Evidence-based care

Conditions we treat — viewed through a fascial lens.

We assess and manage musculoskeletal conditions across every body region. Our approach centres on identifying the mechanical and fascial drivers behind each condition — not just the structure that hurts.

A note on how we view conditions: The structure that hurts is rarely the whole story. We use Stecco Fascial Manipulation alongside chiropractic assessment to identify where in the fascial system load is being generated and concentrated — which is often remote from the site of pain. Each conditions page explains this in detail for the specific presentation.

01
Lower Back & Pelvis
Regional overview →

The thoracolumbar fascia is the load-transfer hub of the body. Lower back conditions rarely begin in the structure that hurts — they begin in the fascial and muscular environment that has been loading that structure.

Disc bulges, herniations, and degeneration. The disc is a product of its loading history — which is written in the fascial system around it.
Compression-sensitive facet joints overloaded by TLF restriction and paraspinal imbalance. Often the true source behind a disc diagnosis.
Sacroiliac joint pain driven by compromise of the force-closure mechanism — the posterior oblique and deep longitudinal slings.
Trigger points in muscles that are overloaded because the sling mechanics around them have broken down. Recurs until the sling is addressed.
Piriformis overworks when the glutes underperform. Sciatic-like buttock and leg pain that is distinct from true disc sciatica.
Entrapment of the superior cluneal nerves where they pierce the TLF at the iliac crest. A frequently missed cause of low back and buttock pain.
02
Neck

Cervical spine conditions are among the most common presentations in clinical practice — and among the most under-assessed. The neck's fascial investments connect directly to the shoulder, thorax, jaw, and brain stem.

Sustained cervical flexion, forward head posture, and anterior chain shortening. The most common neck presentation — and one of the most preventable.
Facet-mediated neck pain, stiffness, and referred aching into the head, shoulder, and arm. Highly responsive to manual therapy.
Nerve root compression or irritation causing arm pain, numbness, and weakness. Conservative management is the evidence-supported first line.
Post-whiplash pain, stiffness, and central sensitisation. The fascial system sustains load changes that outlast the acute injury by months to years.
03
Headache, Dizziness & Vestibular

Headache and dizziness are among Steve's areas of deep clinical interest. The cervical spine, jaw, and brainstem are more involved in these conditions than most patients — and many practitioners — realise.

Headache originating in the cervical spine. Referred via the trigeminocervical nucleus — one of the most treatable headache types when correctly identified.
The most common headache type, driven by suboccipital and cervical myofascial restriction. Manual therapy has strong Grade A evidence.
Cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction as a trigger and contributor to migraine. The neck-brainstem connection is increasingly well-evidenced.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo — displaced otoconia causing brief, intense positional dizziness. Highly treatable with specific repositioning manoeuvres.
Dizziness arising from dysfunctional cervical afferent input to the vestibulocerebellar pathway. Distinct from BPPV — and frequently misdiagnosed.
04
Shoulder
Regional overview →

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body — and that mobility depends on the thoracic spine, cervical fascia, and posterior chain operating well. Treating only the shoulder is treating only part of the problem.

Tendon load management through a fascial and kinetic chain lens. Tendon pathology is a tissue response to cumulative load — not a random event.
Bursal compression from inadequate scapular upward rotation. Addressing the scapular movement pattern is addressing the cause — not just the inflammation.
Subacromial pain syndrome driven by scapular dyskinesis and kinetic chain dysfunction. The impingement is the symptom; the chain is the mechanism.
Often a posterior rotator cuff and shoulder girdle stability problem expressing itself at the bicipital groove — not primarily a biceps problem.
05
Elbow & Forearm
Regional overview →

Elbow pain rarely originates at the elbow. The cervical spine, shoulder mechanics, and forearm fascial compartments are assessed as part of every elbow presentation.

Tennis elbow — a tendinopathy of the common extensor origin. Cortisone provides short-term relief with 72% recurrence at 12 months. There is a better approach.
Golfer's elbow — common in throwing athletes, desk workers, and manual trades. Often coexists with ulnar nerve irritation at the cubital tunnel.
Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow causing ring and little finger numbness. Conservative management is effective when identified early.
06
Wrist, Thumb & Hand
Regional overview →

Hand and wrist conditions are closely linked to forearm fascial compartment tension and cervical nerve root status. A thorough upper limb assessment includes both.

