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

Physiotherapy and TENS

TENS or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a technique of treatment used for pain conditions of various kinds. A small, battery powered device is used to generate the signals which pass down wires to electrodes which adhere to the patient.s skin, with the frequency of the signals and their duration and repetition rates all adjustable. Electrodes, with four at least being best, can be placed around the areas of pain or along the specific nerve tracts which relate to the pain condition in a trial and error manner until the best technique for the patient is found.

TENS works on the idea of sending signals down the main sensory nerves in the painful area and when these signals reach the spinal cord they act as inhibitory factors on the transmission of pain in the spinal cord. The effect is similar to rubbing the damaged area when we bump ourselves hard on something. It reduces the pain and if we stop we will feel the pain come flooding back. Around 30 percent of people find TENS helpful for a variety of pain conditions. TENS is also used in labour as a non-drug alternative for pain relief in childbirth.

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.