Couldn’t Have Done it Without Luke!
Please pass on my thanks to Luke for his help with my foot! I am so pleased to be able to say I completed the Run to the Beat Half Marathon on Sunday in 2hrs 20! I couldn’t have done it without his help. Nicky W.
Please pass on my thanks to Luke for his help with my foot! I am so pleased to be able to say I completed the Run to the Beat Half Marathon on Sunday in 2hrs 20! I couldn’t have done it without his help. Nicky W.
A very normal scenario when people develop aches and pains is that they see their general practitioner for help. The General Practitioner (GP) toolbox allows for sick leave, pain relieving medication, and referrals such as psychologist consultations, and pain management courses to help you live with your pain (http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pain/Pages/Longtermpain.aspx), as well as referrals to imaging modalities.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this picture. It shows the existence of a diverse GP evidence-based tool box designed to provide the best option for the patient in a specific scenario. The only arguable problem is the tendency of long waiting lists, increasing the risk of an acute pain process becoming chronic.
A patient with this same type of complaint who visits a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) receives a very similar management. The DC toolbox allows for all normal physical examinations e.g. blood pressure, lung sounds, neurological tests, identification of area and types of structures involved, as well as prescribing sick leave, and referral to special tests like imaging when these are needed. These examinations provide, as with the GP, a clue on which techniques from the respective evidence-based toolbox should then be applied. Again, nothing wrong about this.
As the DC is a specialist in musculoskeletal physiology (just like an orthopaedic surgeon is specialist in operating on joints) it is fair to state that the DC is far better equipped for correctly diagnosing aches and pains related to the musculoskeletal system, and the GP being a specialist in a very big field in medicine, providing a massive knowledge base, is far better equipped for correctly diagnosing from aches and pains related to medical conditions.
Still, people are often confused about when to see the GP, and when to see the DC. How can you make sure you see the right Doctor? I believe in a simple guideline; See your DC when you’re in pain, see your GP when you’re sick.
A very important thing to remember is that the DC is a trained primary health care professional. This means that if your ache or pain is caused by a condition that requires medical attention, your DC will recognise this and adequately refer you to the right institution e.g. your GP or even the ER.
by iCare @ 2013-07-09 – 23:30:01
Dear All,
He’s doing it again…! Two years on (yes really, already, two years on!) from his sponsored walk, which saw him walk the entire 102 mile Cotswold Way in three days, Simon et al are embarking upon their next sponsored adventure and challenge, in aid of Bristol Children’s Hospital. Having already walked the 3 peaks and completed the Cotswold Way, what, I hear you ask, could Simon possibly be organising next…?
I shall tell you. On 27th June Simon and his friends are cycling a 200 mile route around the Severn Basin that starts at Gloucester and takes them through Hay on Wye, the Brecon Beacons, Newport, Chepstow and back to Gloucester, IN 3 DAYS… Yes you did read that right – 200 miles in 3 days…! (Donations of spare doughnut cushions also gratefully received, in addition to sponsorship monies, by the way ….).
Why go to such great pains for Bristol Children’s Hospital? Because it saved our son’s life. In fact, both of our sons have received surgery there, but in particular we raise money every 2 years for Bristol Children’s Hospital to thank them for looking after Edward and saving his life with corrective open heart surgery when he was 6 months old. He’s doing really well right now, but Edward will need further corrective surgery in his teens, most likely in Bristol.
If you are fortunate enough never to have needed to set foot inside the place, then you might not realise what an important, crucial and life saving place it is, or that at the moment, Bristol Children’s Hospital’s Wallace and Gromit Appeal is saving money to buy pioneering equipment rivalling some of the best in the world, for their Children’s Cardiac Theatre, which we may well need one day.
Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal (http://www.grandappeal.org.uk) was established in 1995 and has since raised over £21 million to support a wide range of life-saving medical equipment, family accommodation, and patient comforts, along with a programme of arts, music, education and play facilities in the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
The Grand Appeal is entirely independent from the NHS and receives no statutory funding, relying entirely on the generous support of the local community, businesses, grant-making trusts and other philanthropic organisations and individuals. We are proud to be a part of that. You can be too.
All you have to do is sponsor Simon and his friends on another one of his mad-cap ventures and sit back and watch….! Couldn’t be easier! It might even be mildly entertaining….. ! (More so for us than for them I daresay – although they always seem to enjoy themselves on these jaunts, despite the discomfort/pain/agony etc etc etc).
So please, help us continue to support Bristol Children’s Hospital to provide world-class care to patients from all over the South West and South Wales. Help us to help them save children’s lives, provide the best possible patient care and keep families together, by donating to The Grand Appeal via Simon’s sponsorship page: www.justgiving.com.longlevenschiro .
