Symptoms & conditions

Explore neck, upper back and rib-region symptoms, including discomfort with work or sustained positions. Assessment helps clarify the source of symptoms and which care options fit. Massage may be an adjunct for selected muscle and pain concerns.

• General neck pain and stiffness
• Muscle strains and protective muscle guarding
• Whiplash-associated disorders
• Neck pain associated with desk work, driving or sustained positions
• Cervical joint-related pain
• Cervical disc-related pain
• Cervical radiculopathy — neck-related nerve symptoms into the shoulder, arm or hand
• Cervical spondylosis — age-related changes associated with pain or stiffness
• Upper back and thoracic spine pain
• Pain between the shoulder blades
• Rib and rib-joint musculoskeletal pain, after screening for other causes
• Restricted neck or upper back movement
• Musculoskeletal symptoms associated with scoliosis or increased thoracic curvature

Back symptoms can affect sitting, lifting, walking and sleep. Discuss your symptoms, any medical findings and your goals so rehabilitation can follow any relevant medical or surgical guidance.

• Acute and persistent lower back pain
• Lower back strains
• Recurrent episodes of back pain
• Back pain associated with lifting, bending, sitting or standing
• Lumbar disc-related pain
• Disc herniation with appropriate conservative management
• Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy
• Lumbar spinal stenosis — supporting walking tolerance, strength and function
• Lumbar spondylosis and degenerative changes associated with symptoms
• Lumbar joint-related pain
• Sacroiliac-region pain
• Pelvic girdle pain
• Tailbone pain — coccydynia
• Stable spondylolisthesis, where conservative rehabilitation is appropriate
• Back pain associated with pregnancy or postpartum recovery
• Residual pain, stiffness or weakness after back surgery, following surgical guidance

Discuss headache patterns, jaw movement and associated neck or muscle symptoms. Assessment helps identify whether musculoskeletal care is appropriate or whether medical or dental input is needed.

• Tension-type headaches
• Cervicogenic headaches — headaches associated with the neck
• Headaches accompanied by neck and shoulder muscle discomfort
• Temporomandibular disorders — TMD/TMJ-related pain
• Jaw muscle pain and tension
• Pain or difficulty with chewing
• Restricted or painful jaw opening
• Muscular discomfort associated with clenching or grinding
• Associated neck pain in people with jaw symptoms

Explore pain, stiffness and instability affecting reaching, lifting, work or sport. Rehabilitation after a tear, dislocation or surgery is guided by the injury, your assessment and any surgical restrictions.

• Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
• Rotator cuff tendinopathy
• Partial or full-thickness rotator cuff tears — conservative or postoperative rehabilitation, as appropriate
• Subacromial pain, often called shoulder impingement
• Biceps tendinopathy
• Frozen shoulder — adhesive capsulitis
• Shoulder osteoarthritis
• Acromioclavicular (AC) joint sprains and pain
• Shoulder instability
• Rehabilitation after shoulder dislocation or subluxation
• Shoulder labral injuries, including SLAP lesions
• Shoulder blade-region pain and movement difficulties
• Overhead activity-related shoulder pain
• Throwing-related shoulder pain
• Shoulder muscle strains
• Postoperative shoulder stiffness, weakness and rehabilitation

Discuss elbow or forearm symptoms that affect gripping, lifting, sport or repetitive tasks. Nerve-related symptoms and recovery after fracture or surgery need an assessment of the appropriate next steps.

• Tennis elbow — lateral elbow tendinopathy
• Golfer’s elbow — medial elbow tendinopathy
• Distal biceps tendinopathy
• Triceps tendinopathy
• Forearm muscle strains
• Repetitive-use forearm pain
• Elbow sprains
• Elbow stiffness and reduced movement
• Elbow osteoarthritis
• Cubital tunnel syndrome — ulnar nerve irritation at the elbow
• Radial nerve-related forearm symptoms, after assessment
• Rehabilitation after elbow fracture or surgery, once appropriate

