Live in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane? Need an Osteopath?

You need an Osteopath Mount Gravatt, right?  Bodywise Osteopathy Brisbane is a very convenient and safe option. According to Google Maps our clinic in Stones Corner is 5.5km or 8 minutes drive away! A straight-forward drive down Logan Rd to Old Cleveland Rd and we are right on the corner of Old Cleveland Rd and Laura St. We cater for no hassle parking, it’s Free and Off-Street. When you’re in pain it’s nice to have a no-hassle option.

We have a number of very experienced osteopaths with international experience both in private practice and with National Sports Teams.  We also have a range of other complimentary medicine options to suit your needs such as acupuncture, massage, podiatry and chiropractic. Your body is very important- so feel assured you are in very safe, experienced and well-trained hands.

Our osteopaths see many patients from Mount Gravatt, mainly due to the fact that Stones  Corner is a stone’s throw (excuse the pun) away and the very popular feature of our free off-street, no-hassle parking.

What are you suffering with? Low back pain is our most common complaint, closely followed by neck pain, pinched nerves, sciatica and shoulder pain. The list of what Government Registered Osteopaths treat is long so if you’re in any doubt about our ability to help treat your pain, just buzz us on 1300 321 300, and our clinic manager, Michaela will be happy to answer any questions. Or drop us an email info@bodywiseosteo.com.au we always do our best to get back to you on the same day.

If you’ve got time it’d be great if you could peruse other services of what we offer. Your main request was Osteopaths Mount Gravatt, but we can also offer you Chinese Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Podiatry, Massage and Chiropractic services.

Over the last 16 years, Bodywise Osteopathy Brisbane has become a one of the most popular integrative alternative medicine clinics in Brisbane. When a difficult patient presents with a tough condition to treat, we often chat to one another to determine the best course of action. Two heads are often better than one when it comes to difficult cases and with the expertise on hand at Bodywise, it’d be rude not to! No more requesting notes be sent or calls be made to another clinic either, we have it all under the one roof!

Pain is often optional- why are you living with yours?

Call 1300 321 300 today

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You need an Osteopath Camp Hill, right?  Bodywise Osteopathy Brisbane is a brilliant option. According to Google Maps our clinic in Stones Corner is 3.6km or 12 minutes drive away! A straight-forward jaunt down Boundary Rd, onto Weller Rd – and you’re there! With free Off-Street no hassle parking it’s an attractive drama-free option.

Did you know Bodywise Osteopaths Brisbane offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee if you are not satisfied with the quality of your treatment, giving you peace-of-mind.

We have a number of very experienced osteopaths with international experience both in private practice and with National Sports Teams  We also have a range of other alternative medicine options to suit your needs such as acupuncture, massage, podiatry and chiropractic. Your body is very important- so feel assured you are in very safe, experienced and well-trained hands.

Our osteopaths see many patients from Camp Hill, mainly due to its to the fact that Tarragindi is a stone’s throw away and the very popular feature of our free off-street, no-hassle parking. We are located within Clark’s Lifestyle Centre, at 195 Fingal st. CLC used to be the old Tarragindi Squash Courts, now a hive of activity focused on health and well-being.

What are you suffering with? Low back pain is our most common complaint, closely followed by neck pain, pinched nerves, sciatica and shoulder pain. The list of what Government Registered Osteopaths treat is long so if you’re in any doubt about our ability to help treat your pain, just buzz us on 1300 321 300, and our clinic manager, Michaela will be happy to field any questions. Or drop us an email info@bodywiseosteo.com.au we promise to return all emails the same day.

If you’ve got time it’d be great if you could peruse other services of what we offer. Your main request was Osteopaths Camp Hill, but we can also offer you Chinese Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Podiatry, Massage and Chiropractic services.

