Arm Pain can be referred pain from a problem with another structure e.g. the shoulder, vertebrae or soft tissues of the neck. Alternatively it can be due to irritation or damage to a nerve supplying the arm or can be due to a local arm problem.

Arthritis can occur in any joint and involves inflammation and changes in bone and cartilage which interfere with smooth joint function. It can result in stiffness, pain and weakness. Arthritis is more likely to occur as we age or in joints that are overused or have been damaged. There is no cure for arthritis but the effect of its symptoms may be eased with physiotherapy. Some forms of arthritis e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankolosing Spondylitis and osteoarthritis in its inflammatory stage, may need additional medical management.

Core Stability This refers to ‘core’ muscles whose strength is vital as a base of support for efficient and effective limb movements. Most commonly this refers to the pelvic floor, deep abdominals and deep spinal muscles in the back region but other muscles are involved in core stability of the pelvis, neck and shoulder. Good core stability is vital for dancers and sports people’s optimal performance and is important in everyone. Core stability exercises form an important part of physiotherapy management. For those who wish to continue and advance their core stability pilates is an enjoyable system of exercises performed in individual or class groups specifically for this purpose.

Disc problems are a common cause of sudden (acute) and long term (chronic) back and neck symptoms. Discs are important shock absorbing pads between each bone (vertebra) of the spine. Their softer middle portion can protrude or prolapse, often due to Postural and Ergonomic stress. This can cause pressure on local soft tissues (notably the nerves) and lead to pain down the arm or leg. Acute disc problems are more common in the 20-40 age groups who are more active and because discs become dryer and tougher as we age.

Ergonomic factors are considerations that need to be taken into account in the design of seating, work stations and environments used by people and the demands of work tasks undertaken by people. For example it refers to the design and adjustability of seat and desk and computer positioning to provide comfort for the office worker.

Frozen shoulder is a poorly understood shoulder problem. Changes apparently affecting muscles and other soft tissues around the shoulder joint result in pain and stifness. Physiotherapy can often help at various stages of the condition.

Headaches can be caused by tightness of soft tissue in the neck region. This is often related to poor Posture. They can also be experienced as a side effect of stiffness in the neck due to injury, Arthritis and Disc problems.

Leg Pain can be referred pain from a problem with another structure e.g. the spine, sacroiliac or hip regions, can be due to irritation or damage to a nerve supplying the leg or can be due to a local leg problem. Sciatica is the term used to refer to pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve (a major nerve in the buttock and thigh). Buttock and thigh pain commonly accompanies low back pain and when it does is sometimes referred to as ‘sciatica’.

Pelvic Floor The sling of muscles attaching from the pubis bone at the front of the pelvic ring to the sacrum at the back is known as the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor strength is necessary for continence, sexual health and as part of core stability to support the spine.

Posture also known as ‘deportment’ is the way we ‘carry’ or hold ourselves using our muscles. Poor posture can result from sitting badly, adverse Ergonomic factors, carrying heavy bags over one shoulder and general stress and tension. Poor posture results in weakness in Core Stability muscles and can lead to tissue damage and pain, particularly in the neck, back and shoulder regions.

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Sacro-iliac these are the joints between the base portion of the spine (the sacrum) and the hip bones (ilial portion of the innominate bone). Problems with these joints can be similar to low back symptoms as they are very close and have soft tissues in common but sacro-iliac problems are often experienced only on one side. This region is part of the pelvic girdle and can cause problems in anyone at any age but particularly in women during their childbearing years. The Symphysis Pubis is also a common source of pain in this latter group and is where the two hip (innominate) bones join at the front of the pelvis.

Shoulder Impingement involves a painful pinching and inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder on arm movements. Often caused by poor Posture but can result from injury to the shoulder, impingement is a common source of shoulder problems.

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