Foot, Heel and Ankle pain

Foot, Heel and Ankle pain

The structure of the foot is extensive, containing 26 bones and close to 38 small joints, with more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This complex nature of the foot means that something as simple as walking on an uneven surface can lead to injury. Because of this, it is important not to leave these injuries untreated or undiagnosed, as it may lead to more complicated injuries in the future.

Common Foot, Heel and Ankle Injuries

• Achilles tendon rupture
• Achilles tendonitis / tendinitis
• Anterior ankle impingement
• Calf muscle tear
• Heel spur
• Ankle ligament sprain
• Muscle strain (muscle pain)
• Peroneal tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sever’s disease
• Shin splints
• Stress fractures
• Sever’s disease
• Bunions
• Metatarsalgia
Because of the wide range of conditions that can be causing your pain, an accurate diagnosis of the problem must be given by a specialist, such as one of our Physiotherapists. This will ensure that the correct treatment is given to get you back to health as soon as possible.

Common Symptoms of Foot, Heel and Ankle Pain

• The bony growth on the heel
• Discolouration (bruising or redness)
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Pain after standing from a resting/sitting position
Some injuries can turn into serious issues if left untreated. Our expert team of physiotherapists at Mount Isa Physiotherapy are well versed to help diagnose and treat your injury or condition in the quickest time possible.

Back pain

Back pain is common among people of all age groups, from teenagers and youngsters to the elderly with around 80% of the population experiencing back pain at some point in their lives.
Some patients recover from back pain in about 6 weeks, but for some others, it could only be a precursor to chronic back pain. Left untreated, back pain can become debilitating and disruptive to other functions in the body.

Causes of Back Pain

Back pain is a result of poor functioning of the bones, joints, and ligaments in the posterior region of the human body. The irritating effect can be caused by vertebral dysfunction, which happens when the nerve structures in your lower back are compressed and disturbed by the spinal vertebrae. Common causes of Back Pain include:
• Inflammatory Arthritis (like ankylosing spondylitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
• Osteoporosis fractures
• Spinal cord compression
• Herniated or degenerative discs
• Facet joint dysfunction
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Trauma
• Deformity

How is Back Pain assessed?

Diagnosing the cause of your back pain is the first and most important part of the treatment. To assess the back pain, a physiotherapist will perform a thorough examination of any medical records along with orthopedic and neurological check-ups. X-rays and Digital scans are sometimes recommended at times to help zero in on the exact cause of the pain.

Dangers if left untreated

Lower back pain can be a big trouble-maker, and believe it or not, prolonged rest can make it difficult to manage pain on a long-term basis. If left untreated, lower back pain can result in cardiopulmonary deconditioning, a decrease in bone density, and an increased risk of blood clots.
One of the most common side-effects of not treating back pain is how it prevents people from getting a good night’s sleep. Poor back pain can make it difficult to get into a comfortable position, which leads to tossing and turning all night, resulting in a lack of quality sleep.

Treatment for Back Pain

Physiotherapy of lower back pain mainly focuses on restoring the functionality of spinal joints that have poor movements, reducing muscle tensions and increasing their strength. Correct treatment will help the pain to subside, improve the movement of the spinal joints, and reduce nerve irritation.
Because the causes of back pain are aplenty, various methods are used based on different conditions in people. Our treatment methods include:
• Spinal and soft tissue mobilization,
• Core stabilization advice,
• Strengthening exercises,
• Stretching and heat/cold therapy
• Dry Needling
• Spinal Decompression Therapy
If you are experiencing back pain, then a correct diagnosis and treatment is essential. Get in touch with our clinic today to learn about how we can treat your back pain.

Neck pain

Pain in the neck is a common medical condition that affects a large number of people. Postural problems and craning the neck forward while sitting in front of a computer or watching television are some of the biggest reasons people experience this condition. The fine balance of the nerves, muscles, and joints in the neck are disturbed causing strain and irritation.

