What we treat:

• Lower back pain including disc, facet joint and sacroiliac joint issues
• Sciatica
• Spondylosis (Osteoarthritis of the spine) – see also ‘Arthritis’ tab
• Spondylolisthesis (Slippage of vertebrae)
• Pelvic pain
• Middle back pain
• Upper back pain
• Rib pain – often that pain ‘behind the shoulder blade pain
• Posture-related pain such as Upper Crossed Syndrome 

When treating any back pain it is most important to:

1. Get the correct diagnosis
2. If the problem has been there for a while, find out why that is
3. Treat all of the parts of the problem including the muscles, joints, connective tissues and related areas – the holistic approach

The lower back is the most common area in the body for people to experience pain. It has been estimated that up to 80% of individuals will experience at least an episode in their lifetime. As the lower back is around halfway between the feet and the head, it takes a lot of strain in daily life or when exposed to lifting and twisting. It is a complex area mechanically, so it very important that the primary problem is identified, as well as any secondary issues above or below that might be keeping the problem there.

In the modern world with the prevalence of phones, tablets, laptops and time at the desk, another very common back pain is upper back pain. That pain that we often feel ‘behind the shoulder blade’ is usually due to irritation of a rib or ribs where they meet the spine. The upper rib area behind the shoulder blade has strong connections to the both the neck and shoulder, so we often find that these issues will have contributions from all three areas that need to be addressed.

Your osteopath at Central Osteopathy will take a thorough history of your problem, look at any scans you have had done, if necessary, including the images (not just the reports), and do a physical examination of the problem area and related regions. If any further scans need to be done your osteopath can refer you for a bulk-billed X-ray or refer you to your GP for a bulk-billed Ultrasound or CT scan. Your osteopath can refer you for an MRI but these are only bulk-billed by Medicare if referred by a Specialist.

It is this thorough examination of your history, physical body and scans that will direct your osteopath to the correct diagnosis, and if the problem has a long history, help them find out why that is and what they can do to help.