A common condition suffered mainly by office workers. Tight bands of muscle (trigger points) in the shoulder and neck region combined with reduced function of the cervical spine produce pain in a band distribution over the back, side and front of the head.

Irritation of the joints and muscles within the neck can cause a local pain that can also be referred to the outside of the arm down to the fingers. This can be caused by a minor (eg sudden turning of the head) to moderate (eg whiplash) traumatic onset of pain. This type of pain can also be bought on through incorrect posture whilst working at a desk.

Tendinitis (or inflammation of the tendons) or the muscles around and the shoulder joint can be caused by repetitive overhead movement and also direct trauma to the joint.

The shoulder joint can also gradually stiffen over time and become increasingly painful, a condition known as adhesive capsulitis or 'frozen shoulder'. The cause of this condition is unknown. It resolves naturally over a period of approximately 18 months however regular exercises can prevent complete movement loss within the joint and decrease pain levels.

The muscles in the mid and upper back can become strained due to prolonged periods at a desk. The natural imbalance between the muscles at the front and the rear of the body is usually accentuated by various work postures that emphasise a 'hunched', forward head position. This causes the joints at the back of the thoracic spine to become restricted and painful resulting in a constant ache in the mid back that is relieved by activity and made worse by working at a desk.

Pain on the outside of the elbow made worse by wrist extension is usually associated with a repetitive sport or occupational activity. The overuse of the muscles causes a small tearing at the origin of the forearm muscles that extend the wrist and fingers. Pain on the inside of the elbow can be due to a similar mechanism arising at the origin of the muscles that flex the wrist and fingers. This is commonly referred to as 'Golfers Elbow'.

Pain along the outside of the thumb and wrist can be due to overuse of the muscles/tendons that cross the wrist, usually bought on by carrying heavy objects/gripping over a period of time.

Numbness and tingling in the hand (particularly over the palmer surface of the thumb and first two fingers) can be due to carpal tunnel syndrome. The nerve supplying the muscles and skin of the hand becomes compressed as it passes through the structures in the wrist. It can result in clumsiness with precision gripping.

The posterior joints and muscles of the lumbar spine (low back) can cause well-localised low back pain with some hip, buttock or leg pain above the knee. This may be due to incorrect posture, incorrect lifting, twisting and wear and tear (osteoarthritis) of the joints in the low back.

Wear and tear (or osteoarthritis) of the hip joint can cause pain deep within the groin area and also down the outside of the leg to the knee. The condition progresses slowly and is commonly relieved by light exercise and made worse with activity.

Osteoarthritis within the knee joint can cause a constant dull ache that is relieved by moderate activity and made worse by rest. The various ligaments and muscular attachments around the knee joint can also cause pain if there is extra stress applied from faulty movement patterns in the foot and ankle caused by dropped arches.

A sprain or strain of the ligaments around the ankle can result in pain and swelling around the joint. This is commonly due to a traumatic injury where the foot is quickly forced past its natural range of movement and the ligaments are damaged.

Usually due to dropped arches in the foot. This causes increased repetitive strain on the fascia along the underside of the foot producing pain particularly at the insertion of the fascia (along the front inside edge of the heel).