Physiotherapists in Slough treat many different conditions including the issues profiled below.

Lumbar Posture and Muscles

The abdominal and back muscles are affected in three main ways by changes in the posture of the spine: how long the muscles are; what angle they pull against the spine; how powerful they can be due to their changing leverage. Muscle length is important is the application of power and they develop most tension when they are stretches to about 10% above their normal resting length. If the muscle is shortened by contraction then the available strength of contraction is reduced. The fibrous elements in a muscle have their tension increased a lot by stretching, storing energy which can be released as part of enhanced contraction.

In normal standing the back muscles are shortened slightly so they develop more power when the spine is flexed, i.e. bent over to some degree. This means it may be best to bend the back somewhat to lift a heavy weight as this allows increased muscle power to be generated. Stretching of the passive fibrous structures and back muscles whilst lifting can be coupled with a lack of high tension forces on the ligaments and discs by flexing the spine at the time to most of its range.

The Acromioclavicular Joint

Just above the shoulder joint proper lies a small joint between the acromion part of the scapula and the outward end of the collar bone or clavicle, the acromioclavicular joint. It is usually not troublesome and functions like the suspension strut in a car, keeping the moving parts away from the centre of the body. For the arm to able to exert power the shoulder girdle has got to stay where it is when the strength is applied and the clavicle does this by bracing the chest and shoulder apart, forming joints at the chest end and at the shoulder end.

This is a butt joint linked by strong ligaments and is meant to transmit force and not to move significantly. Acromioclavicular joint injuries are typically sustained by falling directly on the shoulder or other part of the arm, forcing the acromion upwards against the stabilised clavicle. This disrupts the joint and is immediately acutely painful with the patient avoiding anything to do with pushing anything. Minor injuries give pain and heal well, whilst more major injuries can cause a deformity as the two parts of the joint no longer sit next to each other. This gives a non functioning joint which can be a chronic problem.