Pain Clinic Brisbane North

Today in Brisbane, more and more people are seeking GPs and specialists in pain clinics to treat and manage their chronic pain problems.  Whether it be for back, neck, shoulder or general body pain issues.

 

Neck Pain

The neck (cervical spine) is designed to support the body and as a nerve connection to the human brain.  It consists of nerves, bones muscles and joints.  So what is neck pain?  It is oftentimes related to overuse of neck muscles.  For example, you may have been sitting at your computer for too long, strained it in the gym or lifting things at home.  Or it could be from an car accident where whiplash may have occurred.

So what are the symptoms?  You may be suffering from a stiff neck, have some muscle spasms, even have a headache, maybe your neck muscles will tingle, or things may be at a point where there is throbbing pain in this region of your body.

So what do we recommend as treatment for neck pain?  In the first instance we recommend booking a consultation with your GP for an assessment and explore potential medications to help manage the pain in the near term.  In this appointment the GP will also recommend referrals to physical therapists, chiropractors or physios to help manage the physical pain.  As a last resort, the GP will refer you to a spinal surgeon if surgery is required.

 

Back Pain

Back pain is an extremely common problem that most people who sit at a desk for 8 hours per day will suffer from at some point in their lives.  It can be classified as a chronic pain condition and to be taken very seriously.  Back pain can also be as a result of an injury or accident or from spinal disc abnormalities.

Sciatica is very much involved in back pain.  This nerve spans the lower back, butt and runs down the back of each leg.  This type of back pain occurs in multiple locations and is often hard to pinpoint.  At the more serious level it can be associated with spinal problems or herniated discs.  Symptoms can include:

 

• lower back pain
• Hip pain
• Leg or foot pain
• Pain in the hips
• Muscle weakness
• Soft tissue injury
• Problems in bladder/ bowl function

 

During your appointment with your GP, they will discuss different treatment options.  If your back pain is muscle or joint related a referral to Pilates or a physio or chiropractor will be recommended.  To manage the pain in the near term, the GP will recommend a number of pain management medications.  If spinal, disc related and on the more serious end, a referral to a spinal surgeon will be recommended.

 

Chronic Pain

It is important to note that chronic body pain is a symptom and it is important for the pain specialist to get to the bottom of the problem, not merely to just threat the symptoms.  Oftentimes chronic pain will indicate that there is an ongoing tissue issue (e.g., arthritis) and a problem in the pain alarm system of the body.

At Ubuntu Medical, Chiropractors and acupuncturists work alongside medical doctors to help treat patients with chronic pain conditions.  They help clients to understand how their central nervous systems are involved in created pain signals to your brain.  And what you can do about it?

Oftentimes this form of pain has a psychological component.  At Ubuntu Medical Brisbane Northside, we have 2 psychologists who help clients develop pain management strategies.

 

At Ubuntu Medical we help treat Osteoporosis.