What is Arthritis?
What Causes Arthritis?Cartilage is the hard coating found at the end of the bones which meet at a joint. Due to wear and tear of the cartilage, those diagnosed with Osteoarthritis have a situation where their bones are grinding against one another when the joint is being moved which can result in restricted movement of the affected joint and pain. Normally this occurs with age, over years, but there can be a sudden onset after an injury as well. For those suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining present in the joint capsule. This is a tough membrane that encloses the entire joint and is known as the synovial membrane which provides lubrication to the joint. When it becomes inflamed, the bone and cartilage of the affected joint can become damaged through the un-lubricated grinding of the adjoining bones as the joint moves. Family history, age, sex and previous joint injuries are various factors that can predispose someone towards Arthritis. When to Seek Treatment for Arthritis?With rheumatoid arthritis, the earlier one seeks treatment the better. Since the lack of synovial fluid in the joint is causing a lot of wear and tear to the cartilage within the joint, the earlier proper functioning is restored to the joint, the less structural damage that will be sustained to the cartilage and bony structures within the joint. Bowen Therapy can be very effective, as it works through the body's fascial system, an extension of the nervous system to help correct the root cause - the nervous system attacking the lining of the joints.
If one is suffering from osteoarthritis, Bowen Therapy is unable to restore the damaged joint cartilage or underlying bone damage, however it can be effective at relieving the pain associated with osteoarthritis as well as improve joint functionality and mobility. Other treatment options that may be offered by a doctor to provide relief from joint pain and functionality are analgesics which can relieve pain but not provide any relief from inflammation, or NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that can be prescribed that target both symptoms. NSAIDs may have side-effects though, like increasing your risk of heart attacks or stroke. Creams and ointments can also be applied to help alleviate symptoms caused by Arthritis. Corticosteroids may also be administered to suppress the immune system. When conservative measure prove to be ineffective. Surgery can involve joint repair where the surfaces of joints are made smooth to improve function, joint replacement like that of the hips or knees or joint fusion for smaller joints to stop the joint moving all together. You can read some reviews from Louis's Bowen Therapy clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Bowen Therapy Treatment for Arthritis in Geelong. We're open till 9pm weekdays and Saturday.
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What is Lower Back Pain?
Facet joints are small stabilizing joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae of the spine. In people experiencing facet joint based lower back pain, the saddle like base which is covered by a synovial lining, becomes inflamed. This results in extra pressure when one bends backwards, leading to immense amount of pain. In this case, bending forward generally provides relief as the forward flexion decompresses the facet joint, relieving pressure and pain. On the other hand, intervertebral disc based lower back pain is a result of a tear in the discs; soft cushion-like structures in the spine. This results in a protrusion or bulging of the disc structure which can compress certain nerves, leading to pain that is experienced in the hip region, legs, ankles and feet. Unlike, facet joint pain in the back, disc pain intensifies in nature when one bends forward as this exerts pressure on the back of the disc structure where the nerve exists the spine. What Causes Lower Back Pain?Facet joint motion in the lower back can be disrupted by injury, leading to stiffening of the back caused by bone spurs, joint capsule scarring or thickening and muscle spasms or hypermobility of the joint due to fractures, dislocations, overstretched ligaments etc. Various factors can lead to disc damage in the lower back like age, obesity, lack of exercise, poor posture etc. One can either experience degenerative disc disease due to holding the same position for a length of time or a ruptured disc where the disc develops tears and causes the fluid to irritate surrounding structures leading to pain and even sciatica. Osteoarthritis or degeneration of the spine can be a cause of lower back pain also. According to the book 'Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics: Adult Spine Surgery', MRI evidence has shown that 100% of people over 50 years old have lumbar (lower spine) degeneration, however clearly, 100% of those 50 years or over do not experience constant lower back pain, so degeneration of the spine does not always mean one has to live in pain. When to Seek Treatment for Lower Back Pain?If lower back pain is persistent it's a good idea to get some treatment without leaving it too long. The earlier back pain can be treated, typically the faster lasting relief will be experienced. Lower back pain caused by muscles, tendons, pinched nerves, facet joints, arthritis or disc problems may be treated effectively by Bowen Therapy. Bowen works to increase circulation to the damaged structures and tissues to facilitate faster healing and relieve the pain.
You can read some reviews from Louis's clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Lower Back Pain Treatment in Geelong with Bowen Therapy. We're open till 9pm on weekdays and Saturday. What is Tennis Elbow?
What Causes Tennis Elbow?Surprisingly, Tennis Elbow only occurs in 5% of people who play tennis. It is commonly found to occur in people who are involved in jobs where they are required to perform repetitive types of motion. For example, cutting trees, playing a musical instrument, carpentry, rowing a boat, cutting meat etc. Due to the constant to-and-fro of the arm, the tendons that connect the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle to the elbow, develop rips and cause pain. Apart from sport and certain occupations, age also seems to play a role in those who may be predisposed to developing a Tennis Elbow. The condition is found to mostly occur in adults who are between the ages of 30 and 50. When to Seek Treatment for Tennis Elbow?Early treatment of tennis elbow can facilitate a faster recovery and reduce the chance of re-occurrence. Bowen Therapy can help to increase blood flow to the area to increase the rate of healing and speed up recovery. Bowen can also help by working to release tension in the extensor muscles of the forearm which could be putting additional stress on the tendons of the elbow and preventing recovery. With Bowen Therapy treatment, the resting period required before relief from the pain is experienced tends to be significantly less than without treatment.
