Back and neck pain is common, and its causes range from acute trauma such as sports injuries to long-term conditions such as arthritis.

Any of the spinal tissues can be involved, including the muscles, joints, ligaments and discs.

Osteopaths are trained to recognise which of the tissues are causing the pain and treat accordingly. They will also look at the overall structure and posture of the patient’s body in order to identify areas of weakness or imbalance.

Treatment includes hands-on manual techniques and exercises for the patient to do at home, which is geared to promoting the healing process and to reduce the likelihood of future recurrence. Most cases of back pain are not serious and respond well to osteopathic treatment.