Causes for Neck Pain

People experience neck pain due to several reasons. These include:
• Problems with any of the tissues in the neck
• Degenerative disc diseases
• Neck strain,
• Osteoarthritis,
• Spinal Stenosis,
• Cervical Spondylosis,
• Whiplash
• Injury
• Herniated or Degenerative discs
• Pinched nerves
Problems with the neck can cause severe headache, shoulder pain, jaw pain or TMJ, pins and needles in the hands, carpal tunnel syndrome, and upper back pain.

Common symptoms of Neck Pain

• Pain is experienced in the neck first thing in the morning
• Stiffness or pain while trying to turn the neck
• Snap/clicking sound while turning the neck sideways
• Constantly aching neck muscles
• Tingling sensation in the hand or on the fingers

How is Neck Pain Treated?

Based on a thorough diagnosis, some of the treatments we can provide at Mount Isa Physiotherapy include:
• Postural advice to avoid further strain
• Spinal Decompression Therapy
• Dry Needling
• Spinal mobilizations, on a wide range, to restore movements of the neck vertebrae
• Massage to ease the strain and for healthy functioning of the muscles
• Neck exercises for improved movement
• Strengthening exercises for the neck
• Heat/ice therapy to reduce the pain
• Contour pillows with curved designs that adapt to the head, neck, and shoulder
If you are experiencing neck pain, then a correct diagnosis and treatment is essential. Get in touch with our clinic today to learn about how we can treat your neck pain.

Elbow pain

The most common types of elbow pain are caused by overuse injuries, and are commonly referred to as ‘Tennis elbow’ and ‘Golfer’s elbow’. They are indeed common and there are first-aid suggestions that can help to ease the symptoms, but if the symptoms don’t improve and if the elbow pain comes in repeating cycles, then it is advised to seek the help of a Physiotherapist.
Elbow pain can involve injury to affected areas of:
• Muscles
• Tendons
• Joints
• Ligaments
• Bones
• Bursae

Common symptoms of Elbow Pain

• There is a dull ache in the elbow at rest
• Pain while making a fist
• Pain when opening the fingers
• Soreness around the affected elbow bump
• Lack of grip and difficulty in stretching arms

Common causes of Elbow Pain

• Golfers elbow
• Tennis elbow
• Bursitis
• Muscle strain (Muscle pain)
• Overuse injuries
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• RSI – Repetitive Strain Injury
• Stress fracture
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Treatment for Elbow Pain

Depending on the cause of your elbow pain, a range of treatment methods can be applied to get you back to health:
• Ice
• Rest
• Advice on correct technique
• Exercises for strengthening and stretching the surrounding muscles
• Laser Therapy
• Shockwave Therapy
• Dry Needling

Time for recovery from elbow injuries can range from a few weeks to 6-12 months. Your first step towards treatment should be to consult our physiotherapists at Mount Isa Physio, so that a correct diagnosis of the type of pain can be given, and treatment can be delivered without delay and further issues.

Headaches

Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints that people experience, but the reasons behind it can vary. A headache could be a stand-alone illness caused by over-activity, chemical activity in the brain, or problems involving blood vessels, muscles, and nerves of the head and neck.

Common causes of Headaches

Headaches can be quite complex and most of the problems arise due to the dysfunction in regions of the neck. Physical and emotional stress and tension can also be the reason. The physical cause of the pain can be successfully treated by physiotherapy and preventive advice can help to stop the development of such pain in the future.

Common types of headaches treated by Physiotherapy

Headaches can appear as pain in the head, in and around the eyes or ears, and behind the back of the head. Among all types of headaches, the most common type that’s diagnosed by physiotherapists at Mount Isa Physiotherapy is tension and Cervicogenic Headaches.
Tension headache, which falls as a primary headache, is quite common and is often related to pain and tension in the region of the neck. This occurs when there is a disorder of joints or muscles that connect the neck to the base of the skull, known as Cervicogenic Dysfunction. This can trigger acute or incessantly sporadic, but strong pain in the head. The nerves in the region of the neck are also connected to the head and face. This type of headache is often hard to read and difficult to diagnose for doctors.

