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

Neck Posture

The head is a large and heavy object balanced on top of a slender column of bone and ligaments which is known as the neck. Postural neck pain is very common as our mainly sedentary lifestyles mean that we spend long periods in one position often with our necks held in less than optimal postures. Gravity pushes us down all the time and the neck tends to move forward as the lower neck flexes for us to look down at books or computers. As our head is now looking downwards we don't want to look at the floor all the time so we tilt the head back up, extending the upper neck.

This position, when held long term, can lead to the head stuck forward posture and a .dowager's hump., a prominent bony area at the base of the back of the neck. This can lead to neck strain both at the top and bottom of the neck, causing neck and shoulder pain lower down and neck and head pain higher up. The head forward posture forces the neck muscles and the upper trapezius to work harder than normal to hold the head up in its abnormal position.

Meniscal Tears

Each knee has a pair of interesting structures inside it known as the menisci, more commonly called the knee cartilages. They are cartilaginous structures a bit like banked tracks and attached to the top of the tibia on each side of the knee. Their upper curves surfaces accommodate the large curved condyles of the end of the femur which otherwise would have to articulate solely with the flat upper tibial surface. The function of the menisci is not entirely clear but they may have to do with distributing synovial fluid around the joint, giving the brain feedback on where exactly the knee is during activities or easing force transmission across the joint as it fills in the gaps between the two joint surfaces.

During movements of the knee the large femoral condyles can pinch the menisci against the tibial surfaces and cause tears in the substance of the meniscus. A small tear from the outside of the structure can cause a flap which is called a .parrot beak. tear. If the tear is horizontal along the plane of the meniscus and does not reach the edge then a flap can be produced which is known as a .bucket handle. tear.