Condition library

Condition library

Plain-English guides to common back, neck, joint and sports injury problems — what's likely causing them, which symptoms need urgent attention, and how they're assessed and treated at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic.

• Lower back pain: what's causing it and what helps?

  Most lower back pain is not serious and improves within weeks. What causes it, which symptoms need urgent care, and how it's assessed and treated at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic.

• Sciatica: why does pain travel down my leg?

  Sciatica is pain travelling down the leg from an irritated nerve in the lower back. Most cases improve without surgery. Causes, warning signs and treatment at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic.

• Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow: why does my elbow hurt when I grip?

  Pain on the outside (tennis elbow) or inside (golfer's elbow) of the elbow when gripping. Why it happens, how long it lasts, and treatment including shockwave at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic.

• Plantar fasciitis: why does my heel hurt when I first get up?

  Sharp heel pain with your first steps in the morning is a classic sign of plantar fasciitis. Causes, warning signs, and treatment including radial shockwave therapy at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic.

• Achilles tendon pain: what is Achilles tendinopathy and how is it treated?

  Pain and stiffness at the back of the heel or lower calf, worst in the morning, is often Achilles tendinopathy. Causes, when to seek urgent care, and treatment at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic.

• Shoulder pain when lifting your arm: is it impingement?

  Pain on the outside of the shoulder when lifting your arm or lying on it is commonly rotator cuff related. Causes, warning signs and treatment at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic.

• Neck pain from desk work: why does my neck hurt after sitting at a computer?

  Neck and upper shoulder pain from long hours at a desk or laptop is very common and rarely serious. Causes, warning signs and treatment at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic.

• What is radial shockwave therapy and what should I expect?

  What radial shockwave therapy is, which conditions it's used for, what a session feels like, how many sessions you need, and who shouldn't have it. Available at Glasgow Sport & Spine Clinic.