I’M finding it quite difficult to look after my mum while juggling my job and kids. Is there anywhere I can get help?

Care Information Scotland is a service providing information on care and support services for people in Scotland, and their carers. Trained information advisors are available to help and can put you in touch with local organisations for support. If you want to find out about options to support independent living, carer support or planning for the future, you can contact Care Information Scotland via the helpline number 0800 011 3200 open 7 days: 8am to 10pm or visit the website at www.careinfoscotland.co.uk where you can also use webchat to get answers.

I’VE been diagnosed with a slipped disc and I’ve been told that it should get better on its own. Is this right?

In 90% of cases the pain from a slipped disc gets better on its own and does not require surgery. However, the healing process may take some time. For most people, the condition gets a lot better within about six weeks.

Current advice is to try to remain active once the most acute pain has passed. Staying as active as possible will help relieve symptoms even if you are in a lot of pain. It is advised that you continue to work, or return to work as soon as possible.

Your doctor will prescribe appropriate painkillers and may consider referring you to a qualified physiotherapist who may provide exercises and other treatments. If healing does not happen on its own within a reasonable time, other options may be considered. Your GP or physiotherapist should be able to offer advice on this. There is lots of help about musculoskeletal care as well as a free app to downloan at www.nhsinform.co.uk.

WHAT is Joint-hypermobility syndrome?

Joint hypermobility is a condition where some or all of the joints have an abnormally large range of movement, and joint-hypermobility syndrome is where someone experiences pain and difficulty from the symptoms of the condition.

Symptoms of joint hypermobility syndrome include joint pain, muscle aches, back pain, a tendency to bruise easily, extreme tiredness and night pains in children.

Joint hypermobility can be hard to diagnose and measure as it varies considerably from person to person. The Beighton score is a series of nine tests that can be used to determine whether you have joint hypermobility or not. These tests include the following questions:

• Can you put your hands flat on the floor with your knees straight?

• Can you bend your left elbow backwards?

• Can you bend your right elbow backwards?

Each test carries a score of one point, and if you score more than four, you probably have joint hypermobility. Joint hypermobility syndrome is diagnosed upon the patient experiencing pain from the condition.

Depending on your symptoms, your condition may be treated by a number of professional including your GP, a rheumatologist, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and/or a podiatrist. Physiotherapy is a common treatment for joint hypermobility syndrome and can be used to reduce pain, improve muscle strength, improve posture and correct the movement of individual joints.