Sciatica is a description for leg pain which is due to an irritated nerve in the lower back. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis, in the same way that having a runny nose is a symptom of a cold (diagnosis). The commonest cause of sciatica is due to a bulging intervertebral disc, which is a rubbery shock absorber sitting between each bone in the spine.

“Whiplash” refers to an injury involving the neck, when it has been subjected to a sudden flexion and extension mechanism. If a sudden forward-directed force is applied to a seat with an unsupported neck, the body accelerates suddenly forward, while the neck lags behind,causing the neck to extend.

Why are we so prone to developing back pain? Do we suddenly wear out all our discs? Can surgery or a few sessions of physiotherapy restore our back to full health? There are multiple causes for back pain and because the causes may be due to functional problems rather than structural problems, then MRI is not a sensitive method of establishing a clear cause for the pain.

Neck pain is a very common symptom, which up to 30% of people in the Western World experience each year. Most neck pain is short-lived and non-specific, but some people develop chronic, intrusive pain which leads on to having an MRI to look for potentially dangerous causes of neck pain.

Arm pain can come from the arm itself or the pain can be referred from the neck. The nerves which leave the spinal cord to supply the arms are called C(for cervical)5, C6, C7, C8 and T1. These 5 nerves join together to form the brachial plexus, which runs behind the collar bone and into the arm pit, before forming names nerves called peripheral nerves.

The tailbone, also called the Coccyx, is a bony structure found at the base of the vertebral column. Despite its size, it is one of the most important parts of your body as it incorporates multiple muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Along with the Ischial Tuberosities (also known as the ‘Sit’ bone), it helps you support your weight while in a sitting position.