Without allowing the injury to heal, and continuing the activity that is aggravating the tennis elbow, the pain will likely get worse. In some extreme cases, medical procedures or surgery might be required. You can read some reviews from our clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Treatment for Tennis Elbow in Geelong using Bowen Therapy. We're open till 9pm on weekdays and Saturday. What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? It is believed that a variety of factors can lead to the onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The way the large intestine contracts can have a direct impact on the symptoms one might experience if suffering from it. Normally, the colon contracts in a rhythmic fashion as food moves from the stomach and down the intestinal tract. For someone suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the contractions can be stronger and can even last longer leading to bloating and diarrhoea. On the contrary, contractions can be weak, leading to slow passage of food which results in constipation. Such abnormalities in the gastrointestinal nervous system are primary causes for the symptoms one experiences when suffering from IBS. Certain triggers can also instigate symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in some people. These can include factors like food that include chocolates, spices, milk, alcohol etc. Stress is also found to aggravate symptoms but not cause them. Hormones also play a vital role, with women twice as likely to be diagnosed with IBS as men. When to Seek Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be a painful experience and something that can lead to haemorrhoids and even depression due to lifestyle changes required to be implemented.
Therefore, treatment for this disease by doctors usually focuses on alleviating the effects of symptoms so that one can live as normally as possible. The foremost treatment options that most doctors would recommend are changes in lifestyle and diet. This includes plenty of exercise, intake of fluids, rest and avoiding specific food types that can act as triggers for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in an individual. This can mean eliminating high-gas foods like cauliflower, carbonated drinks, cabbage etc, along with gluten. Doctors may also prescribe medication that can include taking fibre supplements, anti-diarrheal medications, antibiotics if excessive bacteria is found in the colon, and even anti-depressants. Bowen Therapy has been shown to be effective in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Since Bowen therapy works with the nervous system, it may assist in bringing back the natural rhythmic action of the gastrointestinal nervous system, addressing the root cause of IBS. You can read some reviews from Louis's clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Bowen Therapy treatment for IBS or Irritable Bowel in Geelong. We're open till 9pm weekdays and Saturday.
What Causes a Headache? There are two types of headaches. Primary headaches are caused due to excessive activity of the pain-sensitive parts in the head. Examples include cluster headaches, migraine, tension headaches etc. A secondary headache on the other hand, is a symptom of a disease that activate the pain-sensitive nerves in the head. For example, acute sinusitis, blood clots, brain tumour, concussion etc. can cause a secondary headache. When to Seek Treatment for Headaches Headaches are usually managed by people with OTC pain relief medications like Panadol, Ibuprofen, Codeine etc. once the headache has already started.
If you are somebody who uses pain relief medication 2-3 times per week or 10 days per month, the pain relief medication can stop helping with the pain, and can actually cause headaches. These repetative headaches are known as 'Medication Overuse Headaches (MOH)'. In these cases it could be especially helpful to seek an alternative method of reducing your headaches. Bowen Therapy has proven to be very successful in treating many different types of headaches with clients at my clinic. Tension often builds up around the neck, head and jaw, causing the pain. Sometimes there can also be misalignments elsewhere in the body that can be contributing to reoccuring headaches. You can read some reviews from Louis's clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Headache Treatment in Geelong with Bowen Therapy. We're open till 9pm weekdays and Saturday. What is Gout?
What Causes Gout? When levels of uric acid in the blood increase, it can lead to the formation of urate crystals which can accumulate in the joints. This further leads to swelling and intense Gout attack. Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines, substances found naturally in the body and some food types like steak and seafood. Other food types that can lead to high levels of uric acid in the body can include beer, drinks with fructose etc. Even though uric acid is excreted out via the kidneys, if excessive levels are being produced by the body, it can be retained in the blood nonetheless. When this occurs, sharp, needle-like uric crystals appear in tissue surrounding joints that causes Gout. Gout can be influenced by other factors like obesity, medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes etc., certain medications, heredity, age and sex as well. When to Seek Treatment For Gout Bowen Therapy can be effective at any stage during a gout attack. If used in the early stages, Bowen therapy may diffuse the intensity of the gout attack.
Bowen can still be very effective in the very painful stages of gout, by helping to loosen the tissues in the calf, ankle or around the foot that often tighten up during a gout attack of the toe. Increasing circulation to the area may help the body to flush out the uric crystals causing the pain, and reduce the severity of the inflammation in the joint. In the final stages, the inflammation following a gout attack can sometimes linger around for weeks or months, which Bowen Therapy can help clear up. You can read some reviews from Louis's clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Treatment for Gout in Geelong using Bowen Therapy. We're open till 9pm on weekdays and Saturday. |
Louis Attard
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