Physiotherapists in Oxford treat many different conditions including the issues profiled below.

Neck and Thoracic Posture

The spine is designed to be highly mobile but also to be stable and cope with the very large forces put upon it by movement of the body. At certain points in the spine a stiffer and more stable spinal area meets a mobile and flexible area and in these areas problems can develop. The neck and upper thorax have to manage the weight and movement of the head which is considerable and must be closely controlled so we can use our eyes effectively and interact with others. With time a typical posture develops in the neck and thorax where the head is carried forward of the body and a lump can develop where the neck and thorax meet.

The upper thoracic spine is a stiffer area of the spine and the neck is flexible, causing extra strains on this area which can become painful. The lower part of the neck is flexed more than usual and because we don't want to look down at the floor we lift the head up to look at the world and this extends the upper neck more than appropriate. With time this can develop into neck and arm pain from the lower neck and neck and head pain from the upper.

Sciatica - Physiotherapy Examination

Sciatica is also known as nerve root pain, nerve root irritation, nerve root entrapment and slipped disc pain in the leg. True sciatica occurs when one of the nerve roots exiting the spinal canal is compromised, usually by a disc protrusion. The pain is typically severe, radiates down the leg beyond the knee, is worse in the lower leg or foot, has a surging quality and is worse with sitting or bending and better lying down. Physiotherapy examination starts with a history of the pain location and aggravating or easing factors and what were the precipitating factors for the pain problem.

The physio will examine the patient carefully as it is easy to aggravate the pain. Muscle power (as able), sensibility and reflexes will be tested to check the conduction of the nerve root involved and this should fit in with the area of pain reported. With the patient lying supine the affected leg will be raised with the leg straight to stretch the nerve and evaluate any changes in the pain reported. This neural tension test must provoke the typical pain to be positive. Palpation of the patient's spine may be performed in prone to evaluate the mobility or stiffness of the spinal segments.