Physiotherapists in Newcastle Upon Tyne 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.

Clavicle Fractures

The clavicle (collar bone) is commonly fractured in activities which involve the risk of falling on the upper quadrant of the body such as sport, bicycling or simple falls in children and the elderly. The clavicle is a stabilising bone between the scapula and the sternum, holding the arm away from the body during activities and allowing the exertion of force and power. Fracture give acute pain over the bone itself, swelling and bruising and perhaps deformity as the alignment of the bone is disturbed. The fracture may crunch on attempted movement of the arm and be very painful.

To allow healing the arm should be rested for three weeks in a sling to minimise the forces through the clavicle until the fracture begins to unite, during which time the patient should limit arm movement to below shoulder level. Once the pain has reduced after the three week point the arm ranges of movement can be gradually increased. In some cases healing of clavicular fractures can be slow or internal fixation become necessary if they show no signs of uniting after two months or so. Limitation of shoulder movement after fracture is uncommon and physiotherapists typically advise patients on exercises to restore full range.