This clinic has built its name over the last 16 years to become a very popular integrative alternative medicine clinic. We often chat to one another about more difficult cases, which takes the hassle out things for you if you need to be referred. Two heads are often better than one when it comes to difficult cases and with the expertise on hand at Bodywise, it’d be rude not to! No more requesting notes be sent or calls be made to another clinic either, we have it all under the one roof!

Get your life back!  Be Pain-Free!

Call 1300 321 300 today

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To effectively treat sciatica- its root cause must first be determined. This is the diagnostic process. A full medical history will be taken including physical tests. The results of these tests may illuminate the source of your sciatica.

Other diagnostic tests may be performed or requested by the osteopath depending on what he or she finds in the physical examination. Such tests may include:

X-ray to look for fractures in your spine

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scan. These machines give much more clarity of detail of your spine, not only of te bones but soft tissues as well. They’re great for confirming the presence of a slipped disc.

Nerve Conduction Studies can tell us how well your sciatic nerve is conducting impulses. If you’ve got a kink in the garden hose the water doesn’t travel through, right? Well same is true if you have an obstruction on your sciatic nerve. No impulses can travel, therefore you can potentially expect numbness, tingling, and weakness of the muscles and skin that the pinched nerve supplies.

A Myelogram involves the process of injecting dye between the vertebrae to determine if a vertebrae or disc is causing the pain. Not used mush due to the favor of MRI and CT.

You may or may not be requested to have these tests- and you can still have sciatica treatment without them. Such tests are of no therapeutic value, only diagnostic.

How is sciatica treated?

The type of treatment required will be dictated by the actual cause of your sciatica; as I discussed in my previous post “What is Sciatica?”, there are many causes for the symptom of sciatica.

With osteopath treatment of sciatica, the general goal is to decrease pain and increase mobility. This may be achieved using a combination of trigger point release, spine manipulation and adjustment and specific stretching. Core function is also very important to assess in treatment of sciatica. Massage and acupuncture have also shown some good results in the treatment of sciatica. All of which we offer at Bodywise Osteopathy.

General advice would include: avoiding sitting for long periods and keeping generally active within the limits of your pain.

Medicines such as Neurofen and Voltaren are helpful to decrease inflammation and are over-the-counter meds. But for stronger anti-inflams, pain killers and muscle relaxants for treatment of sciatica, you will need to see your local GP.

Sciatic pain usually decreases over time and many people (50%) recover from an episode within six weeks.

Can sciatica be prevented?

Some sources of sciatica are not preventable, such as degeneration of discs, back strain due to pregnancy and accidental falls.

It may bot be possible to prevent all cases of sciatica, however you can take steps to protect you back and reduce your risk.

If you lift weight with good technique, keeping your back stiaghjt and bringing yourself up using your hips and legs, while holding the object close to your chest.

Use correct lifting technique no matter how light the object your lifting. Most people who seek treatment often can’t remember what they did to cause sciatica so don’t be fooled thinking you have to be lifting something heavy to get sciatica. You can get it lifting anything with poor technique. T’s the action and not the object that is often the problem.

As you needed another reason to stop smoking! Add to the list- disc degeneration. Another cause of sciatica.

Exercise regularly to maintain good muscle strength in you abdomen and and back. These muscles work to support your spine.

Good posture when sitting or standing are also helpful in reducing pressure in the low back. Have a read of my Tips for Good Posture post.

If you have a desk job- give yourself regular breaks as this causes increased pressure in the spine

If you think you need sciatica treatment call 1300 321 300.

Improve your quality of life today.

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You need an Osteopath Greenslopes right?  Bodywise Osteopathy Brisbane is a great option. According to Google Maps our clinic in Tarragindi is 2.8km or 7 minutes drive away! With free Off-Street no hassle parking it’s an attractive drama-free option.

Did you know Bodywise Osteopaths Brisbane offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee if you are not satisfied with the quality of your treatment, giving you peace-of-mind.

