Together back and neck pain are the most common complaints presenting to physiotherapists, even though this is a common complaint we do not believe in a once size fits all approach in managing your pain. Our body systems work together, a proper holistic assessment which may include looking at areas of the body that don’t seem immediately obvious to your complaint of neck or back pain, may hold the answers for successful management.

If you’ve had a diagnosis of anything from: fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), failed back syndrome, chronic back pain, chronic headaches, osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), then you will know that living with pain is no fun! And living with pain where you have tried every therapy, treatment, lotion and potion is discouraging and can leave you feeling hopeless! BUT, there is hope! A thorough assessment which looks at your specific contributors to your pain experience, and really listening to your pain story is an important first step. Thereafter management is based on the most up to date, evidence based information we have, and will include a combination of education, hands on therapy and exercise. All of which are tailored specifically to you.

For most people surgery is the last resort, and once you have taken the plunge, it can feel like you have taken the final step and the rest should come naturally over time. Although time is defiantly an important factor, surgery alone is not the magic bullet. Rehabilitation after surgery is just as important as the surgery its self! Whether it be back or neck surgery, hip, knee or shoulder replacements or arthroscopic procedures, etc etc, getting guidance on the do’s and don’t’s, education on the healing process and what to expect, and exercises is what will get you on the path to full recovery.

STOP! Before you click away, it’s not only elite athletes that get sporting injuries. The recreational and occasional athlete is also welcome (yes, I’m talking to you, the “I hiked in the mountains and tweaked something” and the “I played catch with the grandkids” athletes)! If they are acute or long-standing difficult-to-shake injuries, assessment is the first step in addressing, managing and preventing future re-injury.

On your first visit this includes an assessment. This involves discussing what it is you are needing help for- i.e. why did you make the appointment in the first place; and then “filling out the details”- i.e. discussing the details around your problem. In order to be thorough the assessment may take the whole first session, but this is always discussed at the beginning of the session. It may also include filling out a few questionnaires, but don’t worry, these are also always discussed and talked through. After all of this a thorough physical assessment which includes movement and a hands on look at how your body moves is done. With all this information a management plan is then discussed with you.

Just as in the in person session, your first online session will include an assessment. This involves discussing what it is you are needing help for- i.e. why did you make the appointment in the first place; and then “filling out the details”- i.e. discussing the details around your problem. In order to be thorough the assessment may take the whole first session, but this is always discussed at the beginning of the session. It may also include filling out a few questionnaires, but don’t worry, these are also always discussed and talked through. You may think that a physical examination is not possible online, and although it is not the same as an in person physical assessment, I will still guide you through the assessment and still be able to gain valuable clues from it. With all this information a management plan is then discussed with you.