Sometimes we all experience vague aches and pains, and often we can just wait them out. But other times they can be more persistent, and instead of getting better, they get worse.

Osteopaths are primary health care practitioners, which means we are capable of diagnosing- you don’t need a referral. As such, no discomfort is too small, and it’s never too early to seek treatment.

Small Recurrent Issues

Little problems might only affect you for a few days at a time, but that time soon adds up. Your osteopath can help with the current episode, reducing the likelihood of future episodes, and advice for managing symptoms that do arise.

Something like a “cricked neck”, which is just a mild muscle strain or ligament sprain might keep coming back. It’s not much of a problem in itself, but it is annoying to wake up with. Your osteopath will work with you to find the factors at play in this recurrent injury. It could be as simple as realising that your head is held in an awkward position overnight, and some symptomatic treatment combined with advice for changing your pillows is all it takes.

Compensatory Effects

Even a little ache or pain can cause a reaction. Compensatory patterns that have only been present for a short while are generally easier and quicker to resolve. We advise that you seek treatment as soon as you notice these kinds of reactions.

One example of this could be a clicky jaw. Patients often mention this kind of symptoms as an aside when they come in with something else. This might be because they don’t know who can treat their jaw, or because they don’t deem it important enough to address.

As shown in the image above, a clicky jaw might actually be the secondary effect of an inefficient posture. This is a prime example of how the body adapts without us even realising, until it can’t adapt any more and becomes symptomatic. For this example, it could be the jaw itself that becomes dysfunctional or uncomfortable, or it might be the effects of further compensations. The relationship between the jaw and the neck is quite intimate, so it could be that headaches are the first sign of the original problem with posture.

The Start Of Something Significant

Finally, a lot of significant problems start as something small. Fortunately, early intervention can often help. In a previous post on osteoarthritis, we spoke about how symptoms begin subtly, but eventually one arthritic joint can change your whole posture. Addressing the twinge at the earliest stage could help prevent the development of the condition, or at least provide you with management strategies to slow it and be more comfortable.

We also see problems that have developed from being stuck at a desk all day. When you stay still for long periods, the body reacts and allows some muscles to become short and tight, and joints to become stiff. Overall, the body still wants to have the range of movement it is used to, so in response to areas of stiffness, it takes movement from elsewhere. Early intervention and advice for sitting comfortably at your desk could prevent these kinds of problem further down the line

Some things can’t be prevented, but may be less severe or pass quicker through treatment, such as frozen shoulder. Reducing the impact of longer term conditions like this can help to reduce the likelihood of developing more complicated chronic pain.

Book an appointment online now to start addressing your aches and pains.