Median nerve compression at the wrist. Manual therapy produces outcomes comparable to surgical release — without the recovery time.
Stenosing tenosynovitis of the thumb abductors. Common in new parents, desk workers, and racquet sport athletes. Responds well to conservative care.
Basal joint arthritis causing pinch and grip pain. Exercise therapy and manual treatment significantly reduce pain and improve function.
Stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexor tendon at the A1 pulley. Conservative management including fascial techniques is appropriate as a first-line approach.

The hip is where the lower limb meets the pelvis — a region of significant fascial complexity. Hip conditions have major implications for the knee above and the lower back below.

Compressive load on the gluteal tendons at the greater trochanter. Load management through the LEAP protocol is now the evidence-supported standard.
Femoroacetabular impingement — cam and/or pincer morphology causing hip pain in deep flexion. Conservative management before any surgical conversation.
Ischial tuberosity pain aggravated by sitting and sprinting. A staged loading protocol addressing the full posterior chain is essential for lasting improvement.

The knee sits between the hip and the foot, absorbing the consequences of both. Knee pain assessment that stops at the knee misses the most actionable information available.

Anterior knee pain driven by femoral internal rotation, not lateral patellar tracking. Hip abductor strength is the primary intervention target.
Fat pad compression, not band friction — the mechanism is now well-established. ITB syndrome is a hip abductor and fascial lata problem expressing itself at the knee.
Jumper's knee — a load management problem requiring progressive tendon loading and kinetic chain rehabilitation. Rest alone does not resolve it.
09
Foot & Ankle
Regional overview →

The foot is the fascial floor of the body. Every step begins here, and every compensatory pattern in the lower limb has a foot component worth assessing.

Heel and arch pain from plantar fascia overload. The plantar fascia is a direct fascial continuation of the posterior chain — assessed and treated accordingly.
Mid-portion and insertional Achilles pain. Progressive loading through the tendon continuum model is the evidence-supported approach for both presentations.
Lateral ligament sprains and the chronic instability that follows undertreated episodes. Proprioceptive rehabilitation is central to preventing recurrence.
Medial ankle and arch pain from TP tendon overload. A significant driver of adult acquired flatfoot deformity if left unmanaged.
10
Thoracic Spine

The thoracic spine is the platform the shoulder sits on and the region through which the cervical and lumbar spine connect. Thoracic restriction has upstream and downstream consequences that are frequently underappreciated.

Mid-back pain, rib pain, and the breathtaking catch of a costovertebral joint injury. Often misattributed to muscle strain or cardiac causes.
Anterior chest wall pain arising from the costochondral and sternocostal joints. Requires cardiac exclusion — then responds well to manual therapy.
Neurovascular compression between the neck and axilla. Scalene tension, first rib position, and cervicoscapular fascial restriction are the primary drivers.
11
Jaw & Face

Temporomandibular disorders and the cervical spine are deeply connected — anatomically, neurologically, and fascially. TMD without a cervical assessment is an incomplete assessment.

Jaw pain, clicking, locking, and facial pain. Cervical spine features are present in the majority of TMD patients — bidirectional neural connection via the trigeminocervical nucleus.
Understanding the system

The myofascial slings — how the body transfers load.

Many conditions listed above involve dysfunction in one or more of the four primary myofascial slings. These explainer articles describe how each sling works and why it matters clinically.

Latissimus dorsi × contralateral gluteus maximus via the thoracolumbar fascia. The primary diagonal force-transfer chain of the trunk — and the key to SIJ stability.
Biceps femoris × sacrotuberous ligament × erector spinae. Hamstring tension directly influences sacral position and SIJ mechanics on every step.
External obliques × contralateral adductors via the anterior abdominal fascia. The anterior counterpart — active in rotational tasks and the loading phase of gait.
Gluteus medius × contralateral quadratus lumborum. Governs frontal plane pelvic stability during single-leg stance — every step of every day.

Not sure which
condition applies
to you?

A full assessment is the most reliable way to identify what's actually driving your pain. Book a 45-minute initial consultation and we'll work it out together — clearly, honestly, and without jargon.

Book your initial consultation
Book online now → Or call (03) 9787 0600