Muscles, Bones & Joints (Muculoskeletal - MSK)
Your Story:
You’ve started to notice aches and pains that weren’t there before. Maybe your neck feels tight after a long day at the desk, or your knee clicks going up the stairs. These issues might not stop you in your tracks, but they’re starting to affect your daily life—and you’re wondering if they’ll just go away on their own.
What’s Going On?
Musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy focuses on the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons that keep your body moving. Whether it’s a sudden injury or a slow build-up of strain, MSK issues are the most common reason people seek physiotherapy. These problems often stem from overuse, poor posture, weakness, or joint restrictions, and they can usually be resolved with the right combination of hands-on treatment, movement retraining, and strengthening.
Common MSK Issues We Treat
It’s impossible to list them all here, but below are common ailments patients come to us with all the time.
Neck Pain
You wake up with a stiff neck or feel tension building after hours at the computer. Sometimes it even triggers a headache. This is often due to postural overload, joint stiffness, or trigger points in the upper traps or deep neck muscles.
Shoulder Pain
Reaching overhead or behind your back causes a sharp or aching pain. Sleeping on that side is uncomfortable. This could be a rotator cuff issue, impingement, or muscle trigger point.
Lower Back Pain
You bent to lift something and now your back feels locked. It’s hard to stand up straight, and mornings are the worst. Often caused by facet joint restriction, disc irritation, or protective muscle spasm.
Hip Pain
You feel a deep ache in the front or side of your hip, especially after sitting or walking. This might be due to hip flexor tightness, glute weakness, or joint stiffness.
Knee Pain
Your knee clicks or aches going up stairs or after a run. This could be patellofemoral pain, IT band tension, or early arthritis.
Arthritis (Hands or Feet)
You’ve been told you have arthritis in your hands or feet. Stiffness in the morning, swelling, and reduced grip or mobility are common. Physiotherapy can help you stay mobile, reduce pain, and maintain independence.
Achilles Tendon Pain
You feel tightness or a burning sensation at the back of your heel, especially in the morning or after activity. This is often Achilles tendinopathy, a common overuse injury.
Plantar Fasciitis
You step out of bed and feel a sharp pain in your heel or arch. It eases as you move but returns after rest. This is a classic sign of plantar fasciitis, caused by irritation of the tissue under your foot.