We have a number of very experienced osteopathswith international experience and a range of other alternative medicine options to suit your needs such as acupuncture, massage, podiatry and chiropractic. Your body is very important- so feel assured you are in very safe, experienced and well-trained hands.

Our osteopaths see many patients from Greenslopes, mainly due to it’s proximity to Tarragindi and the very popular feature of our free off-street, no-hassle parking. We are located within Clark’s Lifestyle Centre, at 195 Fingal st. CLC used to be the old Tarragindi Squash Courts, now a hive of activity focused on health and well-being.

What are you suffering with? Low back pain is our most common complaint, closely followed by neck pain, pinched nerves, sciatica and shoulder pain. The list of what Government Registered Osteopaths treat is long so if you’re in any doubt about our ability to help treat your pain, just buzz us on 1300 321 300, and our clinic manager, Michaela will be happy to field any questions. Or drop us an email info@bodywiseosteo.com.au we promise to return all emails the same day.

If you’ve got time please be welcome to have a look at all of what we offer. Your main request was Osteopaths Greenslopes but we can also offer you Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Podiatry and Chiropractic services.

This clinic has built over the years to become a very popular integrative alternative medicine clinic. We often liaise with each other about more difficult cases, which takes the hassle out things for you if you need to be referred. No more requesting notes be sent or calls be made to another clinic. We have it all under the one roof!

Get your life back!  Be Pain-Free!

Call 1300 321 300 today

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When my patients describe their sciatica pain and I ask them, “when did this pain come on?” the answers I get often vary from sudden and instant, to a gradual build up over time. If you have sciatica, you may also be feeling weakness, numbness or pins and needles feelings in parts of your legs, feet and/or toes. You may also notice that when you sit, cough or sneeze your sciatica symptoms may become worse. These are all signs of an irritated nerve.

What causes Sciatica?

Sciatica, is a set of symptoms that relate to your sciatic nerve being irritated in some way and at some point in its course. So, what irritates the sciatic nerve? A number of conditions:

• Herniated or “slipped” disc: puts direct pressure on a nerve. Much like the jam being squeezed out of a jam dough-nut the jam (disc) sits on the nerve and irritates it. This jam cuts off the electrical nerve signals to the leg and that’s why you get the symptoms of nerve compression i.e. Pins and needles and numbness.
• Piriformis Syndrome: The piriformis is a muscle deep in your but-cheek and when it becomes tight it may go into spasm and irritate the nerve that lies right next to it- you guessed it- your sciatic nerve.
• Spinal Stenosis: is basically narrowing of the spinal canal, and much like putting a kink in a garden hose, a kink here will decrease the room for the water (nerves) to pass through.
• Spondylolisthesis: Now that is a mouthful! Your spine is made up of blocks of vertebrae- this condition is where one vertebrae or block slips forwards. This slippage causes a narrowing in the dimensions of the canal or the kink in the garden hose scenario again.

Have a read of my other post about treatment for sciatica.

Sciatica can be treated effectively. You don’t have to live with pain.

Ph 1300 321 300 for all bookings.

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You need an Osteopath Annerley right?  Bodywise Osteopathy Brisbane is probably your best option. Bodywise Osteopaths Brisbane has been in the South Brisbane area for over 15yrs, and we are only a very short jaunt from Annerley, in Tarragindi. We have a number of very experienced osteopaths with international experience. Your body is very important- so feel assured you are in very safe, experienced and well-trained hands.

Our osteopaths see many patients from Annerley, mainly due to it’s proximity to Tarragindi and a very popular feature is our free off-street, no-hassle parking. We are located within Clark’s Lifestyle Centre, at 195 Fingal st. CLC used to be the old Tarragindi Squash Courts, now a hive of activity focused on health and well-being.

What are you suffering with? Low back pain is our most common complaint, closely followed by neck pain, pinched nerves, sciatica and shoulder pain. The list of what Government Registered Osteopaths treat is long so if you’re in any doubt about our ability to help treat your pain, just buzz us on 1300 321 300, and our clinic manager, Michaela will be happy to field any questions. Or drop us an email info@bodywiseosteo.com.au we promise to return all emails the same day.

