I’m a committed, enthusiastic lifelong learner and love travel, so getting to do both at the same is a win-win in my world. In all honesty, since covid 19, leaving my postcode still feels like a big adventure (yep, I know!) So the last week has been super special. I’m a committed, enthusiastic lifelong learner… Read More Osteopathic Care of babies, learning from looking back.
It’s September, and the nights are drawing in so quickly it’s reminded me that this is the critical time to put measures in place if you have or are at risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Winter depression is the other name for SAD; it’s a type of depression triggered by the change of seasons,… Read More Seasonal Affective Disorder, and light therapy
Did you know we perform best and are most productive when we alternate between periods of intense focus and periodic revitalisation, aka pausing? I’ve valued pausing for a while but have not always felt able to put it into action. Pausing can be a magical reset for me, especially if I take it in nature… Read More The Power Pause
The end and beginning of the year are often a time to reflect or carry out a life audit, aka new year resolutions. You probably know I’m not a fan of those, but this time of year makes me reflect on the desire for happiness and all that entails; you know the mantra ‘I’ll be… Read More Do you understand your emotional needs?
September is here; it is a new beginning for many. Are you in back to ‘skool’ mode and buying a new pencil case and shoes? Aspiring to create a different version of yourself. Planning to reset your intentions to realise your fullest potential, carrying on as usual or simply seeking less nonsense and more harmony… Read More Life, love and new beginnings.
I’ve been writing a long piece on midlife and menopause hormone changes and updating my women/female health series of courses. In all honesty, I’ve been struggling with the language. I feel reasonably skilled in using neutral and inclusive language in this case. Does it mean avoiding the word ‘woman/lady’ and using ‘people’ instead?. With me… Read More My struggle with inclusive language
The onset of menstruation is a physical and emotional event in a female’s reproductive life. Most will have their first period between the ages of 11 and 14, and depending on the type of contraception used, will continue monthly until menopause.
Gynaecological surgery can be emotive and sometimes complicated. Non-childbirth-related operations include myomectomy, hysterectomy, and pelvic floor repair, which I’ll discuss in a separate post.
Did you know that inflammation is part of our body’s defence mechanism and plays a vital role in the healing process?
While many people, especially those in the corporate world, have heard the word “burnout”, it’s not recognised officially as a medical term. If you read my musings regularly, you know that education and myth-busting are my primary passions inside and outside of my treatment space. In healthcare, burnout is called mental exhaustion or mental fatigue; “it is… Read More Are you at risk of burnout?
Physical pain is an essential part of the human experience; it’s the body’s protective alarm system. Its a subjective experience and one which is challenging to convey to other people. Especially if there are no obvious outward clues, our ability to tolerate pain is as individual as our fingerprints and shaped by many factors: genetics,… Read More Pain, does it need to hurt so much?
Where do you live? In your head, body or both? The reason I ask is that, as a health professional and movement teacher, I meet many people who live in their heads, and their body is just this thing hanging below their lower eyelashes, I kid you not!
The word “core” and “core stability” sit deep in a sea of myth and inadequate understanding about human movement, even in health and fitness spaces. I say this as a comprehensively trained Pilates teacher, osteopath and clinical educator with lived experience managing a severe spinal injury.
The previous post; “Pain what’s really going on?” Discussed pain from a medical and scientific point of view. It aimed to give you an understanding of how pain can be categorised, the variety of words to describe pain, and the normal healing times, which may help people avoid slipping into persistent or chronic states. This… Read More Pain management, ways forwards
Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but it’s probably contributing your inability to move well and reducing your range of motion. When you think about squatting, what comes to mind? The burn from your last gym session, struggling to pick up your dropped keys, or using a lavatory in tropical climes? Did you know that squatting… Read More Your chair is killing you! Time to start squatting.
Fibromyalgia is a mysterious long-term condition that involves widespread chronic pain without a known cause; it’s more of a frustrating label than a diagnosis. Some people will eventually discover a specific reason, but in many cases; the condition appears to be triggered by a physically stressful event, such as an injury, infection or having a… Read More Fibromyalgia explained
Turmeric is best known as one of the quintessential spices used in much of Asian cooking. Also called Indian saffron, it gives curry it’s distinctive yellow colour and has warming earthy, pungent flavour which smells a little like mustard, probably because it’s one of the ingredients used to make it.
Ashwagandha is a popular ancient medicinal herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 2,500 years. It is becoming popular in the west because of its history of helping to reduce stress, the primary ‘disease’ of twenty-first-century life.
Adaptogens are non-toxic plants (herbs and roots) which can help the body resist physical, chemical or biological stressors. Chinese and Ayurvedic healing traditions have used these herbs and roots for centuries, and they’re having a revival. Turmeric is probably the most popular food adaptogen.
While I appreciate that you are probably feeling bombarded with news and updates about this virus, As a healthcare professional, it concerns me that growing misconceptions and myths around this rapidly-changing health crisis are causing people to feel increasingly concerned about how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
Pain can a useful and potentially life-saving protection mechanism. You only have to touch something unexpectedly hot to appreciate that the resulting OUCH was helpful because it made you pull your hand away and prevent possible further injury.
A variety of techniques can help our nervous system back into balance. The relaxation response is one of the simplest because it works like a braking system to brings our body and mind back into a state of equilibrium.
Pressure and stress are omnipresent; they touch every aspect of our everyday life, affecting our body, thoughts, our feelings, and our behaviours too. Interestingly, although most people believe that all stress is harmful, it has some essential benefits.
Almost every day, I hear someone talking about their core, usually stating that they need to strengthen it or that having a stronger one [core] will cure their back pain… mmm [sigh]. Here’s a recent example; a new patient, let’s call him mister B, shared with me that his trainer had told them they needed… Read More Core stability, demystifying the misonception
Spinal stenosis is a common back condition where the nerve roots or the spinal cord become pinched or compressed because the spaces within the spinal canal narrowing. It affects men and women in equal numbers, and around 10% of the UK population is believed to be living with this condition.
It’s a rhetorical question. Are you about to plunge into the perennial pitfall of making unrealistic New Year’s resolutions for the year ahead? While the start of a new year is an opportunity to press the reset button and may inspire a renewed sense of purpose or hope to begin new adventures. Many people make… Read More 2020 new decade, new you? But is there anything wrong with the old you?
Following on from the articles on sleep positions and mattress advice for pain-free sleep, the other question I get asked relating to sleep is “Do I really need a pillow to sleep well”?
As an osteopath, it’s routine to be talking with patients about sleep, especially if discomfort or pain is making it difficult to get to sleep. Any joint-related problem or health concern can be a factor that influences our choice of sleep position. The question that comes up most often is what position is best?
Almost every patient I see in pain asks if their bed or mattress could cause their symptoms. While your bed could contribute to discomfort, making a change is not always easy. The main concern for most people is sleep disturbances, and comfort is a critical factor in getting a refreshing sleep, and that presents a… Read More Mattresses advice.
Thriving, inside and out 