Spine & Joint Concerns

Pain under the heel or along the sole may involve the plantar fascia or nearby tissues. Physiotherapy assessment considers walking, activity, footwear, ankle movement and load tolerance. Care may include activity changes, calf and foot strengthening, stretching where appropriate and a gradual return to activity.

Low back pain may be influenced by joints, muscles, discs, nerves, workload, sleep and other health factors. Assessment focuses on symptom behaviour and function so movement and loading can be reintroduced safely.

Sciatica describes pain and sometimes numbness, tingling or weakness along the sciatic nerve pathway, often related to irritation of a nerve root in the lower back. Treatment depends on the neurological findings and the movements or positions that change symptoms.

Neck pain can follow a strain, prolonged position, joint irritation or gradual overload. Care may include mobility work, strengthening, activity changes and treatment of related shoulder-blade or upper-back factors.

Spinal discs can contribute to back or neck symptoms, sometimes with pain travelling into an arm or leg. Imaging findings do not always explain pain, so the clinical examination and symptom pattern guide rehabilitation.

Spinal stenosis is narrowing around the spinal canal or nerve openings. It may contribute to back or leg symptoms that increase with standing or walking, and rehabilitation often focuses on comfortable movement, strength and activity tolerance.

Pain near the sacroiliac region can resemble low back or hip pain. Assessment considers the spine, hips, load tolerance and surrounding muscles before a treatment plan is selected.

The rotator cuff helps centre and control the shoulder during reaching and lifting. Symptoms may develop after injury or repeated loading and are commonly managed with graded strengthening and activity modification.

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, causes progressive pain and marked stiffness. Management is matched to the stage of the condition and may include education, gentle mobility and gradual strengthening.

Instability can follow a dislocation or develop when the shoulder feels unreliable in certain positions. Rehabilitation builds rotator-cuff strength, shoulder-blade control and confidence with progressively demanding tasks.

These conditions involve pain where forearm tendons attach near the elbow. Symptoms are usually managed by adjusting aggravating load and gradually strengthening the wrist and forearm.

Carpal tunnel syndrome involves pressure on the median nerve at the wrist and may cause numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand. Assessment helps determine whether symptoms may also be influenced by the neck or another nerve site.

De Quervain’s causes pain on the thumb side of the wrist where two tendons pass through a shared sheath. Care may involve temporary load changes, wrist and thumb support, and a graded return to gripping or lifting.

Pain around the outside of the hip may involve the gluteal tendons and nearby tissues. Rehabilitation commonly addresses positions that compress the area and gradually builds hip strength and walking tolerance.

Patellofemoral pain is felt around or behind the kneecap and may be aggravated by stairs, squats, running or prolonged sitting. Treatment often targets lower-limb strength, load management and movement confidence.

An ankle sprain affects one or more supporting ligaments. Rehabilitation restores mobility, calf and ankle strength, balance and the ability to cut, land or run when those tasks are part of your goals.

Achilles tendinopathy usually presents as pain and stiffness in the tendon during walking, running or jumping. A progressive loading program helps the tendon adapt while training demands are adjusted.