Joint Pain Slowing You Down? Here’s How Osteopathy Can Help Your Shoulders, Elbows, Hips & Feet

Pain in your shoulders, elbows, hips, or feet can make everyday tasks feel like hard work. From overuse injuries to tendon issues and arthritis, there are many possible causes. In this guide, we break down the most common conditions affecting each joint — and how Osteopathy can help relieve pain, restore mobility, and support your long-term recovery.

Shoulder pain is a common problem that can result from a variety of causes, including overuse injuries, rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, dislocation and instability, and arthritis. Osteopathy can be effective in improving shoulder mobility and strength, reducing pain and inflammation and preventing future injuries. 

The initial consultation will begin with an assessment to determine the cause of the pain and any underlying issues that may be contributing to it. Treatment may include hands on treatment and we will then also provide a personalised treatment plan that includes exercises and stretches designed to improve range of motion, strength and stability in the shoulder. 

The type of treatment and exercises you receive will be determined by your individual needs and goals. Depending also on your assessment and how your symptoms progress, we can advise as to whether you require any investigations or an onward referral. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, it’s always a good idea to consult with an Osteopath to determine the cause and develop an appropriate management plan.  

Elbow pain is a common problem that can result from a variety of causes, including overuse injuries, tendonitis, bursitis and arthritis. Conditions such as golfers and tennis elbow are very common conditions that cause pain around the elbow. Despite the conditions’ names, they are not often related to the sports. They are usually caused by repeated movements such as gardening or typing and are due to overuse of a group of muscles in your forearm which attach to the inside and outside of your elbow. This results in tiny tears at the point where the tendon attaches the muscles to the bone and results in thickening, swelling and pain. Pain is usually worse when you bend and straighten your elbow and your wrist. It can also progress to getting pain when gripping or twisting your hand. 

Our hips are ball and socket joints that have a high degree of mobility but also need to be strong and stable to transfer load from our body to our legs. A range of conditions can cause hip pain, including overuse injuries, arthritis, bursitis and tendinopathy. A more detailed description of some of these conditions are provided below: 

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome commonly affects women more than men and is categorised by inflammation and pain of the tendons of the hip muscles on the outside of the hip joint. Symptoms can include swelling and tenderness on the outside of the hip, stiffness and pain when lying on the affected side. Walking, standing, cycling, running and going up and down stairs may all be activities where you experience symptoms. These symptoms usually resolve well with a graded progressive exercise programme. 

Piriformis syndrome results in pain deep within the buttock caused by the piriformis muscle. However the sciatica nerve lies very close to the piriformis and therefore you can also experience nerve like symptoms, including pins and needles, numbness, shooting or burning sensations. Once an assessment has been carried out, treatment will vary depending on the nature of the diagnosis. 

Groin muscle strains are more common in active and sporty 20-30 year old males, however it is also increasing in females too. Pain is felt when stretching the groin or pressing the tendon. Again, a graded progressive exercise programme and full biomechanical assessment can assist in a rehabilitation programme. Rehabilitation time scales will vary though depending on how long you have been experiencing the symptoms for. 

The type of treatment and exercises you receive will be determined by your individual needs and goals. If you are experiencing hip pain, it’s always a good idea to consult with an Osteopath to determine the cause and develop an appropriate management plan. 

Foot and ankle pain can be caused by a variety of issues including ankle sprains, stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, morton’s neuroma or achilles tendinopathy. Details of some of these conditions are provided below: 

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain and inflammation in the sole of the foot, commonly located around the heel and arch of the foot. The plantar fascia is a connective tissue band that stretches from the heel to the toes. Pain is worse when you start walking or after prolonged periods of rest, for example, getting out of bed in the morning. Some people may feel symptoms ease when they start moving but others may feel an exacerbation. Other factors such as activity levels, footwear and previous injury may contribute to symptoms. 

Ankle sprains can occur following a twisting injury and the symptoms vary depending on what direction the ankle twists and the degree of the trauma. Swelling and pain are the most common symptoms and treatment will look to resolve movement, strength and stability as early as is appropriate. 

Achilles tendinopathy is as a result of an irritation of the achilles tendon due to overloading, repetitive strain or trauma. The achilles tendon is the connection between the heel bone and the calf muscles. Walking, running or jumping activities require the achilles tendon to act like a spring to propel the body. Multiple factors can contribute to overloading in this area including exercise routines or imbalances in the body. Typical symptoms include swelling, redness of the area or even a sensation of heat can be felt. 

An initial consultation with an Osteopath will include an assessment to diagnose the root cause of the issue. We can also offer gait assessments to further analyse your foot and ankle function. The treatment that is provided will be personalised to your needs, looking to progress you back to full function and activity. 

Joint pain doesn’t have to become your new normal. Whether it’s your shoulder, elbow, hip or foot, we’ll help you get to the root cause and guide you back to strength with hands-on treatment and a tailored rehab plan.

Book your appointment today and take the first step towards moving pain-free again.