“Nerve pain” is a commonly used term for pain that may be related to the nervous system. Clinically, neuropathic pain has a more specific meaning: pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Neuropathic pain may be described as burning, shooting, electric, pricking or shock-like, and may occur alongside symptoms such as tingling, numbness or increased sensitivity. However, these symptoms alone do not necessarily mean that a nerve is damaged or compressed.

Sciatica is a commonly used term for pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg, but it does not describe one specific diagnosis or pain mechanism. Leg pain can arise from different clinical presentations, including radicular pain, radiculopathy or somatic referred pain. This is why pain travelling down the leg does not automatically mean that a nerve is compressed or damaged.

Not necessarily. Pain can travel away from its original source (musculoskeletal structures) without a nerve being damaged or losing function. This is known as somatic referred pain.

Not necessarily. Nerves normally move and adapt as we move, but sometimes neural tissue becomes more sensitive to movement or mechanical loading. This is known as neural mechanosensitivity and may be present across different presentations, including radicular pain, radiculopathy, somatic referred pain and some peripheral nerve conditions.

Running itself is not necessarily harmful. Many running-related injuries occur when training loads increase faster than the body can adapt.Factors that may contribute include:- Sudden increases in running distance- Increased speed work- More hill running- Reduced recovery- Previous injuryShould I Stop Running If I Have Foot Pain?Not necessarily. Many foot and ankle conditions improve while remaining active. The goal is often to modify activity to a level that is tolerable and allows recovery, rather than avoiding movement altogether.

Orthotics may help some people reduce symptoms and improve comfort during walking or running.However:- They are not necessary for everyone- They do not permanently correct foot posture- Custom orthotics are not always superior to prefabricated options- Many people improve without orthotics.Are Flat Feet Or High Arches Causing My Pain?Foot shape may influence how forces are distributed through the foot and lower limb, but it is rarely the sole cause of pain.Many people with flat feet or high arches remain completely symptom free throughout their lives. Assessment should focus on how the foot functions and tolerates load rather than trying to achieve one "ideal" foot posture.

The Ottawa Ankle Rules are a validated clinical decision tool used to help determine whether X-ray imaging may be needed following an acute foot or ankle injury to rule out a fracture Assessment may be recommended if:- unable to bear weight immediately after the injury and during assessment- unable to take 4 steps- tenderness over specific areas of the ankle or foot bones

A commonly used approach in the first few days following an injury is known as PEACE (Immediately After Injury) & LOVE (After The Initial Phase), which emphasises protecting the injured area initially, followed by progressive loading and rehabilitation as symptoms allow.

Tendinopathy refers to persistent tendon pain and reduced function that is often related to mechanical loading, such as running, jumping, changes in training volume, returning to sport too quickly, and repetitive work or recreational activitiesDoes Tendon Pain Mean My Tendon Is Damaged?Not necessarily. Pain and imaging findings do not always match. Many people have tendon changes on ultrasound or MRI without symptoms, while others experience pain despite relatively minor structural findings. Current research suggests that tendon pain is influenced by a combination of tissue changes, tendon sensitivity, and loading demands rather than structural damage alone.What May Influence Tendinopathy?​Current research suggests that tendon pain is not simply the result of inflammation or tissue damage. Tendons are living tissues that continuously adapt to the demands placed upon them. ​Symptoms may develop when the load applied to a tendon exceeds its current capacity to tolerate and recover from that load. Recent research suggests that early tendon symptoms may be associated with increased blood flow and temporary tendon swelling before more substantial structural changes occur.

Not necessarily. Many people have age-related changes on imaging without significant pain, while others may experience symptoms despite relatively minor imaging findings. Treatment decisions should be guided by your symptoms, goals, and physical function rather than imaging alone.

Current evidence generally supports staying active. Exercise is one of the most consistently recommended treatments for many hip conditions and can help improve pain, mobility, strength, and quality of life.In many cases, complete rest is not necessary. However, temporarily modifying painful activities can help calm symptoms while you build strength, mobility, and control. The goal of treatment for hip pain is not simply to avoid pain forever, but to help your hip tolerate movement and activity better over time.Depending on your presentation, this may involve:- Reducing painful movements for a short period- Modifying running, squatting, stairs, or sport-specific tasks- Improving hip strength and control- Gradually reloading the hip- Returning to activity in a structured way

Most people with hip pain do not require surgery. Conservative management is often recommended before considering surgical options.

