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Whether you run, lift weights, play golf, football or netball, cycle, or simply enjoy keeping active, the occasional ache or niggle is fairly normal. Often, a minor irritation settles with a little time and some sensible changes to activity. But what about the pain that keeps coming back? Or the niggle that isn't bad enough to stop you exercising, but never quite disappears? Knowing when to keep moving, when to modify your training and when to get something assessed can make

"What's the best pillow for neck pain?" is one of the questions I'm asked most often as a chiropractor. Closely followed by: "Should I buy a new mattress?" People are often surprised by my answer. I don't recommend a particular brand of pillow or mattress. That's not because they don't matter, they absolutely do, but because the best option depends on you. Your body shape, shoulder width, preferred sleeping position and comfort all play a part. A pillow that's perfect for one

Neck pain is incredibly common and can affect everything from your ability to work comfortably to getting a good night's sleep. For some people it's a constant ache or stiffness, while for others it can trigger headaches that make concentrating or enjoying everyday life difficult. This information is general and not a substitute for individual assessment. If you're experiencing neck pain or headaches and live in South Queensferry, Dalmeny, Kirkliston or Winchburgh, you're cer

Shoulder pain can make everyday life surprisingly difficult. Whether it's reaching into a cupboard, fastening your bra, lifting your child, getting comfortable in bed or returning to the gym, even simple movements can become frustrating. If you're experiencing shoulder pain and live in South Queensferry, Dalmeny, Kirkliston, Winchburgh or the surrounding areas, you're certainly not alone. Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons people come to see me. Although shoulder

Back pain can make everyday life surprisingly difficult. Whether it's getting out of bed in the morning, putting on your shoes, lifting your child or grandchild, gardening, driving to work or simply getting comfortable at night, even simple movements can become frustrating. If you're experiencing back pain and live in South Queensferry, Dalmeny, Kirkliston, Winchburgh or the surrounding areas, you're certainly not alone. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people come

Hip pain can affect everything from walking the dog and climbing the stairs to exercising, gardening or simply getting a good night's sleep. Whether your pain is in the groin, the outside of the hip or deep into the buttock, understanding what's causing it is the first step towards feeling better. If you're struggling with hip pain and live in South Queensferry, Dalmeny, Kirkliston or Winchburgh, you're certainly not alone. Hip pain is one of the most common reasons people co

One of the most common questions I get asked is: "What does treatment actually involve?" The simple answer is that every treatment plan is tailored to you. No two people move the same way, have the same lifestyle, or experience pain for the same reasons. My aim is to understand what is contributing to your symptoms and help you move, feel and function better. Depending on your needs, treatment may include a combination of hands-on techniques, rehabilitation exercises and life

We often think health is about finding the perfect exercise programme, the ideal diet or the latest wellness trend. In reality, your body responds best to the small things you do consistently. As a chiropractor, I spend a lot of time helping people move better, feel better and stay active for longer. While every person is different, there are some simple truths about the body that apply to almost everyone. At Queensferry Chiropractic, I work with people from South Queensferry

If you’ve never been to a chiropractor before, it’s completely normal not to know what to expect. For a lot of people, that uncertainty is what stops them booking in. The focus of your first appointment The first appointment is all about understanding what’s going on. This includes: talking through your symptoms and history looking at how you move assessing what might be contributing to the problem It’s not rushed, and there’s time to ask questions. Will I get treatment on th

Not every ache or pain means you’ve injured something. A lot of what people describe as a “niggle” is quite normal, especially if you’re active or spending long periods sitting. But it can be hard to know when to ignore it and when to do something about it. What is a niggle? A niggle is usually something mild: a bit of tightness a slight discomfort something you notice but can still move through These often settle with a bit of time and movement. When should you pay more atte

A really common pattern is this: You start to feel better… then a few weeks later, the pain is back again. It can feel frustrating, especially if you thought it had settled. Why does this happen? Often, the underlying issue hasn’t fully resolved. Pain can reduce quite quickly, but that doesn’t always mean everything is moving well again. If how your body is moving hasn’t changed, the same area can keep getting irritated. Pain vs movement This is something many people aren’t t

Back and neck pain are really common. Most people will experience it at some point, and in many cases it does settle on its own. But not always. One of the biggest questions people have is whether to wait it out or get it checked. When is it okay to wait? If pain has come on recently and is already starting to improve, it’s usually reasonable to give it a bit of time. Keeping gently active, staying mobile and avoiding complete rest often helps things settle. When is it worth

Scars are often left to sort themselves out. But as a chiropractor, I regularly see how much of a difference the right care at the right time can make, not just to how a scar looks, but to how it feels and how freely you move. And that second part is what really matters. A scar doesn't have to be invisible to be a good scar. What we are aiming for is one that is soft, mobile and comfortable, one that does not restrict you. That is a far more useful goal than chasing a perfect

And why the “click” isn’t the important part When people think of chiropractic care, they often picture the “click” or “crack” that can happen during an adjustment. It’s one of the most common questions I get: “Did it work if it didn’t click?” Short answer… yes. The sound is not the goal of treatment, and it’s definitely not what makes it effective. Let’s break down what’s actually going on. What is Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT)? Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) is a gen

When people think of chiropractic, they often picture the “crack.” But that’s only one small part of what we do. At Queensferry Chiropractic, treatment is always tailored to you. That means looking at how your body is working as a whole, not just where the pain is, and choosing techniques based on how you’re moving, what’s being irritated and what’s going to help you most. Two of the gentler approaches I use regularly are Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) and the Activator meth

Training at the gym but something doesn't feel quite right? Whether you're just stepping into the gym for the first time, getting back into training after a break, or you've been lifting for years, strength training is one of the best things you can do for your body. It builds muscle, supports bone density, improves balance, boosts mood, and makes everyday life feel easier. But like anything physical, it also comes with challenges. Things can feel tight. Technique can feel of

Neck pain is incredibly common. For some people, it's a stiff or aching neck after a long day at work. For others, it can affect sleep, exercise, driving or simply being able to turn their head comfortably. And then there's something I hear regularly in clinic: "Why does my neck pain keep coming back?" Often, there isn't one simple answer. Your neck doesn't work in isolation, and symptoms can be influenced by everything from how much you're moving and the demands of your day

If you are experiencing pain that starts in your lower back and travels into your hip, buttock, or down your leg, you may have been told you have sciatica. It is a very common reason people seek care, but it is also a term that can cause a lot of unnecessary worry. At Queensferry Chiropractic, I regularly see people from South Queensferry, Dalmeny, Kirkliston, Winchburgh and across the wider Edinburgh area with sciatica pain area who are unsure what sciatica actually means an

About the author Vicky Pittman, MChiro – Chiropractor Vicky is a GCC-registered chiropractor and owner of Queensferry Chiropractic, with over 15 years of clinical experience. She qualified as a chiropractor in 2011 after previously completing a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy. She works with patients from South Queensferry, Dalmeny, Kirkliston, Winchburgh, North Queensferry and the surrounding areas, helping people manage musculoskeletal pain, recover from injury and stay active

Muscle pain, tightness and ongoing aches are common, particularly when we are active, stressed, recovering from injury or spending long periods in the same position. At Queensferry Chiropractic, dry needling is one of the techniques I may use alongside other approaches to help manage muscle pain, tension and restricted movement. It involves the use of very fine, sterile needles placed into specific areas of muscle and is always tailored to the individual. If you're based in S