Explore symptoms affecting hand use, grip and fine movements. Conservative care and rehabilitation after immobilization or surgery depend on the condition, healing stage and practitioner assessment.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
• Wrist and hand tendon-related pain
• Wrist sprains
• Repetitive-use wrist and hand pain
• Thumb-base osteoarthritis
• Hand and finger osteoarthritis
• Trigger finger — conservative symptom management where appropriate
• Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries
• Grip weakness following injury
• Stiffness after immobilization
• Rehabilitation after wrist or hand fracture
• Rehabilitation after carpal tunnel release or other hand surgery

Discuss hip or groin pain, mobility changes and difficulties with walking, exercise or sport. Rehabilitation before or after surgery follows your clinical needs and surgical guidance.

• Hip osteoarthritis
• Gluteal tendinopathy
• Greater trochanteric pain syndrome — outer hip pain, sometimes called hip bursitis
• Hip flexor strains and tendinopathy
• Adductor strains and groin pain
• Proximal hamstring tendinopathy
• Deep gluteal-region pain
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)-associated symptoms
• Hip labral injuries
• Snapping hip when symptomatic
• Hip stiffness and reduced mobility
• Hip muscle weakness following injury or surgery
• Athletic groin pain
• Pubic-related groin pain
• Rehabilitation before and after hip replacement
• Rehabilitation following hip arthroscopy

Explore knee symptoms with stairs, squatting, running or jumping, along with injury and surgical recovery. Rehabilitation is matched to the assessment, healing stage and any medical restrictions.

• Patellofemoral pain — often called runner’s knee
• Patellar tendinopathy — jumper’s knee
• Quadriceps tendinopathy
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Meniscal injuries
• ACL injuries and reconstruction rehabilitation
• PCL injuries
• MCL and LCL sprains
• Patellar instability and rehabilitation after dislocation
• Iliotibial band-related lateral knee pain
• Pes anserine-region pain
• Knee stiffness and reduced movement
• Recurrent knee pain with squatting, stairs, running or jumping
• Osgood–Schlatter-related symptoms in adolescents
• Rehabilitation before and after knee replacement
• Rehabilitation after other knee surgery

Explore symptoms affecting steps, balance and activity, from a recent ankle injury to recurring heel or tendon pain. Fracture, rupture and surgical rehabilitation follow the appropriate medical plan.

• Ankle sprains
• Recurrent ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability
• High ankle sprains — syndesmosis injuries
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Rehabilitation after Achilles rupture, with or without surgery
• Calf strains
• Peroneal tendinopathy
• Posterior tibial tendon-related pain
• Tibialis anterior tendon-related pain
• Medial tibial stress syndrome — shin splints
• Plantar heel pain — often called plantar fasciitis
• Ankle impingement
• Ankle and foot osteoarthritis
• Heel pain
• Forefoot pain — metatarsalgia
• Big-toe stiffness — hallux rigidus
• Symptomatic bunions — supporting comfort and function
• Morton’s neuroma-associated symptoms
• Foot and ankle stiffness following immobilization
• Rehabilitation after foot or ankle fracture or surgery
• Sever’s-related heel pain in growing athletes

Radiating pain, numbness and tingling need assessment before choosing treatment. Progressive weakness, unexplained sensory changes or symptoms suggesting spinal cord involvement require medical assessment.

• Radiating arm or leg pain
• Numbness and tingling associated with musculoskeletal or peripheral nerve conditions
• Cervical and lumbar radiculopathy
• Sciatica
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Selected peripheral nerve entrapments
• Persistent nerve sensitivity following injury or surgery
• Thoracic outlet-type symptoms, after appropriate assessment

Start with the activity you want to return to. These concerns overlap with the body-area sections, and rehabilitation considers your activity demands, symptoms and current capacity.

