The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is involved in gestures as essential as chewing, speaking, swallowing, or yawning. When this joint or the muscles surrounding it do not function in a balanced way, symptoms such as pain in the jaw or face, clicking sounds, limited opening of the mouth, neck pain, and, very often, headaches can occur. In…
“I have sciatica” is a phrase that is heard frequently. The term is used in everyday life to describe almost any pain that travels from the lower back or hip to the leg. The problem is that “sciatic pain” is not a diagnosis: it is the description of a symptom. And many of the pains…
Numbness in the arms is a relatively common sensation, often described as tingling, loss of sensation, a feeling of numbness, or small electric shocks. Although, in many situations, it is temporary and seemingly harmless, its frequent, persistent, or progressive presence may indicate changes that warrant clinical evaluation. Currently, numbness in the upper limbs is understood…
Headaches and migraines are common complaints that can significantly affect quality of life. Their clinical manifestation varies and can be associated with factors such as stress, muscle tension, hormonal imbalances, changes in cranial structures and postural problems. The diversity of potential causes contributes to the complexity of these conditions, highlighting the...
Physical activity is one of the cornerstones of good health. However, incorporating movement into your daily life doesn't always mean starting a structured training plan or going to the gym. For many people, the main challenge lies in counteracting increasingly sedentary lifestyles and finding simple, sustainable ways to move more…
Sleep is one of the fundamental pillars of a healthy and balanced life. During nocturnal rest, the body activates essential processes of recovery, cellular repair, and functional reorganisation. At the same time, mental activity slows down and emotions tend to stabilise. Despite its importance, sleep is often undervalued in the context of the rhythm…
We live in a digital age where children come into contact with tablets, mobile phones and televisions from a very early age. While technology can have educational benefits when used correctly, excessive screen time can interfere with brain, emotional and social development. In this article, we explore what neuroscience tells us about this topic and…
Physical exercise is not just a mechanical stimulus on the muscle. It is an integrated biological stressor, with simultaneous impact on the metabolic, endocrine, nervous, and immune systems. The response to exercise depends on intensity, duration and the organism's internal context, and this context, in the female body, varies cyclically. Ignoring the menstrual cycle is...
Neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, refers to pain located in the neck region and is part of the broader group of spinal pain, potentially coexisting with back or lower back complaints. Neck pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints in the adult population, with a significant impact on daily functionality, work performance, and well-being…
About the author David Brandão is a Physiotherapist (Licence 3652 | College of Physiotherapists) and Osteopath (Licence C-0031697 | ACSS), specialising in Clinical Psychoneuroimmunology. He sees patients at Integrativa, where he helps people with musculoskeletal complaints, chronic pain, and functional imbalances. Clinical assessment in Osteopathy is a process that analyses the body as a whole, not just the…