Hip clicking, popping, or snapping sensations are relatively common and do not always indicate damage or injury.In many cases, these sensations occur when tendons move over bony structures around the hip. Some people experience clicking without any pain or functional limitations. However, if the clicking is accompanied by pain, catching, locking, weakness, or reduced function, an assessment may help determine whether further investigation is required.Internal snapping hip (Iliopsoas tendon movement at the front of the hip)External snapping hip (Iliotibial band movement on the outside of the hip)Changes within the hip joint, such as labral irritation

Not necessarily. Severe pain does not always mean that your back is seriously damaged. Low back pain can feel intense and sometimes frightening, particularly when it starts suddenly or affects your ability to move. However, the intensity of pain does not always reflect the amount of tissue damage.

In most cases, routine imaging is not required. Findings such as disc degeneration and disc bulges become increasingly common with age and are frequently found in people without low back pain. This does not mean that imaging findings are never relevant. Some findings may contribute to symptoms in certain people, but a scan alone cannot tell us whether a finding is the main cause of your pain. More importantly, a normal scan does not mean that your pain is not real. Conventional X-rays and MRI mainly show structural changes and cannot capture every biological process that may contribute to pain. ​A Scan Is One Piece Of The Puzzle — Not The Whole Story.Age-specific prevalence estimates of degenerative spine imaging findings in patients asymptomatic for low back pain​Source: ACSQHC (2022); Brinjikji et al., (2015)

​For most people, chiropractic care for low back pain is considered safe when appropriately assessed and tailored to the individual. Spinal manipulation may occasionally cause temporary soreness, stiffness or a short-term increase in pain. Serious adverse events were not reported in the trials included in recent reviews (de Zote., et al, 2026) although the certainty of evidence around adverse events remains limited. This is why assessment comes first . At Motion Wellness, before recommending treatment, we consider your symptoms, medical history, neurological findings and any factors that may indicate that chiropractic care is not appropriate.

Yes. Spinal manipulation—often referred to as a chiropractic adjustment—may help reduce pain and improve function in some people with low back pain. Spinal manipulation is one of several non-pharmacological treatment options included in major clinical guidelines, alongside approaches such as education, exercise and multidisciplinary care. Recommendations vary depending on whether low back pain is acute or chronic and how treatment is delivered. At Motion Wellness, we use a multimodal approach tailored to your condition, needs and goals—combining adjustments with exercise, education and self-management strategies where appropriate.Non-pharmacological treatments in major low back pain guidelinesSource: Cashin et al. (2026)

For most people, staying active is better than prolonged rest. Although some movements such as bending, lifting or exercise may temporarily feel uncomfortable during a flare-up, an increase in pain does not necessarily mean that further damage is occurring. Pain is a protective response, and how much pain you feel does not always reflect how much damage is present. You may need to temporarily modify uncomfortable activities before gradually building them back up. ​Walking is a simple way to keep moving. Research suggests that walking can help reduce pain and disability in people with chronic low back pain.

It depends on your condition and how long you have had symptoms. Most low back pain is initially managed with education, staying active and appropriate non-surgical care.

Not exactly. While osteoarthritis involves changes within the joint over time, pain is influenced by many factors beyond what can be seen on a scan. Some people have significant arthritic changes with very little pain, while others experience considerable symptoms despite relatively mild imaging findings. Modern osteoarthritis management focuses on improving function, strength, physical capacity, and overall quality of life rather than simply treating imaging findings.

Not necessarily. Current research suggests that recreational running does not increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis in most people. Like other tissues in the body, the knee often responds positively to appropriate loading. Problems are more likely to occur when training loads increase too quickly or exceed the knee's current capacity. For many people, the goal is not to stop running altogether, but to find the right amount of running that the knee can tolerate and gradually build from there.

