Chronic Conditions
Joint Pain: Osteoarthritis (Hips, Knees, Fingers) and Rheumatoid Arthritis
1. What Is Joint Pain?
Joint pain from conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is a common chronic issue that can significantly impact daily life. Osteoarthritis results from the wear and tear of joint cartilage, leading to pain and restricted movement, especially in the knees, hips, and fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition causing inflammation, pain, and swelling in the joints. At Alter Physio, we focus on the root cause of joint pain to provide individualized treatment.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Osteoarthritis develops due to aging, excessive joint stress, or poor posture, resulting in cartilage breakdown and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis involves immune system dysfunction, causing joint inflammation and pain. We assess joint mobility, muscle balance, and overall body movement to identify contributing factors.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We begin by evaluating the joint condition and overall body balance. Manual therapy is used to alleviate muscle tension around the joints and improve movement. Exercise therapy strengthens surrounding muscles, enhancing joint stability and easing movement. We also provide daily activity and posture advice to prevent recurrence.
4. Expected Outcomes
Treatment can help improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and enhance ease of movement. Strengthening the surrounding muscles lessens joint stress, aiming for long-term pain management and a better quality of life.
Chronic Lower Back Pain: Disc Herniation, Spinal Stenosis
1. What Is Chronic Lower Back Pain?
Chronic lower back pain, such as disc herniation and spinal stenosis, is a persistent issue affecting many people. It can limit daily activities and quality of life. These conditions involve nerve compression, resulting in pain and numbness. Alter Physio aims to improve lower back pain by addressing both the symptoms and overall body balance.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Disc herniation occurs when the disc’s inner material protrudes, compressing nerves. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on nerves. Poor posture, muscle imbalance, and lack of exercise can exacerbate these conditions. We evaluate posture, muscle strength, and movement to identify the root cause.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
Our approach includes a detailed posture and movement assessment. Manual therapy relieves tension in the lower back muscles and improves spinal mobility. Exercise therapy focuses on core strengthening and teaching correct movement to reduce back strain. We also provide advice on daily habits to prevent recurrence.
4. Expected Outcomes
Patients experience reduced pain, improved posture, and smoother movement. Learning proper body mechanics minimizes the risk of recurrence, making daily life more comfortable.
Chronic Shoulder Tension: Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Restricted Shoulder Blade Movement
1. What Is Chronic Shoulder Tension?
Chronic shoulder tension involves persistent discomfort and stiffness in the neck and shoulders, often linked to myofascial pain syndrome or restricted shoulder blade movement. Causes include desk work, stress, or improper posture. Alter Physio helps identify the root causes and restores body balance to relieve symptoms.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Myofascial pain syndrome results from tight, rigid muscles, creating knots and pain. Restricted shoulder blade movement occurs when surrounding muscles and joints lose flexibility, leading to tension. Prolonged sitting, stress, and muscle imbalances exacerbate these issues.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We assess shoulder movement and overall posture to identify tension sources. Manual therapy releases tight muscles and improves shoulder blade motion. Exercise therapy strengthens the surrounding muscles and stabilizes the shoulder girdle. We also provide desk posture guidance and self-care advice to prevent recurrence.
4. Expected Outcomes
Reduced shoulder pain and smoother shoulder blade movement lead to less discomfort in daily activities. Improving posture and muscle balance helps prevent chronic tension, enabling comfortable long hours of work.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Fatigue, Muscle Aches
1. What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by overwhelming fatigue, muscle aches, and a lack of energy that does not improve with rest. Unlike ordinary tiredness, CFS can disrupt daily life significantly. Alter Physio focuses on rebalancing the body and nervous system to alleviate chronic fatigue and pain.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
While the exact cause of CFS is unclear, factors like stress, immune dysfunction, autonomic nervous system imbalance, and muscle tension are often involved. Poor posture, muscle stiffness, and circulation issues can further amplify fatigue. We assess overall body balance and nervous system function to identify contributing factors.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We start with a posture, muscle, and nervous system evaluation. Manual therapy alleviates muscle tension, promotes blood flow, and supports nervous system balance. Gentle exercise therapy restores physical strength and balance. Additionally, we provide self-care and stress management tips to support relaxation.
4. Expected Outcomes
Patients experience reduced tension, less muscle pain, and improved energy levels. Restoring autonomic balance aids physical and mental recovery, enabling a more active lifestyle.
Recurrent Pain: Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, Jumper’s Knee, Plantar Fasciitis
1. What Is Recurrent Pain?
Recurrent pain from repetitive stress, like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, jumper’s knee, and plantar fasciitis, can become chronic. These conditions occur when repetitive movements put excessive strain on muscles and tendons. Alter Physio targets the underlying movement patterns and posture to prevent recurrence.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Overuse of specific muscles or tendons leads to inflammation and pain. Tennis and golfer’s elbow involve wrist and forearm overuse, while jumper’s knee results from repeated knee strain. Plantar fasciitis stems from stress on the foot’s arch. We assess movement habits and body balance to find the root cause.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We evaluate movement patterns and posture to identify the source of excess strain. Manual therapy relieves tension and improves joint mobility. Exercise therapy corrects movement habits, strengthens surrounding muscles, and disperses stress on the body.
4. Expected Outcomes
Alleviating recurrent pain enables smooth movement and comfort in sports or daily activities. Correcting form and muscle balance helps prevent future issues.
Nerve Pain: Sciatica, Intercostal Neuralgia, Numbness in Hands and Feet
1. What Is Nerve Pain?
Nerve pain, such as sciatica, intercostal neuralgia, and numbness in the limbs, is characterized by sharp pain or tingling due to nerve compression or inflammation. These symptoms can arise from posture and movement issues, significantly affecting daily life. Alter Physio aims to release nerve compression and address the root causes.
2. Causes and Mechanisms
Sciatica results from lumbar disc herniation or muscle tension compressing the sciatic nerve. Intercostal neuralgia involves nerve irritation from rib muscle tightness. Numbness in hands and feet stems from neck or shoulder compression affecting nerves. We assess body movement and posture to identify the source of nerve pain.
3. Alter Physio’s Approach
We identify muscle tension and joint restrictions causing nerve compression. Manual therapy releases tension and enhances mobility, while exercise therapy strengthens core, shoulder, and lumbar stability. Advice on posture and movement helps prevent recurrence.
4. Expected Outcomes
Nerve pain relief and smoother movement improve daily comfort. Correcting posture and movement habits ensures long-term relief and confidence in daily activities.
Conclusion
Chronic conditions, whether joint pain, back pain, or recurrent muscle tension, can deeply impact daily life. Alter Physio’s holistic approach addresses not just symptoms but their root causes, focusing on body balance, movement correction, and long-term relief. Ready to improve your quality of life? Contact Alter Physio today.
