Head
By far the most common pain condition in the head is the tension-type headache which is often due to dysfunction of the neck, upper back and/or shoulder girdle. To a lesser extent, migraine headaches can also be relieved by correcting mechanical problems in these same areas.

Sinuses
Recurrent sinus congestion can be relieved remarkably effectively by gently moving joints between the small bones of the face and by assisting fluid drainage through the neck.

Middle Ear congestion
Particularly common in infants and children, lymph fluid commonly fails to drain adequately from the middle ear region, causing pressure and discomfort. Sometimes the region may become inflamed, when it is termed Otitis Media.

These conditions can be treated very successfully through Osteopathy and at the Holmesdale Clinic we teach parents the techniques for daily treatment.

Jaw
Jaw joint pain is extremely common – it is one of the first joints to develop symptoms of wear and tear. Pain is often caused by uneven loading of the jaw on biting due to poor tooth alignment, failed dentistry, adverse muscle tension in the head or even as a result of whiplash.

Neck
Muscle tension is by far the most common cause of neck pain. The small ‘facet’ joints between neck vertebrae can lock suddenly causing marked neck stiffness and exquisite pain on movement. 

Pain from structures in the neck can radiate into the upper back and shoulder girdle and arm. Nerve root irritation in the neck can cause severe pain spreading down the arm below the elbow. Mechanical dysfunction in the neck can be linked to such diverse symptoms as balance problems and difficulty in swallowing.

Shoulder
Shoulder pain is often complex and may arise from numerous structures in and beyond the shoulder region. Injury, calcification and wear of the tendons around the shoulder joint commonly account for limitation in shoulder movement. Pain also arises from tender ‘trigger points’ in shoulder muscles.

Degenerative changes in the joint at the tip of the collar bone can disturb function of the shoulder joint below. Rehabilitation of the shoulder after injury or surgery can be very successful if done correctly.

At the Holmesdale clinic we take a comprehensive approach to the treatment of shoulder pain, utilising a wide range of techniques.

Elbow
Generally a trouble-free joint, arthritic stiffness of the elbow is less common, but usually responds well to treatment. Most commonly, elbow pain is derived from strain to the muscle attachments on the inside or outside of the joint, known as ‘Golfer’s elbow’ or ‘Tennis elbow’ respectively.

Wrist/Hand
Pain may result from local joint sprain or arthritis, a tendon injury or persist after fractures or surgery. Pain, numbness and ‘pins and needles’ in the hand may be due to nerve injury at the wrist, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Alternatively these symptoms may derive from nerve irritation in the neck.

Thoracic Spine
Being the least flexible part of our back, this region of the spinal column is particularly vulnerable to stiffness and pain arising from hard, tender nodules of muscle termed ‘trigger points’.

Osteopaths examine carefully to identify pain radiating to the thoracic spine from diseased organs in the chest cavity and upper abdomen, such as stomach ulcers. More pronounced postural abnormalities usually affect the thoracic spine worst of all, examples being a ‘hunch’ (kyphosis), so-called ‘dowager’s hump’ and scoliosis.

Lumbar Spine
The lumbar spine is the most common spinal region for pain from compression strain of soft tissues (such as discs) and pain caused by wear and tear of intervertebral joints. Approximately 90-98% of reported disc injuries are located in the lumbar region.

Pain very often radiates from the lumbar spine down into the groin, buttock and thigh regions. The intimate relationship between roots of the sciatic nerve and weight-bearing structures in the lumbar spine is a frequent cause of nerve pain radiating below the knee – commonly called ‘sciatica’.

Hip
The hip joint is only one source of pain in this region. Pain commonly radiates to the area from the low back. Stiffening of muscles around the hip causes local pain, as does a hernia. Hip joint arthritis may in fact spare the hip region entirely and first appear in the thigh or knee.

Sacro-Iliac Joint
The largest joint in the pelvis, the sacro-iliac joint (SIJ) is extremely stable and is estimated to be a source of pain in only 15% of buttock pain cases. Lumbar spine pain most commonly radiates over the SIJ area. SIJ pain is somewhat more common in women during pregnancy or after childbirth, and may radiate down the back of the leg, mimicking sciatica. Standing on the affected leg can be exceptionally difficult.

Symphosis Pubis
Local pain due to strain and instability of this joint can create a severe obstacle to walking during the later stages of pregnancy.

Coccyx
Direct trauma and childbirth are the most common causes of coccyx pain. Depending on the extent of damage, this problem can be greatly helped by external manual corrective techniques. Pain may be simply local or radiate all the way down the leg to the heel.

Sciatica
Many cases of lumbar pain radiate to the back of the thigh and do not constitute sciatica. True sciatic pain extends down the thigh to the calf or shin, and is derived from irritation to one or more roots of the sciatic nerve in the lumbar region, or compression of the nerve in the buttock. 

It is one of the most severe forms of pain and can be extremely debilitating. It may be accompanied by ‘pins and needles’, a sense of numbness or even muscle weakness in the leg.

Knee
Due to its complexity, knee pain may arise from several different tissues within or around the joint. Knee injuries typically involve ligaments and/or the internal cartilages called menisci. Diffuse pain in an otherwise healthy knee may be due to excessive tension or imbalance in muscles moving the joint.

Intermittent swelling and pain may be due to the arthritis process. Knee pain that is not provoked by knee movements may be referred to the knee area from a problem elsewhere, such as in the hip.

Ankle
This joint is particularly vulnerable to ligament sprain. When this leaves persisting pain and stiffness, it usually benefits well from manual rehabilitation. This is especially beneficial after the ankle has been immobilised in a cast or boot. Achilles tendons require a similar approach in order to restore flexibility and a normal gait after injury.

Foot
A beautifully designed structure that solves the need for flexibility and stability, the foot typically suffers from structural deterioration which, if only minor, becomes symptomatic due to body weight. Many foot pain conditions fall within the scope of osteopathic treatment but some also benefit from ongoing support from orthotics. Foot pain and other symptoms, such as ‘pins and needles’ and numbness, may originate from nerve entrapment in the back or between the bones of the foot.