 years), those people with medical problems that decrease the strength of bone, and the very elderly. In youngsters, much…

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a very common condition of widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and multiple tender points. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons–the fibrous tissues in the body.

FMS used to be called fibrositis, implying that there was inflammation in the muscles, but research later proved that inflammation did not exist. People with this syndrome…

Your weight is a significant indication of the state of your health.

If you are obese, you are at increased risk for a number of conditions including back pain. While back pain is not necessarily life threatening, it may mean you are not getting all you can out of life. When the body takes on additional weight, you place additional stress on the spine.

A particularly large stomach will pu…

Herniated Disc is a fragment of the spinal disc nucleus (spongy centre), which is pushed out of the annulus (outer ring), into the spinal canal through a tear or “rupture.” In the herniated disc’s new position, it presses on spinal nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the low back, leg or foot.

Herniated discs are most common in the lumbar spine – the part of your backbone b…

Postural Mal-alignments such as stooping or hunched back (kyphosis), and sway back (lordosis) can be the source of chronic back pain. Leg length difference may lead to recurrent back pain because it causes mal-alignment of the spine and pelvis. Shoe lifts can be used to compensate for a shorter leg. Other postural mal-alignments can be helped by specific exercise programmes or bracing.

Osteoporosis is a global problem that is increasing in significance as the population of the world both grows and ages. For these reasons, osteoporosis is often referred to as the “silent epidemic”. While women are more likely than men to develop the disease, men also suffer from this condition. It is a debilitating disease but can often be prevented and treated.

Osteoporosis, or porous bone…

Changes to the musculoskeletal system which occur during this time include; changes in posture, spinal or pelvic pain as well as lengthening of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.

The incidence of some degree of back pain during pregnancy is relatively high. Researchers worldwide have suggested it may be between 30 – 70%. The cause of back pain during pregnancy remains debateable and oft…

Everyone’s spine has natural curves. These curves round our shoulders and make our lower back curve slightly inward. A spine with scoliosis has abnormal curves with a rotational deformity. The deformity may occur in varying degrees in three planes: back-front; side-to-side; top-to-bottom.

Scoliosis is a descriptive term and not a diagnosis. As such, a search is made for the cause. Besides th…

The sciatic nerves are the largest nerves in the body, almost ¾’ wide. They supply sensation and motor control to your buttocks, hips and legs. Starting in the lower spine, they pass behind the hip joint, and go down the buttock and back of the leg to the foot.

Nerve inflammation or compression of nerves in your lower back or your buttock can cause sciatica. Pain often radiates down the butt…