Physiotherapists in Derby 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.

Shoulder Dislocation

The shoulder is an anatomically unstable joint as it is optimised for mobility rather than stability, allowing the hand to be placed in the very large number of positions required for optimal function. The shoulder socket (glenoid) is relatively small compared to the very large humeral head, leading to problems for the muscular and neurological systems as they struggle to keep the ball of the humerus centred on the socket during movement. The capsule of the shoulder, the fibrous bag which surrounds the whole shoulder joint, is relatively lax to allow for the large ranges of movement. This means it and its ligaments have little control over the joint and it relies on muscle control.

Dislocation is usually caused by a fall on the arm, especially if the arm in a position of abduction and lateral rotation, the position adopted by the .hands up!. posture. This is the most vulnerable position for the shoulder to dislocate anteriorly, i.e. the ball comes out of joint to the front. Immediate severe pain is the first symptom with the patient holding their arm in a protective position. Medical help is usually required to relocate the joint and there can be damage to the axillary nerve which control the deltoid muscle.