Aches and pains are the most common symptoms for which patients seek treatment. An ache or pain may be specific to a particular joint such as a knee, hip or elbow or generalised across a broad area such as the neck/upper back or low back/leg. It may have developed over years or have come on quite suddenly. It may result from a specific incident (such as lifting, a fall, a sporting activity or a car crash) or from repetitive strain to an area such as from spending long periods at a computer. Often aches and pains are associated with a loss of joint mobility and stiffness.
There is good evidence that osteopathy is an effective treatment for many conditions which cause aches and pains and joint restrictions such as:
- Acute and chronic low back pain
- Acute and chronic neck pain
- Shoulder girdle pain
- Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
- Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (knee cap pain)
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Acute whiplash disorders
- Migraine
- Headache and dizziness triggered by neck problems