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.
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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 Fibromyalgia?
What causes Fibromyalgia?Due to lack of specific medical tests to diagnose Fibromyalgia, the real cause of it is hard to specify. According to doctors, it can be a variety of factors operating together. These may include infections, physical or emotional trauma such as a car accident and even genetics. Some researchers believe that repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with Fibromyalgia to release an abnormal amount of neurotransmitters which are chemicals that signal pain. Also, the pain receptors in the brain seem to develop a memory of the pain, making a person suffering from Fibromyalgia more sensitive to any pain stimulus they might experience. Nowadays, Fibromyalgia can be detected when a person complains of widespread pain without any other apparent reason, lasting for more than 3 months. Due to an absence of any lab tests to help identify the disease, doctors usually perform blood tests to rule out any other medical conditions that might have similar symptoms. It is also found that the condition occurs more often in women than in men. When to seek treatment for Fibromyalgia? As with most pain conditions, earlier treatment allows for speedier relief from the pain.
Bowen Therapy for fibromyalgia consists of light moves, which works directly with the fascia (connective tissue that acts as an extension of the nerves) and nervous system. Signals sent via the nerves to the brain signal the body to go into a state of deep relaxation, and in this way may act to calm the overstimulation of the brain and the nervous system. As more people are trying Bowen Therapy to treat their fibromyalgia, it is gaining acceptance as an effective treatment method. In a study at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill by Amy Norman, Bowen Therapy was rated at having an 80% effectiveness for fibromyalgia. You can read some reviews from Louis's clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Bowen Therapy Treatment for Fibromyalgia in Geelong. We're open till 9pm on weekdays and Saturday. What is Morton's Neuroma?
What Causes Morton's Neuroma? High heels or tight fitting footwear, such as worn in sports like skiing or rock climbing, can cause Morton’s Neuroma. The compression of the foot can cause the nerves within to become irritated and swollen, causing pain. People who have other foot issues such as bunions, hammertoes, fallen or high arches are at a higher risk of experiencing Morton’s Neuroma, especially if they are putting a lot of stress on their feet, (eg. by doing lots of running). When to Seek Treatment for Morton's Neuroma? Early treatment of Morton's Neuroma facilitates faster recovery. Bowen Treatment can help alleviate the pain, and works to improve the circulation and rate of healing, Without treatment and continuing activities that are aggravating the Neuroma the pain will likely get worse. You can read some reviews from Louis's clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Bowen Therapy Treatment for Morton's Neuroma in Geelong. We're open till 9pm on weekdays and Saturday.
What is Carpal Tunnel?
What causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? The carpal tunnel is the name for a structure in your wrist, a narrow passageway made of bone and ligaments that protects the nerve and tendons that run to your hand and fingers. When the nerve running through the carpal tunnel is pinched or compressed, one begins to experience the pain, tingling or weakness of carpal tunnel syndrome. The anatomy of the carpal tunnel can be different in different people leaving those born with a narrow carpal tunnel potentially more susceptible to this problem. The width of the carpal tunnel can also be affected through wrist fractures or arthritic conditions which can cause a narrowing of the carpal tunnel, also increasing the likelihood of experiencing this condition. However often I find carpal tunnel syndrome is experienced after repetitive overuse of the muscles of the forearms and wrists. A type of repetitive strain injury (RSI) of the muscles and tendons in this area. Relaxing and softening the soft tissues in the area usually brings considerable relief. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be common in women who are pregnant or going through menopause because they tend to have fluid retention that can cause a narrowing of the carpal tunnel. Often the condition resolves on it's own once the pregnancy is over. When to Seek Treatment for Carpal Tunnel?As with any ailment it's best to begin treatment as early as possible to reduce discomfort and recovery time. Bowen Therapy treatments loosen the soft tissues that compress the nerves responsible for carpal tunnel pain, and increase blood flow to the area to facilitate healing for long lasting relief. We have been very successful in the past with relieving client's Carpal Tunnel pain with a range of different causes. You can read some reviews from our clients on the Review page here. or Book Online here for a Bowen Therapy Treatment for Carpal Tunnel in Geelong. We're open till 9pm on weekdays and Saturday.
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Louis Attard
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