Rediscover Your Mobility with Precision: by Dr Andrew Welsh(PhD), Osteopath

Rediscover Your Mobility with Precision: by Dr Andrew Welsh (PhD), Osteopath

Are you living with chronic back or neck pain that affects your ability to move freely? An Osteopath with 24 years of clinical practice and a new addition to the team at Eclipse Health and Osteopathy, Andrew aims to assist you in working towards reducing pain and improving your ability to engage in daily activities, hobbies, or sports. Much of Andrew’s recent years have been spent in Europe pursuing post-graduate study and research, including completing his PhD, presenting at conferences, and he is a course presenter for Sports Medicine Australia.

Understanding the Importance of Mobility in Managing Pain

Back and neck pain are common concerns, with many people experiencing limitations in their daily lives. Chronic non-specific low back pain (NSCLBP) can be particularly challenging, but research suggests that improving spinal flexibility and strength may contribute to better outcomes.

Age and Spinal Mobility: A systematic review by Intoloa et al. (2009) highlights that lumbar range of motion (ROM) tends to decrease after the age of 40, particularly in flexion (forward bending), extension (back bending) and lateral flexion (bending to the sides). Interestingly, the study found that rotation tends to be spared in the aging process. This suggests that stiffness to twist, often blamed on age and dismissed as something one must “live with,” may not actually be a direct result of aging. Appropriate strategies may improve mobility in this plane for some patients.
Exercise for Chronic Pain: Research by Gordon and Bloxham (2016) suggests that exercise programs focusing on strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness aim to improve movement and may help manage pain, supporting daily and recreational activities.

How Dr Andrew Welsh Works with You

Andrew integrates advanced Swiss and German-made precision measurement devices known as goniometers to assess spinal range of motion and develop personalised in-room therapy and exercise programs. His approach is designed to support individuals in addressing their unique needs and goals.

Detailed Assessments:
- Measurement tools provide precise data on spinal mobility and areas of stiffness or instability.
- This information helps guide tailored intervention plans.
Individualised Exercise Programs:
- Drawing on evidence-based research, Andrew incorporates flexibility training, core strengthening, and aerobic conditioning to support spinal health.
- For example, McGregor et al. (1997) noted that mobility-focused programs may benefit individuals with conditions like disc degeneration.
Focus on Practical Benefits:
- Exercises aim to improve your ability to perform everyday activities, such as bending or lifting.
- Programs are designed to support hobbies and sports, encouraging safe and enjoyable participation.

What the Research Says

A 6-week aerobic exercise program was associated with a 20% reduction in discomfort for NSCLBP patients and improved their ability to manage daily tasks (Gordon & Bloxham, 2016).
Flexibility-focused exercises in women with chronic pain were linked to a 98% improvement in lumbar extension, showing the potential benefits of targeted stretching (Intoloa et al., 2009).
Core stability exercises in a study showed reductions in back pain by up to 76.8%, highlighting the role of strengthening deep abdominal and spinal muscles (Gordon & Bloxham, 2016).

Take the Next Step

Andrew’s approach is centred on supporting your journey toward better mobility and improved participation in activities that matter to you. Using Swiss and German-engineered measurement tools and evidence-informed exercise plans, he aims to provide guidance tailored to your needs.

Consider booking an appointment if you’d like to explore how these strategies might work for you. This initial step can help determine the suitability of a program designed to support your spinal health and mobility goals.

References

Intoloa, P., Milosavljevic, S., Baxter, D. G., Carman, A. B., Pala, P., & Munn, J. (2009). The effect of age on lumbar range of motion: A systematic review. Manual Therapy, 14(6), 596–604.
McGregor, A. H., McCarthy, D., Doré, C. J., & Hughes, S. P. (1997). Quantitative assessment of the motion of the lumbar spine in the low back pain population and the effect of different spinal pathologies on this motion. European Spine Journal, 6(5), 308–315.
Gordon, R., & Bloxham, S. (2016). A systematic review of the effects of exercise and physical activity on non-specific chronic low back pain. Healthcare, 4(2), 22.

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