The first I have chosen here is Shoulder pain:

Shoulder pain can occur from a variety of causes and may include bursitis and may include many conditions such as impingement, rotator cuff tendinitis or bicep tendonitis

Medical Imaging such as an ultrasound scan and x-ray may give a much better idea of what is actually going on, whether this is a new injury, or a more longer term issue. (An Osteopath can refer you for x-rays and ultrasound scans. There is no need to see your GP for this.)

Shoulder pain can also result from a tear or partial tear of one of the muscles of the rotator cuff. Injuries here are fairly common and can be from falling, lifting something heavy (perhaps at work, or at the gym). These injuries are usually covered by ACC.

An Osteopath can lodge a new ACC claim for you for any injury. This can be from something like lifting a child, or a dead-lift at the gym with a heavy weight

There is also a condition called 'frozen shoulder' (adhesive capsulitis) where you find it impossible to fully raise your arm. So simple things like getting dressed can be very difficult, even impossible

A ‘frozen shoulder’ can perhaps sometimes be a protective mechanism for an underlying injury, such as a rotator-cuff tear (which makes sense, as this limits shoulder movement, and makes healing easier and faster.) But it’s also possible that a ‘frozen shoulder; may develop by itself. This condition is more common for women (female to male, around 2:1).

Regular treatment, which can include Osteopathy and Acupuncture, should be began as soon as possible. Even then, it is possible that this condition can sometimes continue for several months (a year or more). In many cases the recovery time is much quicker. But the earlier the treatment is started, and the more frequent the treatments (at least once a week, preferably more) then the faster ter the recovery time will likely be.

From an Osteopathic viewpoint, there is often some overlap between shoulder pain, and the neck and the upper back muscles. Often treating all these areas (with both Osteopathy and Acupuncture) can give very good results. I may also suggest certain exercises and/or stretches for home use.

There is also the condition of a hypermobile shoulder (the shoulder may even dislocate) frequently anteriorly A general hypermobility can also be part of a Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. (hypermobile joints may occur almost everywhere and anywhere in the body). However, whatever the cause of hypermobility, strengthening exercises can often be very helpful.

The second condition that I will talk about is Scoliosis

Scoliosis simply means a lateral curvature of the spine, usually beginning in a young person or teenager (again, women are more often affected than men).

Scoliosis or lateral curvature persists (to some degree) throughout life, and can, unsurprisingly, cause back pain. If the scoliosis is very severe, in a very small number of cases (with a potential danger for the internal organs of the thorax to be compromised due to being pressed into a smaller space) then surgery may be considered.

Previously this was performed using a system of strainless steel or titaneum metal rods, called Harringtons Rods. Harringtons Rods were used from the 1960s to the 1990.Since However newer technologies (using screws and multiple rods) are now available, and the older Harringtons Rods are no longer used. However, as previously mentioned - spinal surgery (rods and fusion) is used only in the most extreme of cases.

The great majority of cases (hopefully) never require this. And in mild or moderate cases, Osteopathy and Osteopathic treatment can be very helpful in the treatment of scoliosis. Although the lateral curvature cannot be entirely reversed or corrected, it is possible to achieve, at least some (even marginal) improvement - and this seems enough to help reduce pain, and improve the overall posture and alignment and muscle balance. It is an Osteopathic principle that the greater the symmetry and overall muscle balance (and the more we can more towards this) then the less pain a person experiences.

Acupuncture together with Osteopathy can also be very helpful to both relieve pain, and to relax and soften para-spinal muscle around the spine in preparation for osteopathic manipulation.

So if you have a Scoliosis yourself, or are a parent of a young person with Scoliosis, it can be an excellent idea to book an appointment with an Osteopath for both an in-depth assessment, and treatment also.

Osteopathic treatment can, of course, help with many types of back pain. and with many spinal conditions, not just scoliosis (it’s just that we don’t have time to go through them all here.) For more, please contact me, or another Osteopath.