St Georges Physiotherapy

17/12/2025

All of these 4 main postures produce their own back pain issues. Which are you?
To successfully manage back pain have a complete assessment and get a tailored treatment plan from our specialist physiotherapist

10/11/2025

The truth about manipulation. Often short term benefit which is why you have to have repeated visits. Manipulation has it's place but needs backed up with management to sustain the benefit

SPINAL MANIPULATION – WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING

There’s this ridiculous idea floating around that a simple thrust can “realign” your bones. Let’s be clear — that’s not what’s happening. You cannot push vertebrae back into place with your hands. The spine isn’t dislocating and relocating every time someone cracks your back. If it were actually misaligned the way some claim, you’d be in hospital, not on a treatment table.

When a practitioner performs a spinal manipulation, the movement is extremely small — a few millimetres at most. The joint surfaces briefly separate, creating a rapid change in pressure within the synovial joint. That change causes gas (mostly CO₂ and nitrogen) to form and collapse inside the joint fluid — the audible “pop.” That’s all the noise is. It’s not bones moving back into place. It’s cavitation — a pressure change in the joint capsule.

Physiological Effects

Manipulation affects the body mainly through neurophysiological responses, not through physical repositioning of bones. The quick stretch activates mechanoreceptors within the joint capsule and surrounding tissues. These receptors send a flood of sensory input to the spinal cord and brain. This temporary barrage can reduce the sensitivity of nociceptive pathways (pain signalling) and alter muscle tone via reflex mechanisms. That’s why after a manipulation, patients often feel “looser,” “lighter,” or notice an improved range of motion — it’s not because their bones were realigned; it’s because their nervous system has momentarily adjusted how it’s interpreting movement and pain.

The effect can also increase local blood flow and help restore normal joint motion if it’s been restricted by protective muscle guarding. Again — that’s a functional change, not a structural one.

Why the Realignment Myth Persists

The “realignment” myth continues because it sounds dramatic and easy to sell. It gives people the impression something was out of place and the practitioner fixed it. It’s a neat story — but it’s nonsense. The vertebrae are held in place by strong ligaments, discs, and deep stabilising muscles. A single thrust cannot overcome that structure and magically shift things back.

22/02/2023

The guidelines for management of OA, osteoarthritis have changed. Your GP may not just give you painkillers. Here is an I fographic outlining choices.
We can help you develop an exercise programme and give some nutrition guidance to manage OA with lifestyle changes.

14/04/2022

Long wait times for NHS physio getting you down. You want to get back to doing what you enjoy.
At St George's you can be seen assessed and start treatment in 1 session.
Kathy also works as an advanced practitioner for the NHS so you can be assured she has all the mandatory training you would expect and wish for.

24/02/2022

As the country emerges from Covid restraints healthcare guidelines have not changed so please continue to wear a mask unless exempt. Please do not attend if feeling unwell, we will rebook you. Thank you for your continued consideration

09/12/2021

Quote from a patient, 'more progress in the last 10 minutes than in the last 3 months'.

This from a patient with sciatica.
St George's currently have appointments available within 7-10 days

13/10/2021

Clinical specialist Physiotherapist with years of experience dealing with all muscle, bone and joint problems.
Kathy also has a post grad diploma in MSK medicine enabling extended diagnostic skills and works as an advanced practitioner for the NHS
Friendly, caring staff who understand how important it is to get you back to your best. Specialists in back pain, sport injuries, arthritis.

16/07/2021

Although the Covid restrictions ease this Monday there is no change for healthcare so patients are still required to wear face masks. If you are unable to wear a mask we can accommodate you at the end of a clinic or virtually to ensure safety. Staff will continue to be in full PPE

29/03/2021

With the opening up of outdoor activities there are more likely to be injuries as you return to sports having spent the winter on lockdown
St Georges is fully equiped to manage all injuries. We have Ultrasound scanning to check the severity of soft tissue damage and can liase with your GP if required.
We can provide hands on treatment to deal with muscle injuries and tightness as well as provide personalised training and return to fitness plans.
We are still operating a Covid secure environment so screening is in place to ensure your safety.

04/11/2020

St Georges Physiotherspy, following guidance from our professional body, will remain open during this second lockdown.

Our reception however is closed so please leave a message and we will return your call

29/08/2020

We are open but operating in a new way to keep us all safe. When you ring to book you will be asked questions to check it is safe for you to attend the clinic. If it is not safe we can still do video consultations.
You will be asked some questions about your problems so we can work out the safest way to see you.
Your appointment will be done with the physio in PPE and you are asked tl wear a face covering.
Questioning will be done at 2m distancing so we can then do close contact hands on treatment for a longer period of time safely.

Our new way of working means you do not need to miss out on treatment 😀

15/07/2020

St Georges goes international. Thanks to virtual capability we have managed to offer a patient his treatment even though he is in Spain.
Physio via a video link enables full history and observed assessment. Treatment is then a mixture of advice, corrective exercises and we even teach self massage. Patients take a positive approach to treatment and avoid the trap of dependency.