Usually not. While short-term activity modification may sometimes be helpful, prolonged rest is generally not recommended for most common knee conditions. For many knee problems, some discomfort during rehabilitation can be normal and does not automatically mean damage is occurring. Current evidence supports gradually restoring movement and loading in a way that matches your current capacity. The goal is often to keep symptoms at a manageable level while gradually improving the knee's ability to tolerate movement and activity. If symptoms become severe or continue to worsen after exercise, your program may need to be modified.

There is no single best exercise for every type of knee pain. The best exercise is often the one that your knee can currently tolerate, aligns with your goals, and can be progressed over time.For example, rehabilitation may include:Strength trainingWalking programsRunning modificationBalance and stability exercisesTendon loading exercisesSport-specific rehabilitationGeneral physical activity

No. Current research suggests that many degenerative meniscal tears can be successfully managed with exercise-based rehabilitation and activity modification. Surgery may still be considered in some cases, particularly when there is significant locking, mechanical symptoms, traumatic injury, or specific tear patterns.

Despite its name, most people with Tennis Elbow have never played tennis. The condition is usually related to how much load the tendon is being asked to tolerate rather than participation in tennis itself.Commonly associated activities:​- Computer work- Gym training- Gardening- Manual labour- Tool use- Carrying children- Repetitive gripping tasks

Not always. Many elbow conditions can be assessed through a detailed history and physical examination.Imaging may be considered when:- Significant trauma has occurred- Symptoms persist despite appropriate care- The diagnosis is unclear- Significant nerve involvement is suspected- Surgical opinion is being considered

Not necessarily. Complete rest is often not required. Many people can continue exercising by temporarily modifying aggravating movements while gradually rebuilding strength and load tolerance.

Not necessarily. Current research suggests that many persistent elbow tendon problems are better understood as tendinopathy rather than a simple inflammatory condition. This means factors such as tendon capacity, loading history, strength, movement patterns, and pain sensitivity may all contribute to symptoms.

Numbness or tingling into the ring and little finger may occur when the ulnar nerve becomes irritated around the elbow. This is commonly seen in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and should be assessed if symptoms are persistent or worsening.

Yes, for many people. Serious complications are rare, although temporary reactions such as soreness or stiffness can occur. Before recommending a neck adjustment, we carefully assess whether it is appropriate based on your symptoms, examination findings and individual circumstances.

Yes, for some people. Neck adjustment may help reduce pain and improve movement. However, current evidence does not support the idea that it permanently "realigns" the spine or puts the spine back into place. It is generally most effective when combined with exercise.

Not necessarily. There is no single "perfect posture," and a straight neck on X-ray does not fully explain your symptoms. Both posture and neck alignment may influence symptoms in some people, but neither reliably predicts who will develop neck pain. The appearance of your neck on an X-ray should always be interpreted alongside your symptoms and clinical examination—not in isolation. Rather than trying to maintain perfect posture, it is usually more helpful to stay active, change positions regularly and gradually build tolerance to different activities.

Not necessarily. Age-related changes such as arthritis, disc degeneration and bone spurs are common and do not always cause pain. Research shows that imaging findings often do not match a person's symptoms. Rather than treating the scan, we focus on understanding your symptoms, movement, function and goals to provide the most appropriate care.

Not necessarily. A disc bulge is a common MRI finding and does not always cause pain. Research has shown that many people without neck pain also have disc bulges on MRI. Rather than treating the MRI, we interpret imaging alongside your symptoms, physical examination and neurological findings to determine whether the findings are relevant to your condition.

Not always. Clicking or popping can occur with changes in jaw joint movement and does not necessarily mean that the joint is damaged. Clicking may be more clinically relevant when it occurs alongside pain, locking, or restricted jaw movement.​​

Current evidence does not support the idea that TMD is usually caused by an abnormal bite alone. The relationship between occlusion—the way your teeth meet—and TMD is complex. For this reason, irreversible procedures that permanently alter the bite or teeth solely to treat or prevent TMD are not routinely recommended.

Not necessarily. Changes such as TMJ disc displacement or degenerative joint findings can be present in people with and without jaw pain. TMJ disc displacement has been reported in around one-third of asymptomatic individuals, highlighting that structural findings do not always correspond with pain.

For most people with TMD, current evidence favours starting with conservative and reversible approaches before considering more invasive or irreversible treatment.

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