What actually happens during my first visit?

Your initial consultation starts with detailed history-taking, followed by a thorough physical, neurological and orthopedic examination, your modesty is preserved throughout, and gowns are provided where necessary. If you have prior scans, X-rays, or specialist letters, bring them along; if further imaging is ever warranted, we can refer you locally. By the end of your visit, you'll leave with a clear explanation of what's going on and a considered plan forward. Treatment is usually provided on the initial consultation given the case is deemed within our scope of care.

How many sessions will I need before I notice a difference?

Every case is different, but as a general guide, most patients suffering from nerve pain notice a change in their symptoms within 6-10 visits. Once the nerve has been decompressed and the inflammation around the neural tissue is reduced, the body's own healing processes can start to work much more rapidly, which is often where patients notice the biggest shift. Longer-standing or chronic presentations understandably take more time, why nerve recovery takes time explains the biology behind this., as nerve damage typically can last for several months to, in some cases, years. We'll give you a specific timeframe once your assessment is complete.

How does chiropractic care help with nerve pain?

Nerve pain often stems from compression or irritation somewhere along the nerve's pathway, whether the irritation is to a joint, pressure, from a disc or tightened surrounding muscles. By identifying exactly where that irritation originates and combining manual therapy with functional rehabilitation and neural mobilisation, we aim to relieve pressure on the nerve and support its function returning to normal over time.

How is nerve pain actually diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a detailed history, followed by a hands-on neurological and orthopedic examination, testing reflexes, strength, sensation, and how your specific symptoms behave with movement and provocation. This is what actually localises where along the nerve's pathway the irritation is coming from. Imaging such as an MRI or ultrasound can be a useful part of the picture where it's clinically warranted, but it's used alongside the physical examination, not as a replacement for it, a scan on its own doesn't tell us how a nerve is actually functioning.

What kinds of nerve-related conditions do you see?

We see a wide range of nerve-related presentations, including sciatica, disc-related nerve pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital and Guyon's canal syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, piriformis syndrome, meralgia paraesthetica, Morton's neuroma, and other peripheral nerve entrapments, alongside general spinal and postural presentations that irritate nerves indirectly. Every case starts with an assessment to confirm what's actually going on before any treatment plan is built.

Is chiropractic care safe for nerve pain?

For most nerve-related musculoskeletal presentations, chiropractic care is generally considered a safe, conservative option. Treatment is adapted to your specific presentation, including low-force techniques where a nerve is highly irritated or sensitised, and we screen for red flags that would need onward referral rather than conservative care. As with any treatment, individual suitability depends on your specific history and presentation, which is exactly what your initial assessment is for.

Are there symptoms that mean I should see a doctor urgently, not book a chiropractic appointment?

Yes. Most nerve pain responds well to conservative care, but a small number of symptoms and history factors warrant prompt medical attention rather than a routine booking, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the saddle area (the inner thighs, groin, or around the genitals), which can indicate cauda equina syndrome; progressive or rapidly worsening weakness; symptoms affecting both legs at once; fever alongside new or worsening pain; a current or previous history of cancer; a history of inflammatory arthritis alongside neck pain or new neurological symptoms; or unexplained, significant weight loss. If any of these apply to you, please see a GP or present to an emergency department rather than booking with us. We screen for these red flags as part of every initial assessment.

Do I need a referral from my GP to book an appointment?

No, our doors are open to everybody. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners registered with AHPRA, so you can book directly.

Can you still help if I have osteoporosis, or I'm recovering from surgery?

Yes, in both cases. For osteoporosis or generally fragile bone density, we modify our approach with gentler soft tissue techniques, low-force mobilisation, and decompression therapy. For post-surgical cases, spinal fusion or micro discectomies, for example, we treat more delicately, with your surgeon's timeframe and any complications shaping the pace of your rehabilitation.

Can I claim private health insurance on the day, and what will it cover?

Yes, bring your physical or digital private health insurance card and we can process your rebate on the spot. Coverage varies significantly between insurers and the level of cover you've selected, so it's worth checking your Product Disclosure Statement or calling your fund directly if you want an exact figure before you visit.

Back to Clinical InsightsNerve Entrapment

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Posterior Tibial Nerve Pain

Aret AboulianChiropractor

September 28, 2025•5 min read

Think of it as carpal tunnel syndrome's lesser-known cousin in the foot, a burning, tingling pain along the sole that gets worse the longer you're on your feet.

The Ankle's Version of a Familiar Problem

Tarsal tunnel syndrome involves compression of the posterior tibial nerve, a form of tibial nerve entrapment in the foot. as it passes through a narrow tunnel behind and below the inner ankle bone, under a band of tissue called the flexor retinaculum. The anatomy and mechanism are similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, which is why it's sometimes described as the ankle's equivalent of that condition.

How It Presents

Burning, tingling, or numbness along the sole of the foot is the most common symptom, sometimes extending into the toes. Symptoms are typically aggravated by prolonged standing or walking and can, in some cases, worsen at night in a similar pattern to other nerve entrapments. The discomfort is often difficult for patients to localise precisely, since the sole of the foot has quite widespread nerve distribution.

What Contributes to It

Flat feet or excessive foot pronation can increase tension on the structures around the tunnel. Morton's neuroma is a related foot nerve condition worth distinguishing., as can swelling from another ankle injury, varicose veins near the tunnel, or a space-occupying lesion like a ganglion cyst. Occupations or activities involving prolonged standing on hard surfaces are a frequently reported contributing factor.

Why It's Easy to Miss

Because foot and heel pain has several common causes, plantar fasciitis being one of the most frequent, tarsal tunnel syndrome is sometimes overlooked in favour of more commonly assumed diagnoses. A proper examination, including specific nerve provocation testing around the inner ankle, helps distinguish a nerve-related cause from a purely soft tissue one.

A Considered Approach to Treatment

Addressing any underlying biomechanical driver, such as excessive pronation through footwear or orthotic support, alongside soft tissue work and nerve mobilisation around the tunnel forms the basis of a typical treatment approach. Where symptoms are related to swelling or a structural cause, addressing that underlying issue directly is an important part of the picture rather than treating the nerve symptoms in isolation.

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