What we treat

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve in the wrist which supplies feeling and movement to parts of the hand. It can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers.

Some research indicates that ultrasound treatment (treatment with sound waves) may help reduce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Also wearing a night splint is recommended. Your chiropractor or physiotherapist can also advise you on ergonomic changes to reduce the stress on your wrists

Degeneration often refers to that of joint ‘wear and tear’ or osteoarthritis. This can arise in the spine or the extremities. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease. It causes pain and stiffness in your joints and affects at least 8 million people in the UK.

There’s no cure for osteoarthritis as yet, but there are a number of treatments that can help ease symptoms and reduce the chances of your arthritis becoming worse. Your Chiropractor will use a treatment such as manipulation and mobilizations which is proven to help ease symptoms. Advice on exercise, strengthening and core exercises will also be given and recommended.

Spinal disc complaints Disorders affecting the intervertebral discs include disc herniation (prolapsed intervertebral disc,) Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD,) and Discitis (infection of the disc.)

The bones of the spine are separated by tough cartilage pads called intervertebral discs. Healthy discs are thick and flexible allowing a wide range of bending and twisting motions. An unhealthy disc is stiff and hard and prone to injuries such as bulging or herniation or a tear. Disc damage can occur anywhere in the spine. However, the discs of the neck and low back are the most commonly injured. The “jelly centre” of the disc can also dry out over time which is referred to as Degenerative Disc Disease. All forms of disc injury can eventually impinge on the nerves exiting the spine which can create numbness, tingling, burning or sharp pain down the arms or legs. Talk to our Chiropractor and physiotherapist fro more information.

Sharp pain originating from the back and “shooting” down the legs is often referred to as Sciatica. Treatment for acute sciatica includes self-help in the way of painkillers and anti-inflammatories. It is advisable to stay active and your physiotherapist can advise on gentle exercises to carry out in the acute stages; using compression cold packs are also advisable. In the chronic stages, further exercises are recommended.

This relates to pain from the joints and muscles in the arms and legs. Whether it’s hip, knee or ankle pain or a shoulder, elbow, wrist or arm pain your Chiropractor, physiotherapist or massage therapist will examine, diagnose and suggest the best possible care.

A headache is defined as pain in the head that is located above the eyes or ears, behind the head or in the back of the upper neck. There are many causes of headaches. Your chiropractor can help with preventative care against migraines and help to treat headaches arising from the neck with spinal manipulation, mobilizations, soft tissue release techniques, massage and stretching as well as advise on exercises and corrective posture techniques

There are many causes of lower back pain; the most common is pain arising from the joints, muscles or ligaments and to a lesser extent pain arising from a disc injury.

Many lower back injuries are due to things that we do ourselves, this could be due to sitting too much, or sitting the wrong way, exercising too little or lifting the wrong way, to name a few. Generally, we don’t give our backs a thought until we start getting pain.

Research shows that chiropractic manipulation combined with exercise is an effective treatment for mechanical low back pain.  Our therapists are also trained to advise on the best exercises and ergonomic advice to help prevent the re-occurring back problem.

Common complaints include postural pain or stiffness due to poor ergonomics, osteoarthritis associated stiffness or pain or acute neck injury possibly with arm pain i.e. whiplash. With an increasing number of us spending more hours at a work station or driving it is no wonder that the number of people suffering from neck pain is increasing.

Chiropractic care in the way of manipulation and soft tissue therapy is proven to help with mechanical neck pain. This treatment would be used alongside postural advice, ergonomic advice and exercises.

Massage therapy is also an effective treatment for chronic neck pain.

Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower spine and runs down the back of each leg. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot. Common causes of sciatica include a slipped disc, piriformis syndrome or pressure on the nerve from osteoarthritic changes.

Piriformis syndrome can be treated with stretching and strengthening techniques to the hip rotator muscles alongside deep tissue massage.

In the presence of an acute disc injury causing sciatica, it is advisable to stay active and your physiotherapist can advise on gentle exercises to carry out in the acute stages; using compression cold packs is also advisable. In the chronic stages, further exercises are recommended.

This is caused by direct pressure on a single nerve. Symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness. The symptoms affect a particular area in the body depending on the nerve that is being affected.

Common areas of trapped nerves are;  in the neck which causes arm pain, in the lower back which results in leg pain (commonly known as sciatica,) or trapped nerves in the extremities resulting in complaints such as carpel tunnel. Speak to our chiropractor or physiotherapist for further information

Tennis elbow is a pain in the outer part of the elbow and forearm due to inflammation of the tendon. This can cause local tenderness, weakness and reduced mobility through the elbow. It arises from repetitive movements at the wrist in such racket sports can cause the complaint however DIY and gardening can just as easily cause the injury.

It is important to rest and ice the area and in some cases, support is recommended. Your chiropractor can assess and treat areas relating to the function of the elbow and muscles of the forearm such as the neck, shoulder and wrist.

Golfer’s elbow is pain into the inner part of the elbow and forearm due to inflammation of the tendons. It arises from repetitive stresses to the muscle/tendon junction.

It is important to rest and ice the area and in some cases, support is recommended. Ergonomic workplace and sports modifications may be needed. Your chiropractor can assess and treat areas relating to the function of the elbow and muscles of the forearm such as the neck, shoulder and wrist

Frozen shoulder is when the shoulder is painful and loses motion because of inflammation. Physical therapy can improve your motion.  The physical therapy is important and needs to be done regularly. Treatment can include ultrasound, mobilisation of the shoulder joint, ice packs, range of motion exercises and eventually strengthening exercises

The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles that help move and stabilize the shoulder joint. Damage to any one of the four muscles or tendons that attach the muscle to bone can occur because of acute injury, chronic overuse, or gradual ageing. This can cause significant pain and disability with a range of motion or use of the shoulder joint.

Rest and ice are recommended in the early stages of treatment of any sprain or strain. Physical therapy is an important component of treatment. Your neck, elbows and wrists will be checked to make sure they are not contributing to the problem.

Muscle tension refers to the condition in which muscles of the body remain partially contracted for an extended period. Muscle tension is typically caused by the physiological effects of stress and can lead to episodes of back pain.

Stress may change the body’s nervous system by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the soft tissues, including muscles, tendons and nerves in the back. This process causes a decrease in oxygen and a buildup of biochemical waste products in the muscles, resulting in muscle tension, spasm and back pain.

Muscle tension is typically treated using nonsurgical options to relax the muscles including exercise, heat therapy and massage.

Your Epione therapist will also advise on lifestyle advice and exercise to help reduce muscle tension.

Lumbago is defined as a mild to severe pain or discomfort into the area of the lower back. The pain can be acute (sudden and severe) or chronic. Pain is felt across the lower part of the back and sometimes radiates into the buttocks, back of the thigh or groin. This is often accompanied by a reduction in movement, tense muscles and a stiff back. Periodically this may cause a tilt to your posture. With Lumbago it is beneficial to stay active. It is proven that treatment via your chiropractor or physiotherapist may be beneficial. This would entail spinal manipulation, soft tissue techniques and specific exercises.

TMJ sufferers can experience discomfort and pain around the back of the neck/head, caused by chronic or acute inflammation of the temporomandibular joint.

Symptoms of TMJ

• Headaches
• Earache
• Chewing or biting discomfort
• Grating, clicking or popping sound when opening/closing mouth
• Jaw pain and tenderness
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Loss of hearing
• Less jaw mobility

TMJ is quite a complex condition and can cross over into other health professions. Dentists can assess your jaw and teeth for any movements and forces that could lead to a TMJ dysfunction.