Do it now – while you think of it, and help us to motivate this very brave and selfless team.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Leah Rose (Edwards mummy…)
The British Chiropractic Association has some great tips to help avoid any problems with your back and posture this Easter:
DIY projects:
People in some parts of the UK are unlikely to be gardening, but there will be plenty of indoor projects to be getting on with.
When using a ladder or steps, make sure you are always facing it, keeping your shoulders, hips and knees pointing in the same direction.
Rather than leaning or reaching, move the ladder or step regularly to keep up with where you are. Any kind of ladder must be firmly and safely planted in position and, if possible, have someone else there to keep an eye on things.
If you are painting a ceiling, think about getting the largest amount of paint on in the shortest space of time. Use a paint pad or roller with an extended handle and hold it at chest height. Keep your head as neutral as possible and keep facing forward so you don’t over exert your neck. If you can lie down – do!
Plan ahead – If you are planning a trip to the local DIY store to buy heavy items such as cement or gravel, buy smaller bags rather than one big bag as they are easier and safer to carry. If buying in bulkier amounts, shovel the contents of the large bags straight into smaller containers or wheelbarrow from the back of the car.
If having items delivered, have them unloaded as close to where you need them as possible; this will save the effort of moving them again.
Travelling:
If you are flying, drink plenty of water and NOT alcohol during the flight as this will cause dehydration, which could aggravate muscle pain.
Whether travelling by plane, train or car – you will be restricted in your seat for most of the journey, but avoid stiffness by doing shoulder shrugs, buttock clenches and foot circles.
If on a train or plane, try to stand up and move around every 20-40 minutes or, when you stop for a petrol/food break on a car journey, take the opportunity to just stretch and shake out your limbs to allow your muscles to relax.
Compensate for your prolonged time of inactivity during the journey by doing light exercise – just going for a brisk 20 minute walk once you have arrived at your destination will help
Staying at home:
Although the TV schedules are likely to have plenty to please or you may want to spend time playing your latest computer game, try to avoid sitting for long periods; take a break at least every 40 minutes.
Make the most of the leisure time and fit some exercise in – whether it be a run, time at the gym or going for a walk with friends and family. Active games such as Wii, Kinect or old fashioned favourites like Twister will help keep you moving!
Happy Easter!!
A Chiropractor here at our family run clinic in Gloucester can help ease your back pain, after all, we are the spinal health care experts. Our award winning team will do everything possible to help your recovery.
There’s lots of helpful information on the British Chiropractic Association’s website. We thought this particularly relevant and useful right now!:
Buying the Tree: When buying your Christmas tree, take care when getting it into the car. Use a trolly and ask for assistance when loading into the car. Same when you get home; don’t tackle it on your own – wait until you have someone to help. Don’t lift with your arms straight out, keep the elbows bent and to your side to minimise the stress on your back. Bend knees and not your back to pick items up.
Time for the decorations!: When putting up the Christmas decorations, try not to overstretch and use a step ladder to hang up your garlands or to put the decorations higher up your tree. When using the ladder or steps, make sure you are always facing them, keeping your shoulders, hips and knees pointing in the same direction. Rather than leaning or reaching, move the ladder or step regularly to keep up with where you are. Any kind of ladder must be firmly and safely planted in position and, if possible, have someone else there to keep an eye on things.
A few seasonal tips to help you have a pain free Christmas this year
Tip 1: Did you know everyone has a built in lower back safety belt? To put it on all you have to do is maximally contract your abs, then back it off 50%, then 50% again, this leaves you with a 25% of maximum contraction at the lower part of your abs. When wearing this belt your lower back is exponentially stronger, if you keep using this safety belt it will become natural and you wont even have to consciously think about putting it on. Just make sure your are wearing it when lifting any heavy Prezzies .
Tip 2: To avoid muscle tightness you have to move properly, when using your arms, whether it be for lifting, reaching, even subtle motions such as waving make sure you keep your upper shoulder muscles relaxed. Try to concentrate on using your arms without shrugging your shoulders, shrugging the shoulders repeatedly leads to chronic tightness. Make sure your aware of this when your around the house putting up those Christmas decorations .
Tip 3: Stay loose, a tight muscle is usually sore, relatively stiff into touch and occasionally feels like it has strings of linguini running through it. If you notice you have muscles like these then I would recommend getting a massage or seeing a manual therapist such as a chiropractor help get them loosened out. Depending on the region of tightness tight muscles can lead to strains, sprains, headaches and muscle tears.
Remember, as Santa always says “HO HO HO!!” “always be pro active, not reactive!” :p and finally…
Have a Very Merry Christmas from us all at Longlevens Chiropractic and Sports Injury Clinic!
