Common Complaints

At The Brunswick Osteopathy Clinic we treat many conditions, often those associated with the musculoskeletal system.

Back pain is one of the most common problems we see at Brunswick Osteopathy Clinic. Sometimes it can be a dull pain or ache, spasms or stiffness - or a mixture of these occurring over time. Back pain can also be accompanied by tingling or numbness in the legs or feet.

We find that instead of being one specific cause, back pain is usually related to many factors including: repetitive loads, work activities and posture, sedentary lifestyle and potential imbalance in strength and flexibility of muscles around the spine and pelvis.

Common back issues:

• Postural strains

• Acute and chronic joint pain

• Arthritis

• Disc bulge and degeneration

• Sciatica

Neck pain can be acute or chronic, is often associated with stiffness and also lead to headaches and jaw pain.

Acute neck sprains are often due to small, familiar manoeuvres (such as turning to look back over your shoulder) whereas chronic neck problems are associated with sustained postures and activities such as office workers and study posture.

Our osteopaths provide a thorough assessment of your mobility and treat using a mixture of direct and indirect techniques, which is all chosen depending on your pain presentation.

We may also talk about other associated factors such as workplace posture, mattress and pillow advice.  

Common neck problems:

• Acute and chronic joint pain

• Neck pain associated with headaches and/or jaw pain

• Postural strains

• Disc bulge and degeneration

• Arthritis

• Whiplash injuries

Headaches can be very debilitating and can affect concentration, mood and even your sleep.

Headaches have a large array of causes including hormonal, sinusitis, blood pressure changes, pharmaceutical (medications) and eye strain. Some other causes are very serious so need to be excluded.

Cervicogenic Headache

The most common headache that we see at Brunswick Osteopathy Clinic is the cervicogenic headache – literally meaning ‘coming from the neck’.

It can present as an ache, throb, sharp or dull pain and often presents in the base of the skull, temples, forehead or behind the eyes. It can be associated with back pain, shoulder pain, jaw issues or postural strains.

Our approach is to find the cause, whether it be bone, joint, disc and/or soft tissue elements to address your pain and help to promote longer term recovery.

Tension Headache

Tension headaches commonly present as pain around the temples and head and can be described as vice-like pressure.

It is the headache we usually have when under the pump at work, in study mode, or when overworked and stressed in general.

At Brunswick Osteopathy Clinic we aim to treat any musculoskeletal imbalances that you might have and aim to educate and discuss options for stress relief.

Migraines are severe, recurring headaches and although the cause is still largely unknown, we know how much they can affect your life.

You might get an aura with sensory changes. You might have triggers such as foods, wines, hormones, stress, sensory stimuli or altered sleep. You might have head pain that is so severe that you have to miss work to lie down in a dark room. Migraines are not fun.

However, here at Brunswick Osteopathy Clinic we are experienced in treating people who present with migraines. Our aim is to ease tension in the muscles and fascia connecting the head, neck and nervous system.

Some migraine sufferers may find they experience relief in intensity, duration and/or frequency of their migraines.

We appreciate that a multidisciplinary approach is often indicated and like to work with other health professionals to achieve optimal results.

The shoulder is a complex joint. It’s ‘ball and socket’ structure means that it has large mobility but also requires stability as to perform in sports, work and everyday tasks like washing your hair and getting dressed. Shoulder pain varies incredibly – it can be dull, sharp, constant or catching. We always assess the biomechanics of the shoulder and how it interacts with the neck and upper back to ensure best possible outcomes.

Common shoulder problems:

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy and tears

• Stability issues

• Impingement & Bursitis

• Sports injuries

Elbow and wrist injuries can have many different causes – you may have had a fall or trauma, or you might be doing repetitive tasks everyday which have led to an overuse injury.  We like to approach these injuries while still taking into account the whole upper limb, shoulder, spine and neck

Common elbow & wrist problems:

• Epicondylitis (Golfer’s and Tennis Elbow)

• Joint Sprain

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Arthritis

• Pain doing sports, typing, work, parenting

The hip and pelvis are intimately related in both structure and function. The most powerful muscles in the body attach to the hip & pelvis,

Requiring the stability to handle large forces and the mobility to allow you to kick, run and dance, a healthy hip joint is key to living your best life.

Common hip and pelvis problems:

• Arthritis

• Impingement (FAI) and Labral Tears

• Tendinopathy and bursitis

• Pregnancy related hip and pelvic pain

• Sporting and occupational injuries

The knee can be one of the most problematic areas in the body and is often the first to experience symptoms in the lower limb. The problem, however, is that the knee is often the unfortunate victim compensating for hip and ankle dysfunctions.

Common knee problems:

• Patello-femoral pain

• Patellar tendinopathy (Jumper’s knee)

• ITB syndrome (Runner’s knee)

• Ligament and meniscus tears

• Arthritis

The foot is possibly the most forgotten region in the musculoskeletal system. Given it is the first point of contact with the ground, foot and ankle function is imperative to the overall health of the body. Dysfunctions in the foot can have implications on the performance of the knee, hip and lower back.

Common foot and ankle problems:

• Ankle sprain

• Achilles tendinopathy

• Shin splints

• Plantar fasciitis

• Bunion and big toe pain