How we can help

Click on a label or body part to read more

Physiotherapy can help by gently mobilising the joints at the top of the spine, helping tight muscles to relax and correct your posture to relieve your headache.
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Neck pain
This can be caused by a variety of reasons

Whiplash injury. This is often the result of a road traffic accident. This causes some damage to the soft tissues which support and protect the neck and upper back, this leads to pain and discomfort on movement and can often disturb your sleep and limit your ability to function.

Cervical Spondylosis. This is basically wear and tear of the joints in the spine, it is a natural aging process but can cause pain and stiffness in the neck. This reduces the movements gradually, resulting in loss of flexibility and function.

These are just two of the common reasons for neck pain that can be helped by Physiotherapy. Joint mobilisations, soft tissue stretches and exercises will ease your symptoms. Postural advice regarding your working positions will also help.
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Jaw problems
The temperomandibular joint can cause problems with muscle spasm, pain on eating and jaw movement. Physiotherapy can reduce your discomfort in these areas.
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Shoulder problems
Frozen shoulder.
A very painful condition which has three stages
Freezing – the joint is progressively more painful and movement is limited by pain.
Frozen – the joint is very stiff and although still painful is less severe.
Thawing – the joint begins to loosen and function returns.
It is said that this condition can last for up to two years. It is more common in women and people who suffer from diabetes.

Tendonitis/tendonosis of the shoulder
The shoulder is a very complex joint and has many tendons that contribute to normal movement and function. Sometimes we develop problems within the area which can cause inflammation of the tendon and this in turn causes pain on certain movements

These are just two of the many common problems which can affect the shoulder giving you pain and loss of function.

A Physiotherapist will perform special tests to determine which of the structures are at fault and then devise a treatment plan, including exercises which you can perform at home, which will help to reduce your pain and make daily activities much easier to do.
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Elbow problems
Tennis elbow/Golfers elbow.
These are common conditions which do not just affect people who play sport, but also those who do repetitive activities, i.e. joinery, carrying heavy objects, heavy housework etc.
The tendons of the muscles in the forearm attach at the elbow and repeated activities can eventually cause inflammation at their attachment. This leads to pain on using the wrist especially.

A Physiotherapist will diagnose your problem and treat it with stretches, exercises, electrotherapy (if appropriate) and by strapping the effected area along with advice regarding daily activities.
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Wrist pain
This area of the body is particularly vulnerable to repetitive strain and overuse injuries. This will lead to pain, swelling and loss of ability to perform daily activities.
RSI, (Repetitive Strain Injury) DeQuervains Syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis are all terms commonly used for pain in the wrist region.

A Physiotherapist will diagnose your problem and treat accordingly to reduce your pain and restore function. This treatment will include advice on how best to manage your day-to-day activities.
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Thumb and finger problems
Osteoarthritis of the thumb joint is the most common reason for pain in the base of the thumb. It is caused by over-use, or prolonged use of the thumb.
Less common, but equally painful, is a fracture of one of the small bones in the area – the scaphoid bone. This can be caused by a fall onto the hand, and can occasionally be missed on x-ray.

A Physiotherapist will perform a detailed assessment of the area to ascertain the problem, and they will then advise and treat appropriately to reduce pain and restore function.
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Hip problems
Early osteoarthritis of the hip joint causes stiffness and discomfort in the joint. You may notice it is difficult to cross your legs, stand from sitting, and it takes a while to ‘get going’ in the morning due to stiffness.

This can be treated effectively in the early stages with joint mobilisations and exercises to loosen the joint and strengthen the muscles to give support.

Trochanteric Bursitis may have been diagnosed by your Doctor. This causes sharp pain on the outside of the hip. It is usually painful to lie on that side in bed. It is a result of inflammation in the bursa (a small sac containing fluid) near the joint. When this area is then compressed it is painful.

Electrotherapy is often useful in treating this condition, but, it is also sometimes caused by a different problem which mimics bursitis. Your Physiotherapist will fully assess your problem, diagnose and treat accordingly.
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Knee problems
Ligaments, cartilage (menisci) and tendon problems are common sports injuries affecting the knee. This leads to pain, swelling, and an inability to perform your sport as well as normal daily activities.