If you’ve got time please be welcome to have a look at all of what we offer. Your main request was Osteopaths Annerley but we can also offer you Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Podiatry and Chiropractic services. This clinic has built over the years to become a very popular integrative alternative medicine clinic. We often liaise with each other about more difficult cases, which takes the hassle out things for you if you need to be referred. No more requesting notes be sent or calls be made to another clinic. We have it all under the one roof!

Get your life back!  Be Pain-Free!

Call 1300 321 300 today.

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Our team of internationally experienced osteopaths can take care of your back neck pain and help give you the pain-free life you want sooner.  Have a read of the features of neck pain below- knowledge is your first defence!

Neck Pain

If you really want to know how your neck feels go find a bowling ball and sit it on top of an upturned packet of Tim Tams. That’s pretty much how your neck bones, all 7 of them, feel on a regular basis. The first neck bone in contact with the skull is called “The Atlas”, and if you’re familiar with Greek Mythology then you know why. Everyone else- google it!

Your head is an astonishingly large object relative to the delicate structures that support it. In fact, the human head weight is around 6kg, so it doesn’t take much imagination to conceive why on earth most of us feel tense and occasionally sore in the neck.

Some of the more common conditions seen from this mechanical David v’s Goliath include degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, neck strain, herniated disc and whiplash.

There are also other more serious causes of neck pain that aren’t necessarily caused by the weight of the head; these include; virus infection causing lymph gland swelling and rare infections such as osteomyelitis and meningitis.

Some other conditions also directly affect the muscles of the neck, including fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica.

What does neck pain feel like? And don’t say- “a pain in the neck”!

Obviously neck pain is felt in the neck but there are a few characteristics of the pain you may be feeling that you might not think would be coming from your neck. Your pain may include some or a few of the following features:

General pain located in the neck area, as well as stiffness in the neck muscles.

The pain may radiate down to the shoulder or between the shoulder blades.

It may also radiate out into the arm, the hand or up into the head, causing a one-sided or double-sided headache.

The muscles in the neck are tense, sore and feel hard to the touch.

Acute pain can give rise to abnormal neck posture in which the head is forced to turn to one side. This condition is known as torticollis.

The pain at the base of the skull may be accompanied by a feeling of weakness in the shoulders and arms.

There may be a prickly or tingling sensation in the arms and fingers.

Danger signals associated with neck pain

In some cases, neck pain may be a symptom of meningitis. This is a medical emergency and time is a factor.

If any of the the following symptoms occur seek emergency medical attention urgently.

A rash develops that doesn’t fade when you press it with a glass tumbler or a finger.

The patient feels ill or is running a fever, as well as feeling neck pain.

It’s so painful to bend the neck forward that the patient can’t put their chin on their chest.

Light hurts the eyes.

Neck pain is accompanied by severe headache or continuous vomiting.

Neck pain is accompanied by severe pain in the back.

In some cases, neck pain can be a symptom of head injury or disc trouble in the neck so;

If any of the following symptoms occur seek medical attention urgently.

Neck pain is the result of a recent head injury and the person is becoming drowsy, confused or is vomiting.

Neck pain is accompanied by headache.

If there’s pain behind one eye.

Vision, hearing, taste or balance are affected.

Severe vomiting.

The muscle power in arms or legs is reduced.

How is neck pain diagnosis made?

In most cases, a neck problem can be diagnosed by carrying out a thorough examination that may include all or some of the following:

testing the movement of the neck

testing for trapped nerves

examination of the muscles

examination of the movement of the joints of the spine, neck and hands

X-rays, scans or blood tests may be necessary to make a precise diagnosis.

How is neck pain treated?

