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

Environmental Risks for Low Back Pain

The risks of low back pain are well known to be connected with high risk activities such as lifting heavy objects from the floor whilst twisted or doing activities requiring quick bending and twisting. A sudden and unplanned occurrence of having to exert high levels of muscle power quickly is also risky for developing low back problems. The physical demands of work such as lifting, twisting, bending and vibration are all risk factors for developing back trouble and in worsening already existing cases of back trouble. There is not a clear connection between work and back trouble although work stresses, if prolonged, can cause episodes or back pain or prolong already existing ones.

The reasons for not being able to work and for developing disability from a back pain problem are more closely related to complex factors of a psychosocial nature which are both individual and work related. Factors relating to sport have been contradictory in the research literature but activities which demand heavy loads such as gymnastics and weight lifting are associated with a higher risk of disc degeneration which could lead to symptoms in time. Spinal tissues may be affected adversely both by too little activity and by too much.

Achilles Tendon Rupture

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, a large fibrous structure formed of collagen fibres lined up to form a very strong tendon which has to bear the force of weight bearing activities. The calf muscles are a very important part of propulsion in walking and when we walk, run or jump , very high forces are taken by the Achilles tendon as we perform vigorous movements with the ankle. As we get into our forties the strength of our tendons is declining but we often put the same forces on our body as we did twenty years previously. This can lead to the forces involved exceeding the strength of the tendon and a rupture, either partial or complete, results.

Treatment can be conservative or surgical, in many cases there being no significant clinical difference between the two in terms of outcome. Plaster of Paris used to be used routinely for immobilisation but new bracing systems have now been developed which allow precise control of the angle of the ankle and so the stresses on the tendon. This allows a graded progression of force as the tendon heals. Physiotherapists apply these braces and rehabilitate patients once they are out of the immobilisation.