High or Low Arches
The official names for high and low arches are pes cavus and pes planus respectively. The image below shows the basic impact of these changes on where the foot contacts the ground. It also shows the impact on the foot…
The Thorax (Chest and Upper Back)
The thorax is the area of the body between the base of the neck and the diaphragm. It encompasses 12 vertebrae, the heart, lungs, and countless nerves. We often see patients with neck or lower back pains, and end up…
Osteopathy and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often confused with osteoarthritis (OA), but the two are very different. Whereas OA is considered a more mechanical condition of "wear and tear", RA is autoimmune. That means the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own…
Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a rare, but potentially serious condition affecting the calf or forearm. The compartment in question is a section of muscle, blood vessels, and other tissues. In this condition, the pressure within the compartment rises, reducing the blood…
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is an umbrella term for a number of rare connective tissue disorders. The most common is the hypermobile type (hEDS), which accounts for about 90% of cases. Classical (cEDS) and vascular (vEDS) are the next most common, with…
Tongue Tie
More than just a figure of speech, tongue tie can affect a baby's ability to breastfeed. This in turn can lead to an unsettled baby who struggles to gain weight, and an uncomfortable mum who might feel she has to…
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts for more than 3 months. But when we use the term "chronic pain", we're usually referring to a kind of pain with different characteristics to most, not simply a pain that's…
New Parents’ Aches and Pains
Nothing shocks the system quite like a newborn. From a physical perspective, even without considering recovery from birth itself, both parents suddenly have a lot to contend with. Postpartum Recovery Generally, earlier intervention gives better outcomes, but it's never too…
Hormones and Pain
Thankfully, we're hearing a lot more about the wide reaching impacts the menopause can have. Changes in hormones can affect the way we feel pain, although this is not just limited to changes in the menopause. Thyroid hormones are well…
Reflux and Silent Infant Reflux
Reflux is a common ailment for adults, but it can also cause discomfort for babies, especially those under the age of 12 months. What is Reflux? Also known as heartburn in adults, reflux is the back-flow of stomach contents into…