For short-term problems, manual treatment (osteopathy) and pain-relieving medicine are recommended.

With longer-term pain (ie three months or more) there’s the following choice of treatment:

osteopath treatment

intensive muscle training

advice on posture and the use of a supportive pillow

acupuncture provides relief for significant numbers of people with chronic neck and shoulder pain.

You don’t have to live with Neck Pain.

Please contact us, we want to help you.

ph 1300 321 300

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You need an Osteopath Holland Park right? Bodywise Osteopathy Brisbane is probably your best option. Bodywise Osteopaths Brisbane has been in the South Brisbane area for over 15yrs, and we are only a very short jaunt from Holland Park, in Tarragindi. We have a number of very experienced osteopaths with international experience. Your body is important- so feel assured you are in very safe, experienced and well-trained hands.

Our osteopaths see many patients from Holland Park, mainly due to it’s proximity to Tarragindi and a very popular feature is our free off-street, no-hassle parking. We are located within Clark’s Lifestyle Centre, at 195 Fingal st. CLC used to be the old Tarragindi Squash Courts, now a hive of activity focused on health and well-being.

What are you suffering with? Low back pain is our most common complaint, closely followed by neck pain, pinched nerves, sciatica and shoulder pain. The list of what Government Registered Osteopaths treat is long so if you’re in any doubt about our ability to help fix and treat your pain, just buzz us on 1300 321 300, and our clinic manager, Michaela will be happy to field any questions. Or drop us an email info@bodywiseosteo.com.au we promise to return all emails the same day.

If you’ve got time please be welcome to have a look at all of what we offer. Your main request was Osteopaths Holland Park but we can also offer you Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Podiatry and Chiropractic services. This clinic has built over the years to become a very popular integrative alternative medicine clinic. We often liaise with each other about more difficult cases, which takes the hassle out things for you if you need to be referred. No more requesting notes be sent or calls be made to another clinic. We have it all under the one roof!

Get you’re life back!  Be Pain-Free!

Call 1300 321 300 today.

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Over time, poor posture may be caused by habits from everyday activities such as sitting in office chairs and looking at the computer, driving, standing for long periods of time, or even sleeping.

Poor posture can easily become second nature, causing or aggravating episodes of back pain and damaging spinal structures. Lucky for you, the main factors affecting posture and ergonomics are completely within your ability to control and are not difficult to change.

The following guidelines suggest several ways to improve posture and ergonomics (good posture/body mechanics in the work-place), especially for people who work sitting in an office chair for most of the day.

• Back pain caused by poor ergonomics and posture: know the warning signs.

If your back pain is worse at certain times of the day or week (but not during weekends) it may be the result of poor ergonomics and posture which occurs after a long day of sitting in an office chair in front of a computer.

Some of the typical warning signs of pain caused by poor ergonomics and posture include pain that starts in the neck and moves downwards into the upper back, lower back and extremities; or pain that goes away after switching positions while sitting or standing; sudden back pain that is experienced with a new job, a new office chair, or a new car; and/or back pain that comes and goes for months.

• Get up and move around and stretch out.

Picture yourself at the end of a long day; I would hazard a guess and say you’re hardly standing straight in this vision. As muscles tire, slouching, slumping, and other poor postures become more likely; this in turn puts extra pressure on the neck and back. In order to maintain a relaxed yet supported posture, change positions frequently. One way is to take a break from sitting in an office chair every half hour for two minutes in order to stretch, stand, or walk.

• Try to keep the body in alignment while sitting in an office chair and while standing.

When standing try and distribute your body weight evenly to the front, back, and sides of the feet while standing; feel your connection to the ground. While sitting in an office chair, take advantage of the chair’s adjustable features. Sit up straight and align the ears, shoulders, and hips in one vertical line. Any single position, even a good one, will be tiring if held for too long.

Try alternating between leaning forward with a straight back and with sitting back, using the back support of the office chair to ease the work of back muscles.