Your headache may be originating from your neck, when:

• The pain pulsates or radiates from the back of the head to the front and other areas
• You experience pain between shoulder blades
• The headache worsens with movements of the neck, or by keeping the neck in a single position like staring at the computer screen for a long period with the chin poked forward
• The headache is eased by pressure at the base of the skull
• Medication doesn’t help

Symptoms of Neck Headache

Neck Headache begins in the back of the head and upper neck and feels like a band that is tightened and is applying pressure. It can lead to a reduced range of movements of the neck.
Tension headaches are described as a band of pressure that encircles the head with intense pain over the eyebrows. The pain can be mild, but not disabling, and bilateral affecting both sides of the head. There might be slight variations in the symptoms, but these headaches are not associated with an aura (e.g. flashing lights, psychedelic images, zigzagging lines) and are often associated with nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound.
Tension headaches are sporadic, with inconsistent patterns, however can be frequent and sometimes routine for some people. While some people find that they can function without much ado, others are rendered inactive because of it.
Most importantly, when it is a constantly troubling headache, priority should be given to diagnose and start the treatment without delay. A visit to Mount Isa Physiotherapy for treatment and advice can be your best call.

Treatments for Headaches

• Mobilization of stiff joints
• Soft tissue release (STR) of tight muscles
• Stretching exercises
• Strengthening of weak muscles
• Heat treatment
• Dry needling
Mount Isa Physiotherapy provides postural and ergonomic advice to patients diagnosed with headaches originating from neck pain. Along with other preventive measures, specialized neck pillows are also suggested and also provided.
Computerised Posture Analysis (posture pro) and X-rays will help in narrowing in on the different causes of the headache if necessary, and treatment with advice/tips will be given to help avoid the recurrence of the pain.
If you are suffering from a headache that’s long been troubling you, then contact us today to book a consultation at Mount Isa Physio.

Hip pain

The ball-and-socket joints are responsible for different types of movement in the body. The hip is one of the biggest and strongest ball-and-socket joints in the body. A range of muscles holds the hip joint together, and are attached to the bones by tendons. The hip joint works in synchronicity with the pelvis, SIJ, and lumbar spine. This complex mechanism, if disrupted, can lead to serious problems for the whole body.

What are the common causes of Hip Pain

• Adductor tendinopathy
• Core stability deficiency
• DOMS – delayed onset muscle soreness
• Gluteal tendinopathy
• Groin strain
• Hip arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
• Hip labral tear
• Muscle strain (muscle pain)
• Osteitis pubis
• Osteoporosis
• Overuse injuries
• Pinched nerve
• Piriformis syndrome
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sacroiliac joint pain
• Sciatica
• Stress fracture
• Trochanteric bursitis

How is Hip Pain treated?

Hip pain is a common injury seen in people of all age groups alike. Simple self-healing treatments can help, but if the pain is extreme, then only medical experts can help. A close examination of the lower limb, lumbar spine, pelvis, SIJ, biomechanics of the foot, and core and muscle strength should be done to effectively zero in on the cause of the condition.
If the pain doesn’t subside in two weeks, then it is unwise to leave it untreated. Delay in treatment can lead to serious repercussions in the future.
Some of the treatment methods our physiotherapists can provide include:
• Stretching exercises
• Balance exercises
• Hands on manual therapy
• Trigger point therapy
• Soft tissue massage
• Dry needling
• Shockwave therapy
• Laser therapy

A thorough assessment will be done at Mount Isa Physiotherapy to find the exact cause and suitable treatment for a person affected by this condition. Our experts are committed to providing the best solution for all sorts of problems.

Knee pain

Knee pain is one of the most common conditions we see in our clinic. Due to its complex structure, it is important to accurately diagnose the condition as the knee plays a pivotal role in all ground movements of the human body.