Danny Adams
Research carried out on behalf of Premier Inn suggests that you can tell a lot about someone’s personality by the position they sleep in. Your bed can also be the cause of back pain and the British Chiropractic Association has some great advice for sleep posture and how to choose your bed and pillow.
Choosing the right bed can minimise those factors that may lead to, or aggravate back pain. Research by the British Chiropractic Association in 2011 showed that of those experiencing back pain, 41% of women and 36% of men said that their pain could be brought on by a night’s so-called ‘rest’.
We come in different weights, shapes and sizes, but have one thing in common; we spend more than a third of our lives in bed, so should choose our beds carefully.
Which is better, a hard or soft mattress? – The best mattress is a ’supportive one‘. A 16 stone person sleeping on a mattress may not get the same support as a 10 stone person sleeping on the same mattress.
How do I know which is the right mattress for me? – If you are lying on your side, your spine should be parallel to the mattress and your spine should not sag (bed too soft) or bow (bed too hard). The longer you can spend lying on a mattress before you buy it, the more accurate this feeling will be. – Your pillow should be an extension of this i.e. your neck should be a continuation of the straight spine and not too high or too low.
What about my partner? – Always shop with your partner as your respective ideal mattress tensions could be very different. If this is the case, buy beds from a range that allow two single mattresses to be zipped together, so that you both get the support you need.
How do I know if my current bed/mattress needs replacing? – Are you and your partner getting comfortable nights sleep? If the answer is no, your bed may be the problem. -Can you feel the springs through the mattress? If the answer is yes, it is definitely time to buy a new one. – Is the bed more that 10 years old? If the answer is yes, consider purchasing a new one – beds wear out and may sag or lose support with time.
What things can I do to help prevent back problems even with my new mattress? – Try and adopt a sleeping position which creates less physical stress on the back. For example, lying on your side is better than lying on your front with your neck twisted to one side. – Keep moving and avoid being in any one position for too long.
No matter how comfy the position may initially feel, the longer you stay in one position, the more this will ‘load joints’. If your partner moves around a lot at night, try separate beds for a while as your partner’s movement could aggravate YOUR back condition! – Drink water. Keep well hydrated; dehydration can make muscles ache. – Don’t leap out of bed first thing in the morning. After you have woken up wake up, try some gentle stretches. – Wake up your body. Once up, avoid bending or doing anything sudden or strenuous until you back wakes up!
Chronic Neck pain affects 1.5 out of 9 billion people worldwide, Chiropractors are known as the spinal specialists and have exceptional knowledge and skills that can help ease your neck pain so that you can function correctly
1. Stretch regularly – Yoga and Pilates are brilliant to improve your posture, the better you move, the better your posture and the less problems you will experience. If you feel tight in one particular area or are not sure where you are moving incorrectly then your teacher (yoga/pilates) or manual therapist (e.g. Chiropractor) can help you.
2. Correct your ergonomics at work, if you sit at a desk for long periods at work for example then make sure you ergonomics are perfect. A lot of companies will assess this for you, however make sure it is kept up to date as it is very important for your posture and to prevent injury.
3. Take regular short breaks, if you have to stay in one place for a long period of time (e.g. sitting down) make sure you take a break and move about for at least 5 minutes every half hour. This will allow the structures within your body to recover from a prolonged period of stress in one position which can lead to poor posture.
4. Drink lots of water – staying hydrated keeps your muscles and joints supple and strong preventing your body from getting lazy and adapting a poor posture.
5. Feel free to fidget! Fidgeting is your body telling you that you need to move to get comfortable, listen to your body. If your body needs to move to be comfortable then let it be comfortable, just don’t let it be comfortable in one position for too long .
Always remember, keep moving and stay loose, keep your back straight when bending and use your knees!
If your company would like us to pay you a visit to conduct free postural assessments please get in touch!
The first visit is an important one. This visit is the opportunity for the Chiropractor to discover everything important about your injury. It is also the time when the Chiropractor will make a detailed examination of the problem area and then sit down with you to discuss the findings and recommend the best course of action. This is known as a ‘Report of Findings’. The Report of Findings will clearly outline to you what your injury is called (diagnosis), how you got it and how the Chiropractor can help. Treatment involves a number of different techniques. If suitable, the primary technique used is joint manipulation, which involves gentle specific adjustments of the joints, done by hand, to mobilise restricted or stiffened areas of the body that are not working properly. Treatment is also supported by various types of soft tissue work and other physical modalities, all carefully selected to suit the particular injury. All courses of treatment are individually constructed to get you back on your feet as quick as is possible. Every course of treatment is supported by self-help instruction programs to follow at home or at work which aids your recovery and ultimately prevents recurrence of the initial…
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