Musculoskeletal

The term ‘musculoskeletal’ refers to not only the muscles and bones of the human body, but to the ligaments, nerves, tendons, cartilage and spinal discs as well. Any of these structures can be injured or strained through trauma, overuse, fatigue, postural problems, or work-related factors. The most common conditions treated in this field are listed below.

Common Conditions

Neck pain & headaches
 Joints, muscles, and discs in the spine can be a source of significant pain and dysfunction. When joint mobility is impaired and muscles become tight (often through poor posture or ergonomics), pain is often felt in the head and neck. Pain from the neck can also refer down to the arms and hands.
Back pain
 Lower back pain is a very common complaint, either from prolonged sitting or from injury. Poor muscular stability or imbalance is a common cause, but sometimes there may be structural damage or strain at the level of the discs and/or joints.
Sciatica & neural pain
 Sciatica simply refers to neural pain that is caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve. Any nerve can be impinged, causing symptoms such as pins and needles, numbness, aching, and pain in the area supplied by the nerve.
Shoulder pain
 Shoulder pain is very common, and may be caused by arthritis, ‘frozen shoulder’, impingement, or any kind of muscular imbalance. Because the shoulder is a highly complex and mobile joint, thorough examination and treatment is important to prevent recurrence.
Knee pain
Knee pain may be caused by arthritis, general wear and tear, functional problems (such as poor patellar tracking), or soft tissue injury.

What to expect from your therapist

Musculoskeletal physiotherapists are trained in advanced anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, as well as the principles of tissue healing and regeneration. During a consultation, the physiotherapist will conduct a detailed subjective and clinical examination to establish the cause of dysfunction. With an accurate physical diagnosis, the therapist is then able to select the most effective treatment techniques, as established by scientific research.

Treatment for any given problem is usually multifaceted, and may involve any of the following techniques:

  • Massage
  • Joint mobilization and/or manipulation
  • Real-time ultrasound
  • Therapeutic Exercise
  • Modification of the work/home environment
  • The prescription of any aids/supports
  • Education regarding the prevention of future injury
  • Education regarding pain management techniques, if required
  • Referral to doctor for further medical attention, if required
  • Electrotherapy

All our physiotherapists have received specialised training in the management of musculoskeletal pain and injury. If you have any questions, or are unsure whether you need to see a physiotherapist, give our friendly staff a call on (07) 3378 4499.