Symptoms of Knee Pain

Pain in your knee can originate from one of its many structures, including the knee joint, knee cap or the surrounding tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
Some symptoms of knee pain that you may encounter include:
• Inflammation
• Difficulty weight bearing
• Difficulty walking
• Limping due to discomfort
• Swelling
• Redness
• Locking of the knee
• Inability to extend the knee

What are the common causes of Knee Pain?

• ACL injury
• Bursitis
• Chondromalacia patella
• Hamstring strain
• ITB syndrome
• Knee arthritis
• Knee ligament injuries
• Knee replacement
• Meniscus tear
• Muscle strain (muscle pain)
• Osgood-Schlatter’s disease
• Overuse injuries
• Patellar tendonitis (tendinopathy)
• Patellofemoral syndrome
• Sinding Larsen Johansson syndrome
• Stress fracture
• Thigh strain

Treatment for Knee Pain

Different types of treatment for knee pain can include:
• Knee mobilization techniques
• Massage and manual therapy
• Taping
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Shockwave therapy
• Various exercise regimes

Different conditions present very differently and often knee pain can worsen over time. Finding out the exact diagnosis is key to recovery and a simple physiotherapy assessment can accurately diagnose what is causing your pain. Rarely, radiology scans will be required but if this is the case, our experienced team can recommend this for you.

Contact the team at Mount Isa Physiotherapy now for more details or to book an appointment.

Sciatica

The vertebrae in your spine are separated by tissue that is flat, flexible and round, these are called discs. Sciatica starts with a disc in the lower spine of the body that has become herniated. When the disc is affected by wear and tear with gradual use, the soft center starts projecting itself from the outer ring.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica is characterized by pain in the lower back which gradually moves to the leg. The frequency of occurrence or the intensity of the pain can vary. There will be a sharp and jabbing pain or a feeling similar to electric shock, which radiates to the legs. The symptoms include sensations of burning, numbness, and tingling. The weakness of the muscle is another common symptom. This condition is bound to get worse by bending the body, lifting weights, and even sudden sneezing and coughing.
It is pretty common in manual labourers, people with sedentary work, and pregnant women. People aged 30 to 50 are more likely to experience this condition too.

Common causes of Sciatica

Pressure on the nerve can arise for a lot of reasons. These include:
• Piriformis syndrome (tightness of the piriformis muscle in the buttock that compresses the sciatic nerve)
• Spinal misalignments / vertebral dysfunction
• Herniated disc/ Prolapsed disc
• Osteoarthritis
• Postural problems (high heels, sitting for a long time, bad mattresses)
• Poor lifting techniques
• Poor bending habits
• Spinal compression due to osteoporosis

Diagnosis and treatment of Sciatica

There can be many reasons for sciatic nerve pain. To rightly diagnose the condition, a physiotherapist will try to find out the exact cause of the sciatic nerve interference. After an initial assessment of the patient’s history, a thorough orthopedic and neurological examination can be done next. Medical imaging techniques like X-ray, CT, MRI and posture pro scan may be used to help accurately diagnose the condition.
Sciatica is a condition that arises due to pressure on the sciatic nerve. Treatment of the condition involves relieving the nerve of pressure. Physiotherapy at Mount Isa Physiotherapy aims to decompress the nerve pressure by allowing subtle movements of the spinal joints and using other methods to ease muscular tension in the lower spine, buttock, and leg.
The various techniques used at the clinic include:
• Spinal decompression therapy
• Spinal mobilization
• Massage and trigger-point therapy
• Dry needling
• Stretching of the tight muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments
• Ultrasound and electrical stimulation
• Advice to minimize pressure and irritation of the sciatic nerve
• Stretching exercises, heat/ice treatment
Mount Isa Physiotherapy is committed to providing the best treatment for our patients. Please contact us to begin your treatment or if you have any questions.

Shin splints

If the shin throbs and pains after running or sprinting, it could most probably be because of shin splints. Some doctors call it the medial tibial stress syndrome, which arises due to the stress on the shinbone and connective tissues that attach the muscles to the bones.

