Not So Common Conditions Osteopaths Treat

by osteopath carien boshoff

When people think about osteopathy, they often think of back pain, neck pain or sports injuries. While these

are certainly common presentations, osteopaths also assess and manage a wide range of musculoskeletal

conditions that can affect movement, function and quality of life.

Many of these presentations are not commonly associated with osteopathic care, meaning people may be

unaware that osteopaths can assess and help manage a broad range of musculoskeletal concerns. Below,

we explore some less commonly recognised conditions that may present in osteopathic practice.

1. Vertigo & Dizziness Associated with the Neck

Some people experience dizziness, unsteadiness or feelings of disorientation that may occur alongside neck pain, stiffness or altered neck movement. In some cases, these symptoms may be consistent with what is commonly referred to as cervicogenic dizziness. Because dizziness can have many potential causes, appropriate assessment is important.

May present as:

• Dizziness associated with neck movement

• Neck pain or stiffness

• Reduced balance or confidence moving

• Symptoms following neck injury or prolonged postures

2. Rib & Chest Wall Pain

Chest pain can have a range of causes, and symptoms that are severe, unexplained or accompanied by other concerning features should be assessed promptly by an appropriate healthcare practitioner. Musculoskeletal chest wall pain may involve joints, muscles, connective tissues or the thoracic spine.

May present as:

• Pain when taking a deep breath

• Discomfort with twisting or reaching

• Sharp pain between the ribs

• Pain after coughing, lifting or sporting activity

3. Pregnancy Related Musculoskeletal Pain

Pregnancy involves significant physical changes that can influence movement and load through the body.

Many pregnant individuals experience musculoskeletal discomfort as their body adapts to these changes.

May present as:

• Pelvic girdle pain

• Lower back pain

• Rib discomfort

• Hip or buttock pain

• Mid back tension

Management often focuses on education, manual therapy, movement strategies, exercise and helping individuals remain as comfortable and active as possible throughout pregnancy.

4. Running Related Injuries

While many people associate osteopathy with treatment after an injury occurs, runners often seek care for

recurring or persistent symptoms that affect training.

Common presentations include:

• Shin pain

• Achilles tendon pain

• Plantar heel pain

• Hamstring discomfort

• Knee pain during running

These conditions are often influenced by training loads, recovery, strength, movement demands and

individual capacity. Assessment commonly considers the whole kinetic chain rather than focusing solely on

the painful area.

5. Persistent Tennis Elbow (Lateral Elbow Pain)

Tennis elbow can affect anyone, not just tennis players. The condition commonly develops due to repetitive

gripping, lifting, computer use or occupational demands.

May present as:

• Pain on the outside of the elbow

• Reduced grip strength

• Pain lifting everyday objects

• Symptoms aggravated by repetitive hand use

Current evidence suggests that exercise based management and gradual loading are important

components of care for many tendon related conditions.

6. Hypermobility Related Musculoskeletal Pain

Some individuals naturally have greater joint mobility than others. While many people with hypermobility

experience no symptoms, some may develop musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, recurrent sprains or reduced

confidence with movement.

May present as:

• Frequent joint aches

• Recurrent soft tissue injuries

• Feelings of instability

• Fatigue associated with activity

Management commonly focuses on education, strength development, activity modification and improving

overall movement confidence.

7. Jaw Pain (Temporomandibular Disorders)

Jaw-related musculoskeletal pain is frequently overlooked despite being relatively common.

May present as:

• Jaw pain with chewing

• Clicking or popping

• Facial tension

• Difficulty opening the mouth comfortably

• Associated neck discomfort

Assessment may consider factors such as muscle tension, jaw loading habits and neck function.

What Osteopaths Do in Practice

While every presentation is unique, osteopathic care commonly involves:

• Assessment of movement, function and contributing factors

• Screening for signs and symptoms that may require referral

• Education regarding pain, recovery and activity

• Exercise and rehabilitation strategies tailored to individual goals

• Manual therapy where clinically appropriate

• Support for long-term self management

Osteopaths assess for signs and symptoms that may indicate the need for referral or further investigation and work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals where appropriate.

A Final Thought

Osteopathy is not limited to spinal pain. Osteopaths may assess a broad range of musculoskeletal

presentations affecting different regions of the body.

If you are unsure whether your concern is appropriate for osteopathic assessment, speaking with a

registered osteopath can help you understand your options and determine the most suitable pathway for

care.

References

Côté, P., Yu, H., Shearer, H. M., et al. (2019). Non-pharmacological management of persistent headaches

associated with neck pain. European Journal of Pain, 23(6), 1051–1070.

International Association for the Study of Pain. (2021). Musculoskeletal chest wall pain: Clinical

considerations.

Martin, R. L., Davenport, T. E., Reischl, S. F., et al. (2023). Heel pain—plantar fasciitis revision clinical practice

guideline. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 53(1).

NICE. (2021). Pelvic girdle pain and pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions: Evidence review.

NICE. (2022). Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Clinical Knowledge Summary.

Scheper, M. C., de Vries, J. E., Juul-Kristensen, B., & Engelbert, R. H. H. (2017). Hypermobility spectrum

disorders and musculoskeletal symptoms. Current Opinion in Rheumatology, 29(2), 128–135.

World Health Organization. (2022). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour.