Reading Chiropractor Toby Roberts-Moore at Reflex Spinal Health
Many people consider that our chiropractors and osteopaths here at Reflex Spinal Health only deal with spinal issues, which is untrue, writes Reading Chiropractor Toby Roberts-Moore. We are specially trained to diagnose, treat, and help you rehabilitate upper and lower limb conditions as well as your spine, so it “not just back pain”! We may use gentle, specific, spinal manipulation techniques , but also we are fortunate enough to offer alternatives such as dry needling, orthotics, and also our amazing K-laser.
Common Presentations other than “Just Back Pain”
As chiropractors, osteopaths, and massage therapists we are trained to treat a large majority of muscle and joint pathologies, so very rarely is it “just back pain”. The most common non-spinal issues that we help you to improve are:
Shoulder Pain
Up to 67% of the population will suffer from a shoulder injury at some time in their life (Hodgets 2021), many of these will be related to the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff consists of 4 muscles around the shoulder blade that help with stability and movement of the shoulder and arm. Incidence of rotator cuff disorders are extremely common and increase with age. Other common shoulder pathologies that we see and can help with are sprains, strains, and frozen shoulder.
Elbow and Wrist Pain
Tennis elbow, otherwise known as lateral epicondylitis, accounts for 60% of all elbow pain (NICE 2022). Tennis elbow can either occur following trauma, or it can build up gradually over a long period of time. Common symptoms include pain on the outside of the elbow, and/or reduced grip strength. We also treat other elbow problems such as golfer’s elbow, bursitis, and carpal tunnel.
Head and Neck Pain
Studies show that over 78% (NICE, 2022) of the population will develop a headache at some 
point annually. If you begin to see a pattern with your headaches, feel free to have us examine you! Two of the most common types of headaches include tension and cervicogenic headaches, both of which can be helped by chiropractic and osteopathy! We will listen to your symptoms, perform an examination and decide the best treatment plan for you. Similar studies show only 5% of those individuals suffering from jaw pain seek treatment, so help improve your symptoms today!
Ankle and Foot Pain
Anyone can suffer from foot and heel pain; it does not matter whether you’re an ultramarathon runner or like to live a bit more of a gentle lifestyle. The most common foot and ankle issues include plantar fasciitis, Achilles issues and Morton’s neuroma. Whether you would benefit from orthotics or manual therapy, we will give you the most appropriate advice in order to get you fighting fit.
Regardless of the location, our aim is to diagnose, treat appropriately, and when ready, rehabilitate you back to your best.
Why should I try Chiropractic or Osteopathic Treatment?
We believe you should always try conservative care when trying to heal your injuries, to minimise the risk of surgery and use of drugs. Whereas drugs provide short term relief, our team will work as hard as possible to ensure we can provide you with a long-term resolution.
What alternative treatment methods do we have at Reflex Spinal Health?
K Laser:
K laser is a high-power Class 4 laser therapy that can stimulate all cell types, including 
soft tissue, ligaments, cartilage and nerves. As a result, it manages pain and inflammation while accelerating tissue regeneration, creating an optimal healing environment.
Dry Needling:
The needles stimulate the muscles to increase blood flow to the area and help to relieve both pain and muscle stiffness in the area.
Foot orthotics:
Foot Orthotics are devices worn in your shoes that allow extra support and improved alignment of the feet, helping them function more efficiently. Improper foot mechanics can be key indicators in individuals who suffer from foot, ankle, and knee pain.
Massage Therapy:
Our team of amazing massage therapists brilliantly compliment the treatment from our chiropractors and osteopaths. Many patients will benefit from soft tissue work, whether this is sports massage therapy, remedial massage, chiropractic massage, osteopathic massage or swedish massage. Many conditions respond fastest when combining chiropractic or osteopathic treatment alongside massage therapy. Your practitioner will advise you if this is the case for you.
Wherever you’re experiencing pain and symptoms, we will do our best to provide you with the best treatment method for you, to provide both short- and long-term pain relief. As you now know we treat the whole body, and not just back pain!
References:
- Hodgets, C. and Walker, B.(2021) Epidemiology, common diagnoses, treatments and prognosis of shoulder pain: A narrative review. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine 42, 11-19
- Tennis Elbow: How common is it?(2022) NICE . Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/tennis-elbow/background-information/prevalence/ (Accessed: 18 October 2023).
- Headache: Assessment. How common is it?(2022) Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/headache-assessment/backgroundinformation/prevalence/ (Accessed: 18 October 2023).
- van der Worp MP;van der Horst N;de Wijer A;Backx FJ;Nijhuis-van der Sanden MW;, M. (2012) Iliotibial Band Syndrome in runners: A systematic review, Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22994651/ (Accessed: 18 October 2023).