Also be aware of and avoid unbalanced postures such as crossing legs above the knees while sitting, leaning to one side, hunching the shoulders forward or tilting the head.

When trying to achieve good seated posture, ask yourself one simple question: what muscles can I relax or support with the chair or props (pillows foot stools) that will make me feel more comfortable.  Good posture is not necessarily sitting or standing as straight as possible, it is minimal muscle activation.

• Use posture-friendly props and ergonomic office chairs when sitting.

Supportive ergonomic “props” can help to take the strain and load off the spine. Ergonomic office chairs or chairs with an adjustable back support should be used at work. Footrests, portable lumbar back supports, or even a towel or small pillow can be used while sitting in an office chair and while driving.

The use of purses, bags, and backpacks that are designed to minimize back strain can also help you achieve good posture. Proper corrective eyewear, positioning computer screens to your natural, resting eye position can also help to avoid leaning or straining the neck with the head tilted forward.

• Increase self-awareness of posture and ergonomics in everyday settings.

Being aware of your posture and ergonomics at work, at home, and at play is a vital step towards instilling good posture and ergonomic techniques. This includes making conscious connections between episodes of back pain and specific situations where poor posture or ergonomics may be the root cause of the pain.

The posture related neck and back strains I see regularly are usually caused by what you do most of.  Try and give some objective thought to what that is and you’ll go a long way to being aware of the postures that cause you daily discomfort.  Better still get someone to take a few photos of you in a typical work posture.  You’ll be surprised how you look, and they may help you gain better postural objective analysis.

• Use exercise to help prevent injury and promote good posture.

Regular exercise such as walking, swimming, or bicycling will help the body stay aerobically conditioned, while specific strengthening exercises will help the muscles surrounding the back to stay strong. These benefits of exercise promote good posture, which will, in turn, further help to condition muscles and prevent injury.

There are also specific exercises that will help maintain good posture. In particular, a balance of trunk strength with back muscles about 30% stronger than abdominal muscles is essential to help support the upper body and maintain good posture.

• Wear supportive footwear when standing.

Avoid regularly wearing high-heeled shoes, which can affect the body’s center of gravity and change the alignment of the entire body, negatively affecting back support and posture. This is especially important as you age.  High-heeled shoes require good spinal and pelvic mobility and as you age there is a natural decline in this capability and you will be more at risk of injuring you back and muscles if used for long periods.

• Always remember good posture and ergonomics when in motion.

Walking, lifting heavy materials, holding a telephone, and typing are all moving activities that require attention to ergonomics and posture. It is important to maintain good posture even while moving to avoid injury.

Back injuries are especially common while twisting and/or lifting and often occur because of awkward movement and control of the upper body weight alone. Tennis elbow is on the rise in my clinic due to excessive mouse use and poor ergonomic positioning of the arm.

• Create ergonomic physical environments and workspaces, such as for sitting in an office chair at a computer.

It does require a small investment of time to personalize the workspace, home, and car, but the payoff will be well worth it. Undue strain will be placed on the structures of the spine unless the office chair, desk, keyboard, and computer screen, etc. are correctly positioned. If you work in a company that has access to Human Resources, then ask for an ergonomic work-station assessment.

• Avoid overprotecting posture.

Remember that it is important to maintain an overall relaxed posture to avoid restricting movements by clenching muscles and adopting an unnatural, stiff posture. Remember; good posture involves minimal muscle activation, that is, it must be a relaxed body-alignment.

For individuals who already have some back pain, it is a natural tendency to try to limit movements to avoid the potential pain associated with movement. However, unless there is a fracture or other serious problem, the structures in the spine are designed for movement and any limitation in motion over a long period of time creates more pain and a downward cycle of less motion and more pain, etc. So don’t try to sit up straight like a statue for hours and remember; we were made with round joints in the skeleton- not square ones so keep moving throughout your day and your body will thank you for it.

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