As some conditions may actually include referred pain from the back and neck, it is necessary that the Back & Neck Centre physiotherapists are trained in and have an in-depth understanding of the body as a whole.

Referred pain is the result of the extensive network of interconnecting nerves that supply many of the tissues in the body. Sometimes, the patient is not able to determine the specific source of the pain and it is necessary to distinguish if the pain is actually referred from another area.

There is a wide variety of assessment techniques available  to identify the source of pain and to provide relevant treatment intervention programs for many conditions that are not limited to the back and neck.

A neck condition may cause pain to radiate – or be “referred” - to some of the following areas:

Shoulder;
Shoulder blade;
Elbow;
Wrist;
Fingers;
Thoracic;
Temperomandibular Joint. (TMJ);

A lower back condition may cause pain to radiate – or be “referred” - to some of the following areas:

Hip;
Abdomen;
Groin;
Buttock;
Upper Thigh;
Knee;
Leg;
Foot;

A thoracic condition may cause pain to radiate – or be “referred” - to some of the following areas:

Chest;
Ribs;
Arms;
Lumbar;