Headaches A headache or cephalalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck.  There are over 200 types of headaches, and the causes range from harmless to life-threatening. The description of the headache, together with medical examination and findings, determines the need for any further investigations and the most appropriate treatment.
	Shoulder and neck pain These can include whiplash, locked facet joint, disc pain, trigger point pain. Your neck and shoulders contain muscles, bones, nerves, arteries, and veins, as well as many ligaments and other supporting structures. Many conditions can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area. Some are life-threatening (such as heart attack and major trauma), and others are not so dangerous (such as simple strains or contusions).
	Middle (thoracic) and lower (lumbar) back pain  These can include disc pain, sciatica or leg pain. Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. Back pain may have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain; it can be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may radiate into the arms and hands as well as the legs or feet, and may include symptoms other than pain. These symptoms may include tingling, weakness or numbness.
	Sports injuries  These can include rotator cuff injuries, ligament sprains, muscle sprains.  Sports injuries are injuries that occur in athletic activities. In many cases, these injuries are due to overuse or acute trauma of a part of the body when participating in a certain activity. For example, runner's knee is a painful condition generally associated with running, while tennis elbow is a form of repetitive stress injury at the elbow. Other types of injuries can be caused by a hard contact with something. This can often cause a broken bone or torn ligament or tendon.
	Post-operative management  This specialty of physiotherapy is most often found in the out-patient setting after discharge from the hospital. Therapists are trained in the treatment of post-operative orthopeadic procedures, fractures, spinal conditions and amputees. Therapeutic exercises, muscle strengthening  proprioception, neuromuscular retraining and early mobilisation is encouraged. Unless there are specified orders to the contrary, all patients are encouraged to get up and move around as much as their underlying condition will allow. Communication between the surgeon and physiotherapist is emphasised.
	Tempro-mandibular joints (TMJ) / Jaw problems  Temporomandibular joint disorder, TMJD (in the medical literature TMD), or TMJ syndrome, is an umbrella term covering acute or chronic pain, especially in the muscles of mastication and/or inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the mandible to the skull. The primary cause is muscular hyper- or parafunction, as in the case of bruxism, with secondary effects on the oral musculoskeletal system, like various types of displacement of the disc in the temporomandibular joint. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain, which is the most common TMD symptom, combined with impairment of function. Because the disorder transcends the boundaries between several health-care disciplines — in particular, dentistry and neurology — there are a variety of treatment approaches.
	Adult Respiratory problems (chest and sinus) There is an old proverb that states, "Life is in the breath. He who half breathes half lives." If you have allergies, asthma, or other breathing problems, this proverb may sound very familiar. But a greater understanding of your breathing problems, along with an accurate medical diagnosis and effective treatment, can help you regain control. It doesn't matter what type of breathing problem you have. Daily control is vital to living an active, productive life.

This is a brief overview of the treatments offered at the Sandton Physiotherapist Practice.  For more info, or for assistance with a condition not listed here, use our contact details or online enquiry form on the right to get in touch.