Using physiotherapy to moderate and alleviate pain

“Radicular Pain, or Radiculitis, is pain "radiated" along the dermatome (sensory distribution) of a nerve due to inflammation or other irritation of the nerve root (Radiculopathy) at its connection to the spinal column. A common form of radiculitis is sciatica, or radicular pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve from the lower spine to the lower back, gluteal muscles, back of the upper thigh, calf, and foot as often secondary to nerve root irritation from a spinal disc herniation or from osteophytes in the lumbar region of the spine.”

Diffuse pain exists in areas where the pain is allowed to settle. Diffuse pain is really no worse than localized pain, it's how pain presents itself.

Localized pain can be a very marked pain and this particular type of pain will often go to different levels from superficial to deep. Of these two types of pain they are as common as each other, it is all down to the description by the patient.

Physiotherapy modalities are used in order to clear the pain substance. This is when ice therapy, ultrasound, exercise and massage are utilized. Around a lot of pain sites there are tender spots, a lot of patients are concerned about these tender spots but these spots are another form of signaling irritation.

It is very important that there is an understanding of a pain signal called referred pain. Dr James Cyriax , the orthopedic surgeon from St. Thomas's hospital founded referred pain. If referred pain had never been recognized our nation would be a nation of deteriorating sufferers.

As one pain gets better another pain can show itself.

Ann Clare chartered physiotherapist helps patients overcome all of these types of pain along side medication where necessary from your doctor.

Once the initial period of severe pain is under control a variety of treatments may be employed to address the underlying cause of the pain such as a disc herniation, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease.

To contact Ann regarding possible treatment please fill in the form below. Please note that we can only reply to people who would be able to travel to our practice for treatment.