Does preventing injuries seem like a smarter plan than just reacting to them with treatment after they occur?
We think so.
As Osteopaths, we believe the key to prevention is understanding the cause of the problem, so we teach you to be attuned to your body’s warning signs so that you can take control of your body and health.
The causes of common problems
By understanding the causes, we can help prevent the injury occurring in the first place. We’ve included two common problems in this month’s blog, along with a few examples of the sorts of things we typically address in each case.
Back and neck pain
Sometimes it’s just a muscle or ligament strain, but there is almost always a degenerative element for practitioners to consider, even in people below 40 years of age! The spine doesn’t suddenly go from ‘textbook perfect’ to rough and arthritic the day you turn 70. Degenerative change occurs slowly over time. It is normal; and it is painless because the body usually ignores it. That is why we rarely order scans for these types of pain complaints; we already know what we’re going to find. So that’s the bit that we can’t change, but the good news is we can change the other three elements listed below.
What causes back and neck pain?
- Poor flexibility
- Poor posture / ergonomics
- Weakness
- Degenerative disease
Muscle strains and tears
These occur when your muscle is overstretched or over exerted, causing pain and limiting movement. Generally they heal up OK, but once they have happened they are more likely to happen again in the same muscle group, making prevention focused treatment a must for those who really care about their sport.
What causes muscle strains?
- Poor preparation for return to sport
- Weakness and poor flexibility
- Poor conditioning
- Overexertion and fatigue
- Scar tissue from previous strains
- Poor foot mechanics
On this last point: all of our osteopaths have a good background in orthotic (shoe inserts) interventions and can give you appropriate heat mouldable orthotics if required.
So when is it time to see an Osteopath?
It’s important to seek treatment from an Osteopath when you experience the obvious signs; pain and / or restricted movement. When you aren’t moving as well as you’d expect, it can be a warning that tissues elsewhere in the body are being loaded with more than they can handle. A good practitioner will be able to assess and treat the body, and work out if it is easily fixed, or if a series of treatments is needed. Either way, your osteopath will work with you to find the optimal blend of treatment, homework, and activity modification that your body needs.
Learning to understand your body’s warning signs takes both time and patience. Together we can help you be healthy, happy and pain-free now and in the years to come.
Talk to us to find out more.