• Muscle strains
• Ligament sprains
• Tendon injuries and tendinopathy
• Running-related pain and injuries
• Jumping and landing-related injuries
• Throwing and overhead sport injuries
• Weightlifting-related pain
• Golf-related back, elbow or shoulder pain
• Racquet sport injuries
• Soccer, basketball and volleyball injuries
• Repetitive-use injuries from work or hobbies
• Persistent symptoms after a previous sports injury
• Reduced strength, mobility or confidence after injury
• Return-to-running rehabilitation
• Return-to-sport rehabilitation
• Return-to-gym and lifting rehabilitation

These concerns are assessed by a physiotherapist with pelvic health training, with options guided by your needs and consent. For endometriosis, rehabilitation may help manage associated pelvic floor dysfunction, pain and activity limitations alongside medical care.

• Stress urinary incontinence — leaking with coughing, sneezing, running or jumping
• Urgency urinary incontinence
• Mixed urinary incontinence
• Urinary urgency and frequency
• Overactive bladder symptoms
• Pelvic floor muscle weakness
• Overactive or non-relaxing pelvic floor muscles
• Pelvic floor coordination difficulties
• Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
• Chronic pelvic pain with a musculoskeletal component
• Pain with intercourse — dyspareunia
• Vaginismus or penetration-related pain
• Vulvodynia-associated pelvic floor dysfunction
• Bladder pain syndrome-associated pelvic floor dysfunction
• Constipation related to pelvic floor coordination
• Difficulty emptying the bowel related to pelvic floor dysfunction
• Fecal incontinence, within practitioner training
• Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle or lower back pain
• Postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation
• Abdominal wall rehabilitation, including diastasis recti
• Persistent C-section or perineal scar discomfort after healing
• Return to exercise, running and lifting postpartum
• Rehabilitation following selected gynecological or pelvic surgeries
• Endometriosis-associated pelvic floor dysfunction, pain and activity limitations, alongside medical care

Discuss symptom management, movement and function alongside any medical care you receive. Complex conditions need relevant practitioner expertise and, where appropriate, shared care. Massage may support selected pain concerns; evidence and expected benefits vary, and it does not treat the underlying cause of every condition listed here.

• Osteoarthritis affecting the spine or peripheral joints
• Persistent neck or back pain
• Persistent pain following an injury
• Persistent pain after surgery
• Fibromyalgia — supporting symptom management and tolerable activity
• Chronic widespread pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome — within appropriate expertise and shared care
• Symptomatic joint hypermobility
• Hypermobility spectrum disorders — supporting strength, stability and function
• Ehlers–Danlos syndrome-related musculoskeletal difficulties, with relevant expertise
• Rheumatoid arthritis-related stiffness, weakness and functional limitations alongside medical management
• Axial spondyloarthritis-related mobility and exercise needs alongside medical management
• Osteoporosis-related strength, balance and exercise needs, with appropriate precautions

Rehabilitation can address activity limitations after injury, an accident or surgery when it is appropriate to begin. Bring relevant medical instructions so your plan respects healing, precautions and return-to-work or activity requirements.

• Motor vehicle collision injuries
• Whiplash rehabilitation
• Work-related musculoskeletal injuries
• Sprains and strains following falls
• Rehabilitation after healed or medically stabilized fractures
• Pain, stiffness and weakness after immobilization
• Joint replacement rehabilitation
• Ligament reconstruction rehabilitation
• Tendon repair rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation after selected spinal surgeries
• Scar sensitivity and restricted movement after appropriate healing
• Deconditioning following injury, illness or surgery
• Return-to-work rehabilitation
• Difficulty returning to normal daily activities

You do not need a diagnosis to ask for help. Describe the everyday activities that feel difficult and what you want to do more comfortably or confidently. Posture-related discomfort is considered in the context of your activities and symptoms.

• Pain with sitting, standing, walking or sleeping
• Difficulty squatting, bending, lifting or reaching
• Reduced joint mobility
• Muscle weakness
• Reduced balance
• Reduced walking or stair tolerance
• Difficulty getting up from a chair or the floor
• Reduced confidence moving after injury
• Age-related loss of strength and physical function
• Falls risk and balance concerns
• Workstation or activity-related discomfort
• Muscle discomfort associated with prolonged positions
• Difficulty returning to exercise after time away
• Posture-related discomfort