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

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain

The use of spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of chronic pain syndromes is taking an increasing part in the management of these complex and difficult problems. Scientific work support the usefulness of this therapy in the pain due to poor circulation in the legs, angina and neuropathic pain. SCS is a technological intervention and chronic pain is a multidimensional problem including physical and psychological aspects which bear on the likely success of the treatment. SCS aims to stimulate the large sensory nerves in the spinal cord which interfere with the transmission of pain towards the brain along the small pain nerves and it also has affects on the circulation although the exact mechanisms of action are not known.

When used to treat neuropathic pain the treatment can be given intermittently as then the pain relief may last for some hours afterwards, indicating that the stimulate causes changes in the nerve transmissions which can last for some time. SCS may also alter the behaviour of heart nerves and by various mechanisms reduce the pain of angina. Apart from the effects on circulatory problems there is good evidence for effectiveness in nerve root problems and complex regional pain syndrome.

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.