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Low back pain is an extremely common complaint in our society today with up to 80% of the population suffering some form of lower back pain in their lifetime. There are many causes of lower back pain. Just like we can tear or strain a thigh muscle we can also injure the soft tissue in […]

What is it? A staggering 80-90% of the population experience lower back pain at some point during their lifetime. Back pain can also refer pain into the buttocks, legs and feet, this is known as referred pain. There are many structures that may be affected such as the; What do I look for? What causes […]

Anatomy of the lumbar spine In between each of the five lumbar vertebrae (bones) is a disc, a tough fibrous shock-absorbing pad. The disc is a combination of strong connective tissues which hold one vertebra to the next, and acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. The disc is made of a tough outer layer […]

What is it? This is the joint between the sacrum and the two hip bones. When this joint is put under excessive stress it can become inflamed and of the ligaments and muscles surrounding this structure can also become painful. What do I look for? What causes it? When do I see the physio? Physiotherapists […]

In adolescents bones are still maturing, including the vertebrae of the spine. Scheuermann’s disease refers to an abnormality in the growth of the vertebrae, where the front of the vertebrae does not grow as quickly as the back leading to wedging of the vertebrae. This usually occurs in the thoracic spine (the upper back) and […]

Sciatica has quickly become a broad term that people use to describe any pain at the back of the thigh and is commonly overused. Even though pain at the back of thigh can be due to the sciatic nerve, the reality is that pain in this area is often due to a number of other […]

Spondylolysis is defined as a defect of the vertebral arch. It can be a naturally occurring problem, where the defect develops due to the normal stresses of weight bearing, or it may develop due to excessive sporting activity. Initially the condition may present as stress fracture of the pars inter articularis. The condition may cause […]

What is it? Often referred to as pars defect and is an incomplete fracture with in rear portion of the vertebral arch. If it occurs on both sides of the vertebrae and the vertebral body ‘slips’ forward it is called a spondylolisthesis (these are graded 1 to 4, depending on severity). How does it happen? […]