Common causes of shin splints

Shin splints are commonly termed as overstraining of the muscles attached to the shin. An increase in running, change of running shoes, and jogging/running on hard surfaces can cause this condition to happen. It is related to overuse and overtraining because of the poor biomechanics of the foot. Tenderness, soreness or pain along the inner side of your shinbone and mild swelling in the lower leg are signs of shin splints.
The pain might stop when exercising is stopped and this condition can heal on its own, but if it persists for more than a week or if there is severe pain, then only medical experts can help.
Some of the common causes include:
• Over-pronation of the feet
• Excessive supination
• Inappropriate or uneven footwear
• Increase in physical training
• Running on hard or angled surfaces
• Decreased flexibility at the ankle joint
• Poor gluteal control while walking
• Poor core stability
• Tight calf muscles or hamstrings
• Weak quadriceps

Watch our video to learn more about Shin Splints

Common symptoms of Shin Splints

Shin splints can cause dull and aching pain in the lower leg after physical activities like running or sprinting. A feeling of vulnerability and weakness in the shin bone and pain upon touching are sure symptoms.
The symptoms can be categorized into different stages to easily recognize the condition:
• Initial discomfort that disappears during the warm-up
• A feeling of discomfort that reappears at the end of the activity
• Discomfort or pain that worsens with physical activity associated with the legs

Treatment for Shin Splints

Shin Splints can be annoying and incessantly painful. They are not dangerous initially, but if left untreated, can lead to serious medical conditions like stress fractures that will take a long time to heal.
Soft tissue massage, trigger-point therapy, dry needling, and home exercise to stretch and strengthen the muscles are some of the best treatments available for this condition.
Our physiotherapists at Mount Isa Physiotherapy have a wide variety of options available to get rid of this medical condition for good. But reasons like inactivity and being overweight can trigger the problems again. Advice and tips will be provided to the patient to avoid the recurrence of this condition. Contact us now to learn more about how we can help treat your shin splints, or to book an appointment.

Shoulder pain

The shoulder contains several joints that combine with tendons and muscles to allow a wide range of motion in the arm. This includes actions like scratching the head to throwing a softball over a distance. As it is a mobile juncture, the movements can cause instability of the soft tissue or bony structures in the shoulder, resulting in pain.
There will be pain when the shoulder moves, or in some cases all the time. This could be a temporary condition or it may continue to exist for a long time, which calls for medical diagnosis and treatment.

Common causes of Shoulder Pain

Painful conditions that limit the movement of the shoulders are pretty common. They can be caused by injuries that affect the shoulder joint, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. A shoulder is mobile and in action most of the time. Due to this reason, if there is a lack of due attention and care, the glenohumeral joint is prone to injuries. The nerves that connect the arm and shoulder originate from the neck and upper spine, and for this reason, conditions such as vertebral dysfunction can usually cause pain in this area.

Some common shoulder conditions include:

• Chronic shoulder pain and stiffness
• Shoulder muscle spasm and tension
• Rotator cuff disorders like tears and strains
• Frozen shoulder
• Arthritis of the shoulder

Diagnosis and Treatment

Physiotherapists at Mount Isa Physiotherapy will conduct a full physical, orthopedic, and neurological examination of the shoulder, cervical and thoracic spine. A wide range of motion and muscle tests are conducted. When there is a pain in the shoulder, at rest and with movement, it can be deemed as a precursor to shoulder pain.
When it comes to treatment at our clinic, the primary objective is to relieve the patient of pain and inflammation. Some doctors recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and swelling. However, applying ice packs on the painful regions can be equally helpful and beneficial. The nature of treatment depends on the graveness of the condition. When the shoulder heals, it is important to restore the muscle strength and movement of the shoulder. This will prevent further injury. Dry needling and shockwave therapy are other modalities of treatment that have proven effective at treating shoulder pain.
Our expert physiotherapists at Mount Isa Physiotherapy will be able to help you with the necessary muscle-strengthening and motion exercises for the long run. Advice and tips will be given to avoid recurrence of the condition in the future. To book an appointment with one of our physiotherapists, please give us a call or book online.