Anterior Knee Pain is often a result of ‘mal-tracking’ of the knee-cap in its groove at the bottom on the thigh bone This leads to a pain at the front of the knee, using stairs and squatting becomes painful and often noisy!

Osteoarthritis, or wear and tear, often strikes first in the knee joint causing stiffness and pain in the area. Typically the joint is stiff first thing in the morning and after periods of inactivity, but can become sore and painful if weight-bearing for long periods. Many people say it is worse when the weather is cold and damp.

Bursitis is the result of inflammation of a bursa and can occur near the knee joint . This is a small sac containing fluid which if aggravated will produce a painful swelling at various parts of the knee. This will cause pain on kneeling.

These are just some of the problems which can cause pain and loss of function of the knee complex. Your Physiotherapist will perform a full and detailed assessment of the area to determine which structures are most likely to be causing your problem. They will then devise a treatment plan which is best suited to resolving your pain and restoring function. This will include exercises, electrotherapy (if appropriate), joint and soft tissue mobilisations and advice relating to your sport or occupation.
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Ankle pain
A common area for sprains and strains usually caused by a twisting injury, slipping off a kerb, or sport. The ligaments which support the ankle joint are over-stretched and this causes swelling, pain and bruising in the area. Untreated this may lead to a loss of balance reactions leaving you more open to further injury.

Some people with a fracture of the joint are put into plaster for a few weeks. Initially they may feel fine, but after a while may notice that the ankle is not as loose as the other one. This is caused by a tightening of the soft tissues as a result of being in the plaster. It may also lead to a slight limp and loss of balance. These can be easily rectified with a short course of treatment.

Achilles tendonitis
Is a painful condition affecting the tendon at the back of the heel. It can be aggravated by walking, running, and ill-fitting footwear.

A Physiotherapist will assess your ankle problem and the way that you walk, and also your balance. These will be treated accordingly with mobilisations of the joint and soft tissues, exercises to increase your range of movement and address any balance problems. You may be advised about insoles to wear in your shoes if necessary.
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Toe and foot pain
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the big toe joint causing pain and stiffness in the area.

Sesamoiditis is a problem of the small bones underneath the big toe resulting in pain and swelling in this area. It can be a problem putting shoes on and walking is extremely painful

Metatarsalgia refers to any painful problem affecting the toes.
Inflammation of the tendons of the foot can be very painful on walking or from pressure of footwear.

Plantar fascitis can cause pain on the underside of the foot from the heel to the toes. This is inflammation of the supporting tissues of the foot.

All of these conditions can be helped by Physiotherapy. Following a thorough assessment by your therapist, a treatment plan will be devised to help with your symptoms. This will include mobilisations, stretches electrotherapy (where appropriate), exercises and advice. You may also be advised about special insoles to wear if appropriate.
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Low Back Pain (LBP)
It is estimated that almost eighty percent of the population will suffer at least one episode of back pain in their lives. This may be accompanied by leg pain (sciatica) and its causes are many-

‘Slipped disc’, is where a portion of the disc (shock absorber) moves slightly from its normal position. This puts pressure on pain-sensitive structures, especially the sciatic nerve, causing varying degrees of pain and disability.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a natural aging process where the discs become dehydrated and the worn bones become slightly closer together and this gives rise to varying degrees of pain in the low back.

Facet joints are the small joints of the spine which join one vertebra to the next. As with any joint, they are held together by ligaments and muscles, and are surrounded by a joint capsule. All of these structures have the potential to become inflamed and painful, the back will stiffen and normal activities can become restricted.

Sciatica is the result of anything pressing on, or irritating, the sciatic nerve. This can cause pain, pins and needles, and numbness in the leg. It is often difficult to find a position of comfort, and sitting is usually the worst posture to adopt.

There are many reasons for back pain. Your Physiotherapist will perform a full assessment of your range of motion, strength, sensation and reflexes. They can perform many special tests to determine the most likely cause of the problem. They will then advise on how best to manage your problem with mobilisations, exercises and postural advice to restore you to normal daily activities.
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DURHAM ROAD PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC - 46 Durham Road, Stockton on Tees, TS19 0BS - 01642 896141
serving the Cleveland area including Middlesbrough, Stockton, Yarm, Darlington and the surrounding area.