Degenerative Disc Disease is not really a disease, it is more a condition simply linked most closely with age and genetics First and foremost - if you find a way, please contact me as we can make millions together........... This is one of the most common — and most understandable — questions people ask after being told they have Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). Once you hear the word degenerative , it’s natural to think in terms of: damage progression something that needs “f

This is a very understandable question. Once someone has heard about Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES), it’s easy to start joining dots: “My pain is in my spine…” “Facet joints are part of the spine…” “Could this get worse and turn into something serious?” The short answer is no  — facet joint pain does not  lead to Cauda Equina Syndrome. The longer answer explains why , and understanding that anatomy is often deeply reassuring. First: what causes Cauda Equina Syndrome? Cauda Equi

This is a very reasonable question — and one that even healthcare professionals don’t always answer clearly. You might have been told: you have facet joint pain or that your pain is non-specific low back pain And naturally you wonder: “Are these actually different things — or just different labels for the same problem?” The honest answer is: they overlap, but they are not identical . Understanding the difference can help make sense of your diagnosis and avoid unnecessary worr

With so many options who should you see first? If you’ve developed pain, an injury, or a physical problem and haven’t yet seen your GP, you might assume that booking a GP appointment is the “correct” first step. In many cases, it isn’t. For musculoskeletal problems — such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder injuries, sports injuries, or persistent joint issues — seeing a First Contact Practitioner MSK Specialist (FCP), or a private Physiotherapist who is also a First Contact P

A guide to the bits of your body that stop you falling apart If bones are the scaffolding of your body, ligaments are the somewhat vital connectors making sure the scaffolding doesn’t suddenly fall over when you try to get out of a chair too quickly. They don’t get much glory. No one stands in front of the mirror and says, “Wow, look at the definition on my anterior talo-fibular ligament.” But when a ligament goes wrong, you’ll know about it  — immediately and loudly. What Ex

When you book an appointment labelled as “physiotherapy”, it’s reasonable to assume that the person treating you is a physiotherapist. In most cases that is true — but not always. In recent years, there has been increasing confusion around professional titles in musculoskeletal care. Some practitioners present themselves in ways that strongly imply they are physiotherapists, even when they are not registered as such. This blog explains what being a physiotherapist actually me

Why Sciatica Doesn’t Explain The Cause Of Your Symptoms Sciatica describes a pattern of symptoms — typically pain, altered sensation, or weakness travelling from the lower back into the leg — rather than a diagnosis in its own right. Although the term is often used as if it explains the problem, it does not identify the underlying cause or determine what treatment is needed. This distinction matters because sciatica can arise from several different conditions, each with diffe

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain, altered sensation, or weakness caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve or its nerve roots. If you want a broader explanation of what sciatica actually is, you can read the dedicated What Is Sciatica ? page. One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “Why is my sciatica only on one side?” The short answer is: because of the way the spine, nerves, and most spinal problems behave. A Quick Reminder: What Is Sciatica? Sciatica isn’t

“Sciatica” is one of those terms that gets used a lot — by patients, clinicians, and Google — but it’s also one of the most commonly misunderstood . People are often told they have sciatica when what they actually have is back-related leg pain , nerve sensitivity , or sometimes something that isn’t nerve-related at all. That matters, because the treatment approach should change depending on what’s really going on. What sciatica actually means Strictly speaking, sciatica  refe

You’ve had the MRI scan. You’ve waited weeks for it. You’ve opened the report with a mixture of hope and dread. And then your doctor or health professional declares the unthinkable - despite being on meds all day and barely able to move, you are in fact completely fine and just like that, you become a solved problem and what happens going forwards is you will just get better - just like that. “No significant abnormality detected - normal for age” At this point, most people fe

To be fair, there are  reasons the weekly-appointment model has survived longer than some dinosaurs. But let’s not pretend those reasons are all rooted in cutting-edge clinical science. Some are harmless. Some are convenient. And some are about as subtle as the Ferrari parked outside the clinic with the personalised number plate “PHYSIO1”!!!! Let’s break them down properly. The Short Answer (Up Front) 1. It’s Familiar and Easy Weekly bookings are simple. Nobody has to think t

Ever wondered why shoulder pain is so common?  The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the human body, but with that incredible range of motion comes complexity—and a higher risk of problems. In this quick guide, we’ll simplify how your shoulder works, explain why it’s prone to pain and injury, and share what you can do to keep it healthy. Want a deeper dive into the details? See our full Shoulder Anatomy Explained page ➜ How the Shoulder Works The shoulder is a ball